A long silence followed on the other end of the phone, which was finally broken by Jiang Chao's grinning "Happy New Year!"

Only Chen Lu and Liang Zhirou were left looking at each other in bewilderment.

Looking at Liang Zhirou's dazed expression, Chen Lu swallowed hard. "It's one thing for you to headbutt me with a rocket, but please don't try to copy this."

This silly boy is already hurting enough by hitting people; if he learns anything else, she'll be crying and begging him not to die the moment she dares to learn it.

Liang Zhirou chuckled twice at his reaction, "I wouldn't want to."

After finishing the call, Chen Lu continued to blow-dry Liang Zhirou's hair, the hairdryer whirring loudly, mixed with the sound of the two chatting softly.

Liang Zhirou closed her eyes comfortably for a while, then opened them again to take a fresh look at everything before her.

From now on, this place will feel like home.

The thought of this gave her an increasingly peculiar feeling.

Tomorrow is the first day of the new year, and from now on I'll be living here every day, living with this person...

Her dream was half realized ahead of schedule.

As she was thinking, she seemed to suddenly remember something.

"I forgot to bring something with me."

Chen Lu swallowed the words "Didn't I just ask you?" and instead asked, "What did you forget? If it's important, I'll go back and get it now."

"That ring..."

"What kind of ring?"

"The one you gave me."

"It's nothing," Chen Lu continued to carefully blow-dry her hair. "I can fold another one for you right now."

She's such a silly girl. Everyone else is chasing after carat weights, but she treasures a ring made from folded paper.

Liang Zhirou pouted, "That's different."

"Let's leave it there for now, and we can take it with us when we buy a house and move there later."

Chen Lu suddenly paused.

Jiang Chao was right; his relationship with Liang Zhirou seemed to be progressing quite quickly...

Most people probably wouldn't consider living together unless they dated for two or three years.

It's quite amazing that they've decided on each other as the only person.

This simpleton stumbled into his heart by accident, and then, without even asking his opinion, simply moved in.

It seems that he is the same way, otherwise Liang Zhirou would not have agreed to him.

A smile appeared on Chen Lu's face, and his movements became even gentler.

This girl gave him everything she trusted, without reservation.

Because it was already very late when she got back, and after taking a shower and drying her hair, just as Liang Zhirou finished calling Wang Xiaoxia to wish her a Happy New Year, the minute hand of the clock on the wall was only a short distance away from the top twelve.

"Have you ever celebrated New Year's Eve before?" Liang Zhirou asked curiously.

Chen Lu looked down at his phone, symbolically sent a few large red envelopes in the company group, and replied seriously: "My friends and I crossed over to Summoner's Rift, and we even won that game. It feels really auspicious."

He was laughing for a moment when he suddenly understood why Liang Zhirou liked this sense of ritual. No matter how many years have passed, these special memories will always be more profound than the ordinary ones.

The longer the fermentation, the more pronounced this becomes.

He looked up, about to say something, when Liang Zhirou leaned in and kissed him.

For some reason, Liang Zhirou didn't control his hands this time. Chen Lu had his fill of holding hands and was too lazy to wonder why this silly girl suddenly kissed him.

After a long while, their lips parted.

“We’ve been kissing for a whole year, from last year to this year!” Liang Zhirou said with a smile, her face full of happiness.

They've been kissing since last year and into this year!

Chen Lu glanced at the time, 12:01, and was suddenly amused by her statement. He reached out and gently stroked the girl's cheek, staring intently into her eyes, "Then I've loved you for a whole year too."

Liang Zhirou was stunned for a moment, then lowered her head and secretly chuckled.

......

The year was over, and the two got ready to go to sleep.

The power outlet on the other side of the bed was broken, so Liang Zhirou had to charge her phone on Chen Lu's side before running to the other side.

Too lazy to walk those few steps, I simply crawled over off the bed.

"It's already 12:30, and we're actually considered to have gone to bed early." Halfway up the mountain, Liang Zhirou unconsciously sat down and looked out the bedroom window. Many homes in the building across the street still had their lights on.

She was so captivated by the sight that she momentarily forgot she was sitting on Chen Lu's lap.

Chen Lu had no time to look outside. He stared intently at the girl in front of him and couldn't help but swallow hard.

Liang Zhirou sat on his lap like a duck, looking out the window... she looked quite regal. The room was dark, and only the outside light made things vaguely visible. Even in the dim light, Liang Zhirou's delicate profile remained captivating.

The dimly lit environment acted like a thin veil, giving her a captivating, veiled beauty. Chen Lu finally understood why people always called this seemingly simple-minded girl a cool and aloof goddess.

And this posture just doesn't look right at all.

This really won't pass censorship!

"Um, I suggest you go ahead first," Chen Lu said, turning his head slightly embarrassed.

"Um?"

Liang Zhirou was clearly still in shock, and her expression was somewhat puzzled.

She only realized what was happening when she felt something poking her. She looked down at their current state and blushed instantly.

The girl was about to bury her head in the blanket next to her like an ostrich when she inadvertently glanced at Chen Lu, who was looking away and didn't dare to meet her eyes.

She must be seeing things... Chen Lu is actually nervous?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!