Qingchi should be happy
A huge surprise exploded in her chest. Bai Yixia pursed her lips, unable to suppress her smile several times. She was still carrying two bottles of drinks in her hands, and afraid of bumping into Zhou Qingchi, she raised her hands slightly, making her posture look a little awkward.
But nobody cared about that anymore. After enduring it for a while, Bai Yixia realized that she couldn't hold back at all, so she didn't care anymore and a string of words floated out of her mouth.
"Really? You said yes?! You said yes to me?! You said yes to me!"
The arms around her tightened a little, but quickly loosened, and Zhou Qingchi gently pushed her away.
Bai Yixia looked at him, puzzled, and tilted her head. "Zhou Qingchi?"
Zhou Qingchi looked down at her, his lips trembling slightly, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible, "How could you think I would reject you?"
Bai Yixia's words didn't actually mean anything by anything; she was just too excited and kept confirming. She looked up at Zhou Qingchi, her heart skipped a beat, and she felt that the answer wasn't that important.
She was all too familiar with Zhou Qingchi's expression, even though she had only seen him make that expression once or twice herself.
His eyes were downcast, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes were filled with sadness.
Bai Yixia didn't want to delve into the reason for his expression, at least not today.
She clearly heard Zhou Qingchi agree to her request, and she didn't think there was anything wrong with her confession. But today was a day of reunion and happiness, so Zhou Qingchi shouldn't be sad.
Without hesitation, Bai Yixia took a step back, breaking free from Zhou Qingchi's embrace, and smiled broadly at his puzzled gaze.
"We should go back now. Maybe Mom has already solved the problem." She lowered her head and thought for a moment. While Zhou Qingchi looked confused, she stuffed the drink in her hand into Zhou Qingchi's mouth, and then hopped over to pick up the other two bottles that had rolled on the ground.
Bai Yixia said she wouldn't pursue his current inexplicable state, and after taking a few steps carrying her things, she realized that the person behind her wasn't following, so she turned around in confusion.
The streetlights were left behind the two of them, and Zhou Qingchi's expression was not visible in the backlight. He was still standing on the small bridge, his gaze fixed on Bai Yixia.
"Xia, you..." Zhou Qingchi began hesitantly.
Bai Yixia thought for a moment, then reached out to Zhou Qingchi, "We're together now, we should hold hands."
Snowflakes swept into her palm, bringing a slight chill. Bai Yixia's eyes curved into a smile. "I know you still have something to say to me, but not now."
Zhou Qingchi remained silent, still looking at her.
Bai Yixia sighed, but still looked delighted. "I want you to be happy."
After speaking, she stomped her foot, waved her hand in the air, wrinkled her nose, and her tone instantly became a little aggrieved, "Aren't you going to hold your girlfriend's hand?"
It's unclear which words triggered Zhou Qingchi's mechanism, but he shook his head and smiled helplessly. He quickly stepped forward and took Bai Yixia's smaller hand in his own, dispelling his previous inexplicable unease. "Okay, I'll hold your hand."
His expression was natural and his emotions were stable, a stark contrast to Bai Yixia, who had clearly flirted first but whose ears had turned red.
Bai Yixia blinked, her face flushing slightly, and she avoided looking away.
As her slightly chilly fingertips were held in warm hands, Bai Yixia felt that it wasn't just her fingertips that were getting warm, but also her heart and cheeks.
For her, shyness only lasted a few seconds. After taking a few steps, she put her embarrassment behind her and looked down at their clasped hands.
The shadows shifted to the feet, and the figures that used to be separated by tens of centimeters finally merged intimately together.
Bai Yixia pursed her lips and secretly chuckled, her hands swinging restlessly back and forth.
She took a deep breath, then turned her head to look at Zhou Qingchi, her eyes sparkling, as if she were repeatedly confirming in disbelief, "It wasn't when I was a child, right?"
"It's not Zhou Qingchi and Bai Yixia who are five or six years old, but Zhou Qingchi and Bai Yixia who are twenty years old."
Zhou Qingchi and she were very in sync, and he instantly understood what she meant. His eyes welled up with tears, and his voice was hoarse. "Yes."
Bai Yixia let out a drawn-out "oh," then moved slowly toward Zhou Qingchi.
First, their hands were clasped together, then their arms and shoulders were pressed tightly together.
Bai Yixia suddenly spoke, her voice softer than the wind, "It's so good, I'm so happy."
She turned to look at Zhou Qingchi, "Do you like me too?"
The answer to this question was too simple, too straightforward. Zhou Qingchi's eyes softened, and his breathing became shallow, as if he were afraid of disturbing this tranquility.
I like you.
Seeing Bai Yixia's eyes gradually redden, Zhou Qingchi stopped, leaned down slightly, touched Bai Yixia's forehead, and said solemnly and firmly, "I like Bai Yixia."
No wind rises on this night of reunion.
Because of some unexpected emotional fluctuations on the way, a journey that should have taken only one or two minutes took them five or six minutes.
It's hard to understand why they have to stop and smile every now and then.
When I got home, the atmosphere had returned to normal.
Um.
At least Ms. Lin Shuyang was like that; she sat upright, talking to Mrs. Bai beside her with a relaxed expression.
Hearing footsteps, she turned to look at the two of them. "Why are you so slow? Uncle is about to sober up."
Bai Yixia was overjoyed tonight after successfully confessing her feelings, and almost forgot all her unpleasantness. But as soon as she stepped into her house, she remembered it and said with a smile, "I didn't expect the shop owner at the door to still be open. It's time to go home tonight, so I chatted with him for a bit longer."
She placed one of the bottles of cola on the nearest table, picked up the juice and went to Lin Shuyang's table. Her gaze slowly fell on Uncle Bai, whose face was displeased, and she said with a smile, "He even advised me to drink less alcohol."
The mother and daughter were on the same page. Lin Shuyang understood her meaning perfectly. She took a sip of tea slowly and agreed, "Yes, drinking can lead to trouble."
At another table, Bai Siyang's expression was no better. Zhou Qingchi had already put the extra drinks in the refrigerator. Seeing Bai Siyang's disgusted look, he sneered inwardly, but remained exceptionally polite on the surface.
"Cousin, you've had quite a bit to drink, haven't you? Shall I get you a bowl of hangover soup?"
Bai Siyang stared at him, his teeth practically grinding to powder, but he had been scolded by almost every elder present as they left. He dared not utter another rude remark, and said with a cold laugh, "No need, I'll just have some cola."
Seeing his arrogant expression as he picked up the cola on the table and twisted it open, a hint of mockery flashed in Zhou Qingchi's eyes.
The next moment, foam splashed all over Bai Siyang's face, and cola splattered all over him.
Hearing the noise, Bai Yixia turned her head and looked over. As if she had just remembered, she frowned in annoyance. "Oh dear, Brother Siyang, I forgot to mention. It's too dark downstairs. I didn't notice when I came up and bumped into something. This bottle of Coke rolled around several times."
As she spoke, a smile appeared in her eyes, "You were too careless."
Bai Siyang saw the mockery in her and Zhou Qingchi's eyes and trembled with anger, but he also knew that even if he pointed out their mistakes, they would just pretend otherwise.
Bai Yixia left that aside for now; he glared hatefully at Zhou Qingchi in front of him. This was the man who acted so gentle and polite in front of relatives and friends, but in reality, he was a cold-hearted bastard.
Zhou Qingchi wasn't afraid of him. Although her face still showed some concern, she looked at him with icy eyes, and the word "get lost" almost materialized.
Bai Siyang hated him the most for acting like he was good at getting along with people, even though he clearly didn't care at all.
See? They're still pretending to be nice and asking him, "Do you want me to get you a piece of clothing?"
Bai Siyang, panting heavily, suddenly stood up, shoved Zhou Qingchi aside, and went straight out the door.
Uncle Bai was naturally angry. His younger brother and sister-in-law, and even his parents, all favored a boy who had no relation to the Bai family, while neglecting their own grandson and nephew.
The anger he had been suppressing grew stronger, and he slammed the cup on the table, stood up, sneered, and stared intently at Lin Shuyang, "I think Zhou Qingchi is your real son."
After saying that, he stormed out, yelling, "Don't invite us again! We can't afford it!"
Auntie, looking embarrassed, picked up her bag and followed, giving Bai Yixia a fierce glare as she passed by.
Bai Yixia was baffled:
After my uncle's family left, there was a few seconds of silence in the room.
Mr. Bai picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and said casually, "In just two days, I'll probably have to find a job for his son again."
His words immediately drew laughter from the room.
Everyone in the family knows how useless his eldest son is. He's spoiled rotten, lawless, and incompetent, yet he wants to act like a big shot and asks for a management position the moment he opens his mouth.
Bai Yixia chuckled a few times, and Lin Shuyang gently patted her, saying, "Naughty."
She pouted and muttered, "It really was from a fall."
The elders all shook their heads, looking like they couldn't do anything about her.
With the family's unappetizing food gone, everyone sat down to eat for a while longer, and finally raised their glasses together to celebrate the New Year.
Bai Yixia and Zhou Qingchi sat close together, their glasses clinking together, the grape juice inside sloshing about in the clear glass.
The two looked at each other, their hands clasped together under the table.
After the meal, Mr. Bai called the hotel's car to take his relatives to rest, and Bai Yixia was also called to see the guests off.
The four elderly people left last. Grandpa Bai stood in the corridor and waved to Zhou Qingchi, "Little Chi, come here, Grandpa has a few words to say to you."
Seeing Zhou Qingyan peeking around, he smiled and said, "Little Yan is here too."
Without much hesitation, the two walked up to the old man and called out "Grandpa" in unison.
Grandpa Bai nodded and said, "I apologize to you."
Zhou Qingchi immediately understood what he meant and quickly stopped him, "Grandpa, this is not your problem, you don't need to do this."
Old Master Bai shook his head. "He is my son, it is only right."
He insisted repeatedly, and Zhou Qingchi could no longer say anything. He could only listen to the octogenarian in front of him apologize.
“We watched you and Xiaoyan grow up, and we know your character better than anyone,” Grandma Bai added, patting Zhou Qingchi’s hand. “I also watched your mother grow up, and I know what kind of person she is. It’s never been her fault, nor yours.”
"grandmother……"
The elevator arrived, and Bai Yixia stepped out. Upon hearing this, she stood behind the four elderly people, looked at Zhou Qingchi, and slowly curled the corners of her mouth.
Zhou Qingchi's eyes welled up with tears. He smiled and nodded, "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma."
President Bai and Lin Shuyang were about to personally escort the elderly to the hotel. They were standing in the elevator giving instructions to Bai Yixia, but before they could finish speaking, she interrupted them.
"Dad, Mom, why don't you just stay at the hotel with Grandpa, Grandma, and Grandpa and Grandma on both sides tonight?" She chuckled and nudged Zhou Qingchi's shoulder. "I'm going to Little Zhou's house to stay up all night with him."
Seeing President Bai's disapproving expression, Bai Yixia pouted and said defiantly, "Anyway, you guys at this age don't want to stay up with me anymore."
President Bai: "..."
Lin Shuyang: "...Fine, fine, you."
Just before the elevator doors closed, Bai Yixia saw her mother raise her hand, gently point at herself, and then point at Zhou Qingchi.
Confused, she tried to ask again, but the door had already closed.
Only Bai Yixia and Zhou Qingchi remained in the corridor; Zhou Qingyan had already retreated back into his home.
Bai Yixia blinked, turned to look at Zhou Qingchi, her hand itching to make a move.
Zhou Qingchi looked at her, his expression unreadable.
The two raised their hands at the same time, their fingertips touching.
"Miss?"
Bai Yixia quickly withdrew her hand, her heart pounding wildly. She forced herself to remain calm and turned to look into her own house.
"?Um?"
The hotel staff, who had seen Bai Yixia quite often and were also shrewd, realized they had seemingly messed things up and said awkwardly, "Why don't you wait in the next room for a while? We might need to tidy up a bit more."
After saying that, he added, "Don't worry, don't worry, I won't say anything to President Bai."
Bai Yixia felt a lump in her throat. Don't make it sound like I'm doing something terrible!
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