She quickly put on a cheerful, obedient smile, even adding a hint of reluctance. "Of course I miss you, Mom. But I've been swamped with homework, hardly getting enough sleep at night. I'm not familiar with Manchester either, and I have a ton of holiday assignments. I'm worried I'll fall behind when school starts."
"It's fine to spend the New Year here. Grandparents and everyone treat me well. If you have other plans, just go ahead and don't worry about me."
"Are you sure?" Xia Chun's voice turned cold as she confirmed.
Ji Shuhe nodded. "Say hi to Grandma and Grandpa for me. When I get into a good college, I'll definitely go see them!"
Xia Chun looked at her well-behaved, sensible daughter on the screen and felt that something had changed.
...She seemed livelier. In the past, she wouldn't have said so much meaningless fluff. No, in the past, her Xiao Shu would have just nodded and asked when they were leaving.
Why did she want to stay in Xinhai? Did she really want to be in that place? Did she... like it there?
Xia Chun immediately dismissed the thought. What was there to like about a rundown place with moldy walls, drafty aluminum window frames, and a maze-like layout?
"Alright. If you don't want to go, I won't force you. I'll send the holiday money to your grandparents. I'll come back to see you after the New Year."
Ji Shuhe finally breathed a sigh of relief, and so did the two eavesdroppers inside the room.
Especially Wen Shaoyu. The mere thought that Ji Shuhe's clumsy excuse might have something to do with him—even just a little—made his heart race. He felt like running out and sprinting a few laps just to release the surging hormones.
"Okay. Don't worry, Mom. I'll take good care of myself!"
From that point on, the smile on Ji Shuhe's face became genuine. When Xia Chun realized this, her mood soured.
It was as if something she had once held tightly in her hand had slipped away unnoticed, becoming uncontrollable.
Ji Shuhe was determined to spend the New Year in Xinhai. Apart from reasons related to Wen Shaoyu, this would be everyone's last Spring Festival in Yong'anli.
By this time next year, whether it was the lottery-selected apartment or the one bought with subsidy money, they would definitely be able to move in... Maybe they would celebrate the New Year in a spacious new apartment building.
By then, Wen Shaoyu and Ji Shulang would already be in college. Barring any surprises, they would both choose local universities in Xinhai. Ji Shulang would finally have his own room and would definitely come home on weekends. As for Wen Shaoyu...
Maybe he wouldn't be as easy to gather with as now, but he probably wouldn't live too far away. She would find a way to reach him.
About Wen Shaoyu, Ji Shuhe didn't dare to hope for too much.
Their relationship now was more like two little animals seeking comfort from each other. Outside the leaky shelter, the wind blew and the rain poured. They huddled close, licking each other's wounds when they got hurt.
They would stare too long while the other spoke, then look away when caught. There were deliberate yet casual touches—fingertips brushing the back of a hand as if nothing had happened.
The way they were together felt deeper than a crush, more than just adolescent flutters and heartbeats. It was like they had known each other for years, dependent on each other's presence out of habit.
They were too familiar. Even when their affection showed on their faces, no one found it strange. And both knew it, but neither said a word.
Neither planned to break the thin veil just yet.
It was a tacit understanding, but why?
One day, Ji Shuhe sat at a round table by the window of a chain coffee shop. Her test papers and homework were spread out, and across from her were someone's backpack and coat.
She propped her head up, watching young couples her age walking arm in arm outside. She thought hard but couldn't find a self-consistent answer.
So why?
"What are you thinking about?"
A hand suddenly blocked her view, stopping just short of her eyes.
She knew who it was. Grabbing his wrist, she pulled his hand down in annoyance. "Immature."
"You're almost two years younger than me, and you're calling me mature?" Wen Shaoyu placed his coffee on the empty space at the round table and sat down opposite her. "I heard from Grandma Ji that your dad is coming to Xinhai for the New Year in a couple of days?"
Ji Shuhe hadn't expected him to bring that up. She picked up her coffee and brought the straw to her lips. "Yeah, he might have time this year."
"You're not happy?" Wen Shaoyu pressed.
Ji Shuhe released the straw she'd been chewing on, looked down, and let out a soft sigh. "I don't talk to him much. When he comes, I'm not sure... how to act."
Wen Shaoyu stared at her without a word.
Under his gaze, Ji Shuhe gave up struggling. She forced a bitter smile and spoke her true thoughts. "Before I came to Xinhai, before I entered Yong'anli, I did a lot of mental preparation. How to get along with Grandma and Grandpa, how to make sure Uncle, Auntie, and Cousin didn't hate me. Who would've thought..."
"Now I have to prepare just to see my own father." She sighed again and looked up at Wen Shaoyu. "Isn't that strange?"
"Not strange at all." Wen Shaoyu leaned back, his hand resting on the edge of the table, fingers tapping rhythmically. "He called me yesterday. Said he'd pick me up on New Year's Eve to go to his place."
Ji Shuhe's heart tightened. She was about to ask when Wen Shaoyu, as if expecting it, answered, "I agreed."
She didn't need to ask why. Ji Shuhe understood. And in that moment, she finally realized the answer to the question she had been pondering.
Because they treasured it too much.
And their future still held too many uncertainties.