148: New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve delivery was predictably painfully slow. It wasn't until almost eight o'clock that the grilled fish, pizza, crayfish, and various snacks arrived one after another.

The four of them sat around the dining table. Jiang Ye and Ye Cheng sat on one side, while Lin Wanxing and Su Ning sat on the other.

Ye Cheng noticed the cake on the edge of the table and was somewhat surprised. "Is it someone's birthday today?"

Lin Wanxing pointed at Su Ning, who was busy pouring juice for everyone. "It's Xiao Su. She said today is her birthday."

Ye Cheng let out an "Oh" and didn't ask further.

Hmm... Little Green Tea's birthday today, so I won't pick on her.

Once all the food was laid out and the juice glasses were filled, the three girls simultaneously turned their gazes toward Jiang Ye, as if waiting for him, the "Head of the Household," to speak.

Seeing this situation, Jiang Ye chuckled lightly and raised his paper cup.

"Alright, I'll say a few words. First, to celebrate Student Su Ning's happy birthday, although the authenticity of this birthday is yet to be verified..."

He caught sight of Su Ning pouting and continued with a smile. "Second, to celebrate the four of us spending the last day of this year together in this... um, unexpected way. Here's to an early Happy New Year! Cheers!"

"Happy birthday!"

"Happy New Year!"

The four of them raised their glasses together, and the atmosphere finally became a bit more lively. Everyone started digging into the feast.

As Jiang Ye helped himself to a piece of grilled fish, he looked at Lin Wanxing and Su Ning.

"Coach Lin, Miss Su, how's the house hunting going? Do you still need any major appliances or shared items? Don't be shy, just say so. I'll buy them all together later."

Su Ning blinked and immediately took over the conversation. "Little Brother, we've already been through thick and thin together! No need to be so formal~ Just call me Xiao Su like Sister Wanxing does, or... you can call me Ning Ning too!"

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Cheng Cheng sitting diagonally across from her.

"Alright, Xiao Su it is."

Jiang Ye then looked at Lin Wanxing. "Wanxing, what about you? If you need anything, don't hesitate, just say it."

Lin Wanxing, who had suddenly been upgraded from "Coach Lin" to "Wanxing," paused the hand holding her chopsticks.

She glanced at Ye Cheng, who seemed completely absorbed in peeling shrimp and indifferent to their conversation, then at Jiang Ye's natural expression, and hesitantly spoke up.

"Mr. Jiang, I..."

Before she could finish, Jiang Ye interrupted her. "Wanxing, don't be so formal either. Just call me like Cheng Cheng and Xiao Su do."

"Right, hubby is correct."

Ye Cheng casually chimed in as she placed the peeled shrimp meat into Jiang Ye's bowl. "Coach Lin, don't be so formal. Just call him 'hubby' like I do. It sounds more intimate."

"..."

Lin Wanxing's breath hitched, instantly recalling the fear of being dominated by these two at the Police Station entrance that day. A shiver ran down her spine.

She instinctively looked at Su Ning for support, only to see Su Ning wearing an expression that screamed, 'Little Brother is my exclusive nickname, you're not allowed to call him that,' making her even more speechless.

After struggling for a long time, she finally managed to find a compromise. "Um... I'll just call you by your name, Jiang Ye."

She paused, then voiced her concerns.

"Jiang Ye, do you really think it's convenient for Xiao Su and me to live here? If you feel it's inconvenient, or if Miss Ye feels it's inconvenient, we can look for another place. It's really okay."

"Coach Lin, you really don't need to worry about me."

Before Jiang Ye could speak, Ye Cheng shrugged nonchalantly, magnanimous to an outrageous degree. "I'm usually at school and don't come back often. I won't disturb you three living your lives together."

Lin Wanxing: "..." (How do I respond to that? It seems like any response would be wrong.)

Su Ning immediately chimed in, persuading her. "Sister Wanxing, see? Even Sister said so. Don't overthink it!"

Lin Wanxing: "..." (Xiao Su, can't you hear the second half of what she said?)

"Yeah, Wanxing, don't worry about it. Just stay here."

Jiang Ye agreed, then looked at Ye Cheng with a hint of reproach. "But Cheng Cheng, next time you plan to come back, remember to give a heads-up beforehand. Don't pull another surprise attack like this."

Ye Cheng pouted and picked up a new crayfish. "Fine, fine, I got it. Next time I come over, I'll message you an hour in advance. Is that enough?"

"An hour is a bit tight..."

Jiang Ye stroked his chin, thoughtfully shaking his head. "Make it two hours. I need time to tidy up beforehand, try not to get caught by you."

Listening to words that sounded fine on the surface but felt off upon closer thought, and seeing their matter-of-fact expressions, Lin Wanxing felt momentarily dazed.

If everyone is like this, could it be that they're actually the normal ones? And I'm the abnormal one?

Is this abstract style the main theme of this world? Am I the misfit, the 'Fake Person'?

Seeing Lin Wanxing holding her chopsticks lost in thought, Su Ning cleared her throat and spoke up as if casually.

"By the way, Sister Ye, Sister Wanxing and I have already picked our rooms. Even though you don't come often, should we save a south-facing secondary bedroom for you? We don't mind whether we take the south or north bedroom."

Ye Cheng raised an eyebrow, picking up on the probing tone in Su Ning's words.

She took a sip of juice, very naturally reached out to hook her arm through Jiang Ye's, lightly rested her head on his shoulder, and said with a smile.

"No need for the trouble. When I come over, I sleep with my hubby anyway. You two can settle into the secondary bedrooms without worry. I'll take the master bedroom."

"..."

Listening to their "united and friendly" conversation, Jiang Ye clicked his tongue inwardly and silently stuffed a mouthful of grilled chives into his mouth.

Compete, go all out, no need to consider me at all!

I'm a mature man. I'll find my own ways to replenish my energy!

————

The rest of the meal proceeded in this A subtle and harmonious atmosphere.

After eating, the four of them cleaned up the table together, opened the cake, and lit the candles.

Jiang Ye led everyone in singing "Happy Birthday" to a hesitant Su Ning, forced her to make a wish and blow out the candles, successfully completing this fake birthday celebration.

As time approached midnight, faint cheers from the distant square countdown and sporadic fireworks began to drift in from outside the window.

The TV was also broadcasting the New Year's Eve Gala, with the hosts and audience counting down together: "Ten, nine, eight, seven..."

When the shouts of "three, two, one" coincided with the New Year's bell, even more dazzling fireworks bloomed in the night sky outside the window.

"Happy New Year!"

Su Ning seemed particularly excited, pulling Lin Wanxing to the window to watch the fireworks.

Jiang Ye and Ye Cheng also walked over. The four of them stood side by side in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the city nightscape illuminated by neon lights and fireworks.

After staying a while longer, Lin Wanxing checked the time and stood up to say goodbye. "Jiang Ye, Miss Ye, Xiao Su and I should head back now. We'll come over again tomorrow once the things we bought arrive."

Su Ning also stood up. "Little Brother, Sister Ye, we're off then! Happy New Year!"

"Alright, be careful on your way back. Let me know if you need help moving tomorrow."

"No need, no need. We don't have much stuff. We can manage on our own," Lin Wanxing quickly waved her hands.

Ye Cheng also smiled and nodded at them. "Be careful on your way. Good night."

The two walked to the door, changed their shoes, waved back at Jiang Ye and Ye Cheng, then turned and left.

The door closed, leaving only Jiang Ye and Ye Cheng in the room.

After the noisy, the sudden quiet made the atmosphere somewhat ambiguous. The sound of fireworks outside the window seemed even clearer.