From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

The atmosphere in the living room was relaxed and comfortable, and we continued to chat idly, letting time slip by unnoticed.

The night outside the window grew darker, and judging that it was getting late, Su Qing and I got up to say goodbye.

Hao Hao followed us all the way to the apartment building, holding my and Su Qing's hands tightly with his little hands, repeatedly reminding us to come back often, and reminding us that he remembered my promise to teach him to swim.

I crouched down and reached out to rub his soft cheeks.

"Don't worry, Godfather will definitely come to see you when he has time."

Tang Jianshan and his wife also came out and stood at the entrance of the building.

A gentle evening breeze swept by, stirring up a few fallen leaves from the ground.

The older sister looked at us and said, "Drive carefully on the road. If you want to come over, just come. I spend most of my time at home."

"Okay. Brother Tang, Sister, it's chilly outside at night, you should go upstairs and go back inside early."

They didn't turn around; they just stood at the entrance of the building, watching Su Qing and me walk out of the community gate.

……

The chill of the November night had already permeated the air completely.

Staying in the warm and cozy room, you can't feel the temperature outside.

As I stepped out of the building, a cold wind hit me in the face, and I couldn't help but shiver.

Su Qing immediately leaned against me, hooking her arm around mine, with almost half of her body pressed against my shoulder.

"Are you cold?" I looked down at her and asked softly.

"I'm fine, how about you?"

She raised her small face, the night making her features appear softer, and her breath turned into a wisp of white mist.

"It was freezing when I first came out, but I've gotten used to it now, so it's not so bad."

Su Qing raised her hand and carefully tucked the corner of my shirt, which had been turned outwards, back inside, her voice gentle and soft:

"The temperature has dropped so quickly lately, remember to wear more clothes."

"Yes, in the blink of an eye, another year is almost over."

As I gazed at the endless lights of the streets in the distance, a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including nostalgia or reflection) welled up within me.

Su Qing nodded gently, her tone soft: "That's right, but this year, I finally don't have to get through it all alone."

I tightened my grip on her arm, holding her even closer.

The two bodies were pressed tightly together, sharing their body heat, which helped to ward off the cold night wind.

"Did you always spend Chinese New Year alone in the past?" I asked her softly.

Su Qing's gaze drifted to the endless stream of cars on the road, her eyes vacant for a moment, before she nodded gently.

"After my grandma passed away, I was all alone during the Lunar New Year."

"Is it that you don't want to go back and spend the New Year with your parents?" I asked tentatively.

A faint, bitter smile appeared on her lips as she slowly shook her head.

"It's not that I'm unwilling. I actually really look forward to the whole family sitting down and having a peaceful reunion dinner. But they're always like this, one of them is busy, and the other has to go on a business trip."

"You still have to work during the Lunar New Year?" I really can't understand it. The Lunar New Year is a time for family reunion.

Su Qing seemed to be used to this, her tone so calm it was heartbreaking.

"I'm used to it. After all, celebrating the Lunar New Year is just a local custom. Their company has a lot of overseas business, and they don't celebrate the Lunar New Year abroad."

"Even if there's overseas business and people on duty, surely they can find time for a New Year's Eve dinner?"

Su Qing shrugged lightly, clearly not wanting to delve any further into the topic.

Seeing this, I wisely kept quiet and didn't press the matter further.

But I could clearly see a lingering sense of loneliness rising in her eyes.

His disappointment with his family of origin was written all over his face.

We huddled together by the roadside, standing in the cold wind, waiting for a passing taxi.

I don't know if it's because this neighborhood is in a remote location, or because fewer drivers are out and about after the temperature dropped.

We stood by the roadside for several minutes. There were many cars coming and going on the road, but we couldn't see a single empty taxi.

Having no other choice, I took out my phone, opened a ride-hailing app, and called a car.

While waiting for the car to arrive, the streetlights cast long shadows of the two of us on the cold ground.

Su Qing suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"To be honest, I never expected that Mr. and Mrs. Tang Jianshan would suggest that Hao Hao recognize you as his godfather. I was completely stunned at the dinner table just now."

My heart was filled with mixed emotions, but a warm feeling flowed through me.

At the same time, a heavy responsibility also weighed on my heart.

"I never expected that this fate would come so unexpectedly."

Su Qing turned her head to look at me and said with a smile, "But it's also good. If we have a child in the future, at least you won't be at a loss."

I was amused by her words: "What are you talking about? Hao Hao is eight years old already, what does that have to do with him?"

Su Qing's expression was very serious: "Of course it's related. At least you're slowly learning how to get along with children."

She paused for a moment, then leaned closer to me and said in a low voice:

"I'm going to tell you something, but don't be angry. Actually, many times when you're too tense and can't relax, you give people the impression... how should I describe it, that you're too mature."

After hearing her words, I felt no displeasure whatsoever.

She wasn't the only one who said that about me; my cousin used to say the same thing to me too.

Tell me to live a more relaxed life and show more of the youthful energy I should have.

I have tried, but with the burden of my mother's serious illness on my shoulders, and countless pressures in life, I often simply cannot let go.

But things are different now.

Just thinking about the days to come, and about the person standing next to me.

My heart would involuntarily fill with anticipation, and the corners of my mouth would uncontrollably turn upwards.

Without the slightest hesitation, I slowly nodded to her: "Okay, I'll listen to you. I'll try to change it in the future."

"Are you really not angry?" She blinked, her tone slightly hesitant.

"This is such a small thing, there's no need to get angry. I know you're telling the truth."

Su Qing gently rested her head on my shoulder, her body still pressed tightly against me, the evening breeze ruffling her hair and brushing against my neck.

"Of course, you're good enough. I know you're like this because you have too much on your shoulders, but at least when you're with me, you're willing to joke around with me."

I smiled, reached out and took her hand, only to find that her palm was ice cold.

I put her hand directly into my coat pocket and held her cold little hand tightly.

The evening breeze still blew in my face, carrying a chill.

But the two hands clasped together in my pocket filled me with sweetness.

I've never been in a serious relationship before, so this moment is enough to be etched in my memory for a lifetime.

I don't want to imagine the worst possible outcome, but a thought still keeps popping into my head.

If one day in the future we are not able to make it to the end.

I will remember this scene of people huddling together to ward off the cold wind on the street tonight for the rest of my life.

The phone screen lit up briefly, and the ride-hailing notification sounded.

Under the dim streetlights, I turned my head and glanced at Su Qing, who was leaning on my shoulder.

The night was gentle, and all the surrounding noise seemed to be isolated.