Chapter 35

As the Lunar New Year approached, ordinary families were busy buying festive goods and preparing for the celebrations. Before Ruan Miao fell ill, he loved those days leading up to the New Year, when he could wander around with his brother, buying snacks from various street vendors. The bustling streets filled with the sweet aroma of roasted nuts were his fondest childhood memories.

But the He family was different. They weren't enthusiastic about the New Year. To them, it was merely a marker of getting another year older, typically celebrated with a cursory family dinner. With the household staff on leave, the house felt even more desolate.

Ruan Miao couldn't understand how anyone could dislike the New Year. While the rest of the country was abuzz with excitement, the He family seemed isolated from the world.

In the morning, Ruan Miao finally received a box of apples from Fang Zhi, a gift from his family. Picking out a few of the best-looking ones, he washed them in the kitchen and brought them to the living room to share with his siblings.

The home-grown apples looked nothing like the shiny ones sold in markets. He Shanglu eyed them skeptically, "Why are they such weird shapes? They don't look round. Are they even good?"

"They're from Fang Zhi's family. They should be good," Ruan Miao said, unsure but feeling they should appreciate the thoughtful gift. "He went to great lengths to send these. We should eat them."

He Shangzhi peeled the apples skillfully. Ruan Miao took a bite and was delighted by the sweet, juicy flavor. "They're delicious!"

He Shangye inspected his apple before taking a bite, his expression softening slightly. "They are good."

Seeing his siblings enjoying them, He Shanglu hesitantly took his and found it truly tasty.

"I've heard apples don't have to be perfectly round and red to taste good. Sometimes the ugly ones are the sweetest," Ruan Miao mused. "I've never had such a delicious apple. I'll have to thank Fang Zhi properly."

After finishing his apple, Ruan Miao tentatively asked, "Big brother, how are we celebrating the New Year this year?"

"The New Year?" He Shangye replied casually while wiping his hands, "Same as before. We have food in the fridge, and someone will come to cook."

Ruan Miao hesitated, then asked, "Is that all?"

"What else?" He Shangye didn't understand. "On the first day of the New Year, we'll visit the old house and attend an evening banquet. It's more important than the New Year's Eve event."

Ruan Miao found the planned events dull. They sounded like formal occasions where every word and step had to be perfect, akin to being in prison.

"Are we going to buy New Year's goods?" He Shangzhi suddenly asked. "There's a market on the outskirts."

Ruan Miao's eyes lit up, "Really?"

"Yes." He Shangzhi nodded. "If you like, we can go."

Just as Ruan Miao was about to agree, He Shanglu spoke up, "Why go to some far-off place? The supermarket has everything we need."

"I like the market. It's lively," Ruan Miao explained. "Only there can you feel the real spirit of the New Year!"

He Shanglu was skeptical. What difference did it make?

"Big brother, are you coming?" Ruan Miao eagerly invited He Shangye, although he didn't expect him to join. The market seemed too down-to-earth for a CEO.

As expected, He Shangye shook his head. "I'll pass. You young people go. I have work to do."

Working even during the holidays, He Shangye was truly a model of diligence. No wonder he was so successful. Ruan Miao admired his big brother even more. He changed out of his fluffy pajamas into a thick down jacket and dragged He Shanglu and He Shangzhi out the door.

Once they were gone, He Shangye adjusted his sitting position and casually turned on the TV, SpongeBob's unique voice filling the large living room.

He Shangye occasionally glanced at the TV while reviewing reports, maintaining his stern, businesslike demeanor.

The three siblings took the family car to the market. The family driver, not yet on holiday, could still drive them.

The market was bustling with life. He Shanglu, visiting such a place for the first time, was stunned by the crowd and noise as soon as he got out of the car. "Why are there so many people?"

"They're all here to buy New Year's goods, so of course it's crowded," Ruan Miao said as he confidently led the way into the market.

He Shanglu hesitated, looking down at his new limited edition AJ sneakers. But when he saw his sister following Ruan Miao, he grit his teeth and decided to follow, being extra careful not to bump into anyone.

"Next time, I won't listen to your lousy ideas," he muttered to Ruan Miao, holding his hand protectively to keep him from being jostled. "Instead of a nice, spacious import supermarket, you bring us to this crowded place. When we get back, I'm going to beat you."

Ruan Miao found it amusing that He Shanglu was treating him like a lost three-year-old. "You came willingly. I didn't force you."

He Shanglu rolled his eyes dramatically. His tall, handsome figure, decked out in trendy clothes, stood out in the crowd. Elderly onlookers couldn't help but comment on how good-looking the three children were and how their clothes indicated they came from a wealthy family.

Ruan Miao bought several large bags of snacks, including pistachios, cashews, peanuts, pine nuts, and various flavors of sunflower seeds. He also bought a variety of dried fruits, enough to last him several days.

After stocking up on snacks, Ruan Miao went to look at the Spring Festival couplets. The area was a sea of red, adorned with lanterns and Chinese knots. Ruan Miao joined the crowd watching an elderly man write couplets and planned to have a few made for himself.

In front of them was a young man with a cool demeanor, accompanied by an exceptionally handsome man. Ruan Miao couldn't help but stare, finding the handsome man almost unreal, comparable to Jian Fanyu.

Noticing his gaze, the handsome man glanced back coldly, making Ruan Miao quickly lower his head, startled.

"Wei Xinghe, stop scaring the kids," Xiang Fei said, poking his face with exasperation. "The boy just looked at you a couple of times."

He Shanglu stepped in front of Ruan Miao, glaring back. "What are you staring at?"

Wei Xinghe snorted dismissively.

Xiang Fei apologized to Ruan Miao and pulled Wei Xinghe away, engaging in light-hearted conversation as they left. Ruan Miao watched them go, and saw Xiang Fei gently kiss Wei Xinghe on the cheek as if comforting him.

This was Ruan Miao's first time witnessing such a scene in real life, and the impact was significant. He couldn't even remember how he collected the couplets afterward.

Even though he had read plenty of BL novels, they were just text. Seeing it in real life was different. It suddenly hit him that he was living in a same-sex novel where love could spark between two men at any moment.

"Don't stare next time," He Shanglu warned. "Not everyone is so patient. Some might beat you up for looking at them."

"I'll remember," Ruan Miao promised. "But I feel like I've heard the name Wei Xinghe before."

He Shangzhi, usually silent, replied, "He's a notable figure from our school, four years ahead of us."

Ruan Miao remembered some gossip from Xi You. "So that must be Xiang Fei with him?"

"What?!" He Shanglu's face changed. "That was Fei Ge?!"

"My idol!"

He Shanglu looked around frantically, but the pair had already vanished into the crowd.

The three siblings spent the afternoon at the market. Ruan Miao bought a lot of things with his pocket money, and each of them carried a large bag as they returned to their car, panting.

"Buy so much, what are you going to do if you can't finish it?" He Shanglu pinched Ruan Miao's cheek. Then he reconsidered, "Eat more. You look better with a little chubbiness."

Ruan Miao slapped his hand away and started sorting his purchases. He hadn't only bought for himself but also for He Shangye, Jian Fanyu, and Fang Zhi. It wasn't much due to limited funds, but the thought was what counted during the New Year.

Back home, He Shangye watched as his three siblings brought in heaps of items, filling an entire table.

He frowned slightly, crossing his arms. "Did you empty the market?"

"Ask him," He Shanglu pointed at Ruan Miao. "He wanted everything!"

Ruan Miao cheerfully poured hot water for his siblings, then eagerly unpacked his goods, as happy as a farmer celebrating a bountiful harvest.

"This is how you celebrate the New Year. Tomorrow night, we'll watch the Spring Festival Gala and eat all these!" Ruan Miao declared. "I even bought you all red socks to wear on New Year's Day!"

"Superstitious nonsense," He Shanglu scoffed, looking at the socks with golden "Safety" characters. "Only an idiot would wear these!"

He Shangzhi calmly took her pair. "Thank you."

He Shangye picked a less flashy pair. "It's Miao Miao's thought that counts."

He Shanglu: "..."

Are these two even real?