The talk of "ice and snow everywhere" was just Madam Xie’s exaggeration. She simply wanted this uninvited New Year’s Eve guest to go ho sooner. In reality, the snow outside had already been cleared, and the roads were clean.
On New Year’s Eve, the streets were deserted, with hardly a soul in sight. Only a young couple was walking along the road. However, they didn’t seem very familiar with each other, deliberately keeping a distance between them.
The woman walking in front suddenly stopped, turning around with a smile.
"Why are you staying so far away from ? Afraid I’ll eat you?"
Sun Dasheng smiled and walked closer, but still maintained a friendly distance. He didn’t know what this woman was up to, so it was better to stay on guard for now.
Seeing he was still keeping his distance, the woman just smiled, said nothing more, and continued walking ahead.
Their hos weren’t far from each other.
Soon, they arrived at her place.
"Mission accomplished. I’ll head back now. Please wish your uncle and aunt a Happy New Year for ." Sun Dasheng prepared to leave.
A light voice ca from behind him. "If you really an it, why not go up and wish them a Happy New Year in person?"
He had been outmaneuvered again. Sun Dasheng stopped in his tracks and looked at her indifferently. She didn’t back down, eting his gaze directly. A few seconds, dozens of seconds, a full minute passed. Amazingly, she held her gaze without faltering.
What struck Sun Dasheng the most was the indomitable will in her eyes. It may sound mystical, but anyone who has experienced it can feel the inner strength of a person who possesses such a will.
"Your mom must have made things clear, right?" Sun Dasheng decided to lay his cards on the table. He couldn’t afford to get entangled with this kind of woman.
The woman nodded, frankly admitting what she believed to be ’the truth.’ "Auntie said you weren’t interested in ."
Huh? Did my mom really say that? That’s impossible. From what he knew of his mother, Madam Xie wouldn’t say sothing so tactless. Simply telling the truth would have been enough; there was no need to overcomplicate it. Besides, even if he wasn’t interested in her, Madam Xie would have just made up a polite excuse.
Sun Dasheng chuckled. "You must have misunderstood."
"Misunderstood?" A trace of surprise appeared on Si Ruoqi’s icy expression.
"Yeah. My mom probably told your mom that I already have a girlfriend." Sun Dasheng decided to tell her the truth.
Upon hearing his words, a blush of embarrassnt crept onto Si Ruoqi’s frozen face.
So, I misunderstood the whole thing from the very beginning?
That made sense. When her mother was fuming at ho, she never explicitly said that he found her daughter unattractive. It was just implied, which had led to the misunderstanding.
"Then..." Si Ruoqi was montarily at a loss for words. She had been so determined to find out just what it was about her that he didn’t like. After all, she had never been treated this way by a guy before. Of course, that didn’t include the unattractive types who feigned disdain just to get her attention.
Her blind date was genuinely tall and handso, with a great temperant. He was the first man who had ever made her heart skip a beat. Who would have thought her first foray into romance would be dead on arrival? How could she accept that?
This explained all of her strange behavior from earlier. She had copied most of it from the fawning admirers who had pursued her in the past.
"I’m really sorry for my strange behavior today. Please just forget about it." Si Ruoqi apologized with a slight bow. Then, covering her face, she turned and rushed ho.
This is so humiliating. I can’t let anyone else find out. Otherwise, I’ll be socially dead in this small county town.
On his way ho, Sun Dasheng received a WeChat ssage. She had sent him a large red envelope with a very important note repeated three tis:
Don’t tell anyone. This is hush money!
Sun Dasheng smiled and tapped ’Accept’. If he didn’t take the money, the poor girl would probably dwell on it endlessly.
「After returning ho.」
Madam Xie asked, "Did you see her ho?"
"Yeah. Turns out there was a misunderstanding. She thought I wasn’t interested in her and wanted to know why."
Sun Dasheng’s words gave Madam Xie a start. "That Old Lee! Why didn’t he make things clear to his daughter? What a ss this misunderstanding has caused. They’ll think our family looks down on them."
"This won’t do. I have to go and clarify things with her tomorrow."
"Mom, don’t," Sun Dasheng quickly intervened. "I’ve already cleared things up with her. There’s no need to bring it up again."
At that mont, Sun Youzhi erged, fully bundled up to go out.
"Da Sheng, is everything ready?"
"All bought and packed in the car," Sun Dasheng said.
"Alright, let’s go then. Your mother can stay ho and watch so TV. We’ll be back soon," Sun Youzhi said.
"I know. Leave soon and co back soon. Be safe on the road," Madam Xie urged, turning her attention to the television. She knew this was the father and son’s most important annual event and said no more.
As for what they were doing? They were going to light lanterns at their ancestors’ graves.
On New Year’s Eve, it wasn’t just about feasting and celebrating on their own. They had to let their ancestors share in the joy as well.
The country roads were narrow, and with the holiday traffic, navigating around other cars wasted a lot of ti. By the ti they reached their destination, it was already quite late. They were among the last to arrive. The surrounding area was already lit up with twinkling lights. So people had probably co to light their lanterns around four or five in the afternoon.
After setting up the lanterns, they lit the incense. They bowed at each gravesite, asking for the ancestors’ blessing for a smooth and prosperous new year for the younger generation. The last step was to set off firecrackers.
Once the ritual was complete, it was ti to head ho. Visiting relatives to offer New Year’s greetings was a task for tomorrow.
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