Li Shian and Yan Yan’s friends were a couple with exceptionally high visual appeal.
Yuan Tu and Xin Ji had started dating in university, becoming lovers and marrying right after graduation. Their only son was a year younger than Li Zi and was about to start university soon. However, the Yuan family planned to move their business back to China in the coming years. They intended to scout a good high school in Zhennan City so their son could return for his senior year, adapt to the domestic education system, and make a final push to get into a top-tier local university.
Since they learned that Li Zi happened to be attending university in Zhennan, the Yuan couple suggested that they hoped Li Zi could look after him a little.
The Yuan family’s child, Yuan Ye, was an Omega. Perhaps because he had grown up abroad and was deeply doted on by his family, his personality was very extroverted and a bit pampered—a typical child who had been raised in a jar of honey.
While the two families were discussing these matters, he even pouted to express his dissatisfaction. "I already said I don't need anyone to take care of me. I can manage on my own."
"You guys just love worrying over nothing."
However, Li Zi did not dislike this child who expressed his discontent openly in front of everyone. Although he appeared somewhat willful, his manners were still very polite. He had greeted everyone upon entering, helped serve the dishes, and even praised the dumplings Yan Yan had wrapped as delicious, which made the introverted Yan Yan beam with joy.
"Ah, the dumplings Uncle Yan wrapped are so good! Chinese food really is the best!"
Li Zi’s parents liked him very much as well. After all, Li Zi had been very mature since she was young and rarely relied on them, which had deprived them of a certain sense of accomplishment in raising a child.
Once everyone was full and satisfied, Li Zi helped clear the table and joined Yan Yan in the kitchen to prepare the post-dinner fruit.
As Yan Yan washed the strawberries, he suddenly said to her, "Zi’er, about what we said at the table just now—if you're busy at school, don't take it too much to heart. We’ll find time to help look after Yuan Ye, and the Yuan family will hire someone reliable to keep an eye on him."
"But you should still go see the boy occasionally. After all, he’s just returned to the country and his parents aren't by his side; he’ll surely feel lonely. Since you two got along well when you were little, spending time together shouldn't be much of a problem."
Li Zi naturally wouldn't refuse. Whether out of courtesy or reason, she had to agree. "I know, Dad."
The two families moved to the sofa, watching the Spring Festival Gala while reminiscing about the past, chatting very happily.
The Yuan couple occasionally brought up some embarrassing stories about Yuan Ye from his time abroad. They mentioned how, years ago when they were preparing to take him out of the country, Yuan Ye had cried for days, saying he couldn't bear to leave his big sister.
Yuan Ye, who had been boredly watching TV, instantly turned red in the face. He glared at his mother and said, "That happened when I was so small, and you're still bringing it up? Do you want me to lose face?"
His embarrassed state drew pleasant laughter from Li Shian and her husband.
It was the fireworks outside the window that finally reminded everyone of the hour.
"Ah! It’s already so late. We should be going. We’ve really imposed on you today."
"You’re being dramatic. Look at our relationship! Once you move back to China, we’ll have to visit each other often. Just don't find us annoying then." Li Shian playfully punched Yuan Tu’s shoulder.
"Let us walk you to the door," Yan Yan said, picking up the New Year gifts prepared for the Yuan family.
The family escorted them to the main gate. Li Shian and her husband shared hugs with the other couple. Before getting into the car, the Yuan couple suddenly remembered something. They turned and took Li Shian’s hand, saying:
"Your Li Zi has truly transformed; she’s so beautiful and composed. By the way, remember that agreement we made back then? If they’re a good match, we should become in-laws. Does that still count?"
Li Shian was taken aback, then smiled helplessly. "I can't believe you still remember. If the two children get along, it would be wonderful to strengthen our bond through marriage."
He looked at Yuan Ye with appreciation. "We also particularly like your boy. What a coincidence—I was actually just talking to Yan Yan recently about how it’s time to consider finding a partner for Li Zi."
"Then you must keep my son in mind," Xin Ji teased, glancing at her son, whose face was already flushed crimson.
Yuan Ye simply couldn't stand his unreliable parents anymore. He gave them a push and complained, "I’m only this age and you’re already trying to marry me off? This is too much! Stop talking about this. It’s so cold, just go back inside. Hurry up and leave!"
The adults were amused by him again. Li Zi stood to the side holding the gifts, smiling politely and remaining silent.
She naturally wouldn't spoil the elders' mood to their faces, but regarding this topic, she thought it was indeed time to have a talk with her family.
The entrance to Li Zi’s villa was lively and happy.
No one noticed that a figure had arrived excitedly, only to hide away in a corner.
Li Zhenting could not describe his current state of mind.
In a pathetic state, he hid himself once more in the street corner he used to love most. Like a despicable villain, he stared at the harmonious scene of the two families with eyes full of jealousy.
Li Zhenting didn't know why, but the moment he saw people coming out of the house, his instinct was to hide.
He watched Li Zi standing there holding things, facing a family that matched hers perfectly in both aura and manner.
At that moment, his mind had still been racing with thoughts of what to say if Li Zi discovered him. If she asked why he was there, how should he answer? Should he say he was just passing by?
Then he heard the elders of the two families speak of becoming in-laws, saying they were preparing to find an Omega for Li Zi.
He saw Li Zi standing to the side, offering no rejection.
In that instant, an extreme sense of bewilderment flooded his heart.
What did his relationship with Li Zi resemble?
He was like a pilgrim he had once read about in a magazine, perhaps destined to forever crawl toward his holy land. With every step, he seemed to draw closer, almost reaching it, yet that holy land remained standing coldly in the distance. A gap that seemed like a mere inch was, in truth, a distance he could never cross.
What was any of this?
He fled in a panic.
He wandered the streets like a headless fly. On New Year's Eve, everyone was at home enjoying the warmth of their families. Aside from a few rare travelers and some homeless people, there wasn't a soul in sight.
Somehow, he drifted toward Xinan Street. Only then did he realize how long he had been walking. He thought that perhaps he should return to the nursing home to be with his grandmother.
Just as he was about to hail a taxi, he saw a group of people walking out from the intersection of Xinan Street. He squinted his eyes and saw they were all familiar faces.
Li Zhenting quickly turned aside, standing in a spot the streetlights couldn't reach. He pulled up his coat hood and lowered his head, pretending to play with his phone.
Xu Chang and the others walked past him. He stole a glance at them and was surprised to find that Xu Chang’s right arm was encased in a thick plaster cast; it was likely broken. His face was filled with a palpable hostility.
It seemed there were others like him whose New Year was going miserably.
He thought to himself, deceiving his own heart.
This was perhaps the most joyful thing to happen all day.
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 原途 | Yuan Tu | A friend of Li Zi's parents. |
| 辛季 | Xin Ji | Yuan Tu's wife. |
| 原冶 | Yuan Ye | The son of Yuan Tu and Xin Ji; an Omega. |
| 结亲家 | Become in-laws | To form a familial bond through the marriage of their children. |
| 亲上加亲 | Strengthen the bond through marriage | Literally "adding kinship to kinship," referring to friends or relatives marrying to become even closer. |
| 许昌 | Xu Chang | An antagonist/rival character mentioned in previous context. |
| 希南街 | Xinan Street | A specific street name. |
