38 Loving You

Jiang Ci did not like him speaking this way, frowning slightly. "Zhi Jiangwen, if you truly considered me a classmate or a friend, you wouldn't think of me like that."

"No..." Zhi Jiangwen denied, "I do think of you as a friend; I just don't understand why you have to like him."

Jiang Ci pursed her lips and spoke softly, "Because he is the best Zhang Heyu in the world."

On the way back, Jiang Ci bought some tangyuan to eat with her grandmother in the evening. Before she even reached her doorstep, she received a message from Zhang Heyu.

[Zhang Heyu: Baby, are you home yet?]

Seeing the message, Jiang Ci hurried into the house. She took out her keys to open the door, and her grandmother was already in the kitchen cooking black sesame paste.

"Grandma, I'm home," Jiang Ci said, taking off her shoes and switching into cotton slippers. "I'll come to the kitchen to help you in a minute."

Her grandmother was wiping her hands and just about to walk out of the kitchen when she saw Jiang Ci scurrying back to her room in her slippers. Jiang Ci put her things down before typing a reply.

[Jiang Ci: Just got home. What about you?]

[Zhang Heyu: Hmm, I'm on my way back with Huo Chensi and the others.]

[Jiang Ci: Okay, you head back first. I'm going to help my grandmother.]

[Zhang Heyu: Okay.]

Jiang Ci put down her phone and went to the kitchen to help her grandmother.

Meanwhile, Zhang Heyu, Huo Chensi, and Fan Mian had just gotten into a car.

"We're going to freeload at Brother Yu's house tonight," Huo Chensi said with a laugh, leaning back. "Will you come with us to find Huzi and the others later?"

Zhang Heyu glanced at him, "Probably."

"Aunt Lu Qing should let you out, right?" Fan Mian said. "She probably didn't let you out last year because you spent the whole night at an internet cafe the day before."

In truth, it wasn't just because he had stayed up all night gaming; it was also because Zhang Shanghua had upset Lu Qing, and since he hadn't managed to smooth things over, she had taken all her anger out on the father and son.

Zhang Heyu smiled and didn't respond.

*

After busying herself for a while, Jiang Ci brought out the last dish.

Her grandmother served Jiang Ci a bowl of sesame paste, placed it on the table, and took off her apron. "It’s only on New Year's Eve that we make such a feast."

"It is New Year's Eve, after all, Grandma," Jiang Ci said with a smile. "Let’s eat before it gets cold."

"Yes, yes, yes, let's eat."

After dinner, Jiang Ci checked the time, returned to her room to grab her phone, and sat in the living room to watch the New Year's Eve gala with her grandmother. She opened her phone to her chat with Zhang Heyu and, after a moment of thought, sent a message.

[Jiang Ci: Have you gone out with Huo Chensi and the others yet?]

She waited about seven or eight minutes, but since Zhang Heyu hadn't replied, she put her phone away. Jiang Ci paused, then picked it up again, only to hear her grandmother ask with a smile, "Is a friend looking for A-Ci to play?"

She opened the message and saw a photo Zhang Heyu had sent.

"Yes, Grandma," Jiang Ci replied, clicking on the photo.

There were many people in the photo she didn't know. Aside from Huo Chensi, Fan Mian, and Huzi, she hadn't seen any of the others before. Just as she was about to reply, Zhang Heyu sent another message.

[Zhang Heyu: Just arrived. What is my baby doing?]

Jiang Ci typed a response.

[Jiang Ci: Watching the New Year's Eve gala at home with Grandma.]

As soon as the message was sent, her grandmother yawned while holding a hot water bottle. Seeing this, Jiang Ci stood up, intending to go to the room to get a blanket for her grandmother.

The next second, her grandmother pulled her back, smiling warmly. "Grandma is sleepy and wants to go to bed."

Seeing her grandmother rise from her chair, Jiang Ci helped the elderly woman to her room. Her grandmother rambled, "I won't be able to stay up for the New Year with you this year."

"It's okay, Grandma, just go to sleep if you're tired."

Jiang Ci tucked her grandmother in, placed two hot water bottles in the bed, and turned off the bedroom light before leaving.

*

Jiang Ci returned to her room and did some holiday homework for a while. When she looked up at the small alarm clock on her desk again, it was already 10:30 PM.

Suddenly, her phone on the nightstand vibrated urgently. Jiang Ci was startled and stood up to reach for it. Having not checked her phone for nearly an hour, she hesitated when she saw Zhang Heyu was calling her, but then answered.

"Zhang Heyu," Jiang Ci whispered, "why are you calling me all of a sudden?"

Zhang Heyu hummed, his voice low and magnetic. "A-Ci, I miss you."

His casual tone felt like strands of silver winding around her heart, making the back of Jiang Ci's ears grow warm.

"Aren't you out?" Jiang Ci looked down at her toes, her heart pounding.

Zhang Heyu didn't respond immediately, but she could hear the wind blowing into the microphone, creating background noise. Just then, she heard the sound of children playing on the other end, very close to her. She instinctively walked to the window and looked out.

That was when she saw a figure standing under the large banyan tree downstairs—a figure more familiar than any other.

"Zhang Heyu, wait a moment." After saying this, Jiang Ci hung up.

She had thought she wouldn't see Zhang Heyu again tonight.

As soon as Jiang Ci emerged from the stairwell, she felt the biting cold of the winter wind. She tucked her chin into her collar and ran toward Zhang Heyu.

Zhang Heyu didn't seem to expect the young girl to come down so quickly. Hearing her footsteps, he looked up and put his phone away.

"Why did you come?"

"I missed you." Zhang Heyu's voice was slightly hoarse. Leaning in to whisper in her ear, his every word tugged at her heart.

Jiang Ci's heart, which had finally calmed down, was thrown into chaos once more. She blinked, "Aren't you supposed to be celebrating the New Year with Huo Chensi and the others?"

"What can I do? I only want to celebrate the New Year with you."

Zhang Heyu took her hand, pulled her into his arms, and wrapped his arms around her waist.

As the distance closed, the scent of the youth surrounded her. Jiang Ci tilted her head up, looking at him shyly. "Zhang Heyu."

"I'm here," Zhang Heyu said, holding her tighter, his throat bobbing.

Jiang Ci beamed, her beautiful eyes curving into lovely crescents, and said softly and obediently, "Let's celebrate the New Year together."

The two hailed a taxi and went to the Nanjiang Bridge.

There were events going on there, and many people had gathered for the New Year. Jiang Ci and Zhang Heyu first went to the nearby plaza to walk around.

The area around Nanjiang was quite crowded. This year's event was clearly better promoted than last year's; the plaza was filled with parents taking their children out, as well as young couples.

Jiang Ci had seen the scene from the car before they even stepped out. Once the car stopped outside the plaza and they got out, Zhang Heyu took her small hand and led her into the crowd.

There were many stalls in the plaza, and not far away, a band was performing with a crowd gathered around them. Jiang Ci wanted to go over and see, so she tugged on Zhang Heyu’s hand and said softly, "A-Yu, I want to go take a look."

"Okay," Zhang Heyu said, looking down at her, his eyes smiling. "Your boyfriend will take you."

Zhang Heyu led her into the crowd, bringing the girl to the front row. The band had just finished a rock song to liven up the atmosphere, and the next song was Jay Chou's "Confession Balloon."

As the prelude began, many people around Jiang Ci started singing along. It was then that she heard a low voice beside her ear. Zhang Heyu was humming along, too.

"Having you means having the whole world,"

"My dear, ever since I fell for you,"

"Sweetness comes so easily,"

"My dear, don't be willful,"

"Your eyes are saying 'I do',"

"..."

Jiang Ci followed the voice and looked up. From her angle, she could see the youth's cold, pale profile—his sharp jawline, high nose bridge, and the casual, slight lift of his lips. She remembered that Zhang Heyu sang very well.

As the song ended, Zhang Heyu tickled her palm, his amorous peach-blossom eyes reflecting her small face.

He leaned down to her ear. "Baby, do you want to hear your boyfriend sing?"

Jiang Ci was stunned for a moment. She blinked, meeting Zhang Heyu's gaze, and her heart skipped a beat. She swallowed silently. "Can I?"

"Silly girl." Zhang Heyu bent down and kissed her forehead. "Whatever my baby wishes for, I will make it come true for you."

With that, Zhang Heyu ruffled Jiang Ci's hair, let go of her hand, and walked over to the band. She didn't know what he said to them, but the guitarist handed him his instrument, and a moment later, Zhang Heyu stood among the band members.

The youth stood before her, holding the guitar. His black hair was slightly messy, falling across his forehead, and his handsome face had sharp, distinct features that made it impossible to look away. He leaned into the microphone, his burning gaze fixed on the young girl in the front row. He curled his lips into a smile.

"I gave this song to that beautiful girl."

"I will always love her."

Jiang Ci met Zhang Heyu's intense gaze, her heart pounding, filled with an irrepressible joy.

"Nobody's gonna love you like I do,"

"Nobody's gonna spend the way I spent,"

"Nobody's gonna love you till the end,"

"..."

Jiang Ci watched Zhang Heyu, her nose stinging. Her eyes instantly welled up, and a mist of tears clouded her vision.

After Zhang Heyu finished the song and returned the guitar to the musician, he said "thank you" and walked toward Jiang Ci. Seeing the girl secretly wiping away tears, Zhang Heyu felt his heart soften. He walked up to her, lowered his gaze, and curled his thin lips. "You really are a little crybaby."

Jiang Ci took the initiative to reach out and wrap her arms around Zhang Heyu's lean waist, burying her head in his chest. She muttered softly, "You're so sentimental."

Zhang Heyu hugged her back, his laughter sounding out. "I can't help it. Your boyfriend loves you first, and he loves you the most."

The two embraced for a while before Jiang Ci suddenly remembered they were still outside, surrounded by people. Her face turned red instantly, and she pulled back slightly from Zhang Heyu's embrace.

Zhang Heyu knew she was shy, so he covered her flushed cheeks with his warm hands, wiping away the tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes.

Once her mood had settled, Jiang Ci took out her phone, checked the time, and looked up at Zhang Heyu. "Let's go to the Nanjiang Bridge!"

"Alright." Zhang Heyu put one arm around her shoulders while holding her hand with the other. "Are you cold?"

Jiang Ci shook her head. "Not cold."

In his arms, she felt as if Zhang Heyu were a walking furnace, radiating warmth.

The two walked slowly toward the Nanjiang Bridge, passing an area where people were releasing sky lanterns. Many people were setting them off, and quite a few were already drifting through the night sky.

Zhang Heyu scanned the area and looked down to ask, "Baby, shall we go release a sky lantern?"

Jiang Ci was pleasantly surprised and nodded. "Okay."

They bought two lanterns at a small stall, and the owner gave them pens so they could write their wishes on them. Jiang Ci carefully wrote her wish. After finishing, she looked at Zhang Heyu, who was standing with his back to her.

"What wish did you write?" she asked.

Zhang Heyu had just finished as well. As he turned to the side, Jiang Ci only caught a glimpse of the elegant character "Ci" written on the lantern. He had written a whole sentence, but she had only seen the final character.

"Want to know?"

Jiang Ci nodded. "Mmh-hmm!"

"Baby, if you say a wish out loud, it won't come true." Zhang Heyu’s lips curled upward, his smile relaxed, looking as if he were teasing her just to keep her in suspense.

Thinking about it, Jiang Ci realized that if she said it out loud, it might really not come true, so her curiosity faded.

They lit the wax plate, and hand in hand, they watched the sky lantern drift into the sky, carrying the innocent, youthful wishes of the boy and the girl.