Strawberry Candied Haws
Li Huaizhou stared at the words "I'll be back later" on the phone screen, rubbing his fingertips around the edge of the screen twice, and finally gently turned off the screen. He knew Xie Mo was going to rush back from Paris, and the time spent on the road alone was enough to make him miss the midnight fireworks and the excitement in the square, but he still couldn't help but miss him.
It wasn't until the phone vibrated for the third time and Ji Jiancheng's voice message came with a noisy background that Li Huaizhou came back to his senses and quickly tapped "OK" with his fingertips. He got up to change his clothes and opened the closet door. He saw the down jacket that Xie Mo had left behind last time. After thinking about it, he took it down and put it on. He would return it to him if he could find it.
At three in the afternoon, the small restaurant was packed with people, mostly students who hadn't gone home for the Lunar New Year. The boisterous laughter, wrapped in the aroma of food, wafted over, somewhat dispelling the quiet. Ji Jiancheng waved and called out to him from a distance. Shen Qitang and Jiang Changnan sat nearby, while Si Yan, with his head down, scrolled through the Spring Festival Gala program on his phone. Seeing him come in, he looked up and smiled, "I thought you were going to be late. Where's Xie Mo? He's not with you?" Li Huaizhou pulled out a chair and sat down, his fingertips pinching the rim of the cup and turning it half a circle. He spoke softly, "He's in Paris and won't be back until later."
"Paris?" Ji Jiancheng bit his chopsticks and looked up, his eyes wide. "Master Xie has lived a very fashionable life this year. But it's true, his father is abroad all year round and he definitely doesn't have time to go back." Shen Qitang handed over the candied haws. The wrapper rubbed against the back of Li Huaizhou's hand, bringing a little coldness. "Take it first, and eat it in the square later. It's better than looking like the whole world owes you eight million."
Li Huaizhou took the candied haws, pinching the wrapper between his fingers, without saying a word. The table was quickly filled with dishes: braised fish, sweet and sour pork ribs, and steaming beef brisket with tomatoes—all their favorites. Ji Jiancheng and Jiang Changnan chatted animatedly, ranging from school anecdotes to the Spring Festival Gala. Shen Qitang occasionally chimed in. Only Li Huaizhou held his chopsticks, taking only a few bites. His eyes kept drifting to his phone, the screen silent, no new messages. Even time seemed to be passing slower than usual. It was only a little after four o'clock, but it felt like ages had passed.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Shen Qitang nudged him with his elbow. "The food is getting cold, and you're completely distracted."
Li Huaizhou came back to his senses and put a piece of pork ribs into his mouth. The sweet and sour taste was a bit strong. He replied vaguely: "Not in a daze, just a little sleepy." "Sleepy?" Ji Jiancheng chewed the rice and laughed at him, "What did you do last night? Thief?" Li Huaizhou's ears felt a little hot, and he reached out and pushed Ji Jiancheng: "Don't talk nonsense, I went to bed early last night." Although he said so, he did hold his phone and waited until almost twelve o'clock last night, until the screen automatically dimmed, but he didn't wait for Xie Mo's message, and finally fell asleep in a daze.
The group of people played until after six o'clock. It was already pitch black outside. The streetlights came on, illuminating the snow like tiny diamonds, shimmering in the air. Ji Jiancheng patted his stomach and stood up. "Let's go! Nanyan Square must be bustling already. If we go too late, we won't be able to squeeze in to see the big screen."
Shen Qitang put away his phone and helped Li Huaizhou pick up the scarf on the chair. "He can come back. Don't act like a lost soul." Li Huaizhou took the scarf and his fingertips touched Shen Qitang's hand. He found that his hand was much colder than usual. He quickly wrapped the scarf around his neck, covering half of his face, and followed them to the square.
Nanyan Square was already packed with people. A makeshift screen was lit, showing pre-Spring Festival Gala performances. The sounds of music, laughter, and children's noises mixed together, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere. Ji Jiancheng pulled them forward, causing Shen Qitang to frown. Li Huaizhou, sandwiched between them, was occasionally bumped on the shoulder, but he paid no attention. He stared at his phone. It was already past eight o'clock, and there was still no news from Xie Mo, not even a single update to his Moments.
"It's so crowded, it seems like someone is selling firework sticks up front!" Ji Jiancheng suddenly pointed ahead and shouted, pulling Jiang Changnan forward. Si Yan turned around and shouted, "Don't run too fast," and squeezed through as well. Li Huaizhuo fell behind, and was pushed back two steps by the crowd. His chest felt a little stuffy, and even his breathing became heavier - the surroundings were too noisy, and the smell of fireworks mixed with the cold air penetrated his nose. He suddenly felt a little dizzy, and the big screen in front of him shook. He took out his cell phone and sent a message to Ji Jiancheng, "I'm going to the back to take a breath, you guys squeeze in first," and then turned and walked to where there were fewer people. There was an open space behind the square with a few stone pillars. Li Huaizhuo walked over, patted the dust off the stone pillars, and slowly sat down. Only then did he feel a little more comfortable.
He lowered his head, took out his phone, and turned on the screen. It was 11:41. There was still no new message on the screen. "I'll be back later." Li Huaizhou stared at the words, his fingertips lightly touching the words "later." The anticipation in his heart slowly sank, like a branch weighed down by snow, and even his breathing became a little choked.
He definitely won't be able to make it. He thought, the midnight fireworks will start in nineteen minutes. Even if Xie Mo got off the plane now, it would take a long time for him to get here. Not to mention watching the fireworks together, he might not even be able to catch up with the excitement of the square. He took out a cigarette and was about to light it, but his fingers paused - Xie Mo didn't like him smoking. The last time he saw him smoking in the alley, he frowned, snatched the cigarette from him and put it out, saying "It's bad for your health." Since then, he rarely smoked.
Li Huaizhou put the cigarette back into his pocket and looked up at the big screen in the distance. The song and dance performance of the Spring Festival Gala was being performed lively, but he didn't pay attention at all. The phone in his pocket suddenly hit him. He reached out and found that it was the fireworks sticks that Shen Qitang had just stuffed into his pocket. There were two pink fireworks.
He was holding a firework stick, and suddenly wanted to take a picture of Xie Mo. He knew Xie Mo might not be able to see it, but he still couldn't help it. He turned on the camera, took the firework stick in his hand, and adjusted the angle, trying to take the big screen in the distance and the firework stick in the picture. Just as he found the right angle, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him, with a little breath after running, but like a feather, it gently fell on his heart.
"Whose child is here alone?"
Li Huaizhou's body froze, and the firework stick in his hand slipped out of his hand. Before he could turn around, he felt a warm hand reaching out and firmly catching the firework stick. The next second, a warm chest with a faint minty scent pressed against his back. Xie Mo's arm came around his side, almost enveloping him in his embrace. His hot breath fell behind his ear, a little tickling. "Are you scared?"
Li Huaizhou turned his head subconsciously and met Xie Mo's eyes. Xie Mo's hair was a little messy, and his eyes were a little bloodshot. It was obvious that he had just rushed back and didn't even have time to breathe. But his eyes were bright, staring at him without blinking, and there was a hint of a smile on the corner of his mouth. "I thought you were going to be late..." Li Huaizhou's voice was a little trembling, and even his fingertips were a little numb. The loss and grievance in his heart just now seemed to be washed away by Xie Mo's words.
Xie Mo lowered his head and rubbed his forehead with the tip of his nose. It was a little cold, but very gentle: "I promised you something, I won't break my promise." He shook the firework stick in his hand and took out a silver lighter from his pocket, "Do you want to play?"
Before Li Huaizhou could say anything, Xie Mo had already lit his lighter. A blue flame shot up, catching Xie Mo's eyes. He carefully leaned over to the tip of the firework stick. With a "hiss," pink sparks suddenly exploded, like tiny fireworks, flickering in the air, and a warm glow fell on their faces.
"Is it beautiful?" Xie Mo's voice was close to his ear, with a hint of smile.
Li Huaizhou looked at the firework stick in his hand. The sparks fell on his fingertips, feeling a little hot, but not painful at all. He couldn't help but laugh, his eyes curved: "How childish, Mr. Xie."
Xie Mo raised an eyebrow, but didn't refute. He just took out a paper bag from his other pocket and handed it to him: "There are more childish ones." Li Huaizhou looked down and saw a bunch of strawberry candied haws in the bag. The strawberries were plump, covered with crystal icing, and shimmered in the light of the fireworks. He subconsciously took it, and his fingertips touched the paper bag, which was a little cold. He lowered his head and took a bite of the strawberry. Xie Mo suddenly bent down, and his lips gently touched the strawberry he had bitten, and bit off the other half.
The two leaned very close, their breaths mingling. Xie Mo's lips brushed against the corners of his lips, with a hint of the sweetness of candied haws, like a gentle kiss. Li Huaizhou was stunned, and the candied haws in his hand almost fell. The tips of his ears instantly turned red, and he even forgot to breathe.
At this moment, the clock struck twelve suddenly in front of the square. The sound of "dong-dong" hit the air, and then the first bunch of fireworks shot up into the sky, exploded in the dark night, and turned into a golden sky. Then, the second bunch, the third bunch... colorful fireworks bloomed one after another, lighting up the whole square.
Xie Mo stood up straight, reached out to tuck the strands of hair by Li Huaizhou's ear behind his ear, and rubbed his fingertips across the tip of his ear, saying softly, "Happy New Year, baby."
Li Huaizhou looked at him. The light from the fireworks fell on Xie Mo's face, flickering, but more beautiful than ever. He opened his mouth and was about to say "Happy New Year" when he heard Ji Jiancheng's voice from a distance, a little shocked: "Xie Mo? When did you get here?!"
Li Huaizhou turned around and saw Ji Jiancheng and the others running towards him. Ji Jiancheng's hair was messed up by the wind, and Shen Qitang was still holding an unlit firework stick in his hand. Xie Mo leaned towards Li Huaizhou calmly, lowered his eyes and stared at his still red ears, and said in a flat tone: "Just arrived..."
"Just arrived?" Ji Jiancheng's eyes widened. "You're too fast, aren't you?" Xie Mo didn't answer, but raised an eyebrow and reached out to help Li Huaizhou pull up his scarf to cover his red face. Shen Qitang bumped into Ji Jiancheng, then said with a smile: "Now that everyone is here, let's not blow the cold wind here. There's a hot pot restaurant upstairs that's still open. Let's go get something hot?"
Si Yan nodded in agreement: "I just checked, that restaurant has good reviews, just right to warm up." Li Huaizhou glanced at Xie Mo, and when he saw him nod, he followed them to the hot pot restaurant. On the way, Ji Jiancheng was still chattering about how beautiful the fireworks were just now. Shen Qitang hugged Si Yan's arm and occasionally interjected a few words. Jiang Changnan walked behind and chatted with Xie Mo about Paris. Xie Mo's answers were very concise, but his eyes were always on Li Huaizhou.
The hot pot restaurant was doing very well, and luckily there was a window seat. The waiter brought the hot pot base, which was steaming hot and immediately dispelled the coldness in his body. Ji Jiancheng ordered a lot of dishes, tripe, beef, and shrimp balls, all of which were their usual favorites. Chen Qitang went out and bought two boxes and two plates of strawberries, saying that he wanted to relieve the greasiness. Li Huaizhou sat next to Xie Mo, holding chopsticks in his hand, but did not move much. Xie Mo saw this and picked up a piece of boiled beef and put it in his bowl: "You didn't eat well in the afternoon, did you?"
Li Huaizhou looked down at the beef in the bowl, feeling warm inside. He picked it up and put it in his mouth. The aroma of beef mixed with the spicy flavor spread in his mouth, finally giving him a taste of the New Year. Ji Jiancheng and Shen Qitang were clamoring for a drink, but Si Yan stopped them, saying they had to go home. In the end, they ordered a few bottles of Coke, clinking their glasses and making a lot of noise. The laughter drifted from the table and mixed with the bustle of the restaurant.
They ate until almost two o'clock before they paid the bill and left. Xie Mo put his arm around Li Huaizhou's shoulders and walked towards the parking lot. Li Huaizhou followed him and after a few steps, he saw a black McLaren parked on the side of the road. The car body was smooth and gleamed with a cold and hard light in the moonlight. It was much more exaggerated than the one Xie Mo drove last time.
Li Huaizhou was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help laughing: "Didn't I tell you, underage driving?" Xie Mo opened the passenger door and looked back at him with a smile in his eyes: "Don't you trust your boyfriend's driving skills?"
Li Huaizhou bent down and got into the car. The seat was warm, obviously Xie Mo had turned on the heater in advance. He turned his head, leaned over, and kissed Xie Mo lightly on the cheek, his voice soft: "Mr. Xie is the best, of course I believe it."
Xie Mo's eyes darkened instantly. He reached out and clasped the back of Li Huaizhou's head, gently pulled it, and kissed him. This kiss was more gentle than the one in the square just now, slowly landing on his lips. Li Huaizhou closed his eyes, put his arms around Xie Mo's neck, and slowly responded. Until both of them were a little out of breath, Xie Mo slowly let go of him, and leaned his forehead against his forehead, his voice a little hoarse: "Stop it."
Li Huaizhou's ears turned red again. He pushed Xie Mo away and turned his head to look out the window: "Who started the trouble? It was obviously you who started it..."
Xie Mo smiled and stopped teasing him. He closed the car door, walked around to the driver's seat and got in. The car drove out smoothly. There were few people on the road, only the light from the street lamps fell on the car window, flickering. Li Huaizhou leaned back in the seat and looked at Xie Mo's profile as he drove. His outline was very clear in the light, his eyelashes were very long, and his fingers gripped the steering wheel, his movements steady and beautiful.
He turned to look at Xie Mo, hesitated for a moment, and then leaned over and gently touched his lips: "Happy New Year, Xie Mo." Xie Mo smiled and reached out to pinch his face: "Happy New Year, baby"
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