Gift

As the Lunar New Year approaches in the northern part of the city, the festive atmosphere, like a slowly heating stove, gradually permeates the streets and alleys of the city.

Red lanterns were hung in the shopping mall, festive New Year songs were playing on a loop, and pedestrians were carrying increasingly full shopping bags.

As the year draws to a close, the number of customers at the "Encounter" restaurant gradually decreases, with colleagues from other places taking leave to return to their hometowns, and even the air is filled with a sense of languor as they prepare to rest.

Manager Chen paid Qi Shuo's salary in advance, gave him a small red envelope, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Little Qi, well done! Have a good New Year, see you after the New Year!"

Clutching the unexpectedly thick envelope containing his month's salary and bonus, Qi Shuo walked out of the restaurant and took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air.

It's been three months.

He has been back in this familiar yet unfamiliar city for three whole months, from late autumn to the depths of winter.

These three months felt like a long and real dream. He finally got a nine-to-five job that allowed him to support himself.

He regained the noisy yet warm home that Jin Jie and Qin Zhou had built.

The seemingly unbreakable barrier between him and Xiao Jue quietly melted away on that snowy day.

He even had a group of colleagues who were kind to him.

This "normal" and almost ordinary life was a phantom he hadn't dared to hope for in the past eight years.

Now, this illusion has become a tangible reality, carrying the warmth of daily life and the comfort of everyday existence.

Several days before Lunar New Year's Eve, Sister Jin couldn't contain herself any longer. On a sunny weekend morning, she dragged Qin Zhou, who still wanted to stay in bed, out of bed. She then called out to Qi Shuo and waved her hand, "Let's go! Let's go buy New Year's goods! This year, our family is going to have a prosperous New Year!"

Inside the largest supermarket in the northern part of the city, the atmosphere was bustling and lively. Sister Jin, like a general on the battlefield, pushed her shopping cart and moved energetically between the shelves.

Her shopping list was incredibly whimsical, ranging from nuts and candies, chicken, duck, fish, meat, vegetables and fruits, to new bowls and chopsticks, paper-cut window decorations and the character "福" (good fortune), and she even threw a set of cute pajamas with cartoon patterns into the car without hesitation.

"Sister Jin, isn't this pajama... a bit too youthful?" Qin Zhou's lips twitched as he looked at the pink bunny pattern.

"What do you know? This is for a fresh start for the New Year! Besides, it's not like I bought it for you!" Sister Jin rolled her eyes at him and continued to select items with great interest.

Qi Shuo and Qin Zhou became mere "human transport vehicles," carrying more and more things in their hands and arms, gradually becoming overwhelmed.

Qin Zhou wailed, "Sister Jin! That's enough! If you buy any more, the three of us will have to crawl back!"

Sister Jin glanced back at the two "laborers" carrying heavy bags and walking unsteadily, blinked, took out her phone, skillfully dialed a number, and said in an unquestionable, domineering tone: "Xiao Jue! Where are you? Nothing wrong? If you're okay, come to the Central Supermarket right now! Yes, right now! Come and be our free labor! Hurry up, we're waiting for you right here at the entrance!"

Less than twenty minutes later, Xiao Jue appeared at the supermarket entrance. He was dressed casually, with a hint of helplessness on his face as he rushed over, but there was a subtle smile in his eyes.

Seeing Qi Shuo and Qin Zhou's "miserable state," he couldn't help but chuckle and naturally took the heaviest bags from their hands.

"Brother Xiao Jue is still the most reliable!" Qin Zhou breathed a sigh of relief.

Qi Shuo looked at Xiao Jue, and the two exchanged a knowing glance.

Some barriers, once removed, instantly restore familiar understanding.

With Xiao Jue joining the team, the purchasing team became even more efficient. Qi Shuo watched as Sister Jin enthusiastically filled the car with all sorts of snacks he loved, watched Qin Zhou and Xiao Jue argue about which drink was better, and watched the shopping cart gradually fill to the brim. An unprecedented and overwhelming sense of happiness quietly filled his heart.

Is this home? Is this what celebrating the New Year is like?

Noisy, trivial, and even somewhat chaotic, yet full of vibrant life and warm connections.

While Sister Jin and Qin Zhou were picking through the fresh produce, Qi Shuo whispered to Xiao Jue, "Keep an eye on them for a bit, I'm leaving for a while."

Xiao Jue glanced at him and nodded.

Qi Shuo strode towards the shopping mall area next to the supermarket. He had over seven thousand yuan saved up over the past three months through frugal living, and he had a plan in mind.

In the past, Sister Jin always gave to them without reservation. Now, he finally has the ability and wants to do something for them as well.

He first went to a well-known thermos counter and carefully selected a brand-name thermos with a moderate capacity, good heat retention, and a stylish design. He remembered that Sister Jin always liked to make a cup of milk tea or herbal tea during class, and her old cup was worn out and no longer kept the temperature well.

Then, he walked into a women's clothing store, his gaze sweeping over the flashy styles before finally settling on a long, light purple down jacket. The color was elegant and understated, and the cut was excellent. He remembered that Sister Jin seemed to really like purple.

He carefully touched the fabric, checked the amount of down filling, imagined how Sister Jin would look wearing it, and decisively asked the shop assistant to wrap it up.

Next, he went to the sporting goods section. Qin Zhou's basketball was worn out long ago and had finally "retired" a few days ago. He chose a new basketball that felt good and came from a good brand.

Remembering that Qin Zhou often plays basketball and his shoes wear out quickly, I picked out a pair of professional basketball shoes for him based on the size I remembered.

Walking into the luggage section, he remembered how Song Yungui's schoolbag was always bulging, and sometimes he would be carrying a stack of books, though Qin Zhou usually helped him carry them. Qi Shuo chose a large-capacity backpack with reasonable compartments that should be relatively easy to carry.

Finally, he went to the household goods section. Xiao Jue had a problem since childhood: his hands and ears were prone to chilblains in winter, becoming red, swollen, itchy, and painful. He carefully selected a pair of soft, warm sheepskin gloves and a pair of thick earmuffs that could completely cover his ears.

What should Qi Shuo buy for Lin Ye? He was a little stumped.

He didn't know much about the taciturn boy. Just then, Qin Zhou came over, and Qi Shuo asked for his opinion.

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhou's eyes lit up, and he revealed a sly smile: "Senior Lin Ye? Easy! Come with me!"

He dragged Qi Shuo straight to the bookstore's supplementary education section, pointing to the familiar and daunting rows of "Five-Year College Entrance Examination, Three-Year Simulation" books, and said with great enthusiasm, "This is it! Give him the whole set! What else can you rely on for the senior year sprint if not doing practice questions? This is the weight of knowledge, the key to a bright future!"

Qi Shuo looked at the thick stack of "53" practice books, his lips twitching slightly. He felt that this gift was a little...unfriendly.

But seeing Qin Zhou's "Praise me for being clever" expression, and realizing that he really didn't know what Lin Ye liked, he smiled helplessly and bought the whole set as instructed.

When Qi Shuo returned to the supermarket entrance carrying large and small bags to meet up with Sister Jin and the others, Sister Jin was taken aback when she saw the things he had just bought: "Xiao Shuo, what did you buy?"

Qi Shuo didn't say anything, but simply took out the items one by one and handed them to them.

A thermos and a light purple down jacket for Sister Jin.

A basketball and sneakers for Qin Zhou.

A backpack for Song Yungui.

Gloves and earmuffs for Xiao Jue.

There was also that heavy set of "Five Years of College Entrance Examination and Three Years of Simulation," which Qin Zhou solemnly handed to Xiao Jue, entrusting him to "pass it on to Senior Lin Ye."

Jin Jie held the light purple down jacket, her fingers trembling slightly as she stroked the soft fabric, her eyes instantly reddening. She looked up at Qi Shuo, her voice choked with emotion, "You brat… earning money isn't easy, why are you buying things like this…"

Despite saying that, she immediately took off her old cotton-padded coat and put on a new down jacket on the spot.

The size was perfect, and the color made her complexion look radiant. Like a little girl who had received a beloved gift, she twirled around on the spot, pulling Xiao Jue and Qin Zhou aside to ask, "Is it pretty? Is it pretty?"

After receiving the affirmation, her face radiated an undisguised pride and happiness. She wanted to shout to the curious passersby in the supermarket, "Look at the new clothes my son bought me! Aren't they beautiful!"

At that moment, Qi Shuo felt that this was probably the most worthwhile money he had ever spent.

Qin Zhou hugged his new basketball and shoes, so happy he almost jumped for joy, shouting, "Long live Brother Shuo! From now on, I'll be the coolest guy on the court! I guarantee I'll bring you first place in next year's school basketball tournament!"

Xiao Jue took the gloves and earmuffs, gave Qi Shuo a deep look, said nothing, but held the gloves tightly in his palm, feeling the soft touch of sheepskin on his fingertips, which warmed his heart.

When he received the "53" book from Lin Ye, he laughed so hard his shoulders were shaking. Seeing him laugh, Qi Shuo couldn't help but laugh too.

The four of them, carrying mountains of New Year's goods and gifts, marched home in a grand procession. The afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows of them, and their laughter drifted through the cold December air, dispelling all the chill.

Song Yungui was far away in the capital, and Lin Ye also returned to his not-so-warm home.

After delivering the items to his home, Xiao Jue was about to leave when Sister Jin stopped him and said directly, "Why are you going back to your cold, impersonal apartment? Pack your things and move in. There's room at home anyway. You and Xiao Shuo can share a room. You two have slept together since you were little, so you can chat at night and have drinks with me during the day."

Xiao Jue did not refuse and agreed with a smile.

As night falls, the occasional sound of firecrackers can be heard outside the window. Although they are banned in the city, some people still can't resist setting them off.

Inside the house, the heating was on full blast and the lights were bright. Sister Jin was in the kitchen preparing the semi-finished New Year's Eve dinner, the pots and pans clattering and the aroma filling the air.

In the living room, Qin Zhou was examining his new sneakers, while Xiao Jue and Qi Shuo sat on the sofa, exchanging a few words occasionally, but mostly just quietly watching the rerun of the gala on TV or listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen.

This lively, warm, and vibrant atmosphere was something Qi Shuo had thought he had lost forever. Leaning back on the sofa, looking at his friends and family around him, the barren, frozen land in his heart, which had been desolate for eight years, seemed to be completely soaked by this intense warmth, and tender buds of hope quietly sprouted.

The snow and wind of the old year are about to pass, and the new year is slowly approaching with unknown temperatures.

This time, however, he was no longer alone.