Chapter 16 The worldly atmosphere
The table by the window was covered with red paper sprinkled with gold. Sunlight slanted through the glass, casting tiny specks of light on the rice paper. Ling Shen's fingers, gripping the wolf-hair brush, stiffened slightly, his knuckles turning white from the strain.
He looked at himself in the mirror - he had taken off his usual exquisite suit and put on a slightly loose navy blue Chinese gown, with one button on the lapel crookedly and wrong, making him look like a child who was just learning to dress.
The red paper, already cut, lay on the table, still a little rough at the edges, quietly waiting to be given new life. Ling Shen looked up and saw Su Nian huddled at the bar, humming a tuneless rendition of "Happy New Year" while rhythmically stirring the pot with a wooden spoon.
The paste in the pot was bubbling, and the rich aroma of the paste, wrapped in the warmth of the stove fire, gradually spread throughout the room, and even softened the resistance in his heart.
Taking a deep breath, Ling Shen flicked his wrist, dipped his wolf-hair brush into thick ink, and began to write across the red paper. The fragrance of ink and flour intertwined, and every stroke seemed to tell a long-forgotten story.
But in just a moment, a neat and grand couplet appeared on the paper, with the powerful handwriting showing through the back of the paper, "As the years go by, people get older, spring fills the world and blessings fill the house", revealing a strong sense of the New Year.
"Okay, I'm done." Ling Shen's brush gave a final twist, gracefully finishing the character for "Fu" on the paper. The thick ink smudged across the rice paper, and a full, heartwarming "Fu" (meaning "Fu") leaped onto the page.
Su Nian came to the table with a steaming pot of paste. The rising white mist blurred his gold-rimmed glasses. When he took off the lenses and wiped them with the corner of his clothes, the ink marks left on his fingertips cast a faint gray shadow on the porcelain white lenses.
Then he looked up at Ling Shen, who was clearly feeling uncomfortable, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Ling. My little bookstore is struggling."
Ling Shen raised his fist to his lips and coughed softly. He was really not used to Su Nian's teasing look, so he could only turn his face away helplessly, "Aren't we going to put up the couplets? The paste will be drying soon."
"Oh, yes, yes, hurry up and finish pasting it so we can go buy New Year's goods. I'll make you something delicious tonight." Su Nian slapped his head suddenly, grabbed Ling Shen's wrist and walked towards the door.
The warm palm touched his wrist, and Ling Shen didn't react at all. He let Su Nian pull him to stand at the door of the bookstore.
The ink-colored words on the red paper shone golden in the sunlight. Ling Shen was commanded by Su Nian and climbed up and down willingly.
God knows, Mr. Ling, the dignified boss of the Ling Group, would actually condescend to do something only children would like in front of a bookstore.
If anyone from the Ling family saw this, they would probably be shocked, but Ling Shen didn't think there was anything wrong, and even had a relaxed smile on his face.
Ling Shen hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. In front of Su Nian, he wasn't Mr. Ling, and the surname Ling didn't have any special meaning to him. He was just Ling Shen. Just an ordinary person, someone who could be ordered around by Su Nian.
Su Nian reached out to hold onto the bamboo ladder, and when he looked up, he met Ling Shen's downcast gaze. Those deep, always distant eyes were now filled with a subtle light, reflecting the golden words "Bamboo Brings Peace" above his head, which reminded him of a warm afternoon deep in his memory.
At that time, Chen Ran was also standing at the same height, smearing a ball of ink on the tip of his nose, and his laughter startled the sparrows in the corner of the yard.
However, he hadn't done such a thing for a long time since Shen Ran left, and now Ling Shen's appearance made him find his former self again.
"Ling Shen, have you finished pasting it? Hurry up, we have to go buy New Year's goods." Su Nian suppressed all emotions, raised her head and urged Ling Shen with a smile.
The two washed their hands and changed their clothes. Su Nian smiled and refused Ling Shen's request to drive, and instead took him through the streets.
As the Spring Festival approaches, the city is filled with smiling people. Children are holding snacks that are usually not allowed and laughing freely with their friends. The shops on both sides of the street seem to have made an appointment to put up red silk lanterns, and the warm light turns the snow into amber.
Everything in front of him gave Ling Shen a completely different understanding of this city.
"Is it lively?" Su Nian stuffed her hands in her coat pockets, her breath condensing into white mist in the cold air. She turned her head to look at Ling Shen, who was clearly overwhelmed, her eyes curved into crescents.
Ling Shen nodded. He had never known this city had such a vibrant side. Before, besides being busy with work, he spent the rest of his time with Jiang Yi doing the things he loved.
Jiang Yi's favorite things were exciting and lively activities. If you asked him where to find the strongest alcohol and the most lively places, he would definitely tell you everything. Those late-night bars, deafening music and spicy whiskey were his life.
But looking at Su Nian's bright eyes at this moment, he suddenly felt that the tip of the nose reddened by the cold wind and the corners of the mouth stained with frosting were the real vibrant life.
He used to only think about Jiang Yi and neglect himself, but the appearance of Su Nian made him realize that being thought of by others is such a happy thing.
"This is the flavor of everyday life." Su Nian had bought some sugar paintings without realizing it. The bamboo sticks were still warm when she handed them to him. "Try it, it's very sweet."
Ling Shen was holding the bamboo stick and was stunned for a moment. The golden syrup was outlined into the shape of a rabbit, emitting a sweet scent in the cold wind.
"Come quickly." Su Nian walked to the front and found that Ling Shen did not follow him. He turned around and waved to the person who was standing there in a daze.
That brilliant smile made Ling Shen unable to help but curl up the corners of his mouth. He gently bit the sugar painting in his hand. The sweetness of the malt sugar made him frown slightly, but he soon relaxed his brows and smiled.
"It's really sweet." Ling Shen murmured. He quickly chased after her, crushing the star-like snow particles on the ground. He could no longer hide the smile on his lips.
When Su Nian reached the dried fruit stall, she suddenly stopped. The butter-crusted sunflower seeds in the glass jar shone amber in the sunlight. "Two pounds of sunflower seeds, with extra licorice." Just as Su Nian finished speaking, Ling Shen had already scanned the code and paid.
The stall owner smiled and put an extra handful of pistachios into the bag: "Are the young couple preparing for the New Year? This guy is really considerate." Su Nian was about to explain, but was stopped by Ling Shen's eyes. He was holding the heavy paper bag, and his knuckles were slightly white from the force.
Ling Shen didn't know why he stopped Su Nian from saying it out loud. He just subconsciously didn't want Su Nian to explain.
"Couple..." Ling Shen was carrying the purchased items and looked at Su Nian in front of him who was looking here and there with the flow of people. He suddenly felt that it would be great if time could stop at this moment.
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