Fu Shize fastened her seatbelt and started the car. Throughout the journey, his expression remained cold as he focused on the road ahead. The car moved swiftly, and within minutes, the sign for the hospital emergency room came into view.
“We could just treat it at home with some medicine,” Yun Li said, surprised. The fall had been painful, but in her experience, hospital visits were reserved for serious illnesses.
He remained silent, parked the car, and led Yun Li to the emergency room. From registration to consultation, the entire process took no more than two minutes. As the doctor treated Yun Li’s wound, Fu Shize leaned against the wall, watching.
After the wound was treated, they returned to the hallway and sat side by side on the resting chairs. Fu Shize lowered his head, his fingers interlaced between his knees.
He hadn’t spoken for half an hour.
Yun Li placed her right hand on his knee. The bandage wrapped around her hand several times, passing through the web between her thumb and index finger. Fu Shize turned his head to look, gently pinching her fingertips.
Suddenly, he embraced her tightly.
It was a forceful hug.
Fu Shize’s arms wrapped firmly around her shoulders, his fingers noticeably gripping her shoulders, as if trying to meld her into his body. Yun Li was momentarily stunned. After a few seconds, he buried his face in her hair.
She could feel his cool cheek and straight nose against her neck.
At this moment, whether it was Yun Li’s overinterpretation or not, she felt that she was an important part of him.
After a while, Fu Shize released her. The doctor advised against getting the wound wet but mentioned no other significant risks. Yun Li didn’t dwell on the injury, but remembering the stolen gift, she said dejectedly, “The gift was snatched away before I could even warm it up.”
“…”
Fu Shize hooked her fingertip. “I’ll get it back for you.”
He didn’t seem to be joking at all.
“No need, that person looked dangerous. It’s not worth it if you get hurt,” Yun Li quickly said. Fu Shize didn’t respond, so she confirmed, “Did you hear me?”
He nodded. He remained silent, his face unreadable as he pondered.
The emergency room doors faced the South Wu Ferris Wheel. Yun Li gazed at the neon lights in the distance, suddenly remembering their original plans for the evening. She asked, “Can we still go to the restaurant?”
Fu Shize checked the time. “It’s a bit late. Let’s go home.”
As she was about to move, Fu Shize stood up first. “Let me carry you on my back.”
Yun Li: “…”
Although she was sure Fu Shize hadn’t confused which part of her was injured, Yun Li, perplexed, still reminded him, “It’s my hand that’s injured…”
Fu Shize stared at her, smiling faintly.
He didn’t hide his intention: “I want to carry you.”
Yun Li looked around. There weren’t many people. After a brief mental preparation, she said, “Alright then, others won’t know it’s my hand that’s injured.”
It shouldn’t attract too much attention from others.
“…”
Hearing her reluctant tone, Fu Shize was speechless. He turned and crouched down, presenting his broad back to her. Yun Li glanced around furtively and slowly hooked her arms around his neck.
His arms brushed against the underside of her thighs as he effortlessly lifted her onto his back.
She couldn’t recall ever being carried like this before. Unaccustomed to the feeling of physical imbalance, Yun Li hugged his neck tightly, burying her face in his scarf.
The scarf had a faint tobacco scent. Fu Shize stopped walking. “It’s a bit hot. Help me take it off.”
She obediently removed his scarf and put it around her neck.
Fu Shize: “Hold on tighter.”
Yun Li hugged his neck more firmly.
Fu Shize: “Like before.”
“…”
Yun Li: “Like what…”
She mumbled, her face reddening as she slowly buried it in the crook of his neck, her skin touching his. The movement was reluctant.
She could feel his hands tighten slightly.
Seemingly amused by her contradictory actions, a chuckle rumbled in his throat. Hearing this teasing tone, Yun Li glanced at him, her gaze carrying a hint of warning.
Fu Shize turned his head to look at her. For some reason, Yun Li lifted her head and quickly pecked his lips. Seeing him momentarily stunned, she felt a sense of sweet revenge.
His surprise lasted only for a moment. The next second, Fu Shize looked at her, his voice enchanting: “Come closer.”
“…”
She showed an unwilling expression, but her face still moved closer to his. His gaze was clear, his nose casting a shadow, its lines distinct. They were so close that even the shadows of their eyelashes were visible.
Fu Shize leaned forward and touched her lips.
Yun Li reflexively pulled back. His lips curved slightly, and he said again, “Come closer.”
His voice held an irresistible allure, gentle yet slightly husky.
She felt her neck begin to heat up, and as if in a trance, she moved closer to him. Fu Shize lowered his gaze and covered her lips with his. The soft sensation lasted longer than any previous time. Then, he began to explore, gently nibbling every part of her lips at an extremely slow pace.
With each nibble, his gaze remained fixed on her. Yun Li’s mind was filled with the man before her, even her breath was filled with his scent. The sensation of his nibbling stimulated every nerve in her body.
Yun Li unconsciously tightened her grip. At that moment, his warm tongue tip explored past her teeth, touching her tongue.
The emotion in his eyes captivated her senses. Yun Li passively allowed him to guide her, drawing her tongue into his mouth. As their lips and tongues intertwined, she slowly regained her breath. His breathing was rapid, his gaze filled with her.
…
It was just past seven when they returned home. Fu Shize opened the refrigerator and looked inside. Yun Li had organized everything neatly, making the ingredients easy to spot.
He took out some vegetables and frozen steak.
Realizing his intention, Yun Li studied Fu Shize’s otherworldly face for a moment before asking honestly, “Do you know how to cook?”
Fu Shize didn’t answer.
Yun Li stood up as well, trying to push Fu Shize back to the sofa. “Let me do it.” She pressed on his shoulders, only to find she couldn’t move him.
He walked towards the kitchen, pulled the door closed, and started working inside. He opened two of Yun Li’s previous videos on E-station and watched them at double speed. Her video explanations were very detailed, and Fu Shize replicated the process from memory.
Cooking only took half an hour. When he brought everything to the table, Yun Li stared at the pink apron he was wearing. It was ill-fitting, looking cramped on his body.
Paired with his slightly cold face, Yun Li held back a laugh as she took out her phone and opened the camera.
Fu Shize’s face was expressionless. “What are you doing?”
The phone wasn’t on silent, and a crisp click sounded in the air.
Fu Shize: “…”
He stared at her, his gaze making her nervous. Not daring to push further, Yun Li put away her phone. Seeing her cower, Fu Shize didn’t take off the apron but pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Let me see,” he said, using only two words.
Yun Li opened the photo she had just taken and handed it to him. In the picture, the tall man wore a cold expression and a pink apron that was a size too small. Because it was shot from below, the imposing aura and the cute attire strangely didn’t clash at all.
Fu Shize smiled without humor. “Not bad.”
“Should I take another one?” She raised her phone.
“…”
“How about a selfie?” She changed her approach.
Fu Shize was no longer so resistant, allowing her to come close. Yun Li moved next to him. In the frame, his expression was stern. She nudged him with her shoulder. “Smile.”
His expression didn’t change at all. Yun Li didn’t insist, instead pressing her face against his cheek and pulling the camera back to include his upper body and outfit in the shot.
He ignored her selfie-taking, instead nuzzling her a few times when their cheeks touched.
She took several consecutive shots.
The meal didn’t last long. After Fu Shize finished washing the dishes, they sat on the tatami mat on the balcony, which Yun Li had set up herself after renting the apartment. Through the window, they could see part of the distant Ferris wheel.
They should be able to see South Wu City’s fireworks at midnight.
They watched a movie together, and it was nearly midnight. She leaned against Fu Shize’s shoulder as they silently gazed out the window.
The silence was broken by a video call ringtone. It was Yun Ye. Yun Li sat up straight to answer. He was outside, wearing earphones and only a thin jacket.
Yun Ye switched the camera view, panning around to show Yun Li. It was the fireworks permit area they used to visit for New Year’s, now surrounded by many people.
“I bought some fireworks,” Yun Ye said, looking at the camera. “I guess I’ll reluctantly set them off for you to see, as a remote New Year’s celebration.”
Yun Li: “…”
She glanced at Fu Shize, who tilted his head to look at her.
…
How quickly she found herself in a dilemma.
Seeing her expression change rapidly, Yun Ye said irritably, “Who told you not to give me money for a plane ticket to come to South Wu and celebrate in person?”
“If you came to South Wu to celebrate with me, I’d swallow my phone,” Yun Li retorted without mercy. The young man’s brow furrowed, and he ignored her. Yun Li only saw the screen go dark and then light up again. Yun Ye had already lit two sparklers in his hand and waved them in front of the camera.
Yun Ye: “Yun Li, these fireworks have gone up in price. Now it’s ten yuan for two. I bought sixty yuan worth today, let’s split it. Hurry and send me a red envelope.”
Time ticked by, with only two minutes left until midnight. Yun Li promptly sent him a hundred yuan. Yun Ye accepted it immediately, and seeing the amount, he let out a surprised “Oh” as if encountering something rare.
Yun Li: “I’ve sent it to you. I need to go celebrate New Year’s now.”
Yun Ye: “?”
Yun Li: “Bye.”
Yun Ye: “…”
She hung up the call directly. Fu Shize, who had been watching their interaction, said without resentment, “You can keep the video call with your brother.”
Yun Li shook her head vigorously. It was their first New Year’s Eve together.
How could she allow Yun Ye to be such a third wheel? She could always send him a couple more red envelopes later.
Fu Shize didn’t say more. He pulled her into his arms. Just as Yun Li was about to say something, a continuous stream of fireworks erupted outside the window. Strings of sparks shot into the sky, bursting into colorful rays of light.
On her phone, the E-station feed was flooded with “Happy New Year” messages. Some people also posted their wishes or plans for the new year, as well as their accomplishments from the previous year.
Yun Li nudged Fu Shize beside her. “Do you have any wishes for the new year?”
Fu Shize rested his head on her shoulder, lazily asking, “Do you have any?”
“My wish—” Yun Li turned her head towards him, “is for you to like me for a bit longer.”
Fu Shize looked at her too. After a long moment, he gently covered her lips with his. Amidst their tender kiss, his voice came through—it will come true.