RL – Chapter 90

For their first Spring Festival after getting married, Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan spent it in S City.

As the New Year approached, the festive atmosphere in the streets grew stronger. Stalls were set up in the alleyways selling New Year paintings and writing spring couplets. Children in new clothes threw firecrackers onto the snowy ground, covering their ears and running away with a shout before a loud “Bang!” erupted from the snow.

Lin Yi had flown to B City to record a gala. She rushed back, arriving in S City on the morning of New Year’s Eve.

Despite it being the holiday, there were just as many fans, if not more, waiting for her at the airport. She took the normal exit and chatted with them for a while, signing the photos they handed her.

“Baby, Happy New Year!”

“…You’re not older than me, are you, little sister!”

“Wife, Happy New Year!”

“Be careful what you call me, don’t let Xu Shuyan hear you.”

“Baby, did you get any lucky money!”

“I’m waiting for Xu Shuyan to give me some.”

“Why can’t you go three sentences without mentioning Xu Shuyan!”

“Because she’s my wife!”

A solo fan thought: Ah, my heart! But my daughter is so cute! It seems Xu Shuyan can really bring her happiness. Sob, sob, my daughter is even more beautiful when she’s bathed in love!

Then, a bold CP fan handed over a photo of the two of them. “Xiao Yi! I wish you and Yanyan a happy new year!”

Lin Yi took the photo and glanced up.

Her eyes curved into a smile. “Thank you.”

She pressed the tip of her pen against Xu Shuyan’s clothes in the photo and, as if stamping it, signed her name. She added a smiley face before handing it back to the CP fan. “You too, be happy!”

It wasn’t until she left the airport and got into the company car that Lin Yi saw the message from Xu Shuyan: “When are you getting home? The flowers I was waiting with have all wilted.”

Lin Yi sent back a kissing emoji. “How did they wilt? Let me see?”

Xu Shuyan must have been incredibly bored, because she was staring at her phone and replied instantly: “Is that all you care about! You don’t care about me QAQ”

Lin Yi: “…Don’t be like that.”

Xu Shuyan: “Hmm?”

Lin Yi: “Is the dumpling filling chopped?”

Xu Shuyan sent a smug emoji: “Of course. How could I not complete the mission you assigned me? It was just a little loud. Zhou Shichen thought I was getting rid of a body…”

“Don’t listen to her nonsense!” Lin Yi said indignantly. “Her wife can’t chop dumpling filling anyway! Let her be jealous!”

Xu Shuyan: “Mhm!”

Xu Shuyan: “They can only eat frozen dumplings, the poor things!”

Xu Shuyan: “But I heard from Shichen that they have a place to eat dumplings. Who knows where they’re going to freeload this time.”

Lin Yi: “…”

Lin Yi offered a friendly reminder: “Is it possible they’re coming to our place to freeload?”

Xu Shuyan: “…?”

Xu Shuyan: “Changing the door code immediately.”

Lin Yi chuckled. She looked out the window at the festive scenery flying by. Everywhere was red and vibrant, joyfully welcoming the New Year. The cars, too, were hurrying toward a place called home.

Xu Shuyan was waiting for her.

This realization filled Lin Yi’s heart with an unprecedented sense of contentment. She cupped her face, eager to rush to Xu Shuyan’s side. But the more anxious she felt, the more things went awry-they were stuck in traffic.

“We’re so close, and now there’s a traffic jam,” the driver said, looking at the long line of cars ahead. “Who knows how long we’ll be stuck here.”

Lin Yi was also getting anxious. “Maybe I’ll just get out here.”

The driver let out a surprised “Huh?”

“Just pretend you’ve dropped me off. I can walk from here,” Lin Yi said. She had traveled light for the recording, with just a single shoulder bag for everything. She wrapped her scarf tighter, opened the car door, and said, “Thanks for the trouble. Happy New Year!”

The driver only reacted after she had closed the door, shouting, “Happy New Year, Teacher Lin!”

Lin Yi waved a hand without looking back.

She had lived here for many years. Although she risked being followed whenever she left home, she was a playful girl at heart and would often sneak out. She would wind her way through the alleyways outside the complex, taking photos of the night scenery and discovering little paths.

The temperature had dropped in the past few days, and the snow had been heavy. Freshly fallen snow was piled up on the roadsides, trampled and dirtied by children running and playing. Lin Yi put on a mask and a hat, her bundled-up appearance not at all out of place. She walked into an alleyway while calling Xu Shuyan. Just as Xu Shuyan answered, she found herself standing in front of a stall where someone was writing spring couplets.

“Want a spring couplet, little lady? They’re free.” The old woman writing the couplets had a rosy complexion and was wearing a red down jacket. Her high ponytail made her look quite young. She called out to Lin Yi, “I wrote all the ones in this alley.”

“Wow!” Lin Yi said, pleasantly surprised. “Auntie, you’re amazing!”

The old woman was pleased. “Of course. Tell me what you want written, and I’ll write one for you right now.”

“Then I won’t be shy, Auntie.” Lin Yi scanned the table and said, “I’d like this one. ‘Peaceful days year after year, a spring of wishes come true annually.’ Thank you, Auntie.”

The old woman picked up her brush. “You got it!”

The old woman was talkative, chatting with her about this and that. Xu Shuyan listened on the other end of the line for a while before laughing. “Lin Yi, are you just going to make me listen to someone ramble on with you?”

Lin Yi hummed noncommittally as the old woman asked, “Got a partner? If not, Auntie can introduce you to someone!”

Xu Shuyan grew anxious. “You do!!!”

Lin Yi smiled and said, “I do. I’m already married.”

The old woman was a little disappointed. “You little lady, you have a nice voice, big eyes, you speak so sweetly, and you have such an air about you. Whoever married you is truly blessed!”

Lin Yi was floating from the praise. She couldn’t help but turn aside and whisper to Xu Shuyan, “Whose blessing is that?”

Xu Shuyan laughed too. “Mine.”

After finishing the couplet, the old woman also gave her a bonus “Fu” character, filling a whole bag. Lin Yi felt a bit embarrassed. “Auntie, you’ve given me too much, I…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s the New Year,” the old woman said with a smile. “I’m about to head home myself.”

Lin Yi didn’t insist further. “Happy New Year, Auntie!”

The old woman waved. “Happy New Year, Happy New Year!”

Lin Yi left the alley through another exit. She looked back and saw someone helping the old woman pack up her stall. They looked about her age and were probably the woman’s child. Lin Yi sighed softly.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Shuyan asked.

“I was thinking…” Lin Yi’s boots crunched in the clean snow. She looked at her residential complex, which was now just a stone’s throw away. “I was thinking that if my mom were still alive, she’d be about the same age as that auntie. She’d be a happy, beautiful old lady, going to do square dancing, writing spring couplets, playing mahjong, and celebrating the New Year.”

As she spoke, she started to laugh. “Or maybe she wouldn’t do any of that and would just be in love with my dad all day, hmph!”

Xu Shuyan chuckled. “Then you can just be busy being in love with me, okay?”

Lin Yi scanned her face to enter the complex, her steps becoming lighter. “Okay.” A whimsical thought struck her. “Maybe there really is a parallel universe like that, where my mom is still alive and my life turned out completely different. But,”

Xu Shuyan: “Hm?”

Lin Yi said seriously, “But you have to remember to find me, fall in love with me, and marry me.”

Xu Shuyan asked deliberately, “Why?”

Lin Yi: “Because a little lady like me has a nice voice, big eyes, speaks so sweetly, and has such an air about her. Whoever marries me is truly blessed!”

She was repeating the old woman’s praise.

Xu Shuyan laughed. “You make a good point.”

Lin Yi got into the elevator. “Right?”

Xu Shuyan hummed in agreement. “Then I promise you. No matter which parallel universe, Xu Shuyan and Lin Yi will be together. We’ll celebrate the New Year together, write spring couplets together, eat dumplings, play mahjong, and become the best dancers in the square, okay?”

Lin Yi: “Okay!”

Yan Qi and Zhou Shichen did indeed show up to freeload dinner. They did so brazenly, openly, and with utter lawlessness-

As she walked in, Zhou Shichen was still livestreaming. “Happy New Year, family! That’s right! I’m now walking into Xu Shuyan and Lin Yi’s home. I can already smell the dumplings. Our Yanyan is so wifely!”

“What do you mean, your Yanyan?” Lin Yi, busy putting up spring couplets, took a moment to reprimand Zhou Shichen. “Watch your words!”

Zhou Shichen shrugged at her viewers. “See that? This is a girl group for you!”

Yan Qi followed unhurriedly, changed into slippers, and walked naturally into the kitchen, rolling up her sleeves. “Is there anything I can help with?”

Xu Shuyan said, “Boil the dumplings.”

Yan Qi said, “Okay.”

Zhou Shichen held up her phone. “What about me?”

Lin Yi said, “Feed our dog, and get her on the stream. See if she can become a star.”

Her dog was quite large now, and when it pounced into Zhou Shichen’s arms, it was more than she could handle. The dog, however, had a great sense of the camera, panting happily at the phone. “Woof!”

Lin Yi, having just put up the couplet on the bedroom door, translated, “She says Happy New Year!”

Zhou Shichen: “…”

The dog: “Woof woof!”

Lin Yi: “She says she hopes all the big brothers and sisters have a happy and smooth new year!”

Zhou Shichen: “?”

The dog: “Woof woof woof!”

Lin Yi: “She says that’s all for today’s stream, see you next year!”

Zhou Shichen: “So there was nothing for me to do, huh?!”

But it was indeed time to end the stream. She held the dog in her arms and gave her closing remarks. “Wishing everyone a happy New Year’s Eve! Eat dumplings and watch the fireworks. See you next year!”

She stood up, flipped the camera, and aimed it at the kitchen. “Our two master chefs, would you like to say something to the fans?!”

Xu Shuyan made a heart shape with her hands. “Happy New Year! Please continue to love and support The Notes in the new year!”

Yan Qi copied her gesture, also making a heart. “Our comeback album is in the works. It’s expected to be released in August. There will be a physical album and a concert tour, so please look forward to it!”

After speaking, she went back to boiling the dumplings.

Zhou Shichen: “…Did you forget to say something?”

Yan Qi paused. “?”

Zhou Shichen gritted her teeth. “Happy New Year! What about Happy New Year!”

Yan Qi said, “Oh. Happy New Year. May you be happy and prosperous.”

Zhou Shichen nodded in satisfaction and turned to Lin Yi, who had just come downstairs. Lin Yi leaned in cooperatively. “Hello everyone! I’m Lin Yi! I wish you all a joyous new year! And may you all get rich!”

Zhou Shichen gave an OK sign, said a few more words to her viewers, and then ended the livestream.

She tossed her phone onto the sofa. “When is dinner readyyyyyy!”

That night, they stayed up to welcome the new year together.

Just like every New Year’s Eve in the past, whether they were rushing between schedules or idle in their dorm, they sat on the long sofa, watching the boring Spring Festival Gala as the beautiful, professional hosts counted down the final ten seconds.

Fireworks bloomed across the entire city.

They had passed another year with each other.

In their second year of marriage, both Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan received invitations to a major live gala. They flew to B City on the Little New Year to prepare for the show.

Lin Yi was to sing a song about reunion with a famous diva, while Xu Shuyan was to perform a comedy sketch with Shen Mandong. Although they were in the same city, they had separate rehearsal venues and barely saw each other more than twice a week. They were so busy with rehearsals that they didn’t even have time to look at their phones.

During this time, a heavy snow fell over B City, and soon the entire city was blanketed in white.

The diva had grown up in the south and hadn’t seen much snow; she found it fascinating every time. During a break, she was taking pictures of the snow for her daughter. Lin Yi was doing the same, and the diva happened to see her sending them to Xu Shuyan. She paused. “Isn’t Xu Shuyan in B City?”

“She is,” Lin Yi said, a little embarrassed. “It’s just a habit. I want to take a picture of everything I see and show it to her.”

The diva nodded. “I get it. That’s how it is when you’re madly in love.”

Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, she said, “The roads are slippery in the snow, and you’re staying far from here. Why don’t we call it a day? Tomorrow is the last joint rehearsal anyway. Protect your voice.”

Lin Yi’s eyes lit up. “Can I leave now?”

The diva laughed. “So eager? Are you going to find Xu Shuyan?”

Lin Yi’s face turned red. “…I haven’t seen her in so long.”

The diva said, “Go on, go on. Dress warmly, don’t play in the snow, don’t catch a cold, and drink plenty of hot water.”

The diva was older than her, and after they got to know each other, she treated Lin Yi like a little sister. She was strict during work and rehearsals but very warm and friendly in private. She genuinely liked Lin Yi. After saying a few more things, she reflected, “Am I being too naggy?”

“Not at all!” Lin Yi picked up her bag cheerfully. “I’m leaving then, Sister!”

As she walked out, she ordered takeout and contacted Xu Shuyan’s assistant to ask her to pick it up. Then she took a taxi to Xu Shuyan’s rehearsal venue. When she arrived, Xu Shuyan was listening to the director explain the scene. Comedy sketches also required strong acting skills, and you had to resist laughing. Xu Shuyan was listening with intense focus.

Lin Yi stood at the entrance, watching her through the glass on the door. Longing surged like a tide, impossible to hold back.

As if sensing her presence, Xu Shuyan’s expression faltered. She looked up, her gaze finding Lin Yi’s through the air. Lin Yi raised a hand and waved, then pointed to the side, indicating that she would wait for her there.

Xu Shuyan opened her mouth to say something, but the director opposite her noticed and also looked back. Lin Yi gave a slight nod as a greeting, but to her surprise, the director’s eyes lit up, and he shot up from his seat.

Xu Shuyan put a hand to her forehead, a look of utter despair on her face.

Lin Yi: “??”

While she was still confused, the director had already strode to the door and opened it. The warm air from inside collided with the cold air outside, making Lin Yi blink in a daze. The director had already grasped her hand. “Hello, hello, you must be Teacher Lin, right? Please, come in, come in.”

Lin Yi: “…”

She was pulled into the rehearsal room by the director. She met Xu Shuyan’s eyes as she heard Xu Shuyan’s footsteps approaching from her left. To her right, the director was rambling, “I love your singing so much. I’ve bought all your albums. I even went to your concert in LA. Your live performance was god-tier!”

Only then did Lin Yi realize she had run into a fan. She quickly said, “Thank you for your support. Thank you. I also enjoy the shows you direct.”

The director looked as if he could die happy now that he had met his idol. “Really?!”

Lin Yi had indeed seen his work. He was one of the youngest new directors in recent years. He didn’t have a large filmography, but every one of his works was a hit with great box office numbers. You could watch them as fun popcorn movies, but a deeper analysis of the plot would also reveal thought-provoking themes. He was an excellent new director.

“You’re here to see Teacher Xu, right?” the director asked.

Lin Yi hummed in affirmation. Xu Shuyan took her left hand, their fingers intertwining and locking together. Xu Shuyan drew circles in her palm, and Lin Yi focused on the sensation.

Xu Shuyan wrote two words: Miss you.

Her heart softened. She said to the director, “You guys go on with your work. I can just wait on the side.”

The director said, “It’s fine, we’re almost done here. One last run-through, and then we’ll let the actors go home to rest. Tomorrow is the final joint rehearsal, so they need to be well-rested and in good condition.”

Lin Yi smiled. “Is that so? Then I’ll wait a little longer.”

The director nodded. “Perfect. You can be our first audience member and give us some suggestions. We can still make some changes.”

Lin Yi agreed, then turned to Xu Shuyan. “Go on.”

Xu Shuyan swung their joined hands. “Why did you come?”

Lin Yi said, “I missed you.”

Xu Shuyan’s eyes brightened, sparkling like stars. She knew Lin Yi had felt the message she’d written in her palm, and it warmed her heart. She continued to swing their hands. “Then wait for me a little longer. We can go see the snow.”

Lin Yi said, “Okay.”

She teased Xu Shuyan, “If you perform well, I’ll buy you tanghulu.”

Xu Shuyan huffed. “Do you think I’m a kid!”

When the rehearsal was over.

Xu Shuyan walked up to Lin Yi, her face full of pride. “How was it? I want the strawberry tanghulu!”

The snow was coming down hard and showed no signs of stopping when Xu Shuyan and Lin Yi left. They snuck out the back. It was already very late, and the area was remote, with few pedestrians and only a few shops still lit up.

One of them happened to be a shop selling B City’s specialty tanghulu.

Lin Yi asked, “How many skewers do you want?”

Frost had formed on Xu Shuyan’s long eyelashes. She blinked and said, “One is enough! Stop treating me like a kid, okay! I’m not that greedy!”

Lin Yi deliberately used a coddling tone. “Okay, okay. Eating too much will give you cavities, right?”

Xu Shuyan: “?”

What do I do if my wife treats me like a child? Urgent! Waiting for answers online!

Though she was reluctant, she really wanted the tanghulu. She hesitated for a moment before pushing Lin Yi, pretending to be fierce. “Hurry up and go buy it!”

Lin Yi gave her a salute. “Yes, Wife!”

In the end, she still bought two skewers-one traditional hawthorn and one strawberry. She said it was in case Xu Shuyan got tired of one flavor halfway through and wanted to switch. Xu Shuyan pinched her cheek. “My wife is so thoughtful, huh?”

Lin Yi’s eyes curved as she smiled at her. “Of course. I deserve a reward!”

Xu Shuyan said, “Come closer.”

Lin Yi moved closer.

Xu Shuyan: “A little closer.”

Lin Yi moved closer again.

She was confused. “What is it, Xu Shuyan? This position is awkward to turn-”

Xu Shuyan pecked her on the lips.

It tasted of strawberries.

Performing on the nation’s biggest stage on New Year’s Eve, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t nervous. It was Lin Yi’s first time being so close to the narcissus flowers on stage. She nudged Xu Shuyan, who was watching the show beside her. “Do you think I should take a picture and send it to my dad to show off?”

Xu Shuyan whispered back, “I already sent one to our family group chat.”

Lin Yi gave her a thumbs-up.

Xu Shuyan grabbed her thumb and pressed it back down under the table. She sat up straight with composure, her lips moving slightly. “I’m going up to do the sketch later. If anyone says my acting is bad, remember to help me clear the comments.”

Lin Yi held back a laugh and tickled her palm. “The comment-clearing team is already on standby. I’d like to see who dares to criticize my wife.”

Just then, the sketch on stage reached a punchline, and the audience roared with laughter. Xu Shuyan didn’t hold back either, breaking into a wide smile. She began to write in Lin Yi’s palm again, stroke by stroke.

“After this is over, let’s go watch the fireworks,” Xu Shuyan wrote.

Lin Yi blinked slowly in silent agreement.

Xu Shuyan wrote again: “Don’t be nervous. All my applause is for you.”

Lin Yi smiled, turned her hand over to grasp Xu Shuyan’s, and spread her palm open on her lap. Stroke by stroke, she wrote: “Lin Yi, loves, Xu Shuyan. Forever.”

Then she gently closed Xu Shuyan’s palm and, lowering her head, pressed a kiss to it.

Unexpectedly, this exact moment was broadcast live. The audience watching the gala at home: “???”

【Damn, Yan Zhi You Yi are being all lovey-dovey in front of the whole country!】

【You’re feeding me dog food even on New Year’s Eve, huh?】

【I knew I wasn’t full from my New Year’s dinner! Turns out this was waiting for me! Lin Yi! Xu Shuyan! Your love has saved my boring New Year’s Eve! Aaaah!】

【This is the best part of the entire gala.】

【I’m dying laughing. I can’t believe that on the very last day of the year, I still get to take a fresh dose of Yan Zhi You Yi!】

【LMAO, my mom asked me: Hey, isn’t the girl on the left (Lin Yi) the one on the poster by your bed? Didn’t you say she was your wife? Why is she kissing someone else?】

【My own mother… don’t expose me…】

【Alright, Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan kissed on New Year’s Eve. They’ll keep kissing for the whole next year!!】

【Happy New Year, family!!!】

At that very moment, Lin Yi and Xu Shuyan were at the gala, counting down the old year. Amidst the roaring crowd, amidst the brilliant fireworks, amidst a splendor that felt like every year past and present, the countdown neared its end. The New Year’s bell chimed.

Lin Yi squeezed Xu Shuyan’s hand slightly and raised her voice. “Xu Shuyan!”

Xu Shuyan turned her head. “Hm?”

Lin Yi shouted, “Happy New Year! You can make a wish now!”

Xu Shuyan smiled. “Happy New Year.”

-May I be the last traveler on your road/the last spring/the last snow/the last war for survival.

-Happy New Year.