Chapter 29
The snow continued for several days, intensifying until the entire city was covered in a blanket of white.
The temperature was exceptionally low when they woke up, even with the heating on.
Since Lu Xuefeng’s vacation had started, they had been sleeping in, their lives becoming more leisurely.
Song Muqing woke up first, immediately noticing the colder air.
He checked the weather forecast on his phone, just as Lu Xuefeng stirred beside him.
“Want to sleep a little longer?” he asked.
Lu Xuefeng shifted. “I’ve slept enough.”
“The snow seems to have stopped.”
Lu Xuefeng murmured in agreement, snuggling deeper under the covers. “…Cold.”
It was always colder after the snow stopped.
Song Muqing moved closer, pulling him into a hug. “Then lie here for a bit longer.”
They lingered in bed until their stomachs rumbled, then got up to wash up and prepare breakfast.
Yesterday afternoon, they had gone shopping for decorations, following a pre-planned list, but hadn’t had time to put them up yet. They planned to decorate the apartment today, creating a festive atmosphere for the New Year.
After breakfast, they started cleaning.
A thorough cleaning was customary before the New Year.
As they started cleaning, Lu Xuefeng realized how large the apartment truly was.
Fortunately, they were both tidy people, so it wasn’t too much of a chore.
He had always helped his grandmother with the pre-New Year cleaning, so he was familiar with the process.
The floors were spotless, the windows sparkling clean, the apartment bright and tidy.
The sun was shining outside, a clear and bright winter day.
Although the sunlight didn’t provide much warmth, it illuminated the entire apartment, creating a cozy atmosphere.
They worked efficiently together, finishing quickly.
“Let’s take a break,” Song Muqing said, going to make coffee.
Lu Xuefeng, not wanting to be idle, placed the new red blanket and cushions on the living room sofa before sitting down.
Song Muqing returned with two cups of coffee.
They sat on the sofa together.
Lu Xuefeng, sipping his hot coffee, looked at the bright sunlight streaming in through the windows, blending with the warm tones of the apartment, creating a cozy and peaceful atmosphere.
He smiled, asking Song Muqing, “Did you hire an interior designer for this apartment?”
Song Muqing shook his head. “I consulted with one, but I mostly followed my own ideas.”
He had been involved in every aspect of the renovation, from the overall style and color scheme to the layout.
After all, it was his home; he needed to be satisfied with it.
Song Muqing was a clear thinker, able to articulate his ideas, so designing his apartment hadn’t been difficult.
Lu Xuefeng nodded approvingly. “Professor Song has excellent taste.”
Lately, he had occasionally addressed him as “Professor Song.”
It sounded different to Song Muqing.
When his students or colleagues addressed him that way, it was mostly out of habit or playful teasing.
But with Lu Xuefeng, the seemingly formal address was a sign of intimacy.
Mr. Song. Song Muqing. Professor Song.
As they became closer, Lu Xuefeng used different names for him, not just the initial formal address.
Song Muqing sat beside him, raising an eyebrow. “You like it?”
“This sunny atmosphere… it’s nice.”
Lu Xuefeng considered this. “Perhaps it’s a change in my mindset.”
Previously, with his grandmother’s illness, he hadn’t had the time or energy to appreciate such things.
Now that everything was improving, he could finally enjoy life.
Song Muqing leaned down and kissed him.
“Then let’s keep it this way.”
“Okay.”
They were very close, and Song Muqing didn’t seem to want to pull away.
He leaned in for another kiss.
Lu Xuefeng placed his hand on his shoulder, leaning back slightly, avoiding the kiss.
“We still need to decorate.”
Song Muqing raised an eyebrow. “Are you in a hurry?”
It wasn’t that urgent.
Lu Xuefeng couldn’t help but smile. “A little.”
They still had to go to his grandmother’s apartment later, so it was better to finish early.
He made to stand up.
But Song Muqing held his hand, pulling him back.
Lu Xuefeng fell back onto the sofa, and before he could regain his balance, Song Muqing kissed him.
He was trapped between Song Muqing and the soft cushions.
After a lingering kiss, Song Muqing finally seemed satisfied.
“Come on, let’s decorate.”
Professor Song was back to his usual composed self.
Lu Xuefeng, his lips slightly swollen, his breathing still unsteady: “…”
Song Muqing, seeing he wasn’t moving, chuckled. “Weren’t you in a hurry?”
“…”
Lu Xuefeng suddenly wondered why he was such a good kisser.
But they didn’t waste any more time.
They had already bought everything, so decorating was easy.
Cards, window decorations, couplets, lanterns, decorative paintings, a persimmon tree ornament, a tablecloth… everything was placed strategically around the apartment.
The entire space was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Even with just the two of them, it felt lively and warm.
They took the remaining decorations to his grandmother’s apartment, packing them in a small storage box.
Lu Xuefeng glanced at his phone and saw a new friend request.
The profile picture was familiar, and the accompanying message simply said, “Senior.”
Lu Xuefeng knew it was Feng Boyu.
They hadn’t been in contact for a long time.
Feng Boyu had confessed his feelings several times and had been rejected. Feeling disheartened, he had asked Lu Xuefeng to delete him as a friend.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t know why he had suddenly sent a friend request.
Perhaps Feng Xi had told him about his marriage.
“What is it?” Song Muqing asked, seeing him staring at his phone.
Lu Xuefeng looked up, not hiding anything, and showed him the friend request.
Song Muqing considered this for a moment.
He recalled the name. “…Feng Boyu?”
Lu Xuefeng was surprised. “How do you remember his name?”
“Of course I remember,” Song Muqing smiled, noticing Lu Xuefeng hadn’t accepted the request yet. “Not accepting it?”
Lu Xuefeng met his gaze.
Although Song Muqing’s tone was casual, his expression revealed his thoughts.
“Professor Song is pretending to be generous,” Lu Xuefeng teased, not accepting the request and putting his phone away.
Song Muqing smiled faintly, not denying it.
Downstairs, the ground was covered in a thin layer of snow, sparkling in the sunlight, crunching softly under their feet.
The trees were also dusted with snow, the branches laden with red, festive decorations, creating a New Year atmosphere.
They bought some food for his grandmother and also a New Year flower basket from a nearby store.
Song Muqing had thought the flower baskets in the store looked nice.
The store was crowded with people shopping for New Year’s goods.
“Choose one,” Song Muqing said to Lu Xuefeng.
They all looked similar to Lu Xuefeng, so they chose one that seemed pleasing to the eye.
Then he noticed a beautiful arrangement beside it.
A simple white vase with a few delicate branches of winter sweet, elegant and refined.
His grandmother would like it.
So, they bought both.
On their way to his grandmother’s apartment, Lu Xuefeng looked out the window, the shops decorated for the New Year, festive music playing, red lanterns hanging along the streets.
“New Year is truly here,” he remarked.
As agreed, they celebrated Chinese New Year’s Eve at Song Muqing’s parents’ house.
Mu Ting and Song Hongfan had cleaned and decorated the apartment, creating a warm and festive atmosphere.
His grandmother had brought homemade pastries.
She liked Mu Ting, who was gentle, intelligent, and elegant. They had gotten along well during her hospital visits.
So, their interactions were naturally pleasant.
His grandmother and Mu Ting were chatting and laughing, and Mu Ting brought out a red pomelo.
Looking at Song Muqing and Lu Xuefeng, who were putting a new outfit on Ollie, she couldn’t help but tease, “Looking handsome.”
Ollie was a bit restless and chubby, but the dog outfit, fortunately, was loose enough.
It was a red, festive outfit they had chosen together at the pet store.
It looked good on him.
Song Muqing said, “Even dogs need new clothes for the New Year.”
Mu Ting chuckled, handing the pomelo to Song Hongfan to peel. “I was talking about you two, not the dog.”
They both laughed.
Ollie, oblivious to their conversation, was happily prancing around in his new outfit.
Everyone wore new clothes for the New Year, a symbol of a fresh start.
Lu Xuefeng was slightly embarrassed by his mother-in-law’s compliment.
Song Muqing, picking up the slack, replied, “Always.”
“Xuefeng looks good in anything.”
Then she glanced at the unfamiliar coat he had set aside upon entering. “You chose that coat for him, didn’t you?” she asked Lu Xuefeng.
Lu Xuefeng nodded.
Mu Ting expressed her approval. “Good eye. It looks better than the ones he buys himself.”
Lu Xuefeng looked at Song Muqing. It was similar to his usual style. But Song Muqing, with his tall stature and good physique, looked good in anything.
He had noticed this when they went clothes shopping.
Song Muqing glanced down at the coat, not objecting. “I like it very much.”
He then looked at Lu Xuefeng, a gentle smile in his eyes, his expression pleased.
Because Lu Xuefeng had chosen it for him.
Mu Ting was inwardly impressed.
They sat together, chatting, watching TV, enjoying fruits and snacks, and exchanging New Year greetings with relatives on WeChat.
Soon, it was time to start preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner.
In Wu City, the reunion dinner was in the evening.
Everyone helped with the preparations. His grandmother also wanted to help, and although they wanted her to rest, it was nice to have her participate, so they gave her simple tasks like washing vegetables and wrapping dumplings.
She was happy to be involved and even taught Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing how to make paper cuttings.
The two young men weren’t much help in the kitchen, mostly just sampling the freshly cooked dishes.
Song Muqing would try them first, then feed Lu Xuefeng a bite.
The food always tasted best when it was freshly cooked, straight from the kitchen.
They could only have a small taste, not enough to satisfy their hunger, but they couldn’t eat too much either.
It was incredibly delicious.
Mu Ting and Song Hongfan chuckled, saying they were acting like children.
The New Year’s Eve dinner was the most elaborate meal of the year, a table full of dishes for the five of them.
The TV was on, the sound of festive music filling the room.
They sat together, enjoying their meal.
Mu Ting brought out a bottle of good red wine. They didn’t usually drink alcohol, but this was a special occasion, a family reunion, a good day for a celebratory drink.
His grandmother couldn’t drink alcohol, so she had coconut milk instead.
“New Year’s Eve, leaving behind worries and welcoming hope,” Mu Ting said.
“Harmony and togetherness.”
“Happy New Year.”
Lu Xuefeng added, “May things get better and better.”
They raised their glasses, exchanging heartfelt wishes, then took a sip.
They continued eating and chatting.
Lu Xuefeng noticed that Song Muqing seemed to have a high tolerance for alcohol, at least higher than his.
Mu Ting and Song Hongfan also seemed to be able to hold their liquor; perhaps it was genetic.
“I just remembered,” Mu Ting said. “Your wedding was a bit rushed. We didn’t prepare anything.”
She considered this, then asked Song Muqing and Lu Xuefeng, “Even if you don’t plan to have a wedding banquet now, would you like to take wedding photos?”
She knew they didn’t want a wedding for now, but wedding photos were important, and they didn’t have many photos together.
They exchanged glances.
“Wedding photos would be nice, as a keepsake,” his grandmother agreed.
It would be a nice memory to look back on.
“Do you want to take them?” Song Muqing asked Lu Xuefeng, seeking his opinion.
They didn’t have any photos together at home.
Even their bedroom felt a bit empty.
Lu Xuefeng wasn’t opposed to the idea, and since the elders seemed supportive, he agreed. “We could take some.”
Song Muqing quickly made a decision, telling his parents, “Then we’ll take them after the New Year, when we both have time off.”
They would need to discuss the style and who would take the photos.
“No need to rush. It’s not a task. Discuss the details when you’re ready,” Song Hongfan said kindly, not wanting to pressure them. “There’s plenty of time.”
“Yes, we know,” they agreed.
They ate slowly, chatting comfortably, the atmosphere relaxed and unconstrained.
Although they had only become a family this year, it felt like they had known each other for a long time.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, a calming presence.
Lu Xuefeng rested his chin on his hand, listening to Mu Ting share stories about Song Muqing’s school days.
Although Song Muqing had always seemed like the perfect child, a model student, Mu Ting revealed that he had had his rebellious moments during middle school, kept hidden from view.
Song Muqing had attended the same school where Song Hongfan taught, so he knew everything.
Lu Xuefeng smiled, finding the stories amusing.
Song Muqing glanced at him; he rarely smiled so openly. Then he noticed Lu Xuefeng seemed slightly dazed, similar to how he had been after drinking.
The red wine was gone.
Lu Xuefeng’s glass was empty, and Song Muqing tried to recall how much he had drunk.
He touched Lu Xuefeng’s cheek; it was warm, and his eyelids were slightly flushed.
“Xuefeng, you’re drunk.”
“…Hmm?”
Lu Xuefeng took his hand, tilting his head slightly. “I don’t think so.”
Mu Ting, observing his expression, which did seem slightly tipsy, chuckled. “So, you have a low tolerance for alcohol.”
“Do you want to go to bed?” Song Muqing asked, leaning closer.
Lu Xuefeng shook his head. “I’ll just sit for a bit.”
His grandmother, feeling sleepy, wanted to stay up for the New Year countdown, but she couldn’t stay awake any longer and needed to rest.
Mu Ting took her to wash up and go to bed.
They were all staying here tonight; there were enough rooms, which Mu Ting and Song Hongfan had prepared earlier.
As midnight approached, Song Hongfan gave Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing red envelopes, lucky money for the New Year.
It was a customary tradition, a symbol of good luck.
“You two should go to bed. Xuefeng seems a bit drunk; he shouldn’t stay up too late,” Mu Ting said considerately.
Song Muqing, seeing that Lu Xuefeng was indeed sleepy, took him to wash up and then to his bedroom.
Song Muqing’s room was clean and tidy, with many belongings, but everything was organized, creating a lived-in atmosphere. A potted plant with lush green leaves sat on his desk.
Song Muqing placed the red envelopes under his pillow.
Lu Xuefeng was looking at a framed photo on his desk, a casual snapshot of Song Muqing.
He wasn’t wearing his glasses, and his expression was relaxed.
Song Muqing explained that Mu Ting had taken the photo and had it printed because she liked it.
Lu Xuefeng commented, “It’s a nice photo.”
He put the photo back and lay down on the bed.
After midnight, numerous messages arrived on his phone.
New Year greetings from friends, colleagues, and Teacher Xiao.
Lu Xuefeng chatted briefly with Teacher Xiao.
“Aren’t you sleepy?” Song Muqing asked, seeing Lu Xuefeng yawn, his thumb gently brushing against his warm eyelids.
“Lots of messages,” he replied, feeling he should respond to them.
“You can reply tomorrow morning.”
Lu Xuefeng was about to agree when he saw a message from Yao Yao.
Song Muqing glanced at it, taking his phone and putting it on the nightstand. “Go to sleep. I’ll reply for you.”
“Alright.”
Lu Xuefeng changed into his pajamas, preparing for bed.
Song Muqing leaned over, kissing his forehead.
“Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year.”
Song Muqing left the bedside lamp on, gathering their clothes and folding them neatly.
Lu Xuefeng’s breathing was slow and even; he had fallen asleep.
His phone, not on silent mode, buzzed twice.
Lu Xuefeng stirred, frowning slightly.
Song Muqing, assuming it was Yao Yao again, reached for the phone and muted it, then saw two new text messages.
“Happy New Year, Senior.”
“You didn’t accept my friend request, so I had to text you. My sister said you’re married. I thought she was joking. I saw you leaving the cinema the other day, but I didn’t say hello because you were with him. You said I was immature before, and I’ve been trying to change, but now it seems even if I mature, there’s no chance… Senior, I wish you happiness.”
Song Muqing raised an eyebrow.
The message clearly came from someone younger, quite verbose.
He felt a surge of possessiveness, his expression cooling slightly.
He replied politely.
“Sorry, he’s asleep beside me.
Thank you for your wishes; I’ll pass them on.”
