Chapter 21: The Eve

At six in the evening, the sky was already steeped in ink-black darkness.

Under the streetlamps, tiny snowflakes glittered as they fell.

A bitter wind swept the streets, its merciless cold like a giant eraser, wiping away the figures from the snowy backdrop.

Huo Xin rubbed her frostbitten ears.

She carried the Spring Festival couplets she had just bought, her leather boots crunching against the snow as she walked out of the small corner supermarket.

The large red lanterns hanging outside cast the snowfield in crimson light, staining her face a deep red.

Her steps were light, and beneath her mask, the corners of her lips lifted in a stiff yet joyful smile.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve.

A new beginning for everything.

The long winter would end, and a spring filled with life would arrive.

So, no matter how terrible the past year had been, the New Year had to be celebrated joyfully, and a new life had to begin with joy.

Like a traveler spotting illusory firelight on a snowy mountain, she gripped tightly to that thread of hope, constantly reminding herself to endure, to hold on.

Everything would one day turn a corner, reveal light beyond the shadows.

Back at Jinnan New Village, the roadside bore the remains of recently demolished houses.

Excavators, left idle, were buried under thick snow, safety signs hanging forlornly to the side.

The place felt desolate, abandoned.

From the high-rises, only a few scattered windows glowed with light.

Snowflakes fell on her face.

Huo Xin opened her mouth, but no sound came out as emotions surged violently within her.

Last New Year’s, the Huo family villa had been bursting with noise and light, lively through the night.

She had worn a golden crown, strutting proudly through the crowd, too arrogant to spare even an extra word.

But another year had passed, and life had swung from its peak to its pit, overturning so completely it felt like a nightmare.

Tears welled in her eyes.

She bit her lower lip hard, hugging her purchases tightly to her chest, trying to draw some warmth from them.

The distant lights blurred into shards.

She saw the dim glow of the old bulb on her own balcony, casting light over the railing.

Beside it, a discarded cactus sat, the only small point of life.

In the wind came faint sobbing.

On the balcony, her mother covered her gaunt face with her hands, weeping quietly.

The tears in Huo Xin’s eyes swelled violently.

She froze in place, too afraid to take even a single step closer.

Then, in a split second, the figure on the balcony swayed, climbing onto the railing.

Without the slightest hesitation—she leapt.

The wind fell silent.

Even her heartbeat stopped.

Blood in her veins froze solid.

Huo Xin’s entire body shook violently.

“Bang—”

The crash of impact echoed.

Her mind went blank.

She clutched her mouth with both hands.

Huge tears spilled from her eyes as she stumbled and collapsed into the snow.

No…

No…

Not this…

On the ground ahead, blood spread rapidly, staining the snow a glaring red.

A few warm droplets splattered onto her face.

Shivering, she raised a trembling finger to wipe them away, only to feel the skin beneath burn like fire, searing her into pulling her hand back in fright.

The things in her arms fell and scattered.

Her vision blurred, the scene melting into haze.

Her ears buzzed with noise.

One by one, lights flickered on around her.

“Jinnan New Village, yes—someone jumped!”

“On New Year’s Eve of all times… what could’ve been so unbearable… poor family…”

“Don’t crowd around! Keep the kids away—”

“Hey, girl, are you alright? Hey?”

A harsh beam of light shone directly onto her face.

The girl sat dazed in the snow, her expression empty, her clothes splattered with blood.

“Hey? Miss?”

On the eve of New Year’s, outside Jinnan New Village, piercing sirens wailed closer and closer.

At nine that night, in the suburban villa, Ming Yue’s room was brightly lit.

Yu Zhu sat propped up against the headboard, his eyes sore as he stared at the pale-golden chandelier above.

His long, smooth black hair cascaded down his shoulders like a waterfall.

Ming Yue had changed his clothes and was gently combing his hair.

The deep red suited his cold, pale complexion perfectly.

He was flawless, like a tender bamboo shoot freshly peeled, like frost settled over autumn grass—something that made one want to stain it with another color.

Yu Zhu tilted his head slightly back, his expression blank and calm, letting Ming Yue fasten a hairpin in place.

With her fingertip, she lifted his chin.

“Sister, you really scared me just now.”

The boy wore a crimson ruqun wedding dress.

His lips had been painted a deep red.

A golden phoenix crown wavered slightly on his head.

In his clear eyes, her reflection shone brightly.

“How should I punish Sister?

You’ll have to remember this lesson well.”

“Clink.”

Yu Zhu’s left wrist was locked against the headboard.

Ming Yue tugged at the silver chain looped around his neck, drawing their faces closer until their breaths entwined.

Out of nowhere, she whispered:

“Sister, marry me.”

The next moment, a burning kiss fell at the corner of his lips, leaving him breathless.

After a long while, the searing touch traced to his ear.

The wedding dress was wrinkled, the phoenix crown tilting crookedly.

Ming Yue panted, about to speak again, when a ringtone cut her off.

“Yueyue, tomorrow’s New Year’s! It’s almost ten—why aren’t you home yet?”

Ming Yue steadied her breathing, speaking in a tone Yu Zhu had never heard before:

“Mom, I’m on the way back. There’s a bit of traffic.”

“Alright then. Come home soon and rest. Tomorrow your uncle’s family is coming over.”

“Mm, I know.”

Hanging up, Ming Yue adjusted the phoenix crown on Yu Zhu’s head.

She smoothed out the skirt he had clenched in his palm, arranging him like a doll.

“Sister, today is over.”

Back in the basement, the boy sat on the messy planks, his aura both decadent and aristocratic.

The wide hem of the dress pooled around him.

His pure, beautiful face resembled an offering to be presented to the gods.

In the dim light, Ming Yue bent down, brushing aside a strand of hair by his temple.

“Sister, do you like this New Year’s gift?”

As expected, Yu Zhu met her gaze but gave no reply.

Before leaving, she pinched his sunken cheeks and snapped a few photos, smiling sweetly.

“Happy New Year, Sister.”

The lights went out.

The door shut.

Darkness returned.

Outside the villa, a lake-blue Ferrari turned slowly.

Its dazzling headlights swept from the steps to the second-floor balcony.

With a deep roar, it vanished into the snowy night.

“Phew…”

Wang Qiang watched the car leave.

He shook the snow off his shoulders and crawled out from behind a drift beneath the trees.

“Damn it, feeding a dog out here half the night—almost froze me to death.

Damn rich bastards!”

He cursed under his breath, nerves on edge as he glanced around.

Hunching low, he crept to the shadowy back of the villa, pulling out his phone to send a message:

“About to move. If you’re asleep, you’re dead meat.”

“No, no, I’m awake, been waiting.”

Reading the reply, he pocketed the phone.

He lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply before clamping it between his teeth.

Tomorrow was New Year’s.

Tonight, he had to make a big score.

The contents of his backpack clattered together.

He climbed easily onto the second-floor balcony.

The villa’s dark interior looked to him like a mountain of gold.

His adrenaline spiked, eyes bloodshot, greed nearly driving him mad enough to strip the house bare.

Life and death are fate.

Wealth is in the heavens.

To hell with it!

In the deserted villa district, a window shattered.

No one noticed.

TL Notes:

Phoenix crown (凤冠): ornate headdress traditionally worn by brides in ancient China.

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