The lingering echoes of the New Year's bells seemed to still linger in the villa's air. Han Feng stood by the French windows, watching the last few friends in the courtyard help each other towards a taxi. Before leaving, Wang Hao turned back and winked at him, but Han Feng shrugged off with a warning glare and sheepishly got into the car.
"Finally, they're all gone." Su Wanwan slumped onto the sofa, kicked off her bunny slippers, and stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet. "My ears were about to be deafened by Wang Hao's awful voice."
Liu Mengran was tidying up the empty wine glasses on the coffee table when she heard this and chuckled softly: "When he sang 'I'll Love You Till I Die,' the neighbor's dog kept barking."
"That was a chorus, okay?" Su Wanwan rolled her eyes, then suddenly sat up straight as if she remembered something. "By the way, Sister Mengran, what New Year's wish did you make just now?"
Liu Mengran paused, her slightly flushed cheeks reflected in the glass. Han Feng pretended to be adjusting the curtains, but his ears were secretly perked up.
"It won't work if you say it out loud," Liu Mengran replied softly, carefully placing a stack of cups into the dishwasher.
Su Wanwan pouted, her gaze darting between Han Feng and Liu Mengran, before suddenly revealing a sly smile: "Young Master Han, what are you doing standing there like a clothes rack? Hurry up and help tidy up."
Han Feng then snapped out of his daze and went to the dining area to start tidying up the plates. The three of them worked together seamlessly, and the only sounds in the room were the clinking of cutlery and occasional conversations. Han Feng would occasionally glance at Liu Mengran out of the corner of his eye. Under the soft lighting of the dining room, her skin looked as white as snow, and her cheeks, slightly flushed from her work, looked like they had been lightly rouged.
"Done!" Su Wanwan tied up the last bag of trash, stretched, and said, "It's already 2 a.m., I need to go to sleep." She suddenly turned to Liu Mengran, who was hanging up her coat, and said, "Mengran, it's not safe for you to go home alone so late. Why don't you stay here tonight? There are guest rooms available."
Han Feng's fingers paused on the coat hook, his heart suddenly racing. This suggestion was exactly what he wanted to hear, but he didn't dare show it, only casually adding, "We've both been drinking, it's not convenient to call a designated driver now..."
Liu Mengran bit her lower lip, her gaze shifting between the entryway and the stairwell. Han Feng could tell she was hesitant; her slightly trembling eyelashes and clenched fingers betrayed her inner struggle.
Su Wanwan's eyes darted around, and she suddenly blurted out, "Why don't you just live here from now on!" She skipped over to Liu Mengran, affectionately taking her arm. "Look, we're so close now, it's so convenient to live together. We'll have a car to school, a driver to the company, and..." She sighed dramatically, "Han Feng just spends his free time busy with his crappy stuff, I'm so bored I'm practically growing mushrooms!"
Han Feng almost choked on his own saliva. He stared wide-eyed at Su Wanwan, wondering if this girl had taken the wrong medicine today. But deep down, a secret joy was quietly spreading within him.
"This... doesn't seem quite right, does it?" Liu Mengran's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, and the tips of her ears were so red they could bleed.
"What's inappropriate about it!" Su Wanwan pressed her advantage. "The south-facing room upstairs has the best lighting and is close to my room. I'll have Han Feng help you move tomorrow!" She turned to Han Feng, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Don't you think so, Young Master Han?"
Han Feng opened his mouth, unsure how to respond. He certainly hoped Liu Mengran would move in, but didn't want to appear too eager. Ultimately, he chose a relatively safe answer: "If it's convenient for you... it is indeed quite close to both the school and the company."
Liu Mengran looked up, her gaze meeting Han Feng's. In that instant, Han Feng seemed to see countless emotions flashing in her eyes... hesitation, anticipation, shyness, and something deeper. The living room light reflected an amber halo in her pupils, like melting honey.
"I..." Liu Mengran had just opened her mouth when Su Wanwan interrupted her.
"Stop with the 'I-I-I'!" Su Wanwan grabbed Liu Mengran's handbag and threw it on the sofa. "Stay here tonight, we'll go to your place to pack our things tomorrow." She let out an exaggerated yawn. "Ugh, I'm so sleepy, I'm going upstairs now, you two can chat."
Before the two could react, Su Wanwan had already dashed up the stairs. Before leaving, she winked at Han Feng and mouthed, "No need to thank me."
The living room suddenly fell silent, save for the occasional crackling of the embers in the fireplace. Han Feng and Liu Mengran stood there, neither speaking first. Outside, the snow began to fall again, the fine snowflakes gently tapping against the glass, like a tender urging.
"Um..." Han Feng cleared his throat, "Su Wanwan just loves to fool around, don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you don't want to..."
"Okay," Liu Mengran suddenly said.
Han Feng was stunned: "What?"
"I said, 'Okay.'" Liu Mengran looked up, her shyness replaced by a firm gentleness. "Move in."
Han Feng felt a wave of dizziness, unsure whether it was from the alcohol or the sudden good news. He cautiously asked, "Are you sure?"
Liu Mengran nodded, a faint smile appearing on her lips: "Anyway... I get quite bored living alone in the apartment sometimes, so having Wanwan with me should make things much happier."
Han Feng couldn't help but laugh: "That's quite the little rascal."
The two exchanged a smile, and at that moment, some invisible barrier quietly shattered. Han Feng reached out and took the trash bag from Liu Mengran's hand; their fingertips touched unintentionally, as if a faint electric current flowed through their bodies.
"Then... shall I show you the room?" Han Feng pointed upstairs.
Liu Mengran softly hummed in agreement and followed him towards the stairs. They arrived at the room Han Feng had chosen; it was quite spacious, with a private bathroom and, most notably, a small balcony with large floor-to-ceiling windows offering a clear view of the courtyard outside.
"Then you'll live in this room from now on. The lighting is just like Wanwan said. Her room is right across from you, and mine is next door. Just call me if you need anything. The bedding is all new." Han Feng was still explaining to Liu Mengran when he suddenly turned around and saw her looking at him with a smile in her eyes.
"Thank you, Han Feng." Liu Mengran's lips parted slightly, and before Han Feng could react, a fragrant breeze entered his arms. Han Feng gently hugged this soft body, feeling a little at a loss. Then, it seemed as if something enveloped his lips. Under the light, the two figures seemed to merge into one.
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