New Year's bells, first snow, and a new beginning

After Christmas Eve, the tense atmosphere of final exams weighed heavily on every student's heart, like thick winter clouds. The laughter and chatter in the classroom subsided, replaced by the soft rustling of pages turning and pens scratching across paper.

Yet, amidst this solemnity, something is quietly growing.

"I got this question wrong again!" Jiang Zhao wailed as he slammed his math test paper on the table and slumped into his chair. "I'm doomed. I'm going to be at the bottom of the class this semester."

Lin Jun put down the book in his hand, naturally picked up his test paper and glanced at it: "Draw the auxiliary lines here. How many times have I told you, you need to find the symmetrical points first."

Jiang Zhao leaned closer, his nose almost touching Lin Jun's arm: "Where? Here?"

"Hmm." Lin Jun lightly tapped the drawing with his pen, turning his head to look at Jiang Zhao, who was standing close to him. "You got such a simple question wrong. Did you stay up all night playing games again last night?"

"I only played for a little while..." Jiang Zhao shrank his neck guiltily, but didn't move away.

In the front row, Su An was frowning at a physics problem. Suddenly, an open notebook was pushed in front of him, and Jiang Qi's finger lightly tapped under a formula: "Use this."

Su An suddenly realized what was going on, turned to Jiang Qi and gave her a grateful smile: "Thank you."

Jiang Qi nodded almost imperceptibly, her gaze lingering on Su An's face for a moment before returning to her book. Since that unfinished confession on Christmas Eve, the atmosphere between them had become even more delicate. Those unspoken words were like snowflakes suspended in the air, waiting for their moment to fall.

The final exams flew by in a tense atmosphere. When the bell rang to signal the end of the last exam, the entire teaching building erupted in cheers of liberation.

"We're free!" Jiang Zhao was the first to rush out of the examination room, excitedly hugging Lin Jun, who was waiting outside, around the neck. "Brother Jun! I made it out alive!"

Lin Jun was knocked back half a step by his bump, and helplessly supported his waist: "How did the exam go?"

"Don't even mention it!" Jiang Zhao's face immediately fell. "I definitely got the last big question wrong..."

At this moment, Jiang Qi and Su An walked out of the examination room one after the other. Su An had a relaxed smile on her face, indicating that she had done well on the exam. Jiang Qi still had no expression, but her eyes softened a little when she saw Su An's smile.

"To celebrate liberation," Jiang Zhao suddenly jumped in front of the crowd, his eyes sparkling, "let's go to the square tomorrow night to listen to the New Year's bells! I heard there's a countdown event and fireworks this year!"

Su An subconsciously looked at Jiang Qi. Jiang Qi nodded slightly: "Okay."

"That's great!" Jiang Zhao clapped his hands excitedly, then turned to look at Lin Jun, "Brother Jun, what about you?"

Lin Jun smiled and ruffled his hair: "You've made all the arrangements, how could I not go?"

On New Year's Eve, the city square was already packed with people. A huge countdown clock hung in the center of the square, the numbers constantly changing. Although the weather was cold, the enthusiastic atmosphere was enough to dispel all the chill.

The four stood in the crowd. Jiang Zhao was as lively as ever, constantly pointing at the surrounding decorations and shouting. Lin Jun followed beside him, occasionally reaching out to protect him from being bumped into by the crowd.

"Ten minutes left!" the announcement blared over the plaza's loudspeaker, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

Su An stood next to Jiang Qi, feeling the crowd around him. Suddenly, a shove caused him to stumble, and Jiang Qi immediately reached out to support his waist.

"Be careful." Jiang Qi's voice was exceptionally clear amidst the noise.

After Su An regained her footing, Jiang Qi didn't immediately let go of her hand. Through the thick down jacket, her hand radiated a firm warmth. Su An felt her heart begin to race.

"Five minutes left!"

The cheers from the crowd grew louder and louder. Jiang Zhao produced two headbands that shimmered with colorful light from somewhere, put one on his own head, and insisted on putting the other on Lin Jun.

"No." Lin Jun frowned and stepped back.

"Yes, yes!" Jiang Zhao urged him. "The New Year needs a sense of ritual!"

In the end, Lin Jun gave in and let Jiang Zhao put that ridiculous deer antler headband on his head. Seeing the usually composed Lin Jun wearing shiny deer antlers, Jiang Zhao laughed so hard he almost fell over.

"Three minutes!"

Jiang Qi's hand remained firmly on Su An's waist. Su An secretly glanced at him and found Jiang Qi staring at him, his eyes particularly deep in the neon light.

"Um..." Su An mustered her courage and asked, "What did you want to say on Christmas Eve?"

Jiang Qi's eyes flickered slightly, and the hand on his waist tightened a little.

"One minute!"

The entire audience began a countdown in unison.

"Sixty! Fifty-nine! Fifty-eight!"

Amidst the deafening countdown, Jiang Qi lowered her head, bringing her close to Su An's ear. Warm breath brushed against his earlobe:

"I like you."

These words, though spoken softly, clearly pierced through all the noise and reached the very core of Su An's heart.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

Su An's face flushed instantly, and his heart pounded wildly. He looked up and met Jiang Qi's expectant gaze.

"Seven! Six! Five!"

"I like you too," he whispered, his voice drowned out by the cheers, but Jiang Qi understood.

"Four! Three! Two! One!"

"Happy New Year--"

A huge bell rang, and fireworks burst brilliantly in the night sky. The crowd erupted in cheers, and ribbons and balloons rained down from the sky.

Amidst the fireworks, Jiang Qi moved her hand from Su An's waist to his hand and gently grasped it. This time, it wasn't hidden behind the desk, but witnessed by everyone, open and resolute.

"Happy New Year." Jiang Qi looked at Su An, her eyes reflecting the colors of fireworks.

"Happy New Year." Su An shook his hand, her smile brighter than fireworks.

On the other side, Jiang Zhao was excitedly pointing to the sky: "Brother Jun, look! That firework is huge!"

Lin Jun looked at his profile illuminated by the fireworks and suddenly spoke: "Xiao Zhao."

"Hmm?" Jiang Zhao turned around.

Lin Jun reached out and gently removed the ribbon that had fallen from his hair: "Happy New Year."

His movements were light, but his gaze was intense. Jiang Zhao was stunned for a moment, feeling his heart skip a beat.

"You, you too, Happy New Year..." Jiang Zhao stammered, a rare occurrence for him. He turned back in a panic to continue watching the fireworks, but couldn't hide his bright red ears.

Then, fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky. This was the first snow of the new year.

"It's snowing!" Su An exclaimed in surprise, reaching out to catch the falling snowflakes.

Jiang Qi looked at his happy face with tender eyes.

Jiang Zhao was spinning in the snow when he suddenly ran up to Lin Jun and shoved a golden whistle into his hand, seemingly appearing out of nowhere: "A New Year's gift! If I ever go far away, just blow this, and I promise I'll come right back!"

Lin Jun looked at the childish whistle in his hand, then at Jiang Zhao's expectant eyes, and finally couldn't help but smile. He reached out and gently pulled Jiang Zhao into his arms, giving him a brief hug.

"Okay, it's a deal."

The hug ended quickly, but Jiang Zhao was completely stunned, his ears turning bright red.

The snow fell heavier and heavier as the four of them walked slowly along the street adorned with colorful lights. Jiang Qi and Su An held hands the whole time, occasionally exchanging smiles, and a sweet atmosphere filled the air.

Jiang Zhao was unusually quiet, occasionally stealing glances at Lin Jun beside him. Lin Jun remained as composed as ever, only her eyes held a touch more tenderness.

We reached the fork in the road; it was time to part ways.

"See you next semester," Jiang Qi said to Su An, her fingers gently stroking his palm.

"See you next semester." Su An nodded, blushing.

Seeing their reluctant farewell, Jiang Zhao suddenly exclaimed, "I want to sit behind you again next semester!"

Lin Jun grabbed his collar and pulled him back, saying, "Don't bother them."

"I'm keeping an eye on whether my brother is bullying Su An!"

"You..."

Laughter drifted through the snowy night. The New Year's bells had faded into the distance, but a new story was just beginning.

Snowflakes fall silently, covering the traces of the old year, but unable to conceal the beauty blooming in the hearts of the young people. On this New Year's Eve with its first snow, some feelings can finally be expressed, and some companionship can finally be cherished and held in our hands.

And ahead lies a long, long road, waiting for them to walk together.