I didn't fall asleep until 3:30 a.m., and then I got up again at 6:30 a.m. to pick up a group of guests from Beijing. Then it was endless busyness that continued until lunchtime, which drove me to the brink of collapse. I wanted to rest, but I couldn't. I was busy on and off until 2 p.m. before I finally finished picking up the last group of guests for the day. I didn't even have time to think about what to eat for New Year's Eve dinner. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the bed.
Before going to sleep, I sent Nicole a message, but her reply saddened me greatly; Ye Zhi still hadn't contacted her.
I really think that sometimes the relationship between people is very fragile. Just like Ye Zhi and me, we could still walk hand in hand along the coastal road two days ago, but now I can't even access her WeChat Moments. It's like she has evaporated from my world.
...
Around 5:30 pm, I was still asleep when I was woken up by the sound of firecrackers. In principle, it is not allowed to set off fireworks and firecrackers near the ancient city, but on such an important day as New Year's Eve, some people still risked it to create a festive atmosphere.
Because someone started it, a few moments later, the sound of firecrackers could be heard intermittently again. I was so disturbed that I could no longer fall asleep. I just sat on the bed, staring blankly at the fireworks that were released in the sky and then suddenly disappeared.
I think I should prepare a New Year's Eve dinner for myself. Whether it's lavish or not is another matter, but the sense of ritual for the New Year is essential.
After washing my face with cold water, I finally came down from the second-floor bedroom to the first-floor kitchen. I took out the vegetables I had prepared a few days ago from the refrigerator, and then went back to the second-floor balcony to cut some of the smoked meat and sausages that Lao Mi had sent.
I took out the steamer from the cupboard and steamed the sausages. I also stir-fried mushrooms with smoked meat. I stir-fried tomatoes with the free-range eggs that the old lady gave me yesterday, symbolizing good fortune. Braised pork is more troublesome and time-consuming to make, but I still made it. Finally, I made a soup with goji berries and chicken.
That completes the meal: cold dishes, hot dishes, and soup.
Even so, I couldn't feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year because my room was just too lonely with only me by my side; and at that moment, I truly realized how important it is to have someone by my side. I didn't dare hope it was Ye Zhi, or even Ping Ge would have been fine... but even Ping Ge went on vacation to Thailand!
...
Five minutes later, I received my first call from a friend, Taozi… She first wished me a happy New Year’s Eve, and then inevitably asked me about Lu Jia. I told her the truth, and she scolded me for being stupid.
I'm pretty stupid.
She asked me again if I wanted to come over for New Year's Eve dinner, but I refused. It would be even more foolish to go... because I didn't want to see Tie Nan's expression on this joyous New Year's Eve.
...
Ten minutes later, I received a call from Coach Ma. He asked about my new love and my old flame, and I told him the truth as usual. He was much ruder than Peach and directly called me an idiot.
I'm such an idiot, so I didn't argue with him. Instead, after he hung up, I sent him and Bai Lu a 200 yuan red envelope each to prove that I'm a super idiot because he insulted me and I even sent him a red envelope.
...
After preparing the meal, I poured myself a Sprite and a beer, then suddenly realized I should call home to say hello... But after hesitating for a long time, I didn't dare to call, because I had lost Ye Zhi, who was supposed to come home with me.
Fortunately, Lao Mi didn't call first, but he will call sooner or later.
At that moment, I missed Ye Zhi terribly... How wonderful it would be if she were by my side right now!
I glanced out the window instinctively. Jiulongju was still deserted. Only a child was setting off those low-lying fireworks. I didn't feel any liveliness; instead, I felt even more sad and lonely.
I put down my chopsticks, closed my eyes, lay back in the chair, and fumbled for a cigarette to light.
I suddenly lost my temper and kicked over a beer bottle, spilling beer all over the floor, just like my shattered heart... And the person I hate isn't anyone else, it's myself... Regarding Ye Zhi and me, we could have done our best, but in the end, we made things so pathetic!
...
My phone vibrated again. I groggily picked it up and looked at it. The caller ID showed an overseas number. I answered it with some confusion, and Yang Sisi's voice, which sounded cute and endearing, came through: "Michael, Happy New Year's Eve... Give me the red envelope."
“Speak properly, make sure it rhymes, otherwise it won’t work.”
"Let me think... Haha, congratulations on your fortune, give me a red envelope!"
"I'll send it to you on WeChat later." After a slight pause, I added, "You're always the one asking me for red envelopes, why have I never seen you send me one?"
Yang Sisi replied matter-of-factly, "You're the boss, and I'm the employee... Have you ever seen an employee give a red envelope to the boss?"
"You're quite a weirdo. When you were working for me, you absolutely refused to admit that I was your boss; but after we were terminated, you insisted that I was your boss. What are you really thinking?"
"I want to trick you."
"If you're going to scam someone, at least find someone who's stupid and rich. Do you think you can scam someone as shrewd as me?"
"In my eyes, you're just someone who's stupid and rich... oh no, just stupid... being rich has nothing to do with you!"
"Then how could you bear to cheat me?"
"That's just how ruthless I am!"
I sighed...
"Did I hit your fragile little heart again?"
"Yes... I really need a quick-acting heart medicine right now."
"Then I'll give it to you."
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