Chapter 244: National Competition ①
Nie Qiu and Nie Aifang had been living together for several months, and sometimes they even had a bit of tacit understanding. For example, now, when Nie Qiu was asking Li Kai if he wanted to eat, Nie Aifang was also asking Li Mingxue if she wanted to eat.
Li Mingxue and Li Kai had come after eating, but before Li Mingxue could answer Nie Aifang, Li Kai replied to Nie Qiu, “We haven’t eaten yet.” Actually, he wanted to eat the dumplings Nie Qiu made.
After looking at Li Kai, who was standing at the doorway with his slippers on, several times, Li Mingxue gave Nie Aifang an awkward smile.
Hearing that guests had arrived, Nie Aiwen also came out from the balcony. He paused when he saw Li Mingxue and frowned. He remembered that just a few days ago, this person had confessed to him in tears. He felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable. Li Mingxue was in her twenties. To be honest, even if he didn’t consider her a daughter, he had always treated this girl like a younger sister. He had always taken special care of this intern at his company, though he wasn’t unique in that regard; he gave opportunities to every intern who performed well. The reason he and Li Mingxue had more contact was mostly due to her finding help to pretend to be a couple.
He had never expected Li Mingxue to confess to him, because he knew that she clearly knew who he liked, and she knew everything.
When Li Mingxue saw Nie Aiwen, a hint of awkwardness also appeared on her face. Her internship period was over, and with Nie Aiwen’s suggestion, her performance review for management was rated excellent. With this internship assessment, finding a job would certainly not be difficult, whether it was to work in her own company or another, even if she were given a position of great responsibility, she would be able to command respect.
Therefore, before leaving the company, she confessed her feelings to Nie Aiwen. Yes, she liked this man who was ten years older than her. Even though she knew it was impossible, she still said it. In her opinion, once it was said, it would be over. Once it was said, she could let go and move on, and she could let go of this relationship and slowly find her new life.
Although she felt she could let go after saying it, Li Mingxue still couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward when she encountered Nie Aiwen now.
However, after only a second of awkwardness, Li Mingxue smiled and said, “Boss, Happy New Year.”
Nie Aiwen smiled and nodded, “Thank you, Happy New Year.”
Hearing Li Mingxue say Happy New Year, Li Kai finally reacted. He took out a gift from the gifts he brought from home and handed it to Nie Aifang, smiling, “Auntie, Happy New Year, congratulations and be prosperous.”
Nie Aifang was stunned for a moment. She took the gift bag from Li Kai’s hand and then started to feel for her purse. Since she wasn’t in her hometown, and there weren’t many children coming and going, she hadn’t prepared red envelopes every year. Now, she felt a bit awkward. She took out a hundred yuan from her purse and handed it to Li Kai, “Happy New Year, here, this is an auntie’s red envelope for you. Take it to buy some study materials or something.” She still didn’t like Li Kai, but it was the New Year, and she just wanted some festive cheer.
“Thank you, Auntie.” Li Kai was not polite. Before Li Mingxue could stop him, he extended his hands and took it, putting it into his purse. To him, this hundred yuan was not much. Compared to the people who came to his house to pay New Year calls and bring gifts, this hundred yuan was not even as good as the worst gift they brought. But this was given by Nie Aifang, and Nie Aifang was Nie Qiu’s mom.
Every channel on the National Television Station was replaying last night’s Spring Festival Gala, Nie Aifang invited Li Mingxue and Li Kai to sit down, asked Nie Qiu and Nie Aiwen to accompany them, and went to cook.
Nie Qiu pulled Nie Aifang and said with a smile, “Mom, you just sit here, I’ll cook.”
Li Mingxue also said with a smile, “Yes! Elder Sister, just let Nie Qiu cook, let Nie Qiu get more practice.”
After hearing Li Mingxue’s words, Nie Aifang sat down and instructed Nie Qiu on what to do before watching Nie Qiu enter the kitchen. Li Kai, who was holding a handful of sunflower seeds given by Nie Aifang, put the seeds on the coffee table and stood up, “Auntie, I’ll go to the kitchen to help Nie Qiu.” Without waiting for Nie Aifang to speak, he walked into the kitchen.
It was cold in winter, so people wore more clothes. Although most households in City A had heating, the outdoors did not, and the house Nie Qiu and the others rented also did not have heating. As soon as Li Kai entered the kitchen, he closed the door. He looked around and took out a small box from his down jacket, handing it to Nie Qiu, who was about to turn on the gas, “Nie Qiu, this is for you. Happy New Year.”
He had wanted to give it to her when he gave her chocolate earlier, but it was still inside the zipper of his down jacket, and he hadn’t taken it out yet. Nie Aifang then looked at them and asked if they had eaten, so he didn’t dare to make a move.
Nie Qiu was stunned and looked at the rectangular box in Li Kai’s hand.
Li Kai smiled and opened the box. Inside lay a metallic white chain, with a four-leaf clover pendant made of green jade. Even Nie Qiu, who didn’t know much about jade, could tell that this piece of jade was very good. She hadn’t expected Li Kai to come to their house today. Although she had also thought about preparing New Year gifts for Li Kai and Huang Yan, she had planned to give them gifts when school started. Looking at the gift Li Kai gave her, she said a little embarrassed, “But I… but I didn’t prepare a New Year gift.”
“It’s okay,” Li Kai smiled and said, “Will you accompany me to watch the fireworks by the Chunhe River later? I’ve invited Zhang Haiyang and the others. Auntie will definitely agree.”
As Li Kai had said, after eating the dumplings Nie Qiu made, Huang Yan came to knock on the door. Nie Aifang trusted Huang Yan immensely. As soon as she saw Huang Yan asking Nie Qiu to go out and play, she immediately agreed. After the three of them went downstairs, they saw Zhang Haiyang standing under the streetlight, rubbing his hands.
New Year’s Eve was originally spent at home, and the time after the New Year was for visiting relatives and friends. When they were children, everyone liked to visit relatives and get New Year’s money. But when they reached the age where they would be scolded for taking New Year’s money, most people didn’t like visiting relatives anymore. Instead, they preferred to hang out with friends.
Although it was the first day of the New Year, quite a few shopfronts had already opened. The lights were bright and colorful, looking exceptionally beautiful.
The Chunhe River is a long river that separates City A and City B on both banks. Many people set off fireworks on both banks, hoping that their relatives on the other side would see the splendor and beauty.
After all, it was winter, and the cold was a bit extreme. The four of them walked huddled together. Zhang Haiyang and Li Kai walked in the wind to shield Huang Yan and Nie Qiu from it. The fireworks were the same as yesterday, fleeting, and colorful.
When they reached the place to watch the fireworks, Zhang Haiyang made an excuse about needing to use the toilet and walked away. Soon, from somewhere, some classmates holding small candles emerged and arranged them around Nie Qiu, Huang Yan, and Li Kai, forming a heart shape.
So cliché! So very cliché!
