Chapter 76: Whispers in the Snow

The streetlights along the road were already glowing.

Thick snowflakes settled on the embracing couple. Perhaps from waiting so long, Han Wenwen’s hair was dusted with white.

Lin Zheng Ran asked with his usual confusion, “What are you up to now?”

But this time, Han Wenwen clutched his clothes tightly, her face buried in his chest: “I thought Brother Zheng Ran wasn’t coming.”

Her voice was different from usual, tinged with a slight choke.

Lin Zheng Ran knew about her childhood and quickly understood. He gently held her shoulders and pulled her back from his embrace.

There, he saw Han Wenwen’s reluctant, slightly red fox-like eyes fixed on him.

Lin Zheng Ran let out a breath and said, “I’ve never broken a promise in my life. Besides, if you were waiting, couldn’t you have done it at home? The room has windows, after all.”

Han Wenwen bit her lip slowly, then smiled suddenly: “I was scared, afraid I wouldn’t see you tonight. So I hurried down to wait.”

Lin Zheng Ran paused—this little fox was brutally honest. He teased, “You really don’t mind the cold.”

Han Wenwen suddenly pouted and turned away with a huff, pretending to be mad: “Can’t Brother Zheng Ran feel for me a bit? Why push me away?”

The words invited trouble, and sure enough, she got a light knock on the head.

After that, Lin Zheng Ran brushed the snow from her head and headed toward Han Wenwen’s house: “Enough with the nonsense. Let’s go home and eat.”

Han Wenwen gazed at his back, smiling as she followed.

But the little fox wasn’t one to behave; she tentatively linked her arm with his, only for Lin Zheng Ran to resist: “Can’t you keep your hands to yourself?”

Han Wenwen rubbed her hands deliberately: “I waited so long, I’m freezing. My hands are all red.” She blew warm breath into them.

“If you know it’s cold, learn your lesson next time. If I say I’ll come, just wait at home,” he reminded. “Hurry up, you’ll warm up once we’re inside.”

Han Wenwen stole a glance at him. As a fox skilled at reading people, grand romantic words didn’t move her, but Lin Zheng Ran’s small promises always made her heart race.

“Got it. So, does Brother Zheng Ran feel a bit sorry for me now?”

“Hah, it wasn’t me who made you come down.”

Han Wenwen’s face flushed as she said, “Looks like Brother Zheng Ran won’t admit he cares.”

“If you talked less, maybe this winter wouldn’t feel so cold. After all, that’s one less bad joke.”

Han Wenwen covered her mouth and laughed.

Lin Zheng Ran’s forehead twitched with a vein: “Laugh again and see what happens?”

“I won’t! By the way, how’s your uncle?”

“He’s fine now. He’s back home resting and should recover in two months.”

Han Wenwen sighed in relief: “That’s good. I’ll buy something and visit your uncle and aunt soon.”

Back at the rental house, the warm room made Han Wenwen shiver involuntarily—it felt incredibly cozy.

They slipped off their shoes and sat on the bed where a blanket was spread.

Han Wenwen lifted the lid of the chicken soup pot for a peek, her mood lifting as the aroma hit her: “It smells amazing—let’s heat it up and add the dumplings too.”

Lin Zheng Ran set his coat aside and noticed the dumplings already prepared: “You’ve got everything ready?”

“All done ages ago, just waiting for you, Brother Zheng Ran. You haven’t eaten much at home, right?”

“Half-full. I’ll eat more here.”

Han Wenwen smiled and dropped the dumplings into the pot.

They enjoyed a comfortable dinner, the earlier chill completely gone. As Han Wenwen sipped the chicken soup, she looked blissfully happy holding her bowl.

She snuggled close to Lin Zheng Ran: “It’s so good—want to try some, Brother Zheng Ran?”

“Aren’t I already drinking it?”

“I mean try mine. The soup’s even better after I’ve had some.”

“No thanks.”

“Why not?”

“Might be poisoned.”

After dinner, Han Wenwen bundled up warmly and walked with Lin Zheng Ran to the main street to light fireworks.

Though they didn’t buy the big ones, the small fireworks were fun enough.

Tiny sparks crackled from the sparklers, popping lively.

Han Wenwen waved the string of sparks around. It wasn’t midnight yet, but occasional fireworks boomed in the sky.

They headed to the town’s largest market square, where crowds would gather at midnight to launch fireworks into the night.

Lin Zheng Ran watched the bustling crowd and the unlit fireworks, thinking how in his past life such things were banned, wondering how long this smoke and excitement would last in this one.

Han Wenwen was surprised by the number of people; her southern small town had nothing like this.

As it neared midnight, a man acting as host grabbed the microphone and shouted, “Ten seconds to the New Year! Let’s count down together—ten! Nine! Eight!”

Many joined in the chant, while others quietly watched the sky, waiting for the fireworks to burst.

Han Wenwen spoke softly then: “Brother Zheng Ran, this is the happiest New Year I’ve had growing up. But I’m greedy—I don’t want it to be the last. From now on, can you spend every New Year’s Eve with me?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced at her: “That’s a big ask. ‘From now on’ covers a lot of ground.”

The host’s voice rose: “Four! Three! Two!”

Amid Han Wenwen’s worry, she heard Lin Zheng Ran look to the sky and say, “But since I promised to let you stay with me forever, I can agree to that.”

As the host yelled ‘One!’, cheers erupted and people lit the fireworks.

Hundreds of colorful fireworks shot upward, exploding in brilliant displays.

Everyone shouted together, “Happy New Year!”

Yet, no matter how dazzling the fireworks, to Han Wenwen, nothing outshone the person beside her. His words left her lips parted in awe, her eyes sparkling in the bursts.

Han Wenwen stepped in front of Lin Zheng Ran and cupped his face with her hands.

Without hesitation, she tiptoed up and planted a quick kiss on his forehead, eyes closed.

The sudden move made Lin Zheng Ran widen his eyes.

Han Wenwen pulled back shyly, her cheeks flushed with a youthful glow: “Don’t say anything yet—let me finish. ” She pulled a small red fox plush toy from her pocket, about the size of a palm.

Tilting her head with a smile, she said, “Does Brother Zheng Ran plan to have a cute pet in his future? This is my New Year’s gift to you—a little fox. It represents me, meaning I’m giving myself to you.”

She tiptoed again to whisper in his ear: “Happy New Year, my destined Lin Zheng Ran~”