Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

On New Year's Eve, the two families, who were neighbors living across the hall from each other, decided to have their New Year's Eve dinner together.

The kitchen was already bustling with activity. Liu's mother and Chen's mother were cooking and preparing ingredients, chatting and laughing as the sweet aroma of sweet and sour fish and the oily fragrance of braised pork filled the house.

Liu's father and Shen's father set up a chessboard in the living room, and were fiercely battling it out on the Chu River and Han Border. They would argue heatedly over a single move from time to time, which was more interesting than the game itself.

Liu Yunshu rolled up her sleeves, wanting to help pick vegetables, but as soon as she picked up a green vegetable, Chen's mother pushed her away with a smile: "Yunshu, don't get your hands dirty. The kitchen is smoky. Go play with Shiyan for a while."

Shen Shiyan gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and led her to the living room: "Be good, just sit and wait for your meal. My mom and aunt don't want us to cause any trouble."

Liu Yunshu had no choice but to give up. Bored, she looked at Shen Shiyan and whispered in his ear, "Brother~ Yunshu is so bored~ Why don't you keep me company and do something...?"

As soon as Liu Yunshu said this, Shen Shiyan's ears turned red instantly, and he chuckled in a low voice, "Little brat, what trick are you up to now?"

Liu Yunshu grabbed his wrist and led him into the room. "There are some ancient poems I don't understand. Brother, could you... teach me?"

Shen Shiyan followed her lead into the room, and just as he closed the door behind him, Liu Yunshu pushed him to sit on the edge of the bed.

She picked up a book of classical Chinese poetry from the bookshelf, straddled him, and randomly opened it to a poem.

"Hoeing the fields at noon, sweat drips onto the soil beneath the crops."

Liu Yunshu pointed at the character "日" (sun), tilted her little face up, and looked innocently at Shen Shiyan. "Brother, what does this mean?"

He pointed to a certain word with his finger.

Shen Shiyan looked into the girl's eyes, which were so close to his own and held a sly smile.

He reached out and gently pinched her cheek, his voice slightly hoarse with helplessness: "You little rascal, asking questions you already know the answer to."

Liu Yunshu refused to give in and deliberately snuggled closer to him, her nose brushing against his collar as she softly pleaded, "I just don't understand, brother, please explain."

Shen Shiyan tightened his grip on her waist, his eyes darkened, and he whispered an explanation in her ear.

"Because the midday sun is the strongest, it can kill the weeds in the field, and the crops can grow well."

As he spoke, he gently stroked her chin with his fingertips. "However, if you keep asking like this, I'll have to teach you something else."

"Other? What other?"

"this?"

"Still this one?"

Xiao Ba, who just came back from wandering around outside: ⚆_⚆?

Which one?! You really can't get distracted while watching a show! What important plot point did I miss again?!

Why isn't there a pause button?!

Shen Shiyan tightened his grip on her waist instantly, locking her firmly in his arms.

He lowered his head, his nose touching her forehead, his hot breath mixed with laughter falling on her lips: "If you keep making a fuss, your brother won't just be 'teaching' you anymore."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Shiyan tightened his grip on the back of her head, and his warm lips were about to cover hers.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Liu's father's voice came from outside: "Yunshu, baby, come out and eat some fruit. Daddy specially washed your favorite strawberries~"

Shen Shiyan froze instantly. Liu Yunshu chuckled and extended her slender, fair fingers to press against his lips.

She glanced down at the ground and said meaningfully, "Dad called me to eat strawberries. Poor 'big' brother~"

Xiao Ba looked at Shen Shiyan from beginning to end with a puzzled expression. He was indeed very tall, but tall? What was so tall about him?

Forget it, I'll go outside and try to find some food. *slurp* Why am I not human?!

After Liu Yunshu finished speaking, she suppressed a laugh, jumped off his lap, turned around and ran towards the door, not forgetting to turn back and make a face at him.

Shen Shiyan sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples helplessly, a low chuckle escaping his throat, his eyes full of indulgence.

This little girl is getting better and better at flirting.

When Mr. Liu saw his beloved daughter come out all dressed up, he breathed a sigh of relief.

My opinion of Shen Shiyan improved just a tiny bit, only a tiny bit! Ծ‸ Ծ

"Nongnong, what are you and Ayan talking about inside?"

Liu Yunshu picked up a strawberry and put it in her mouth. "It's nothing," she mumbled, the sweet strawberry flavor spreading in her mouth.

But her eyes secretly glanced at Shen Shiyan, who had just come out of the room. "He just asked my brother a few questions about ancient poems, and he answered them very seriously."

Shen Shiyan walked over, naturally picked up a strawberry and held it to her lips, adding with a smile, "Hmm, Yun Shu learns quickly too."

His tone was so natural, as if he had just finished a serious "teaching session".

Mr. Liu looked at them with some skepticism, then pushed a whole plate of strawberries toward Liu Yunshu: "Eat more, they're freshly washed and very sweet."

As he spoke, he glared at Chen Shiyan, his eyes seeming to warn: Kid, don't try anything funny under my nose!

Shen Shiyan pretended not to see it, picked up a tissue and gently and naturally wiped the strawberry juice off Liu Yunshu's lips.

Mr. Shen sat to one side, took a sip of tea, glanced at his son, and felt that something was amiss.

Mother Liu poked her head out of the kitchen, smiling and calling out, "Old Liu! Old Chen! Come and lend a hand serving the dishes, the New Year's Eve dinner is about to begin!"

Only then did Liu's father let Shen Shiyan go, muttering "Coming, coming," and got up to walk towards the kitchen. As he passed Shen Shiyan, he didn't forget to hum a tune, just like a little rooster that had won a fight.

Shen's father followed behind Liu's father, shaking his head helplessly. This old Liu was like a child.

Suppressing a laugh, Shen Shiyan took Liu Yunshu's hand and said, "Come on, let's go help set the table."

As soon as the two entered the kitchen, they were enveloped by the aroma that filled the house.

The sweet and sour fish was golden and glistening, the braised pork was stewed until tender and flavorful, and there was also Liu Yunshu's favorite stir-fried asparagus, all arranged on the plate in a vibrant green.

As Mrs. Shen was setting the last dish of garlic vermicelli shrimp on the table, she saw them come in and said with a smile, "Perfect timing. The bowls and chopsticks are in the sterilizer; you two can set them out."

Just as Liu Yunshu picked up her chopsticks, Shen Shiyan stopped her, saying, "Be careful, it's hot. Let me do it."

He skillfully took out the bowls and chopsticks, set them out one by one, and even moved Liu Yunshu's bowls and plates to the place where she usually sat.

Looking at his profile, Liu Yunshu felt a sweet warmth in her heart. She secretly pinched his waist. Shen Shiyan turned to look at her, his eyes full of smiles.

Soon, a table full of dishes was laid out, and the two families sat down together.

Father Shen raised his glass first: "Come on, let's celebrate the New Year together as two families! I wish the children all the best in their studies, and I wish both our families continued prosperity!"

"Cheers!" The clinking of glasses was crisp and pleasant. Liu Yunshu took a sip of juice.

Just as she put down her cup, she saw her father place the largest piece of braised pork into her bowl: "Eat more, it'll help you recover."

As she spoke, she reluctantly placed a piece of pork rib on Shen Shiyan's plate, saying, "You eat too, don't just look at Yun Shu."

Shen Shiyan smiled and thanked him, "Thank you, Uncle."

He carefully removed the bones from the ribs and quietly placed them into Liu Yunshu's bowl. Liu Yunshu looked up at him, and the two smiled at each other, their understanding unspoken.

Shen's parents and Liu's mother nodded in satisfaction at the scene before them, while Liu's father kept muttering to himself.

After dinner, the sound of firecrackers went off one after another outside.

Liu Yunshu's eyes lit up, and she grabbed Shen Shiyan's hand: "Let's go set off fireworks!" Shen Shiyan nodded: "Okay, I'll go get the fireworks, wait for me."

He had just reached the door when he saw Liu's father carrying out a bundle of fireworks, muttering, "I prepared this for you a long time ago, the kind you loved to play with when you were little."

Liu Yunshu ran over excitedly: "Dad, you're so kind!"

Mr. Liu beamed with joy at his daughter's praise, but then turned sternly to Shen Shiyan and said, "Keep an eye on Yun Shu. Don't let her get too close to the fireworks. Be careful."

"Don't worry, Uncle." Shen Shiyan took the fireworks and pulled Liu Yunshu toward the open space in the community.

Under the night sky, dazzling fireworks bloomed overhead, red, yellow, and purple, illuminating Liu Yunshu's smiling face.

She looked up at the fireworks when Shen Shiyan suddenly hugged her from behind, his chin resting on the top of her head, and whispered, "Yun Shu, Happy New Year."

Liu Yunshu turned around, gently pecked him on the lips, and said with a smile, "Happy New Year, brother."

Not far away, Liu's father and Shen's father leaned against the railing, watching the two people in the distance.

Mr. Liu snorted, "You brat, you still managed to kidnap my daughter."

Mr. Shen smiled and patted his shoulder: "As long as the kids are happy, that's all that matters. Besides, our two families live right across from each other, it's very close."

Liu's mother and Shen's mother stood aside, watching the children's backs, their faces full of gratified smiles.

Fireworks continued to bloom under the night sky, and warm laughter echoed in the air. This New Year was made especially warm because of each other.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

this day.

Liu Yunshu dragged Shen Shiyan out to play, saying she was going to take him to a "secret base".

Shen Shiyan stared silently at the old iron gate in front of him, half-hidden by vines, with half a faded red rope still hanging from the rusty iron rings on the gate.

He turned his head to look at Liu Yunshu beside him, whose eyes were full of expectation, a smile in his eyes: "This is the secret base you were talking about?"

The iron gate creaked open, revealing a small courtyard paved with bluestone slabs. In the corner stood several pots of succulents she had grown as a child, which, though somewhat wilted, were still alive.

Under the old locust tree at the very back, there was an old swing painted blue, its wooden edges worn smooth.

Liu Yunshu walked over to the swing and sat down, gently rocking it. "Once, I was bullied by older students and ran here to hide. You looked for me all afternoon and finally found me curled up in a ball here."

Shen Shiyan walked over and gently pushed the swing rope, his gaze tender: "I remember, that day your eyes were swollen like walnuts, and you wouldn't admit you cried, saying that sand got in your eyes."

"No way!" Liu Yunshu's cheeks flushed, and she reached out to slap his arm. "It was you who insisted on blowing on my eyes, and it made my nose itchy."

Liu Yunshu looked up at Chen Shiyan, "Brother~ Let's swing today~"