Chapter 36

On New Year's Eve, Ruan Miao finished dinner early and settled on the living room sofa with a pile of snacks, turning on the TV to watch the Spring Festival Gala. Normally, the He family didn't have this tradition, each person usually staying in their own room. But this year, Ruan Miao had managed to drag everyone into the living room. The four siblings sat around the coffee table, listening to the hosts' banter and discussing which of Ruan Miao's snacks tasted the best.

"This pine nut is quite good," He Shangye remarked, rare praise escaping his lips. "I didn't expect such quality from a regular market."

"That's why I like going there," Ruan Miao replied, cracking sunflower seeds as his eyes remained glued to the TV. "Lots of stuff is better than what you get at the supermarket and it's cheaper too." He marveled at how different this world was from his own, not recognizing any of the hosts on screen.

But it didn't matter; he was just there to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

At eight o'clock sharp, the grand annual Spring Festival Gala began. Ruan Miao watched with glee at the vibrant and festive scenes on TV. He Shanglu didn't understand the appeal and would have preferred to play games in his room, but seeing the rest of the family sitting together, he decided to stay. Occasionally, being together as a family felt nice.

This year's Gala was fairly standard. Though Ruan Miao didn't recognize any performers, he found it quite entertaining. The skits were amusing, making him laugh heartily, and even the usually proud He Shanglu joined in for a bit. The He family's living room filled with laughter for the first time, resembling a typical family's celebration.

Time flew by as they ate snacks and watched the program. Soon it was close to midnight, but Ruan Miao wasn't tired. He was used to staying up late to study. Seeing the rest of the program was mostly singing, which didn't interest him much, he brought up his long-awaited plan.

"Let's set off fireworks! It's almost midnight!"

During his market trip, he had bought plenty of fireworks. Since their villa area had no ban on fireworks, Ruan Miao had been looking forward to this moment.

He Shanglu, excited at the mention of fireworks, quickly stood up and started putting on his coat. Ruan Miao, with eager eyes, looked at He Shangye and He Shangzhi. "Big brother and sister, do you want to join us?"

"That's kid stuff. I'll pass," He Shangye said, shaking his head.

But Ruan Miao bravely tugged on his sleeve, saying softly, "But it's not the same without you. Fireworks are meaningful when the whole family is together, and we need you here at midnight."

He Shangye looked at Ruan Miao's hopeful eyes and felt a sudden shift in his heart. He usually spent New Year's either abroad or working in his study, never experiencing the festive atmosphere. No one had ever included him before. Ruan Miao, who could have easily enjoyed it by himself, wanted to ensure he was not left alone.

"Alright." He Shangye's eyes softened. He changed out of his robe and joined his siblings outside.

It was 11:30 PM on New Year's Eve, and the He family lived in a well-known villa district with neighbors far enough apart to not be disturbed. Ruan Miao and He Shanglu brought out all the fireworks from the storage.

"Sister, join us. I got lots of sparklers," Ruan Miao said, worried that He Shangzhi might be afraid of the fireworks.

He Shangzhi took the sparkler from him, studied it for a moment, and then lit it with her lighter. The small pops and sparkles illuminated her face, making her look even more delicate than usual.

Ruan Miao squatted down to plant a large firework in the ground, but He Shanglu wouldn't let him near the flame, fearing he might hurt himself. He Shanglu lit it himself.

The firework was called "Starry Sky." The four siblings watched as colorful explosions lit up the dark sky, indeed resembling a sky full of stars.

"Big brother, is it beautiful?" Ruan Miao shouted excitedly over the noise.

He Shangye looked up, hands in his pockets, then glanced down at Ruan Miao and gently patted his head. "Yes, it's beautiful."

It was the most beautiful firework display he had ever seen.

He Shangzhi held onto her spent sparkler, unwilling to throw it away. She remembered how, in a past life, Miao Miao had cautiously suggested celebrating New Year's together. Despite his love for festivities, he often felt lonely, carrying many untold secrets. Yet, he always wanted to make others happy, like a small sun sharing its warmth.

In this new life, things were slightly different, but He Shangzhi believed she could prevent all the tragedies, no matter the cost. This time, she would protect him.

The boys, always energetic and playful, soon set off most of the fireworks. He Shangye didn't join in the fun but did light a string of firecrackers, symbolizing a prosperous New Year.

As midnight approached, Ruan Miao cheerfully called out to He Shangye, "Big brother, Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year to you too, Miao Miao." He Shangye smiled warmly, a stark contrast to his usual reserved demeanor.

Ruan Miao also wished He Shanglu and He Shangzhi a happy new year, receiving the same wishes in return. They waited in the garden until the clock struck midnight. Ruan Miao then pulled out his phone and sent New Year's messages to Fang Zhi, Xi You, and Jian Fanyu, not forgetting Yu Wenyan.

As he finished, his phone buzzed with a reply from Jian Fanyu.

'Happy New Year to you too.'

Looking at the message, Ruan Miao felt he could sense Jian Fanyu's emotions. He had an inexplicable feeling that Jian Fanyu wasn't happy, though he couldn't understand why he felt that way.

He looked at his phone for a while and then decided to send the best picture of the fireworks he had just taken to Jian Fanyu.

"Here's a picture of the fireworks I set off just now. I hope Jian Fanyu can be a little happier every day."

After sending the message, he put his phone away. The television in the living room was broadcasting the New Year's greetings from the hosts, and he looked up at the fireworks still blooming in the sky, quietly wiping the dampness from the corner of his eyes.

"Mom, Dad, and big brother, Happy New Year."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Jian Fanyu was leaning by the bed and had just deleted the message from Yan Yang. Hearing his phone ring, he picked it up and saw that it was from Ruan Miao.

Though his mood was somewhat irritable, he opened the message out of habit. It was a photo with a blurry background, taken poorly, but the dazzling fireworks in the center were exceptionally bright, as if they could shine through the screen.

Jian Fanyu stared at his phone for a while, then read the message below the picture.

He could feel that Ruan Miao was trying to convey his well-wishes, making an effort to hope that Jian Fanyu would be happier.

Jian Fanyu silently stared at his phone and suddenly buried his head in his knees.

In all these years, even Yan Yang couldn't accurately sense his true emotions, but why did Ruan Miao always manage to be so perceptive?

Jian Fanyu tightly gripped his phone, as if Ruan Miao was right beside him.

Tonight, he was not the only one unable to sleep. In a high-end apartment in another part of town, Zhou Yuancen sat by the window, supporting her chin as she looked out at the fireworks by the river. On the windowsill was a half-finished glass of red wine. She remained motionless, gently stroking a faded photograph of Ruan Miao from his childhood.

When her phone buzzed, Zhou Yuancen lazily picked it up and saw it was a New Year's greeting message. 

"Mom, Happy New Year."

Zhou Yuancen was stunned for a moment.

It had been three years since she last received such a New Year's message. In the past, she would sit alone until dawn, then go to bed with disappointment. But this year...

She looked at her phone for a long time, then smiled gently, tears falling onto the screen.

_____

On the first morning of the New Year, Ruan Miao woke up feeling refreshed. He remembered it was the first day of the New Year, and after finishing his morning routine, he hurried downstairs. Sure enough, Big Brother He Shangye was already seated on the sofa, and breakfast was ready.

"Good morning, Big Brother," Ruan Miao greeted cheerfully.

He Shangye set down his coffee and handed him a thick red envelope. "New Year's money."

Ruan Miao didn't expect this surprise, and he quickly accepted the envelope with both hands, feeling the weight of the money inside. He was surprised. "Big Brother, why so much?"

He Shangye, lowering his head to sip his coffee, did not elaborate. "Go wake up He Shanglu and the others. Breakfast is ready, and we need to head to the old house. Don't waste time."

Ruan Miao eagerly went upstairs to wake up his grumpy second brother.

He Shanglu opened the door with dark circles under his eyes and a fierce expression, as if he might eat Ruan Miao alive. "Do you want to live or die?"

"Stop joking and get up! Big Brother said we need to go to the old house!" Ruan Miao pulled at his arm. "And Big Brother gave me a red envelope! You should go get yours too!"

Although He Shanglu was grumpy, he had to suppress his irritation because it was Ruan Miao. He couldn't afford to provoke his elder brother who was fond of Ruan Miao. 

After the two brothers changed their clothes and went downstairs, He Shanglu noticed that his red envelope from Big Brother was considerably less than Ruan Miao's. "Big Brother, why is mine so little?"

He Shangye glanced at him and replied coolly, "With your grades, how can you ask this question?"

"I'll tell you, if you keep being the last in your class after the holidays, you can forget about all the game consoles in the house."

On the first morning of the New Year, He Shanglu felt he had tasted the ups and downs of life. Ruan Miao was enjoying special treatment from Big Brother, while he was left frustrated, feeling increasingly annoyed with Ruan Miao.

"Second Brother, can you pass me the jam?" Ruan Miao asked, looking up.

He Shanglu grumbled but handed over all the different flavors of jam. "Don't bother me again."

Ruan Miao obediently thanked him.

He Shanglu felt he regained a bit of his dignity as an older brother, and Ruan Miao did show some understanding.