Chapter 10: Fireworks at the Zhou Estate

It was nearly midnight by the time she got home.

Song Yushu took a shower and was about to go to bed when her mother called from overseas.

She sat down at the vanity, picked up her phone, and held it to her ear. "Mom."

"It's the middle of the night over there, isn't it? Why are you still up?"

"Just got back."

Qin Ling's scolding voice came through the line. "You're a girl living alone—try not to go out at night."

"Mm, I know."

"My flight lands next Monday. Remember to pick me up. This year you're coming with me to your grandmother's for New Year."

"Okay."

She chatted with her mother for a few more minutes, then said she needed to shower and ended the call.

Ever since her mother immigrated to Singapore, she rarely came back for New Year. This time it was probably Grandmother who'd asked.

-

She'd gone to bed too late the night before, so she overslept and was late getting up the next morning.

Song Yushu was stuck in traffic when her father called to hurry her along—and give her an earful.

"You really are my own daughter, playing games with your old man, huh? I just transferred you to the secretary's office and you're already late!"

She explained helplessly, "It's just this once. I'm almost there."

"Hurry up. Meeting in half an hour."

"Okay."

She hung up and set the phone aside. The road finally cleared, only for her to hit another red light.

She rolled down the window to get some air.

Suddenly, a horn sounded from the car beside her.

Song Yushu instinctively glanced over and saw the black Cullinan next to her. Its window slowly rolled down, revealing Zhou Yancheng's face.

"What a coincidence—driving yourself to the office today?"

Her tone was calm, like she was chatting with an old friend.

The corner of Zhou Yancheng's mouth curved up slightly. He gave a faint "Mm."

Three seconds left on the red light. Zhou Yancheng glanced at it, then looked back at her. "Heading off first."

Song Yushu nodded and gave him a polite smile.

She watched Zhou Yancheng tear across the intersection like a gust of wind, while she turned the wheel right and pulled into another street.

Hands on the wheel, driving at a steady speed, she looked at the blue sky and thought that maybe someday she'd attend Zhou Yancheng's wedding. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

This was actually pretty good. Some feelings were best kept hidden in your heart—a greeting when you ran into each other now and then was enough.

-

Monday came quickly. Qin Ling's flight landed at seven in the evening.

By the time Song Yushu picked up her mother and drove back into the city, it was nearly nine, so they just found a random restaurant for dinner.

"I'll stay at your place tonight. Tomorrow we go to your grandmother's."

"Sure."

By the time they finished eating and got home, it was past ten. She was actually pretty tired, so she sprawled on the couch and checked WeChat for any work messages.

"Mom, I'm gonna shower and go to bed. You should sleep early too."

But Qin Ling sat down beside her and pulled out her phone, scrolling through her photo album. "Hold on, I need to tell you something."

She sat up, still playing with her phone. "What is it?"

"I want to introduce you to someone. This kid here—take a look, what do you think?" Qin Ling pulled up an ID photo and handed it to her.

Song Yushu looked up and took her mother's phone. The man in the photo was quite presentable.

She handed the phone back and asked casually, "He's alright. Who is he?"

"Your aunt introduced him. He runs in the same circles as the Zhou family—probably knows that Zhou Yancheng kid too. His family's in politics. Since you think he's acceptable, I'll set up a meeting after New Year."

Song Yushu was speechless.

When did she ever say she found him acceptable?

"Mom, I'm still young. I don't want to go on blind dates."

Qin Ling: "Tch! Blind date, schmind date. I'm just introducing you two—you can talk amongst yourselves. I'm not going to force you into a relationship."

Song Yushu sighed helplessly and got up to head to the bedroom. "I'm going to shower and sleep. I have work tomorrow."

"It's a week till New Year. What work? I'll have your dad give you time off."

Her mother's dismissive snort came from behind her.

Song Yushu looked back. "I don't want Dad to look down on me."

-

She'd never found the week before New Year so unbearable. Work was really busy—especially for a 'nepotism hire' like Song Yushu. Her father deliberately piled on tasks to train her abilities.

A couple of days ago it had snowed, and the temperature dropped sharply. It was freezing—luckily it warmed up again by New Year's Eve.

This year she didn't have to spend New Year at the Song house, and didn't have to face her stepmother and those two stepbrothers. She was actually a little excited for New Year's Day.

"Jiaojiao, come help wrap dumplings! It's your favorite three-fresh filling," Qin Ling called out from the living room.

Song Yushu got up. "Oh, let me wash my hands first."

She'd just stepped into the bathroom when her father called—probably to urge her to come home for New Year.

She answered. "Dad."

"You're not planning to come home for New Year's Eve dinner?"

"Mom's back. I'm at Grandma's. Happy New Year to you all."

Song Lei's sigh came through the phone. "Come back first thing tomorrow morning. Your grandparents miss you."

"Mm, got it."

She hung up, washed her hands, and walked out of the bathroom toward the dining room.

Her mother and grandmother had already started wrapping dumplings. Song Yushu walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Her phone rang again—Li Xinyan calling.

Her grandmother chuckled beside her. "Such a busy bee."

She smiled at her and answered, "Happy New Year's Eve."

"Happy happy! Don't forget to go to the Zhou house to watch the fireworks. Head out early—I'm on my way to play mahjong with Xiao Anzi right now."

Song Yushu hesitated. "Do you think it's appropriate for us to go? Jiang Wei might feel bad about it."

"Oh please. Jiang Wei's way more chill than that—she went abroad with her family."

Hearing that, she relaxed a little. "Alright then."

"Dress up nice. I heard Zhou Yancheng's buddies are all coming tonight—every one of them an elite, tsk tsk..."

Song Yushu let out a soft laugh. "Got it."

Fine, she'd go. If she really did meet someone suitable, then she wouldn't have to listen to her mother's matchmaking arrangements.

-

After dinner it was six o'clock. Song Yushu changed clothes, put on light makeup, and set off for the Zhou family estate.

The fireworks wouldn't start until after midnight, but it took at least an hour to drive to the estate from here, so she had to leave early.

She'd just gotten into the car and buckled her seatbelt when a WeChat group message popped up.

She picked up her phone and tapped the screen. Li Xinyan had sent a photo—several mahjong tables set up in the reception hall, filled with young talents.

Zhou Yancheng was at one of the tables too, brows furrowed, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His features were sharp and refined—very sexy.

Honestly, every man in that photo was more handsome and aristocratic than the last, but she'd still noticed Zhou Yancheng first. Usually refined and gentlemanly, right now he looked a bit more wild and roguish.

A message popped up in the group chat.

Li Xinyan: All total hunks!!! Damn, regret getting a boyfriend so early!

Jiang Wei: Are you sick?! Why'd you take such a hot photo of that scumbag Zhou!

Li Xinyan: That's just how he looks. No matter how I shoot, I can't get an ugly one.

Jiang Wei: The table on the left is all pretty handsome. Go get their WeChat for Jiaojiao.

Li Xinyan: I already asked around. Everyone at this table is single.

Song Yushu looked at their chat log and replied with a few words, smiling.

Song Yushu: On my way. Wait for me.