Chapter 508: New Year's Eve
Inside the house, warm yellow light shines softly, giving this small space a layer of warm golden edge.
Wang Jianguo, He Yushui and Zhao Shuzhuo sat around the old wooden round table. The dishes on the table had lost their steaming heat when they were first served, but the wine in the glasses was still rippling slightly, shimmering with light.
Outside the window, the night sky in the distance is lit up by gorgeous fireworks from time to time. Colorful light and shadows are projected in through the gaps in the window, interweaving with the lights in the house, creating a dreamy yet extremely real New Year atmosphere.
As the alcohol gradually took over their bodies, the three of them opened up and started a deep exchange about life.
He Yushui narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in memories, and slowly began to talk about his ups and downs at work over the years.
From the various injustices encountered when first starting out, to slowly gaining a foothold with an unyielding spirit, the hardships and persistence involved have all turned into the sighs in his mouth at this moment.
Zhao Shuzhuo gently shook the wine glass in his hand, his eyes revealing a bit of depth, as he shared his own tortuous journey in love.
The people missed over the years, the silly things done for love, and the joy of finally finding true love, can't help but move others.
Wang Jianguo listened quietly, sometimes nodding in agreement, sometimes sighing for his old friend's experience, and the wine glass in his hand was inadvertently raised again and again, bringing it to his lips, letting the spicy wine stimulate his taste buds and his thoughts drift away.
The old-fashioned wall clock made a slight ticking sound, which was easily drowned out by laughter and joy on weekdays. But at this moment, it was like the sound of a countdown, clearly striking everyone's heart.
Wang Jianguo subconsciously looked up and saw that the hour hand and minute hand were being moved quickly by an invisible hand and were about to overlap. The sound of twelve o'clock seemed to have already rung in his ears.
In an instant, a complex and strong emotion surged in his heart, including reluctance and emotion for the past year, as well as expectation and longing for the new year.
Today is the most important festival of the year - Chinese New Year. At this special time of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, and reuniting with the family, the weight of family affection weighs even more heavily on Wang Jianguo's heart.
Yu Li's gentle face instantly emerged in his mind. Even though she was trapped in that mysterious space at the moment, every moment of their past interactions was playing before his eyes like a movie.
When he wakes up in the morning, Yu Li is busy preparing breakfast for him; when he encounters setbacks, Yu Li gives him a warm hug and encouraging words, all of which are the most precious treasures in his heart.
There is also his younger sister Li Dujuan. Over the years, the two have supported and cared for each other. Their friendship has long surpassed that of ordinary siblings.
Now, everyone has finally gathered together in this festive New Year. Even if Yu Li is temporarily trapped, he will return to the room, as if he can feel her presence as long as he is in that space.
It would also be a good opportunity to have a good chat with my sister Li Dujuan and others about the past year, so that the feeling of reunion would become stronger through words.
Inside the house, the lights were dim and warm, and the air was filled with the lingering aroma of food and a faint scent of wine.
Wang Jianguo realized that the time was almost up. He was worried about Yu Li and her sister Li Dujuan who were trapped in the space, so he came up with a plan and decided to pretend to be drunk and leave first.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and his body began to sway. He raised his hand to support his forehead, as if he was drunk. He spoke to Zhao Shuzhuo and He Yushui, who were still in high spirits:
"Hey, you two, look at the time. We've been eating, drinking and chatting for a while. Before we knew it, we've had enough wine and food. The most important thing is, we've almost reached the age of 50."
As he spoke, he deliberately burped and glanced at the wall clock. The hour and minute hands were almost pointing to twelve o'clock.
"We've been busy all year, and finally the New Year is here. We need to rest and recuperate. Tomorrow, we have to get up early to pay New Year's greetings to Director Song and his friends. We can't be vague about this kind of interpersonal relationship."
As Wang Jianguo spoke, he pretended to stand unsteadily, holding onto the edge of the table, and slowly stood up.
"I'm really drunk right now. My head is buzzing and I can hardly open my eyes. I can't hold on any longer. I have to go back and rest first."
His tone was a bit drunken and drawling, yet also revealed an unquestionable determination.
As soon as Wang Jianguo finished speaking, He Yushui followed suit and waved her hands, with a faint blush on her face, which was a reaction to the alcohol.
She shook her head slightly, as if trying to sober herself up, and said:
"That's right. I can't do it now. I feel dizzy as soon as I stand up, as if I'm walking on cotton."
As she spoke, she staggered a little, and finally steadying herself by holding onto the back of the chair beside her.
"I have to go back and rest too. I've been eating, drinking and chatting all night, which has exhausted my energy."
Having said that, He Yushui looked at Zhao Shuzhuo and continued with a somewhat apologetic and coquettish tone:
"Brother Shuzhuo, let's put the leftovers here for now. I'll come back to clean them up tomorrow when I'm sober and energetic. Please don't be disgusted."
He Yushui knew very well that Zhao Shuzhuo always loved cleanliness and tidiness, and he hated a messy desk the most on weekdays, but at the moment he really didn't have the energy to clean up, so he could only plead for mercy.
Zhao Shuzhuo couldn't help but laugh when he saw this. He knew that the two of them might have some plans, but since it was New Year's Day, he didn't want to expose them, so he nodded tolerantly:
"Alright, alright, go back and have a rest. I know you're tired. I'll clean up the table. Don't worry about it."
Zhao Shuzhuo's voice was calm and generous, with a brotherly care.
"Don't get up too late to pay New Year's greetings tomorrow, or you'll miss the time."
He added one more sentence, which brought this short separation to an end.
When Wang Jianguo heard what Zhao Shuzhuo said, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but on the surface he pretended to be even more drunk, muttering:
"Then I'll leave it to Brother Shuzhuo."
Wang Jianguo acted very well in pretending to be drunk. He first stood up unsteadily, and it looked as if the alcohol had completely paralyzed his body's balance function. His feet were weak and he staggered with every step.
Seeing this, He Yushui stood up too, but after all, girls can only drink a limited amount of alcohol. When she stood up, the alcohol took effect on her. She felt her head spinning and her body lost support in an instant, falling to the side like a kite with a broken string.
Wang Jianguo was quick-witted and quick-handed. He took a step forward and held He Yushui firmly with his hand.
At this time, He Yushui's cheeks were as red as ripe apples, her eyes were blurred, and she was mumbling something like "I'm fine, just a little dizzy".