give me joy

Chapter 8 Tiramisu
(1) go home

This year's Lunar New Year falls half a month before Valentine's Day.

Yu Mi's hometown is on a small island called Mingyue Island on Baizi Lake in the eastern suburbs.There are no less than dozens of islands on Baizi Lake, and Mingyue Island is the largest one. It has a large population and is equivalent to a medium-sized small town.

You can go to Mingyue Island by boat, but the ferry is often suspended due to the weather; you can also take a car, which needs to pass through three bridges and cross the two islands, no matter which way is not very convenient.

But Yumi's parents like the closeness to nature and the fresh air there, so they moved back to the old house before Yumi graduated from university, drinking tea with old friends in the neighborhood every day, climbing mountains, growing fruits and vegetables, I was so happy that I didn't even bother to go back to the city to see my daughter.

On New Year's Eve, "Honey Talk" closed its business early, and everyone bid farewell to each other and left. At three o'clock in the afternoon, Yumi was the only one left in the store.

She was carrying a big bag and was about to lock it, but when she opened the door, she froze.

Jian Xingyu was standing in front of the window, and it was raining outside. There was a small puddle of water under the tip of the long-handled umbrella in his hand. It seemed that he had been standing for a long time.

Seeing her come out, he turned sideways and smiled at her: "Mimi, are you going back to the island?"

Gentle and casual tone, as before.

It has been a week since the unexpected meeting at Yunzhou Hotel, he looks a little tired, he must be busy with too many things when he just took office.During this week, she also tried not to disturb him as much as possible, and even the Valentine's Day gift box was sent to him with pictures directly after the preliminary plan was drawn up.

I didn't expect him to come today.

"En." She responded softly and asked, "When did you come in, why didn't you come in?"

Jian Xingyu replied: "Seeing that you have finished packing, I won't come in to disturb you."

Then, there was a long silence.

After Yu Mi locked the door, she was about to hand over the things in her right hand to her left. Jian Xingyu had already taken the handbag before her, and opened the umbrella with the other hand.

"Let's go, I'll take you."

Yu Mi wanted to refuse, but he already went on to say: "It's raining today, the ferry has stopped, it's inconvenient for you to take the bus with so much stuff. It just so happens that I haven't seen the two old people for a long time, so I'm going to drop by my uncle and aunt. Happy New Year. Can you take it as a ride?"

Yu Mi couldn't refute his reasons and attitude, so she nodded and followed him into the car.

Before four o'clock, Jian Xingyu's car drove onto the bridge across the lake.

Looking through the car window, the lake is covered with rain and fog, and the boats and islands near and far are looming.There was a layer of water vapor on the car windows, and it was freezing outside the car, but it was as warm as spring inside the car.

The suitable temperature made Yu Mi drowsy, and she heard Jian Xingyu say in a daze: "...I booked a ticket for the fifth day of the lunar new year, you go first, I will come to meet you two days later."

She tried to open her eyes: "What? Where are you going?"

Jian Xingyu turned to look at her, and couldn't help laughing: "Employee benefits, we will travel to Japan together on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. I remember I mentioned it to you three days ago."

"I forgot..." Last week, she was so busy preparing the New Year's gift bag that she had to go to bed, travel or something, she just heard about it, but didn't take it to heart.

"Then remember it from now on." Jian Xingyu sighed with a smile, "The air ticket and hotel have already been booked, and if you forget, you can't get a refund."

"Go! Definitely go!" Yu Mi's drowsiness completely ran away.

Matcha from Uji, wagashi yokan from Kyoto, milk from Hokkaido, countless famous shops that have won awards in the World Dessert Awards, and Disney - that is her dream place!
Excitedly, she sat up from the seat, forgetting that she was still wearing a seat belt, and was immediately bounced back, with a soft "ouch".

Jian Xingyu slowed down the car, stretched out his right hand to adjust the seat belt for her, his fingers inadvertently touched her hand, and Yu Mi shrank back subconsciously.

His eyes darkened slightly, he was silent for a moment, and then asked in a normal tone: "Bring so many dishes back, are you in charge again tonight?"

"That's right." Yu Mi nodded, "My parents have cooked for me for more than twenty years, now it's my turn!"

"That's great." Jian Xingyu's tone was sincerely envious, "It's been a long time since I've had your home-cooked food, and I really want to stay and taste it. It's a pity that I have to go back to my ancestral home for dinner tonight."

"The ancestral house?" Yu Mi was finally attracted by his words, and asked in surprise, "Is it the one in the ancient town?"

She remembered that she had read reports before that the predecessor of Yunzhou Hotel was a large family with a century-old foundation. architecture.

Jian Xingyu nodded slightly.

"Oh, will you be in time?" Yu Mi took out her phone to check the time, "If I knew it, I wouldn't have given it to you."

"It's okay, you just go there after seeing off, and you'll be in time." He smiled and said softly, "Today is New Year's Eve, I want to see you."

Yes, he wanted to see her, especially today—

As a child not recognized by his family, he has always been an invisible person in his father's family.How much grievances my mother has suffered, how much effort I have made, and swallowed my anger, finally got a place at the reunion dinner table in the old house today.As hard as the process is, the result is as important.

But important, does not mean sincerity.If possible, he would rather go home with Yu Mi, have a lively and delicious New Year's Eve dinner, chat about household chores and watch TV, without any worries or burdens.

But he couldn't do it.

He can only come to see her off, talk to her, and see her smiling. Only in this way can he relax his tense heartstrings a little bit, and stop hating himself for being hypocritical in front of the family.

The Jian Xingyu in front of her is the real Jian Xingyu, the only one who makes her like him.

For a long time, she has always regarded him as the most reliable partner, but only he knows that the person who really relies on the other party may be him.

Hearing what he said, Yu Mi couldn't help laughing: "That's impossible, Brother Yu's character design is so perfect, how could he be late for me."

Jian Xingyu turned his head to look at her, and said after a moment of silence: "Although I can't do it this year, I hope I can come back with you next year."

He said this sentence very solemnly, Yu Mi raised her head to meet his gaze, her heart moved, and she suddenly remembered the question from more than half a month ago.

"Can I be your boyfriend?"

And she hasn't responded yet.

So now, is it time to reply...

The phone vibrated suddenly, she lowered her head subconsciously, and saw the home page prompting that she had received a voice message from Shi Jin.

She opened it to her ear, and he asked, "Listen to the radio?"

She understood in an instant, hurriedly pressed the radio on the car, and tuned to the city music radio.

For a moment, a familiar voice accompanied by melodious background music filled the entire space.

The cold voice of "Time" sounds rare and approachable at the moment, and he is reading the messages on the platform one by one.

"...why have you been on vacation for so long? Well, the reason is very simple. Everyone will have a very low mood and feel that the world is unfriendly. I was in a bad state some time ago, and the vacation was for self-adjustment, and now I'm fine Yes. Thank you everyone for giving me time to be willful."

"This friend called 'Jiangnan Snow Queen' asked me if I was on duty right after returning to Taili, should I be so dedicated? Emmm... because today is New Year's Eve, everyone is going home for reunion dinner. I don't need to go home, No one was waiting for me to eat, so the director waited for me. How about you? Where will you go today and who will you be with? You can leave a message for me, and I will share your story with everyone in the next time."

His tone was very relaxed, and that "emmm" had a bit of playfulness in the long ending.Perhaps many people would take this sentence as a joke, but Yu Mi knew that what he said was true.

He said that his only relative in this world is no longer there.

Without relatives, there is no home, and there is no need for reunion dinner.

——Her heart throbbed unexpectedly.

It was strange that she should feel so sad.Obviously it has nothing to do with her...

Taking advantage of the time when the song was playing on the show, Yu Mi sent him a WeChat reply.

"Why did you suddenly think of going back to the radio station?"

He replied quickly, but this time he didn't send a voice.

"Everyone else has something to do."

You are right, but Yu Mi felt even more sad after seeing it.She had never noticed that she was so sentimental before, her head was hot, her fingers typed quickly, and she sent a message in an instant.

"Would you like to come to my house for dinner?"

As soon as she finished sending, she regretted it. She frantically tapped the screen with her fingers to withdraw, but before she could complete the operation, the other party replied.

"Where are you?"

Is this a promise or no promise?

Yu Mi was a little apprehensive, so he sent a location and added the house number.

It’s up to you whether you come or not, although most likely you won’t come... It’s getting late, and I don’t know when his live broadcast will end... It will take more than an hour to come from the city at the fastest... And it’s still raining... …Besides, it was her parents’ home. A normal person would not go to an unfamiliar place to have dinner with unfamiliar elders in the rain for more than ten kilometers… If he replied “Thank you but it’s not convenient for me”, neither would she feel disappointed and embarrassed...

She kept doing mental training for herself, but before Shi Jin could reply, the speed of the car had gradually slowed down, and she heard Jian Xingyu say, "Mimi, we're almost here."

She raised her head and looked out the window. Sure enough, on the right side of the road was a row of small two-story buildings backed by mountains and facing a lake. Not far away, there was a big pomegranate tree planted in the yard, and some red plums slanted out of the wall. It was hers. Family.

On the radio, when the song time was over, Shi Jin started talking again, no wonder she didn't reply to her WeChat.

"...A lot of listeners on the platform asked me how I spent Valentine's Day." He smiled softly, like a feather falling on a calm lake, seemingly without effort, but there were ripples.

"No one is celebrating with me yet. If there is, of course it will give her a special Valentine's Day. How to do it... Keep it a secret for now, I'm afraid she will hear it now."

It is too easy to make people think about it, and with the deliberately changed tone, it is simply a large-scale flirting scene.If it was in the past, Yu Mi would probably scream "Ahhhh" like other fans, but since she met Shi Jin herself, she no longer has such a superficial expression——

Only she could feel the strange throbbing in her heart and the accompanying rapid heartbeat.

This feeling will only silence her.

When Shi Jin returned to the radio station, he was very different from before.In the past, she was a high-altitude flower who didn't talk too much and kept turning on the mocking mode. Today, she is like a public lover who has eaten honey... Yu Mi couldn't help but turn on the live broadcast platform of the city channel on her mobile phone. Sure enough, the message style was very uniform:

[Flowers and Girls]: Teacher Time, me, me, me!I spend Valentine's Day with you!

[Tiffany's Breakfast Basket]: The sound is so crisp!propose!
[Time has you, time is alluring]: Mr. Time, are you happy this time? ... Anyway, I am very happy ^ ^
[Children's clothing wholesale plus WeChat]: Teacher Shiguang, do you have someone you like?is not it?Don't [cry], I'm going to be broken in love, and I don't want to do business anymore, and the inventory will be emptied with a discount!
……

What the hell is "Teacher Time", I always feel that it's weird to use the honorific title on him... Yu Mi laughed while watching, and after reading a few articles, he suddenly noticed something strange around him, raised his head, only to find that the car had stopped At the door of the house, Jian Xingyu was holding the steering wheel with one hand, and looked at her sideways.

It was quiet all around, save for the patter of raindrops on the window panes.

Yu Mi finally realized what was wrong - the radio was turned off at some point.

Under Jian Xingyu's silent gaze, she was a little restless and frantically put away her phone to unbuckle her seat belt.

"Brother Yu, I'm here, thank you so much today, I'll go down and get things by myself, so I won't bother you..."

"Mimi." He interrupted her suddenly, and reached out to hold her hand that was taking off her seat belt. "How did you think about that question?"

There was a trace of coolness in his palm, Yu Mi subconsciously pulled her hand, this time, she clearly saw his slightly frowning brow.

What should come will come, she bit her lip, finally made up her mind, and said softly: "Brother Yu, you are the best partner...I'm sorry."

She regretted failing to live up to his wishes; she regretted not being able to go back to the past.

Can't love him, sorry.

She didn't look up, and it took a long time before a soft sigh came from above her head.

"I see."

His voice was still so gentle, which calmed her anxiety and guilt a little, and she hurriedly let go of her seat belt and opened the door.

"Then I'm leaving, Brother Yu, Happy New Year!"

"I send you."

Before she could express her opinion, Jian Xingyu got out of the car and took out her big and small bags from the trunk, along with the New Year's gifts that she had prepared for Yu Mi's parents.

In fact, last Spring Festival, he also prepared gifts for the second elder. He has always been thoughtful and caring, but after what happened just now, Yu Mi became more concerned: "Brother Yu, there is really no need..."

"Have you taken back all the rights to be friends with me?" He looked at her softly, even with a trace of sadness in his eyes, which made Yu Mi shake her head hastily: "Of course not!"

Jian Xingyu smiled, stepped forward and rang the doorbell.

Yu Mi's parents both knew Jian Xingyu, and when they met, they exchanged warm greetings, warm invitations, and polite concessions... In front of the elders, he was impeccable, and he seemed to be completely unaffected by the rejection of his confession just now, instead he was left alone Yu Mi was a little out of her mind.

"Mimi, why are you in a daze?" Mother Yu slapped Yu Mi on the back of the head, "Xingyu is in a hurry to go home, why don't you hurry up and see him off!"

"Xingyu"?Is it really okay to call so affectionately without saying a few words?
Yu Mi said "Oh", took the big jar of honey that Mother Yu stuffed in return, and accompanied Jian Xingyu to the parking lot.

The big jar was bigger than her face, she held it with both hands with difficulty, Jian Xingyu looked amused, and wanted to take it, but she refused to let it go.

Looking at the restrained Yu Mi, he felt helpless: "Mimi, I consider myself a gentleman. You can't force your feelings. Since you reject me, I will never make things difficult for you again. You don't have to hide from me everywhere. , in this case, it will make me feel like a failure even more.”

"I'm sorry..."

He is so kind, so nice that Yu Mi feels that rejecting him is unforgivable...

"So, is it because of Shi Jin that you rejected me?"

"Huh?" This question was too unexpected.

"do you like him?"

This time Yu Mi finally came back to his senses, his head shook like a rattle, but his face slowly turned red.

"Brother Yu, what are you talking about? We have nothing to do with each other..."

There was some deep meaning in Jian Xingyu's eyes: "Mimi, if you still treat me as a friend, just listen to me, you can like anyone, but he can't."

"I...I don't have any..."

"Although from my current position, these words may not be convincing. But you believe me, it is not accidental that he will appear by your side. You have to pay attention..." He hesitated to speak, and finally sighed softly, "In short, I will always be on your side, Mimi, you just need to remember this."

Yu Mi was confused by what he said, so she could only nod her head in agreement: "Yes, I remember."

Jian Xingyu didn't start the car until Yu Mi entered the house and closed the door.

Glancing at the main console, he frowned and turned on the radio again.

The voice of "Time" is not only cold, but also has a heart-warming gentleness.

"...I just received a dinner invitation from a friend, so you don't have to worry about me anymore. Although I am used to celebrating various festivals alone, this year's invitation has a different meaning to me. Come out of the haze that has plagued me all this time."

"A listener called 'Little Mushroom' was anxious to know if the friend who invited me to dinner was a woman? Yes, yes, a lovely woman."

"...Am I different today from before? Maybe, people will get better and better, right?"

"Miao Miao said: 'My favorite thing to eat during Chinese New Year is the dumplings made by my mother. How about you during the time?' Me...I like all kinds of desserts recently, because someone around me makes really, really delicious ones."

"Food is more important to people than delicious. For example, Miao Miao's favorite dumplings, because they are made by their mothers, have become an irreplaceable taste. There are many delicious things in the world. There are very few alternatives, if you encounter one, please cherish it.”

"I hope you and I can learn to cherish."

Hearing this, Jian Xingyu couldn't bear it any longer, and punched the steering wheel heavily.

When did it start?The girl he had been carefully guarding, for fear that she would be harmed by even a trace of the haze of the world, suddenly drifted away step by step in a place he couldn't see.

When he wanted to get her back, all she left him was "I'm sorry".

He always remembered the first time he met Yu Mi, when he and his mother had just come out of Jian Yunfan's office.The mother tearfully begged the man to fulfill his previous promise - she may not care about his status, but Jian Xingyu has already studied and returned to China, and no matter what, he will be allowed to work in Yunzhou Group.

The whole process was very painful for him.Although he had known for a long time that he had an unusual background, when he actually faced it, he only felt humiliated.Imperial College's double-degree A's are not worth mentioning in front of his stern-faced and cold-spoken father.

His father looked at him with scrutiny, speculation, and precaution, but there was no love derived from blood, but it was like looking at a commodity that was up for sale.

Jian Yunfan finally decided to let him do an internship in the marketing department of the hotel. Although his mother was not satisfied, she had achieved her goal after all.After entering the elevator, she took out a small mirror to carefully touch up her makeup, and told him: "Xingyu, you must seize the opportunity. I heard that the two children of the wife in the main room are not very competitive. As long as you can get Dad I'm sure we'll see our day. I don't want to go back to London, even if I go back to Japan..."

He lowered his head silently, without saying a word, but the hands hanging by his sides were clenched into fists.

At this time, the elevator door that was about to close was suddenly blocked from the outside, and a girl came in covered in water vapor.

He was petite, with a bun and was soaking wet, his hoodie and denim shorts crinkled to his body.The big yellow duck on the chest of the clothes is very eye-catching, and there is still a plush bag hung in a ball on the shoulder bag.

Are you a high school student?

No, Jian Xingyu looked at his watch, it was eleven o'clock in the morning, high school students should be in school.

Moreover, she was carrying a large cake box in her hand, which was wrapped in a transparent raincoat, and water was dripping from the raincoat, but the carton was not wet at all.

The mother stood inside the elevator with some disgust, the girl smiled at them apologetically, lowered her head and began to answer the phone.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll be there soon... There was a sudden rainstorm outside, so I was delayed for a while... Yes, yes, it's my fault, this time I can waive the bill! No money... No, no, the cake is good, don't worry !...Okay, I'm already in the elevator, give me a little more time...bye!"

She hung up the phone while talking, glanced at the floor, quickly took out a tissue from her backpack, wiped off the water droplets on her face and body, combed her hair, and rushed out just as the elevator door opened.

Seeing the drenched plush bag jumping and disappearing from the end of sight, Jian Xingyu's heart moved slightly. For some reason, the arrogance born of humiliation and anger caused by unwillingness just now suddenly became weaker. down.

This strange girl looked so embarrassed, but she still protected the cake in her hand very well; she might get nothing this trip, but there was no trace of discouragement in her eyes.

The vivid and pure brilliance in her eyes moved him at that moment.

When everyone in the world is unsatisfactory, who can be nobler than whom?It is not shameful to bow your head temporarily, but it is shameful not to work hard when you are clearly unwilling.

He suddenly felt relieved.

His mother was still complaining about the water stains in the elevator. He lowered his head and found a small pink business card lying in the water stains, so he bent down and picked it up.

There are two lines of lovely round characters printed on the business card, and the phone number and WeChat QR code are at the bottom.

——"Sweet talk sweetheart, personalize your sweet moments."

——"Contact: Yu Mi."

Stopping the memories, Jian Xingyu's eyes gradually showed a trace of coldness, he turned off the radio, and dialed the number of his assistant.

"I want to chat with Ms. Bai from Magic Star Entertainment and make an appointment for me."

"Yes, it's Bai Wanyi, the mother of the movie star Bai Wei who just passed away."

(2) Happy New Year

Yu Mi in the room didn't know anything.

She was busy sorting out the things she brought home one by one, which should be washed and cleaned, and by the way, deal with the gossip of the two elders who were full of hesitation.

Mother Yu: "Mimi, why don't you invite Xingyu to come in and sit down? It's so impolite to celebrate Chinese New Year."

Yu Mi opened a bag of fish balls, and replied casually, "He's going home for dinner."

After a while, Mother Yu asked again while eating melon seeds: "Hey daughter, it's been almost two years, and you have such a good partner by your side, why don't you work hard and act?"

Yu Mi's hand trembled, the knife almost cut his fingers, and he said perfunctorily, "I... I and Brother Yu are not suitable, Mom, stop thinking about it."

Mother Yu nodded regretfully: "That's right. Actually, I think even if you take action, you probably won't be able to succeed. Xingyu is such an excellent kid, and he must have high vision."

This...is really my mother!Yu Mi was speechless, so she buried her head in chopping the meat.Father Yu refused, and retorted: "What you said is wrong! Apart from being a little short and stupid, what's wrong with our Mimi? Why does Jian Xingyu look down on her?"

It's better not to say it... Yu Mi chopped the meat louder.

After Mama Yu and Papa Yu argued about what was wrong with Jian Xingyu and her own daughter, Mama Yu suddenly remembered an important thing, and she went back to the kitchen door and asked, "Mimi, is your youngest son from Aunt Wang's house before?" I came back in two days. It was the one who went out with you to drill caves when I was a child. He is now studying in Beijing and will graduate in the second half of the year. Aunt Wang said that the opportunity is rare. She was the host of the second year of junior high school and invited us to dinner. Let’s meet and catch up. Don't you forget."

After finishing speaking, Mama Yu also sighed: "The young man looks very energetic, I look good, you are still childhood sweethearts."

The meaning is quite obvious, it is a blind date bureau.

Father Yu muttered in the living room: "Mimi is still young, why worry..."

Yu Mi pretended not to hear, carefully scooped the boiled chicken soup into the casserole, and said while scooping: "Dad, Mom, I might have a friend coming over for dinner later."

Mama Yu was taken aback for a moment, and subconsciously asked, "Male or female?"

"male."

Mother Yu's eyes lit up immediately, but before she had time to ask questions, Father Yu had already appeared at the kitchen door: "Mimi, have you got a boyfriend?"

She just said "friend" and "boy", how did she become "boyfriend"?Feeling a little guilty, Yu Mi hurriedly explained: "It's just... just ordinary friends. Because my family is away, there is no place to have a reunion dinner at night. I am here for humanitarian assistance."

Father Yu wanted to ask something, but Mother Yu had already dragged her away: "Come, come, Lao Yu, let's go to the third aunt's house next door to pick some fresh tangerines. There are guests coming."

Father Yu was puzzled: "Why are you going to the third aunt's house? Our house also has orange trees. Besides, I still have something to ask Mimi..."

"What are you asking?" Mother Yu lowered her voice, and whispered to Father Yu's ears, "Didn't you see that my daughter blushed? I think this guest is not simple, so don't ask too many questions. Young people need space, do you understand space? "

……

The sound of the range hood overwhelmed the murmurs of parents, Yu Mi glanced at the time, it was 17:05, it was still raining outside the window, and the gloomy weather made night come earlier.The street lights hadn't been turned on yet, and almost no one passed by on the dark road around the lake. We could only faintly see the sparkling waves of the lake in the distance.

Will he... really come?

The menu for the New Year's Eve dinner was prepared by Yu Mi long ago.

Six cold dishes, sweet and sour short ribs, fried beef with king oyster mushrooms, steamed small yellow croaker with pickled vegetables, curry blue crab, cold eggplant shreds, braised lettuce with crab powder, shiitake mushrooms and cabbage, chicken soup casserole for family portrait.In addition, two dim sum dishes are added, fried rice cake with shepherd's purse and glutinous rice balls.

Parents can't eat spicy food, so she chooses home-cooked dishes, prepares semi-finished products in advance and brings them over for processing.But if he does come...do you have to do something special?
Fortunately, she also brought the chiffon cake embryos that were just made in the afternoon. Looking at the time, the live broadcast will end at about six o'clock. Counting the time on the way, it will take eight o'clock at least to get here.

If you make tiramisu...it's too late!

Her cat is called "Tiramisu" because it is a wonderful food that makes people's happiness skyrocket when eaten.

The mellow aroma of coffee wine, the sweetness of cream, the smoothness of cheese, and the slight bitterness of cocoa powder are all blended together just right, and no one will not love it.

The cake embryo is ready-made, just need to make mousse - beat egg yolk, add sugar, melt mascarpone cheese, add gelatin, mix rum...

The steps she was familiar with became more meticulous and cautious than usual because of the small jumps that only she knew.

It was 18:30 when the shaped tiramisu was put in the refrigerator.

Yu's father and Yu's mother have already returned with oranges, father helps Yu Mi serve dishes together, and mother is busy setting the table.The Spring Festival couplets on the door have already been posted, and the narcissus in the house has also bloomed its first flowers.Tiramisu, who came back from a long journey with Yu Mi, occupied a sofa by himself, lazily hugging the cat food with Miao Xian Bao, and looked at the stupid humans singing and laughing on the TV with contempt.

The rain outside the window turned into snowdrops, rustling on the windows, and the air was filled with the aroma of food—this is the smell of Chinese New Year.

Yu Mi wiped the moisture from the window, it was pitch black outside, only the dim street lights winding along the way.With such bad weather, the island must be foggy and the traffic will be more inconvenient. Will he come...

Looking at the phone for the one hundred and one first time, there happened to be a WeChat message coming in, she hastily clicked on it, and it was Shi Jin's voice.

"I'll be here in 10 minutes, you eat first, don't wait for me."

Casual tone, listen carefully, there are car horns in the background.

She collected herself and replied with a "yes".

The time is 19:10.

So for the next twenty or ten minutes, she was a little absent-minded, pouring the vinegar into soy sauce, and almost holding the chopsticks upside down.

Whenever a car passed by outside the door, she would feel nervous until she finally heard the sound of an engine coming from far and near to stop outside the yard. At the same time, a new WeChat message was received on her mobile phone.

Glancing at the sender's name, she didn't even have time to open it, and rushed out the door with an umbrella in hand.

Crossing the yard, opening the gate, just in time to see Shi Jin get off the car.

The black off-road vehicle, the coat is also black, through the dense rain curtain, the slender figure is almost integrated with the night, but she knows that he is looking at her, smiling, and his eyes are shining.

She hurried over to hold an umbrella for him, and tried to raise her arms. Seeing her struggling on tiptoe, Shi Jin couldn't help being a little funny, reached out to take the umbrella, and touched her hand inadvertently, it was cold.

He looked at the thin sweater on her body, tilted the umbrella towards her, put his other hand lightly on her back, and half pushed her to stride forward.

"What are you doing here, afraid that I will get lost?"

The heat in his palm came through the sweater, and she felt the biting coldness. She couldn't help shivering, and made up a reason: "Because it's raining..."

Fortunately, the yard is not big, so we passed through it quickly.Shi Jin put away the umbrella in front of the door, brushed off the water droplets on his clothes, and smoothed out his hair.

Turning his head, he saw Yu Mi was looking at him.

"Don't be nervous, my parents are easy to get along with." Her eyes were very serious and sincere.

He raised his eyebrows: "I'm not nervous."

So why all of a sudden start caring about appearance?Yu Mi chuckled twice, but didn't expose him. After thinking about it, he put his palms together on his lips, and begged in a low voice: "That's right... If they say something to you later that makes people misunderstand, please don't mind. Just pretend you didn't hear it..."

"Misunderstanding?" He curled the corner of his mouth, "What is the misunderstanding?"

Yu Mi hesitated: "I have already explained to them that we are just ordinary friends. But maybe, maybe, they may not believe it, so you..."

"Ordinary friends..." He repeated these four words meaningfully, looked down at her, and habitually reached out and rubbed the top of her hair, "Actually..."

Before he finished speaking, the door suddenly opened, and Mother Yu appeared behind the door with a smile on her face.

"Mimi, are the guests here? Why don't you come in?"

The air froze for a moment, and time seemed to stop for a few seconds. I don't know if it was Yu Mi's illusion, but I always felt that the smile on my mother's face was also frozen.

Shi Jin exhaled lightly, put down his hands calmly, and smiled at Yu's mother: "Hello, Auntie!"

This voice was correct, gentle and sweet, coupled with his deceptive appearance and innocent smile, Mama Yu's expression immediately eased.

"Hi, hello, come in, it's cold outside!"

10 minutes later.

While drinking the soup, Yu Mi secretly looked at Shi Jin, who was chatting with his parents about life on the island.More often, it is the parents who are talking, and he is listening, occasionally interjecting a sentence or two, and the timing and content are just right.

As a radio presenter, the skills of listening and talking did not come to him.But what surprised her was the softness in his eyes and the smile on his lips.

She once thought that according to his previous behavior, even if he didn't have a cold face all the time, at least he wouldn't talk much... She had already figured out how to explain it to her parents.

After all, he really doesn't look like a person who would like to have a family reunion during the Chinese New Year...

However, the atmosphere in front of him was surprisingly harmonious.He already has a face that the elders will like, and with a charming voice, it is estimated that Yu's mother has already forgotten her real daughter.

She bit her chopsticks and fell into deep thought, completely oblivious to the fact that the people around her were turning their heads to look at her.

Yu's mother and Yu's father exchanged glances, kicked her under the table, Yu Mi said "Ouch", and heard her mother say, "Why are you in a daze? It's not polite to invite people to come."

Yu Mi hurriedly put down her chopsticks, stuck out her tongue at Shi Jin, and said very perfunctorily, "Eat more, eat more, you're welcome."

Shi Jinzhi smiled, and said leisurely, "You're welcome. How can I be polite about your craftsmanship?"

Is there something wrong with her ears?What's the matter with this provocative tone?Seeing the meaningful smile on her mother's face, she quickly stood up: "I'll go and see if the family portrait is ready."

Then quickly fled into the kitchen.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of food, and the warm lighting enveloped her harmoniously. The space alone made her feel a little more at ease, but before her heartbeat calmed down, the sliding door was gently opened, and Shi Jin walked in slowly.

"Do you need help?"

"No... no need." She became nervous again, and looked out, seeing her parents whispering, and she glanced here from time to time, and couldn't help but turn around and ask, "You and my parents said What's up?"

Shi Jin leaned against the wall, watched her taste with a small spoon, and replied: "My name, my job, what I like to eat, they also told me that there is a mountain on the island, and there is a temple on the mountain. Very smart."

He said a word, and she was nervous—fortunately, there were no outrageous topics, after all, they were her real parents, so she was very good at saving face...

"Oh, by the way, my uncle also chatted with me about those two bottles of wine. It turns out that he is an expert in wine tasting. Do you think you should open the wine and have a drink with uncle? Do you know how to drink?"

"……know a little."

no!Originally, it was unbelievable that he would even bring a meeting gift to the elders when he came for an impromptu meal. What's even more unbelievable is that he still wants to drink with his father?
Such a down-to-earth behavior doesn't fit his personality, does it?He should be the cold little brother who should not be approached by strangers, okay?
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Shi Jin couldn't help smiling, "Where did I behave badly?"

"No..." On the contrary, he acted too well, "It just feels...you are very different today..."

"Huh? Like?"

Yu Mi felt that she was a little short of words, tilted her head and tried to organize her sentences: "For example, you promised to come to my house for New Year's Eve dinner, for example, you will talk with my parents about where to go climbing, what kind of wine to drink...for example..."

He chuckled and interrupted her: "isn't that good?"

Yu Mi shook her head: "No..." After thinking about it, she nodded and said sincerely, "Very good."

——He looks very warm and kind in this way, making her... unable to look away.

Shi Jin bent down, looked at her and said slowly: "I haven't spent New Year's Eve with others for many years. This place is very good, the food is delicious, and I am very happy chatting with my uncle and aunt. Where you are, please bear with me, okay?"

For a moment, Yu Mi felt as if his heart had stopped beating.

The slender, smiling eyes were close at hand, and her bewildered face was reflected in them.

Many emotions, vague and clear, seemed to condense together at that moment, blending into an answer that was ready to come out, falling in her always restless and confused heart, and gradually sank to the bottom.

It turns out...really...that's it!

How to do?
What should she do?
Seeing her in a daze and not speaking, Shi Jin gently touched her cheek with his fingers: "Mimi, you are blushing."

Sensing a trace of teasing in his tone, Yu Mi suddenly came to her senses, took a step back, avoided his sight, bit her lip and said in a low voice, "You...don't tease me."

With that said, she turned around, picked up the casserole, and walked out without saying a word.

The Spring Festival Gala is being played on the TV, singing, applause, and the laughter and dialogue of parents blend together, conveying the unique festiveness of the year.

Originally, she should also be happy to celebrate the New Year, but the answer that came to her heart suddenly made her not happy at all now.

She silently put down the casserole, picked up the spoon, and scooped up the soup one by one.Shi Jin had already come out with her, and she also scooped him a bowl, hearing him say "thank you" softly.

The light touch of her fingertips when she handed over the soup bowl made her close her hand like an electric shock. After a pause of two seconds, she turned and went into the kitchen again.

The moment she closed the sliding door, she breathed out lightly, and put her palm on her face, hoping that the coolness of her palm would relieve the burning of her cheeks.

No, it seems that she can no longer get along with him as naturally as before...

Because at that moment 5 minutes ago, when she saw herself in his eyes, she suddenly understood one thing——

She... likes him...

No doubt, irrefutable.

She likes him!

It's different from the simple admiration for "Time", and even the throbbing from when Lin Zihao pursued him back then.She couldn't tell what kind of feeling it was - she would feel distressed when he cried silently, and she would feel flustered when he fell asleep against her; sometimes she would be happy, sometimes afraid; she was attracted, but she was worried about gains and losses; she clearly wanted to get closer , but finally couldn't help but retreat...

So uncomfortable!

Her love life is very poor, and the so-called love experience only comes from the time in college when Lin Zihao treated her well, and Zhou Xiaomei assisted her, a small ripple appeared in her heart, and she thought that she also liked him .

The day she found out that she was just a spare tire, Zhou Xiaomei was very angry, but she didn't seem to be so sad. Instead, she felt relieved, and soon let go.

Zhou Xiaomei said that she was heartless, and she also thought that she was indifferent.

But it turned out that I just didn't like it enough.

It turns out that when you really like someone, it will be so uncomfortable, but there is a little bit of sweetness in the middle of the discomfort, which is so sweet.

The only experience of failure gave her the idea of ​​retreating, and once she made up her mind, she just wanted to hide as far away as possible.

Voices from the living room came in intermittently through the crack of the door, it was Mom and Dad chatting with Shi Jin.

She couldn't help leaning against the door to listen carefully——

"Dad passed away when I was 15 years old... I have a sister... No, she's not here anymore, some time ago because of some things... It's okay, it's all over... Thank you uncle and aunt for your hospitality, I don't have any relatives, It’s been a long time since such a lively Spring Festival...I’m very happy..."

The sound was very vague, and it was mixed with the noise of the Spring Festival Gala, but only his voice could be heard in her ears.Unconsciously, the image of him whispering in the dark that night emerged before his eyes—"Today, my only relative in this world passed away."

I'm so sad, I really want to... hug him...

She gently covered her ears to block out the sound, but she couldn't stop the noisy waves in her heart.

During the second half of the dinner, Yu Mi was a little absent-minded throughout.

The people on the TV laughed and laughed, and she didn't even move her eyelids; when her father asked her to pour wine for the guests, she picked up the bottle and poured herself a full glass, and even drank half of it.

A handsome hand reached out and took her cup.

"Drink slowly."

She glanced at him quickly, then looked at the cup in her hand, his palm was half covering the back of her hand.

She tried hard to snatch it back, but Shi Jin didn't let go, staring at her with probing eyes: "What's wrong? Are you tired?"

As if afraid of being seen by him, Yu Mi was a little anxious, frowned and said in a low voice: "Let go."

Probably because of her harsh tone, Shi Jin froze for a moment, but let go.Holding half a glass of wine, Yu Mi didn't know what to do. She gritted her teeth, said "Happy New Year" to her parents, and drank it down in one gulp.

"Mimi!" Yu's father was stunned, "This wine has 56 degrees, why do you seem to be drinking water?"

"I... I am happy today."

The ghost is happy!It's really self-inflicted...

The stamina of Gao Gaojiu came up quickly, and Yu Mi's head became more and more dizzy, and she couldn't even remember when she started to clean up the table. She stood up and wanted to help, but she underestimated the extent of her dizziness, and her feet suddenly softened. Someone gently supported her waist in time, but before she recovered, she took it back.

"Would you like to rest for a while?"

The gentle voice seemed to be whispering in her ears, perhaps because she was particularly sensitive after drinking alcohol, at that moment she only felt a slight tremor from her ears to her heart.

The sense of dizziness from disorder gave her courage, she raised her head to look at Shi Jin beside her, this time she didn't look away again, her eyes were so careful that she was even presumptuous.

The man she likes, he is so good-looking.

She didn't want to look away until her courage was exhausted.

(3) mind

She drank too much.

Seeing her slightly dull eyes, Shi Jin immediately realized this.

But he didn't want to expose her. When she tilted her head and stared at him, she was really cute, her face was flushed, and her pure and clean eyes were like a deer in the forest. There was only him in those eyes, and her focus was so heart-pounding.

Why did you promise her to spend New Year's Eve in a strange place?He himself couldn't explain it clearly, and when he came back to his senses, he had already sent the sentence "OK".

Since his father passed away, he spent New Year's Eve alone, and he got used to it, so he didn't think it was a special day.

For him, the year before New Year's Eve is more important.He usually spends that day with his sister, but because of his sister's special status, even if the two meet normally, they are very secretive and the time will not be too long.

He always thought that he didn't hate being alone, and even enjoyed being alone.

But it wasn’t until his sister passed away suddenly that he packed her things for her and he suddenly realized that his “doesn’t hate loneliness” was just a kind of self-consolation, because he couldn’t get it, so he simply convinced himself that he didn’t need it.

But in fact, he likes those fireworks, and he also wants to have those warmth.

In the past, he had a sister, and later, he met Yu Mi.

The girl in front of him, her pupils were dark, her eyes were blurred, and her skin was so delicate that no pores could be seen. An impulse arose in his heart, and he stretched out his hand involuntarily, and habitually landed on her soft hair. Gliding across the corner of the eye, the fingertips touched the soft skin.

At this moment, Mama Yu's voice came from the kitchen door.

"Mimi, do you have time to go to Aunt Wang's now? She sent a message just now to say that she bought an extra box of fireworks and asked her son to bring them over, so I said you can go and get them..."

Opening the kitchen door, Mama Yu's voice stopped for a moment, and then she said nonchalantly, "Xi, can I trouble you to drive Mimi, the box is not easy to carry."

Wait, who is "The Hour"?Yu Mi regained consciousness, and hurriedly turned around to respond. From the corner of her eye, she saw Shi Jin's hand fall from her shoulder.Where was his hand just now?I can't remember... 56 degrees of wine, you really can't drink it indiscriminately.

She rubbed her temples, picked up her coat, and tried to keep a straight line toward the door.

Shi Jin didn't know what to say to his parents, so he delayed for a while, but she opened the door first, picked up the umbrella at the door, looked back at her, and decided not to discuss with the person who couldn't even walk steadily , directly reached out to hug her to her side, opened the umbrella and walked towards the rain curtain.

But Yu Mi didn't cooperate, she twisted back and forth and yelled, "Let go of me... who do you think you are! Let go, let go!"

He ignored her at all, strode to the side of the car through the rain curtain, opened the co-pilot's door and half pushed her into the seat, then bent down to fasten her seat belt.

He propped one hand on the back of the chair next to her face, and the other hand crossed her waist. The graceful side face was close at hand. Under the short black hair was a slender neck. The warm breath lingered, making Yu Mi felt like he was about to suffocate.

She tried, and then tried to shrink back, as if to integrate herself with the seat.

Shi Jin put his hand on the back of the chair to support her slender neck, and said in a low voice, "Don't move around."

"You...don't get so close to me." She felt wronged, almost crying, "I...I can't help...I like you..."

Shi Jin froze for a moment, then raised his eyes to look at her.She probably hasn't realized what she said, the expression on her face is really tangled, and there is still a little water in her eyes.

He couldn't help laughing, and lowered his voice, as if coaxing: "What's wrong with liking me?"

Yu Mi disagreed, she stretched out her hand to cover her eyes, and said pitifully, "Not good. Because you definitely won't like me..."

This is... completely drunk, right?But she looks really cute, her round fingers cover most of her face, her small pointed chin, her lips are pink and moist... His eyes gradually deepened, he was silent for a few seconds, and finally buckled her seat belt, When he straightened up, he said softly: "That's not necessarily..."

But she must not be able to hear these words, she has been completely knocked down by alcohol, although she is not unconscious yet, but it is not far away.

Fortunately, before leaving, he asked Aunt Wang's home address, and Shi Jin drove there. The village was not big, so he arrived soon.

It was a young man who handed him the box of fireworks. He looked at him curiously, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Are you Xiaomai's boyfriend?"

Little corn?Shi Jin glanced back at the car parked by the side of the road, and Yu Mi was asleep in the passenger seat.This person would call her that, and the two families should be quite familiar with each other.

He didn't answer directly, but just took the return gift prepared by Mama Yu, said politely: "Thank you." Then he said goodbye and left.

After walking a few steps, I heard the young man shouting while closing the door: "Mom, Xiaomai has a boyfriend, you have to find another daughter-in-law..."

The next words were interrupted by the sound of closing the door, Shi Jin raised his eyebrows, and suddenly understood Yu's mother's intention of asking him to come and get things together.

How should I put it... Although it was a misunderstanding, the result is not bad...

He put the fireworks in the trunk, got back in the car, and closed the door to keep the clammy cold out.

Yu Mi curled up in a ball on the passenger seat, like a little cat.She didn't actually fall asleep. When she heard him open the door, she rolled her eyelids and snorted in a soft nasal voice: "Uh...you're back?"

He reached out and touched her hot cheek: "Do you want to go home?"

Probably because the coolness of his fingers made her feel very comfortable, she couldn't help leaning over to rub against him, and muttered: "No."

Well, good, just what he wanted.

Shi Jin drove the car slowly onto Huandao Road, and turned on the radio.At this time, there were very few live broadcasts on the channel, so he tuned one at random, playing soft and soothing piano music, which helped calm the mind.

But after listening for a minute, Yu Mi on the co-pilot protested.

"Change one...change one, I don't want to listen to music..."

Shi Jin was very patient: "Then what do you want to hear?"

"I want to listen to—time! Light!" She yelled softly, held her face in her hands and thought for a second before making a decision, "I want to hear him read poems!"

He froze for a moment, and Yu Mi took this opportunity to take out her mobile phone, open the photo album, and held it in front of him as if offering a treasure.

"Look, my favorite photo, handsome or not?"

He saw himself on the screen, bathing in the soft light and shadow watering the flowers - the one that Zhou Xiaomei secretly took on the official account.

"My favorite photo..."

The arc of the corner of his mouth deepened, and his voice became softer: "Then, what do you want to hear?"

"Well, let me think about it... Xi Murong's "Museum of History"? I read it in a program last October..."

He recalled a little, and read softly:

At first there was only that round of mountain moon

and caves in cold memories

then you come to me with a smile
In the cool morning the clouds parted
……

His timbre is like a tuning fork, like a wind chime slamming slightly. His usual coldness reveals an unknown tenderness and pampering, which makes him look extraordinarily charming.

And she, taking advantage of this rare willfulness, asked him to reproduce the fragments that touched her in his memory on the spot.She has listened to the program for more than a year, and she will review the recordings when she has time, so she remembers quite a few parts.

Shi Jin didn't even refuse, he just said what she asked him to say.Forgot some long-term content, so he parked the car on the side of the road, turned on his mobile phone to search, and then read it again.

After reading an unknown number of sentences, the sound of even breathing came from his ears. He turned his head to look, and Yu Mi, who had been struggling for a long time, finally fell asleep.

Shi Jin stopped the car, got out of the car and went to the trunk to get water.This hour is more than what he said in one live broadcast. There is no partner, no interspersed songs, and no commercial breaks.

This is her time.

His throat felt a little uncomfortable, and he took small sips of the mineral water in the bottle while watching her sleep contentedly.Looking at it, he couldn't help but stretched out his hand to brush away the hair that fell on her cheek, brushed the soft skin with his fingertips, and lowered his head in a mysterious way.

When his lips were only two centimeters away from her, he stopped suddenly, and then slowly, slowly, straightened up, his slender eyes filled with complex emotions.

At the beginning, he didn't expect that it would become like this. He lost control to this point, and he didn't even think about resisting.

He knew very well what the anxious and passionate feeling in his heart was, but—yes, or not, he couldn't find the answer.He lacked a sense of security since he was a child, so he became very cautious about getting close to the depths of his heart, longing for it while resisting it, which was a contradiction he could not overcome.

What should he do with her?At least he hasn't thought it through yet...

At this moment, what he needs is not impulsiveness, but calmness.

Yu Mi was woken up by the sound of firecrackers.

When he opened his eyes, he saw the familiar chandelier on the ceiling—is this his own room?

The fragments of memories were slowly pieced together, and her face turned red and then pale. Although she didn't remember clearly, some of the details she could recall made her realize that she must have done something extraordinary before falling asleep.

She hurriedly sat up, opened the window of the room and looked out, just as several fireworks were rising, exploding brightly, illuminating the night sky.

In addition, there are firecrackers one after another in my ears, so noisy that I can't hear any other sounds.

In the yard, Father Yu was lighting firecrackers, while Mother Yu was squatting under the eaves, picking and choosing from the box of fireworks given by Aunt Wang.

I didn't see Shi Jin.

She put on her down jacket and rushed out, opened the door, and squatted beside her mother.

"Oh, I woke you up." Mother Yu yelled at her amidst the sound of firecrackers, "Are you still dizzy? Do you want to pick a firework to set off?"

Yu Mi covered her ears and also shouted, "Where's Shi Jin?"

"Time? It's getting late, it's almost twelve o'clock!"

"No...it's Shi Jin, where did Shi Jin go?"

Mother Yu heard it clearly this time, and leaned closer to her ear and shouted: "After sending you back, he will go back..."

Without saying a word, Yu Mi ran back to the room again, and found out the cell phone that was wrapped in the blanket.

Sure enough, there was a missed voice message in WeChat.

She opened it nervously and brought the receiver to her ear.

Amidst the deafening sound of firecrackers, his voice still occupied her hearing for the first time:
"Have a good rest, don't drink so much next time, good night."

Her fingers quickly pressed on the screen:
"Where have you been? Home?"

Almost as soon as she sent it, the other party came back with only one word: "Yes."

She stopped texting and exhaled lightly - that's right, where else could he go if he didn't go home?Are you really going to live here with her?
She thumped her head, trying to drive away those whimsical thoughts, but it turned out that drinking was a mistake, and her mind was still in a state of confusion.

She deleted the words "Why don't you stay" before she could finish typing, and simply sent a voice message.

"I'm sorry! I drank too much today and made a lot of unreasonable demands, which made it difficult for you! I will definitely find a chance to apologize in person!"

After pressing the send button, ten seconds later, Shi Jin replied with a picture and a voice:
"I have already eaten your apology, because it is delicious, so I decided to forgive you."

The accompanying picture is the tiramisu she made this afternoon, and now there is only a small half of it left. On the side of the cake are the teddy bear "baozi" that has been returned to Zhao last time, and half of his hand holding the spoon.

Looks like mom gave him the tiramisu as a gift - have to say... well done!

But his voice was obviously a little hoarse, which made her feel very uneasy, and she couldn't help but reply:

"Is it really okay for you to be alone?"

This time, the dialog box displayed "the other party is typing" for a long time before a sentence jumped out.

"I'm not alone, I still have buns."

After a while, another one——

"This is the best New Year's Eve I have ever had, thank you, I am very happy."

It's not voice, it's typing.

Yu Mi felt that the softest part of her heart seemed to be scratched by something, it was itchy and sore, and also inexplicably sweet, which made her almost forget the reasons that made her back again and again. A word, but before he could send it, the sound of firecrackers suddenly exploded, covering all the surrounding sounds.

Zero o'clock, new year.

His WeChat came in on time:

"Happy New Year, Mimi."

She stared at the six-character blessing for a moment, then deleted the three words "me too" in the dialog box word by word, and wrote again:
"Happy New Year."

(End of this chapter)