Firecrackers' sounds bid farewell to the old year, spring's gentle breeze brings warmth and the scent of Tus.
Time flies so fast, it's a new year again.
On New Year's Eve, Qiu Xi lay in bed, lost in thought.
Just as she was deep in contemplation, her phone rang.
"Nan Hua?" she murmured, pulling out her phone to see the caller ID, wondering what it could be.
"Xixi, Happy New Year!"
On the other end, Nan Hua couldn't wait to speak as soon as the call connected.
He had been thinking about her since the holiday began, but couldn't find a good excuse to reach out. Their brief interactions on social media felt like a slow boil, making him increasingly uncomfortable.
Since it was New Year's Eve, he finally decided to call after much deliberation.
After all, it was a perfect opportunity, and it would be a shame to waste it.
"Happy New Year!"
Qiu Xi was taken aback for a moment. She didn't know when it started, but she could now respond to him calling her Xixi with such ease.
"How's your debate competition preparation going?"
Nan Hua had seen it on Qiu Xi's social media, and they had even chatted in the comments section.
He knew it wasn't the most suitable time to discuss this, but he didn't want to waste the chance to talk. For him, any topic was fair game.
"It's going well..."
...
"Okay, then we'll meet again at school. Bye~"
"Bye!"
After hanging up, Qiu Xi thought it was good to let things take their natural course. Lost in thought, she smiled and drifted off to sleep.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, visitors finally arrived at the Qiu family's home, bringing joy to the siblings who had nothing but studying for entertainment during the holiday.
"Uncle, Aunt, Happy New Year!"
"Little Yi Yi!"
"Cousin Xuan Ming..."
"Little Sister Xi..."
In the wild, this would be a complex food chain, one nested within another.
"Cousin Xi Xi, you... don't... pinch me..."
"Sister Xin, go easy on me..."
"Little Pigeon, long time no see!"
The most harmonious were Qiu Ge and his cousin Xu Xuan Ming. They were like brothers, and Qiu Ge had always admired his academically gifted elder cousin.
It had been about two years since they last met, yet there was no sense of unfamiliarity upon seeing each other again.
"Hahahaha~"
"These children are so familiar, just like when they were little."
"They're family, of course, they'd be like this!"
"Yes, yes, that's how it should be."
The playful scene of the young ones amused the adults, who watched them with chuckles when they had nothing else to do.
However, their cheerful playfulness led to a headache for some at the dinner table.
As soon as they finished their meal, the conversation turned.
Circling around Qiu Xin, the topic invariably boiled down to one thing: marriage.
The mere mention of it gave Qiu Xin a headache. She thought she would be free once she left home, but here, the pressure seemed to have intensified tenfold.
Not only were the adults and elders taking turns to pressure her, but the little kids nearby were also adding fuel to the fire.
Even Little Yi Yi, who was still too young to understand, clapped her hands along with the laughter, becoming an undeniable star of the "atmosphere group."
"..."
"I'm full, you guys eat slowly~" unable to bear it any longer, Qiu Xin rubbed her stomach and forcefully retreated from the battlefield.
"Hehehehe~"
Watching her hurried departure, Qiu Xi and the others exchanged knowing glances and stifled their laughter.
...
"You guys just know how to laugh... and you, little dumpling, you're so young and laughing so hard." As soon as the meal was cleared, Qiu Xin caught the group and started scolding them.
She particularly pointed a finger at Little Yi Yi, tapping her forehead. Of all of them, she had been the most gleeful.
"Hahaha~ Sister, hurry up and bring someone back, otherwise you'll still be tormented."
"..."
There was nothing more to say.