Celebrating the New Year together

The final exams were like a silent battle, sweeping through every corner of Linjiang No.1 Middle School.

After that morning confession, Fang Chi and Xing Jiayan's relationship entered a new, stable phase. Gone was the cloying sweetness, and the initial tentativeness and sharpness had faded; it was more like an unspoken alliance. They were still deskmates, still arguing quietly about solutions to problems during self-study, but the air was no longer thick with tension, but filled with an unspoken understanding—a glance, a light touch of a pen, and they knew where the other was stuck.

Xing Jiayan's foot injury has healed, and he can move around normally. However, occasionally, after sitting for a long time, he will unconsciously press the injured area lightly. Fang Chi always notices this subtle movement immediately and then seemingly unintentionally pushes the bottle of muscle soreness relief spray on his desk a little closer.

For the two top students, the final exams weren't too stressful; they were more like routine checks. The real highlight was the physics competition finals, which would follow shortly after the final exams. But the atmosphere of the finals still left its mark on everyone.

For example, He Chen.

The second final of the basketball league was postponed to the next semester due to Xing Jiayan's previous injury and the pressure of final exams. This left the energetic He Chen with nowhere to vent his energy. In his spare time, he would often wander to the study area frequented by Fang Chi and Tan Si, claiming that he was "to feel the glory of academic elites and improve his cultural literacy."

At first, he would just talk to Xing Jiayan and Fang Chi, exchanging a few jokes or complaining about how boring the training was. But gradually, Fang Chi noticed that He Chen was staying longer, and the conversation would always unconsciously circulate to another person—Tan Si.

"Hey, Tan Si, can I borrow your notebook? I keep mixing up the physics formulas."

"Tan Si, what did you choose for this English reading comprehension question? I feel like every option is a trap?"

"Tan Si, that vocabulary learning app you recommended last time was pretty good..."

He Chen's tone remained nonchalant, but his excessive "eagerness to learn" and his gaze that was always precisely aimed at Tan Si's seat made Fang Chi, who was just beginning to understand relationships, vaguely sense something unusual.

Tan Si seemed completely oblivious to this, or rather, completely immune. He would always push up his glasses and answer He Chen's questions in his usual calm and rational tone. Occasionally, when he got annoyed by the questions, he would retort without hesitation: "He Chen, instead of asking all these questions here, you should go back and practice the basic dribbling that the coach has taught you. The last time I watched your game, your dribbling moves were simply unbearable to watch."

He Chen, unperturbed by the retort, instead chuckled, scratching the back of his head, and looked at Tan Si with bright eyes: "Sure, then come to the court and give me some pointers sometime?"

Tan Si usually just gives him a look that says, "Are you crazy?", and then lowers his head to continue reading.

Fang Chi silently observed all of this. He recalled his awkward feelings and slow reactions towards Xing Jiayan, and suddenly felt a subtle sympathy for He Chen, as well as a sense of curiosity as an outsider.

One day during lunch break, He Chen came over again. This time, he didn't approach Tan Si, but instead nudged Fang Chi's arm and whispered, "Fang Chi, I have a question for you."

"Speak." Fang Chi didn't even look up; he was working on a complex electromagnetism problem.

"What does Tan Si usually like to do besides reading and doing exercises?" He Chen asked awkwardly, his eyes darting around.

Fang Chi paused, finally looking up at He Chen. The unusual, almost awkward expression on He Chen's face made him understand. He thought for a moment, then answered objectively, "Science fiction, astronomical observation, collecting all sorts of strange trivia, and...disliking you."

"Hey!" He Chen was speechless at the last sentence, but his eyes lit up even more. "Science fiction? Astronomy? That's great! Hey, Fang Chi, do you know which science fiction author he likes the most? Or do you have any recommendations for introductory telescopes?"

Seeing He Chen suddenly become enthusiastic, even pulling out his phone's memo app, Fang Chi suddenly felt that relationships were truly unpredictable. His relationship with Xing Jiayan was one of mutual respect amidst their sharp exchanges, while He Chen's feelings for Tan Si were more like the blazing sun trying to melt a quiet, rational iceberg?

He didn't know if the sunlight would work, but at least He Chen was enjoying himself.

The final exams finally came to an end after a week of intense studying. As I handed in my last exam paper and walked out of the exam hall, the rare winter sunshine was just right, warming me and dispelling the fatigue and tension of the past few days.

Everyone gathered at the classroom door, comparing answers and discussing holiday plans, making a noisy scene.

He Chen hooked his arm around Xing Jiayan's shoulder and shouted, "Finally finished the exams! I was so bored! Jiayan, what are your plans for winter break? How about we go skiing together?"

Xing Jiayan slapped his hand away, but her gaze fell on Fang Chi, who was whispering with Tan Si: "Let's see."

He Chen followed his gaze, his eyes darting around, and suddenly raised his voice: "Hey, I'm saying, the Lunar New Year is early this year, it'll be here soon after the exams. Since everyone's got nothing to do during the holiday, how about... the four of us celebrate together? It'll be so much fun!"

The suggestion caused a moment of silence in the surrounding area.

Let's...spend the New Year together?

Fang Chi and Tan Si both looked over. Fang Chi was somewhat taken aback and subconsciously looked at Xing Jiayan. Xing Jiayan's face didn't show any particular expression, but his eyes were fixed on Fang Chi, with a questioning look.

Tan Si pushed up his glasses and analyzed rationally: "He Chen, each family has its own customs and arrangements, which may not be convenient."

"Oh, isn't the custom all about having lots of people and it's lively?" He Chen didn't care at all and continued to persuade, "We can each have our reunion dinner at home during the day on New Year's Eve, and then come out together in the evening! We can find a place to stay up all night, watch fireworks, play games, or..." He looked at Tan Si, his eyes lighting up, "...watch a sci-fi movie together? Talk about aliens?"

Tan Si felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, so he looked away and didn't say anything.

He Chen then turned to Fang Chi and Xing Jiayan: "How is it? How is it? You two are definitely okay, right? Jiayan, Fang Chi, aren't your families quite close? Your parents must be reassured!"

Fang Chi's heart skipped a beat. Spend the New Year together? With Xing Jiayan, He Chen, and Tan Si. This seemed like a good suggestion. He wouldn't have to spend the entire holiday at home facing the perhaps overly concerned gazes of his elders, and he would have a more natural and relaxed reason to spend time with Xing Jiayan.

He looked at Xing Jiayan, conveying his tacit approval with his eyes.

Xing Jiayan received his signal, and the corners of her mouth curved almost imperceptibly. Then she looked at He Chen and said in a calm tone, "Okay. As long as someone doesn't make such a racket that they'll tear the roof off."

"I didn't!" He Chen immediately retorted, then clapped his hands excitedly, "Then it's settled! Tan Si, what about you? The minority should obey the majority!"

Tan Si looked into He Chen's expectant, overly bright eyes, then glanced at Fang Chi and Xing Jiayan, who seemed unconcerned. After a few seconds of silence, he finally gave a soft "Mmm." "I can. But we need to confirm the time and place in advance and make plans."

“No problem! The plan is yours!” He Chen immediately beamed, as if he could already see the lively New Year’s Eve.

The four of them stood in the winter afternoon sun, making a promise about the Spring Festival. The noise in the classroom gradually subsided, and the corridor was filled with the joyful atmosphere of post-exam liberation.

Fang Chi looked at Xing Jiayan's calm profile beside him, and then at He Chen in front of him who was excitedly telling Tan Si about a "must-have snack list for staying up late on New Year's Eve." A strange yet warm feeling welled up in his heart.

Competition, pressure, confusion, and excitement. The complex and multifaceted first semester of my junior year seems to have truly come to a close at this moment. Ahead lies a short winter break, the upcoming competition finals, and a Spring Festival that may be very different, spent with these people.

The future remains full of unknowns and challenges, but at least for now, he is no longer facing them alone.

The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze blew. The winter campus, because of this simple promise, seemed to be prematurely tinged with the warmth of reunion and hope.