An Moxue was still asleep when the firecrackers outside kept popping and crackling. She couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard she tried. Helpless, she picked up the flashlight next to her and shone it on her watch. Well, it was only a little past four o'clock.

"Mo Xue, you're awake?"

"Hmm, why are they setting off firecrackers so early?"

"There's a saying here: if you get up early on New Year's Eve, you'll be diligent all year round. You can tell which family will set off the first firecracker. Once the first one goes off, the rest of the families don't want to fall behind, so they all set off theirs."

"Oh! I'll sleep a little longer. Do as you please." After saying that, An Moxue lay back down on the kang.

When An Moxue woke up again, Wu Sicheng was busy in the kitchen, while the two little ones were running around in the yard.

She has always believed that hard work is for a better life and to live up to oneself. Only with a proper balance between work and rest can a person be in a better state. Otherwise, being too relaxed will make people slack off, and being too tense will make people break down. Only the method and rhythm that suits oneself is the best.

The loud firecrackers have stopped; there are only one or two occasional pops, probably set off by the children.

Occasionally, you can hear the voices of neighbors outside, their voices light and cheerful.

An Moxue, unusually, didn't get up early. She lay lazily on the kang (a heated brick bed), letting her thoughts wander. Life is truly amazing; no one knows what will happen next.

Light footsteps approached, and An Moxue asked, "Wu Sicheng, what are you busy with?"

"Hmm? Mo Xue, you're awake. I'm cleaning the fish! I've also finished sweeping the yard, chopped some side dishes, and peeled the scallions, ginger, and garlic. Do you want to lie down for a while longer? It's the New Year, so it's good to relax a bit. You can get up and make the braised chicken with chestnuts in a bit, and I'll take care of the rest."

"Oh! I'm not lying down anymore, I'm getting up."

It's unclear what Wu Sicheng went inside to get before going out again.

An Moxue got dressed and removed the curtains that covered the kang (a heated brick bed).

Because it was Chinese New Year, An Moxue wore a modified version of a Republic of China student uniform, with a black skirt on the bottom and a light green mandarin duck button on the top. The cuffs and the front of the garment were embroidered with plum blossom and auspicious cloud patterns, and even the shoes were matching embroidered shoes.

Having not dressed up properly in a long time, she styled her long hair into a student-style updo and didn't wear her large black-rimmed glasses. Suddenly, she looked like a wealthy young lady from a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl attending a girls' school during the Republic of China era.

An Moxue blinked her big eyes, looked at herself in the mirror, and was extremely satisfied. She looked at herself from left to right, and after Wu Sicheng left, she would take a good set of photos. Next time, she would have to get a camera from this time and take some retro-style photos to remember the occasion.

The clothes are ready, and breakfast should be served as well.

An Moxue opened the cupboard and called into the kitchen, "Wu Sicheng, have you had breakfast?"

"No, I'm waiting for you to join me! I've finished cooking, it's still warming up in the pan!"

An Moxue entered the kitchen with two apples in her hand. "Oh, what did you make? I don't want to eat anymore. I want milk with venison."

When Wu Sicheng heard An Moxue enter the kitchen, before he could reply, he looked up and saw An Moxue with a happy expression, looking at him with a charming smile, as if she had stepped out of a portrait from the Republican era. She was so beautiful that it seemed unreal.

Seeing the momentary surprise in Wu Sicheng's eyes, An Moxue smiled and asked, "Is it pretty?"

"nice!"

He genuinely thought it looked good; the outfit suited her perfectly, of course, it was because she was beautiful.

We should have a camera to record this scene. I'll get one when I get back. If not, I'll ask the old man for some foreign exchange certificates. I need to get a better camera, otherwise I won't be able to capture the beauty of the snow-covered landscape.

"I also think this outfit is beautiful, but I can only wear it secretly and indulge in my vanity occasionally. Aren't my styling skills pretty good?" An Moxue said with a hint of regret.

Wu Sicheng definitely felt the overwhelming good mood.

"Just be careful and don't let outsiders find out. Your sewing skills are really good. Here's an apple, do you want it washed?"

An Moxue handed over the apple and said, "Wash it, peel it, and cut it into small pieces."

As she spoke, she took a sharp dagger from the cupboard and handed it to Wu Sicheng, saying, "Use this, so the smell won't get mixed up."

An Moxue took out two shallow white porcelain plates from the cupboard, picked up two pieces of venison from the braised meat pot, and then pointed to a large plate of meat and asked Wu Sicheng, "Is this enough for you?"

Wu Sicheng took one look and thought, "Oh, this is the complete set!"

Although he felt somewhat helpless, he still asked, "That's enough, should the meat be cut into chunks too?"

"Of course, a smaller one. Put the meat on one side and the apple on the other. I'll go make the milk." After saying that, she put the plate on the stove and went into the house.

When Wu Sicheng brought two plates into the room, An Moxue had already filled two enamel mugs with milk and placed them on the table on the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Wait here!" Alright, the man rushed out of the house again, like a gust of wind, and returned in a gust of wind, holding two silver forks. He said, "All set, now we can eat. It's just a pity the cups don't match. Wow! Your plating is excellent! Very exquisite and beautiful!"

After saying that, she handed one of the forks to Wu Sicheng, sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed), straightened her skirt, picked up the enamel mug beside her, and toasted Wu Sicheng. Wu Sicheng also picked up the enamel mug beside him and toasted An Moxue. The two cups gently clinked together.

An Moxue said playfully, "To Officer Wu Sicheng, I wish you a happy new year without getting hurt."

Wu Sicheng said with some helplessness, "May Ms. An Moxue stay young and beautiful forever, more beautiful than any flower."

An Moxue smiled and said, "Of course, even when I'm old, I'll still be an elegant old lady."

Wu Sicheng burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at? Is it not allowed?" An Moxue threatened.

"Okay, it has to be okay. I'm just laughing at how far ahead you're thinking, even imagining what you'll be like when you're old."

"Haven't you thought about it?" An Moxue took a sip of milk.

"No, ever since I put on this uniform, I haven't dared to think about it. It's a luxury and a dream." His eyes were somewhat unfocused, but they were full of unwavering determination.

Yes! Soldiers, after all! They die on the battlefield.

"Oh! That's true. But you can think about it later. You see, I saved you several times this year. You've already passed the life-or-death crisis. Even if there's danger in the future, it won't be life-threatening. So, you can think about it."

An Moxue hadn't been reading books for nothing these past few months; she could tell from his appearance. If she hadn't come, she thought he might have sacrificed himself sometime this year, following the original trajectory.

Thinking about it this way, she felt even better. She had saved a soldier who was wholeheartedly devoted to his country and its people, which was something to celebrate.

Wu Sicheng assumed she was joking, so he went along with it, saying, "Then I thank Ms. An for giving me a second chance at life. I will do anything for you from now on. Come on, let's have a drink!"

An Moxue also raised her enamel mug, "Cheers! May we all live well!"