Happy New Year (Chapter Three)

With Chen Ruowen and Bai Jinyan having made amends, this gathering unfolded in an exceptionally pleasant atmosphere. In tacit agreement, everyone avoided mentioning the words Tang had uttered behind the door. The guests only dispersed with satisfaction at ten in the evening.

Bai Jinyan, ever responsible, dismissed his own driver and escorted the thoroughly inebriated Chen Ruowen home, enduring the sharp, suspicious gaze of Chen Liwan.

Initially, Chen Liwan and Yang Anxin had intended to leave Chen Ruowen in the care of the housekeeper. However, Guo Jingyuan, though a guest herself, volunteered for the task, bustling about to tidy up, which left Yang Anxin feeling rather embarrassed.

The following day, Chen Ruowen nearly slept through the morning; it was only in the afternoon that she rose, still yawning and lightheaded. As soon as she opened her eyes, she was startled to find Guo Jingyuan gazing at her expectantly, cradling a bowl of hot porridge.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“You’re awake?” Guo Jingyuan reached out to hand her the porridge. “Are you hungry? Have some.”

Half-asleep, Chen Ruowen stretched out her hand but, upon touching the bowl, withdrew it. “Let me shower first.”

“I’ll wait for you,” Guo Jingyuan replied.

“Oh… Why would you wait for me?” Chen Ruowen wondered aloud.

Guo Jingyuan simply gazed at her in silence.

Forget it… there’s no reasoning with this little stutterer, Chen Ruowen thought.

She shuffled off to the en suite bathroom, reaching instinctively for her toothbrush and toothpaste—only to grasp at empty air. Looking closer, she noticed that the rinsing cup was already filled and placed within easy reach on her left. The toothbrush, with toothpaste neatly squeezed onto it, lay ready on her right.

She didn’t think much of it, but as she rinsed her mouth, Guo Jingyuan bustled in again to prepare her washing water, run her bath, and lay out her robe and fresh clothes—acting as if Chen Ruowen were utterly helpless in life. Though, truth be told, that wasn’t far from reality.

By the time Chen Ruowen returned to her room after her shower, Guo Jingyuan had already made her bed, reheated the porridge, and was standing at the door, waiting with bated breath.

“Do you need something from me?” Chen Ruowen asked curiously.

Guo Jingyuan shook her head vigorously and, spooning up a small portion of porridge, carefully offered it to her.

Almost by reflex, Chen Ruowen bent forward to accept it.

“How does it taste?” Guo Jingyuan watched her nervously, as though bracing herself for Chen Ruowen to spit it out. “I… I made it myself. I’m not sure if it suits your taste…”

So she’s come seeking praise… Chen Ruowen realized with sudden clarity. After all, it’s natural to want recognition after accomplishing something one is proud of.

Swallowing the porridge, Chen Ruowen couldn’t help but utter a surprised little sound. “You made this? It’s quite good!”

Relieved by the compliment, Guo Jingyuan relaxed a little, smiling shyly as she scooped up another spoonful.

“I can manage myself,” Chen Ruowen said, taking the bowl. “Where are my parents?”

“They went out shopping,” Guo Jingyuan replied. “They said it’s been years since they celebrated the New Year at home, so they want to make it lively this year.”

Chen Ruowen responded with indifference, then asked, “And you? Aren’t you going home for the New Year?”

Guo Jingyuan hesitated, clearly wrestling with her thoughts before finally mustering the courage to ask, “Am I… intruding on your family reunion by being here? I can stay in my room and not make a sound, and you can pretend I’m not here. If it’s really a problem, I can go out for the day. Just… please don’t ask me to leave…”

Chen Ruowen found herself at a loss for words. Sighing, she set down the spoon and patted Guo Jingyuan’s head. “Don’t overthink it. No one’s asking you to leave.” She suddenly felt suffused with maternal affection. “Come on, let’s find you something to do—otherwise you’ll just keep spinning tragic stories in your head.”

“What about the porridge…”

Chen Ruowen had intended to say she’d finish it later, but seeing the expectant look in Guo Jingyuan’s eyes, she decided not to argue and finished her meal at twice her usual speed. She waited as Guo Jingyuan hurried off to wash the bowl, then tossed a large red package in front of her.

“Bai Jinyan gave me this yesterday,” she explained. “He said it would make the New Year feel more festive, and even sent a tutorial. Just as well—you can look at it with me.”

Sitting cross-legged on the sofa, Chen Ruowen opened the package she’d just fetched from the housekeeper. Out came a neat stack of red paper.

“He insists I cut window flowers—who even does that anymore?” she muttered, rummaging through the package until she unearthed two pairs of thoroughly wrapped scissors, colored paper, glue, and markers, only to lose all patience. “Who knows what all this stuff is for?” she grumbled, pushing everything aside and taking out her phone. “I’ll send you the tutorial. Once you’ve watched it, tell me what to do.”

Cutting window flowers… needs a tutorial? Guo Jingyuan was momentarily perplexed, but nodded all the same.

But as Chen Ruowen scrolled through her phone, she paused to look at Guo Jingyuan. “Why don’t I have your WeChat?”

Guo Jingyuan blinked in surprise. “I don’t think you’ve ever added me…”

Realizing this, she scurried off to fetch her phone, scanned the code, added Chen Ruowen, and sent the tutorial—all in one swift motion.

The tutorial was simple enough: the basics of papercutting, with a few attractive patterns. Most of them were well within Guo Jingyuan’s skill.

“This is actually pretty easy,” Guo Jingyuan said with a smile, placing two sheets of paper in front of them. She guided Chen Ruowen through a few folds, then sketched a pattern with a pencil. “Just cut along these lines and remove the excess.”

Chen Ruowen followed her instructions skeptically. When she unfolded the paper, a delicate flower appeared in her hand.

“That’s it?” Chen Ruowen could hardly believe it. “What are all those extra materials for?”

“Well… if you want to stick the flowers to the window, or draw more elaborate designs on them, then you’ll need those things.”

Chen Ruowen was speechless.

So should she say Bai Jinyan was overthinking, or just overthinking, or perhaps overthinking yet again?

She scrutinized the paper flower in her hand. “What complicated patterns could you possibly make with this?”

Guo Jingyuan pondered, then took a fresh sheet of red paper and, after much folding, sketching, and cutting, carefully opened it to reveal the design.

— Happy New Year.

Chen Ruowen’s eyes lit up. She immediately snatched the papercut and examined it closely.

“Impressive,” she praised.

Guo Jingyuan beamed with shy delight. “Then… I’ll dedicate this flower to you.” She looked at Chen Ruowen with heartfelt sincerity. “Ruowen, Happy New Year.”

Ding—

Chen Ruowen’s phone chimed. She glanced at the string of messages she’d just ignored. From everyone, there was but one blessing.

Happy New Year.