I like you so much.

The arrival of midnight was imminent, and Jiang Ci and Zhang Heyu had just reached the Nanjiang Bridge. The riverbank was crowded with people waiting for the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

The phone in Jiang Ci’s pocket suddenly rang. She pulled it out to check; it was a message from Yu Xijin.
【Yu Xijin: Ci-ci, it’s almost midnight! I must be the first person to wish you a Happy New Year!】

Jiang Ci then remembered that Yu Xijin was also here tonight with Huo Chensi and the others. She looked at the person beside her, "Are Huo Chensi and his friends here too?"

Zhang Heyu hummed in affirmation. "Along with Yu Xijin and Huzi, but it's too crowded right now, so we probably won't run into them."

Jiang Ci stood on the bridge, gazing at the shimmering surface of the river. She leaned into Zhang Heyu’s embrace—a scene she had only dared to imagine in her dreams, now a reality.

Suddenly, Zhang Heyu bent down, raised his phone, and said in a deep voice, "Baby, look at the camera."

Jiang Ci looked up at the sound and saw him holding the phone with the front camera facing them. She finally realized what was happening. Remembering something, she curled her lips. "Zhang Heyu, wait a second."

As she spoke, she unwound the scarf from her neck, stood on her tiptoes, and wrapped it around his neck, leaving the other half draped around her own.

"Zhang Heyu, all right now!" Jiang Ci beamed, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow, her eyes sparkling as she looked into the lens.

Amused by her small gesture, Zhang Heyu let out a low chuckle from his chest. "My baby is so cute."

They both looked into the camera, and the moment was captured.

After the photo was taken, Zhang Heyu stared at it for a long time, until the delicate, soft voice of the girl echoed in his ears: "Zhang Heyu, it’s time for the countdown!"

Zhang Heyu turned his head to look at her, holding her hand even tighter.

As the countdown to the New Year began, the people around them started calling out in unison, their voices echoing across the river.

"Five, four, three, two!"
"One!!"

With the final "Happy New Year!" followed by a series of whistles, several arcs streaked across the sky. The dark night suddenly brightened, bursting into a brilliant display of colorful floral fireworks.

Jiang Ci tilted her face toward Zhang Heyu, her almond-shaped eyes bright, her hair ruffled by the river breeze. "Zhang Heyu, Happy New Year."

Amidst the surging crowd, Zhang Heyu pulled the girl’s shoulder close and lowered his head to press a kiss to her crimson lips.

"Happy New Year to my A-Ci."

When the celebration ended, the crowds on the Nanjiang Bridge gradually dispersed. After leaving the bridge, Zhang Heyu and Jiang Ci walked along the nearby streets. Zhang Heyu looked down and noticed that the scarf around Jiang Ci’s neck was slightly crooked, so he stopped.

Just as Jiang Ci was about to ask what was wrong, she turned, and his cold, handsome face suddenly loomed large before her. Jiang Ci instinctively shrank back, holding her breath, her cheeks turning scarlet. Realizing something, she tilted her head back and closed her eyes.

Seeing this, Zhang Heyu suddenly laughed. He picked up a corner of the scarf she was wearing, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Hearing his amusement and realizing her mistake, Jiang Ci opened her eyes, her face burning even hotter.

"Silly," he said.

Jiang Ci shyly turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Zhang Heyu straightened her scarf, his sharp, cold features softening into unusual tenderness. This side of him made Jiang Ci’s heart race with palpitation.

As he adjusted the scarf, his gaze accidentally swept over a red birthmark on the girl’s fair neck. He reached out and touched it with his fingertips.

The cool touch against her skin made Jiang Ci shudder, and she raised her hand to touch the spot he had just brushed.

"Your little birthmark is quite unique," Zhang Heyu said, tucking the scarf in properly and patting her hair.

Her heart skipped a beat. Suppressing the surging emotions within her, she shook her head and said softly, "It's not."

"That’s not a birthmark," Jiang Ci lowered her head, her fingers tightening. "It was from when I was little, selling desserts with my grandmother. A child my age burned me with a cigarette butt."

Zhang Heyu’s movements came to an abrupt halt. A sharp, sudden pain pierced his chest. In disbelief, his voice trembled. "Why?"

Jiang Ci pursed her lips, reached out to hug his waist, and buried her head in his chest, listening to his strong, rhythmic heartbeat.

She said, "Because back then, they mocked me for having no mom or dad. I couldn't stand it, so I hit one of them. The next day, when I went with my grandmother to pull the cart to sell desserts, and I was playing by myself, they were still angry and brought a group of people to bully me."

An unbearable heartache welled up from the depths of his being, surging to his throat, choking him into silence. Zhang Heyu’s eyes turned red. He let out a heavy sigh, hugged Jiang Ci, and placed his hand on the back of her head, stroking it.

"A-Ci, from now on, you have me."

With me here, you will never experience these things again.

"I’ve got your back."

Jiang Ci was stunned, her nose stinging. She tightened her arms around his waist. "...Mm."

Zhang Heyu, you are so good to me; how could I not fall in love with you?

After hugging for a while, they realized it was getting late, so Zhang Heyu hailed a taxi by the side of the road to take her home.

Inside the car, Jiang Ci opened the message Yu Xijin had sent—a video of the fireworks on Nanjiang Bridge from earlier. As Jiang Ci watched the fleeting fireworks, Yu Xijin appeared on screen, smiling and saying, "Ci-ci, Happy New Year!"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind, "Yu Xijin, who are you filming this video for?"

Huo Chensi then squeezed into the frame, abruptly pushing Yu Xijin out of the shot.

"Don't block my camera!!"

With that, Yu Xijin stopped recording and sent the video to Jiang Ci. Seeing this, Jiang Ci couldn't help but laugh out loud, suppressing her giggles, her eyes curving into crescents. Seeing the girl so happy made Zhang Heyu feel happy as well.

Soon, the car stopped at the entrance of her residential complex. Zhang Heyu held her hand as they walked in. When they reached the hallway, Jiang Ci said gently, "I'm heading up now."

"Baby, did you forget something?" Zhang Heyu raised an eyebrow, his low, hoarse voice carrying a hint of temptation.

Jiang Ci was slightly startled. The moment their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat. She took a step forward and carefully hugged him. He took the opportunity to bury his head in the crook of her neck.

His fluffy hair brushed against her cheek as he whispered, "Jiang Ci, I like you so much."

Jiang Ci’s heart pounded violently, her long, beautiful lashes fluttering. Several times, she wanted to say that she felt the same.

*I like you so, so much, too, Zhang Heyu.*

Back home, Jiang Ci took off her scarf and went to the window to look down. She saw Zhang Heyu’s figure walking out of the complex. Suddenly, a few white snowflakes drifted down, and only then did she realize it had started to snow.

She thought for a moment, then took out her phone to send him a message.
【Jiang Ci: It’s snowing. Hurry home.】

Zhang Heyu had just sat down in a car and replied immediately.
【Zhang Heyu: On the way. If you’re sleepy, go to bed first.】

Jiang Ci rarely stayed up late, and at this hour, she couldn't help but feel drowsy. She replied with a simple "Okay," washed up, and went to bed.

The next morning, Jiang Ci remembered she had to accompany her grandmother to the hospital for a check-up and to pick up medicine. She didn't leave until after breakfast.

"A-Ci, did it snow last night?" her grandmother asked, noticing the wet ground outside.

Jiang Ci nodded. "Yes, a light snow. I guess it melted this morning."

"After New Year's Day, it won't be long until the Spring Festival," her grandmother said as they walked. "Another year has passed; our A-Ci is growing up again."

Jiang Ci smiled. "Then Grandma must stay with me while I grow up."

"Yes, yes, yes," her grandmother said, beaming. "Grandma will try her best. Seeing you grow into an adult will be enough for me."

They arrived at the hospital quickly. Jiang Ci took her grandmother for the check-up first, then took the prescription from Dr. Shi to the traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy to pick up the herbs.

"Grandma, you wait for me in the lobby; I’ll go get the medicine," Jiang Ci said.

Her grandmother agreed and sat down near the elevator, looking around. Just then, a familiar figure caught her eye.

"Little Zhang?" The grandmother had poor eyesight due to her age, so she couldn't see clearly, but she could still recognize him.

Zhang Heyu was stunned when he saw her. He scanned the area but didn't see Jiang Ci. "Grandma."

Seeing the list he was holding, her grandmother frowned with concern. "Little Zhang, are you sick?"

Zhang Heyu shook his head and answered truthfully, "My sister is ill, so I brought her to see a doctor."

"I see..." the grandmother advised, "It’s very cold outside now. Wear more clothes; you won't get sick easily if you stay warm."

Zhang Heyu nodded. "I understand, Grandma."

Suddenly remembering something, Zhang Heyu asked, "Grandma, I have a question I'd like to ask you."

"Go ahead, Grandma will certainly help you," her grandmother said with a warm smile.

Zhang Heyu: "Could you teach me how to make black sesame paste?"

The grandmother was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening, her smile deepening. "Is that what A-Ci likes to eat?"

Zhang Heyu didn't deny it; he simply nodded.

Having guessed the situation, the grandmother had Zhang Heyu get a piece of paper and a pen. She wrote down the steps and handed it to him.

Closing the pen cap, she added, "It’s very simple, just simmer it slowly, but you have to put some effort into cooking it."

Zhang Heyu agreed, folded the recipe, and put it in his pocket. Just then, Jiang Ci emerged from the pharmacy with the medicine. Seeing Zhang Heyu, she was momentarily dazed.

Jiang Ci looked worried, but with her grandmother there, she didn't dare show it too obviously. She paused and asked, "Why are you here? Are you ill?"

Zhang Heyu explained calmly, "Yao-yao went to celebrate New Year's Eve with her friends last night and caught a cold from the freezing weather."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a complaining voice came from behind him: "Stinky Zhang Heyu, why didn't you wait for..."

When Cheng Yaoyao saw Jiang Ci, she was dumbfounded.

"Sister Jiang Ci!!" Cheng Yaoyao, wearing a mask covering half her face, sniffled and reached out to hug Jiang Ci.

The next second, a hand pressed against her forehead. Zhang Heyu frowned and said coldly, "What are you doing? Trying to spread your virus?"

Remembering, Cheng Yaoyao straightened up and scratched her head awkwardly.

Jiang Ci smiled. "Yao-yao, you need to take good care of yourself. It’s cold now, and being sick is very uncomfortable."

"Okay! Sister Jiang Ci, you have to take care of yourself, too!" After saying that, Cheng Yaoyao’s gaze landed on the old woman beside her. "And you too, Grandma!"

Her grandmother listened, laughing happily. "What a well-behaved child."

Hearing the compliment, Cheng Yaoyao grinned from ear to ear.

Since it was cold outside, Jiang Ci and Zhang Heyu said their goodbyes, and she left the hospital with her grandmother. Cheng Yaoyao was forced to get an injection and left the hospital crying.

Back home, Zhang Heyu poured Cheng Yaoyao a glass of water and gestured with his chin. "Take your medicine before going upstairs. If you don't listen, I'll tell your mother."

Cheng Yaoyao rolled her eyes at him. "I know, I'm not a primary schooler."

After she left, Zhang Heyu ran to the kitchen and took out a large bag of black sesame seeds, though he didn't seem to know what to do next.

After taking her medicine, Cheng Yaoyao went back downstairs to join in the fun. "Brother, what are you doing?"

Zhang Heyu didn't look up and ignored her.

"Did Auntie ask you to make black sesame paste?" Cheng Yaoyao couldn't help but be curious seeing him like this. "You know how to make desserts?"

Zhang Heyu glanced at her. "Do you?"

"No," Cheng Yaoyao admitted honestly.

"If you don't, then turn left and get upstairs." Zhang Heyu gave a fierce order to leave. Cheng Yaoyao pouted and scurried upstairs.

*

The holiday ended, and the students were greeted by the upcoming final exams. Over the next two weeks, Jiang Ci studied diligently. Every time she felt exhausted, Zhang Heyu would find ways to cheer her up.

Feeling happier made her feel less tired.

After finishing a class, Jiang Ci was completely drained and slumped over her desk, as if her soul had been sucked out. Zhang Heyu sat with her in the classroom for a while until most of the other students had left. He leaned close to her ear. "Baby, are you tired?"

Jiang Ci, still slumped on the desk, moved her head slightly to indicate that she was indeed exhausted.

Suddenly, Jiang Ci turned her head on the desk to look at him. "Zhang Heyu, are you going to apply to Jing University?"

"I want to apply to the school you're going to." Zhang Heyu reached out and ruffled her hair, like he was petting a kitten, smoothing it down for her. "Our A-Ci is not bad at all; you’re more than qualified for a top school."

Jiang Ci blinked, pursed her lips, and finally spoke after a moment. "Zhang Heyu, let’s both apply to Jing University."

"Okay."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Heyu took advantage of her distraction and leaned in to kiss her cheek.

This caused Jiang Ci’s face to turn an incredibly deep shade of red.

Seeing her shyly push him away, Zhang Heyu curled his thin lips into a smile, his eyes dancing with mirth.