(Queue at 4 am, luckily finally got a train ticket for 10 days later. They just started preselling Spring Festival tickets, but the sales point changed to only allow advance booking of 6 days, while for the 10-day ones you have to book by phone, and this phone line hasn't even started Spring Festival sales yet and can't be reached anyway, so frustrating... I'll have to buy a plane ticket at the end of the month, which is going to be expensive)

Qiao Huanxuan eventually stayed to have dumplings with them before leaving. Although she was somewhat uneasy, her overall performance was still okay. Everyone could see it clearly, and they all knew about Qiao Huanxuan's feelings for Li Yan, including Zhang Yurong, who felt apologetic towards her.

Basically, everyone was trying to take care of Qiao Huanxuan's emotions, afraid that she might not be able to handle it. Waiting for more than ten years only to find the man she waited for is now married, that blow is rather heavy. As a result, Qiao Huanxuan and Zhang Yurong chatted a bit more familiarly, both tacitly avoiding talking about their previous acquaintance, as if they hit it off instantly. In the end, Qiao Huanxuan even invited the two of them to go skiing together the next day.

Regarding this matter, Li Tang and his wife sighed inwardly, both girls are wonderful, both suitable for their son, but you can only choose one, which gives a feeling of being unable to have both fish and bear's paw. In the afternoon, everyone avoided the issue and focused on preparing for the New Year, setting up couplets, dinner, and so on.

Li Yan had not spent New Year at home for thirteen years, and now finally returning home for the occasion, he felt a myriad of emotions. Li Tang and Wang Suzhen were extremely excited, for years they celebrated New Year's with just the two of them, lacking the lively and festive atmosphere found in other families, just symbolically observing the occasion. This year, they could finally have a joyful New Year.

Zhang Yurong was spending New Year's away from home for the first time. Other than being a bit peculiar, she missed home greatly. Of course, her phone kept ringing in the evening as she shared more words with her parents. Zhang Tianyi also chatted with Li Tang for a while, inviting them over whenever they had time or he could pay them a visit.

Li Yan found it awkward to call others from home, so in the afternoon he composed a text message, sending blessings to Wen Qianyi, Yu Xiaodi, and others, saying he'd reach out to them once the New Year celebrations were over. They all replied with blessing texts in return.

Eating, watching television with his parents, taking Yurong out to set off fireworks — New Year's Eve was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Li Yan felt a sense of inner elevation; previously he had blocked off memories from his youth, but this trip home smoothed over those barriers. It helped him completely let go of the assassin matters, as if he was just an ordinary person, living an ordinary life.

But he was also aware that everyone felt the same. Many who worked in other places felt the same upon returning to their hometowns for New Year: cleansing their spirits, returning to traditions, and letting go of work-induced stress. Yet once the New Year ends, everyone must return to a competitive, high-pressure society, continue working, and continue facing pressure. He was no different!

...

Over the past few days, Zhang Yurong had detached herself from computers and work, no longer spending most of her day interacting with computers, now she was comfortable even without checking news or messages. She got used to tidying up their bedding each night before sleeping.

It was a rare joyful New Year, and tonight everyone slept quite late, only after the lively atmosphere of setting off firecrackers at midnight did they finally sleep. When the two were in the room, Yurong had already made the bed.

After Li Yan got into bed, he noticed the two separate blankets. He recalled that hot remark Qiao Huanxuan made when leaving — "Tonight when with her, I want you to think of me!" He couldn't help feeling a bit regretful; with Yurong, it should be a natural progression, right? But why does it still feel lacking?

Whether she guessed what he was thinking or caught the focus of his gaze, Yurong softly asked after he got on the bed, "We're sleeping so late tonight, and it's getting colder... still separate blankets?"

Too late, too cold, were just excuses, reasons; her words were another hint! Li Yan felt he shouldn't be too concerned about appearances, between a husband and wife, such details didn't matter. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Let's share! Snug is warmer."

Hearing Li Yan agree, Yurong blushed slightly and cooperated by beginning to stack the two blankets together, then lay closer to the center.

Li Yan also joined in to arrange the blankets alongside her, lying side by side, and then switched off the light.

Afterwards, both became silent.

Li Yan's thoughts began to stir; tonight marks the transition from New Year's Eve to the first day of the lunar new year. It's a special, meaningful night—maybe something special and meaningful will happen?

After a while, his hand reached over cautiously, found her hand and gently held it.

Yurong did not resist, she cooperated with him, and she vaguely felt in this atmosphere, something should happen between them, a step forward. She wasn't sure if she was ready, but spending these past few days lying on the same bed with him, even in unfamiliar surroundings, she slept peacefully, which counted as getting used to it.