End
On New Year’s Eve, Lin Xian declined her parents’ invitation and happily spent the night with Xiao Wanqing in their newly decorated home, having their first sleepless night full of tradition and anticipation for the new year.
At midnight, the sound of fireworks and firecrackers was deafening. Lin Xian covered Xiao Wanqing’s ears and watched the fireworks with her on the balcony. Amidst the faint smell of gunpowder in the air, they felt each other’s long and quick breaths.
The next day, before dawn, Xiao Wanqing and Lin Xian were still sleeping soundly in bed when they received their first visitors of the new year – Shi Man and Xia Zhijin.
If it weren’t for the tradition of not turning away guests during the New Year, and the fact that you can’t say rude things, Lin Xian, with a hint of morning grumpiness and rubbing her sleepy eyes, couldn’t help but curse silently when she opened the door and saw them.
Who goes to someone’s house in the middle of the night before dawn to pay New Year’s respects?!
However, Shi Man smiled sweetly and Xia Zhijin smiled beautifully and sincerely, making Lin Xian feel awkward about complaining and unable to wipe the smile off their faces.
Once inside, the two guests hesitantly explained to Lin Xian that they had been followed by paparazzi recently, so they couldn’t easily come and go together. However, they wanted to pay New Year’s respects together to Lin Xian and Aunt Xiao, and give their blessings. Therefore, they took advantage of the dark and windy night to come over when they wouldn’t easily be spotted.
Understanding their situation and appreciating their thoughtful gesture, Lin Xian shook her head to clear her mind. Not only did she forgive them, but she also felt ashamed for her earlier displeasure. As a gesture of apology, she cooked noodles and added an extra fried egg for each of them.
After the meal, Xiao Wanqing and Xia Zhijin caught up in the living room, while Lin Xian made an excuse for Shi Man to help her wash dishes. Pulling Shi Man into the kitchen, she interrogated her about her relationship with Xia Zhijin.
Shi Man earnestly washed a dish and replied to Lin Xian without lifting her head, “We are just good friends for now.”
Lin Xian’s face immediately wrinkled, as she hesitated to speak.
“Like sharing a bed kind of good friends,” Shi Man added.
Lin Xian took the bowl from Shi Man’s hand, feeling anxious and prepared to have a serious conversation with her good friend about this issue. However, Shi Man took another bowl and continued washing it, softly reassuring her, “Lin Xian, don’t worry. Actually, I think things are pretty good as they are.”
She smiled, her features completely softening in this smile, showing a range of emotions. Reflecting on it, she sighed, “I used to think that being in a romantic relationship was the closest bond, where we were intimate and understood each other the best. But now, I realize that maybe being too close can lead to misunderstandings, arrogance, and emotional distance.”
Lin Xian recalled an ancient saying, “Even the closest relatives can become distant, but between spouses, there appears to be some unspoken understanding,” and it struck a chord with her.
“In the past, I was caught up in a romantic relationship with her, where I focused more on ‘us’ or even ‘me’, so I didn’t understand her, and she didn’t understand me. Now, we maintain a distance that is neither too close nor too far. She is willing to communicate with me openly, and my focus is more on ‘her’, which seems to bring me closer to her heart. Lin Xian, the relationship between her and me, and between you and Aunt Xiao, is different. Over the years, we have changed a lot, and we both still carry memories of each other, but we also have lingering fears about the past.”
“So, starting anew and giving everyone time to understand and accept the new selves, isn’t that a good thing?” She handed the washed dishes to Lin Xian, smiling calmly.
Lin Xian gazed at her intensely for a moment, sighed, handed her two pieces of paper to dry her hands, and said, feeling both pained and relieved, “Shi Manman, it looks like you have truly grown up. Love is like water, once you understand it yourself, then I can rest assured.”
Not liking the serious atmosphere, Shi Man dropped her mature and deep expression, her eyes twinkling mischievously, teasingly saying, “Lin Xiaoxian, what’s with your old-fashioned tone? Are you calling yourself my aunt now just because you are marrying Aunt Xiao?” With that, she playfully attempted to touch Lin Xian with her wet hands.
Lin Xian immediately got annoyed, dodging her teasing while scolding her to go away in a frustrated tone. Before long, they were playfully wrestling around like they used to in their childhood.
Xiao Wanqing and Xia Zhijin listened to the commotion in the kitchen, helplessly yet indulgently sharing a smile.
In Anjiang City, people don’t make New Year visits on the second day, so on the third day, Lin Xian and Xiao Wanqing went to the Southern District to pay respects. They first visited Lin Xian’s parents’ house, then the four of them went to Lin Xian’s maternal grandparents’ house, and finally, all six of them gathered at Lin Xian’s paternal grandparents’ house.
(LP: Not sure which grandparents are maternal or paternal, so I’m just assuming right now~)
The elderly were overly enthusiastic to see Xiao Wanqing, pulling her to sit around the coffee table, showering her with warmth and affectionate words. Seeing Lin Xian constantly being interrupted, the elderly for the first time felt she was a nuisance and coldly chased her away to help her parents prepare dinner. For the sake of love, Lin Xian reluctantly compromised and after much persuasion, was allowed to occupy a small corner.
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The elderly were all well aware of the relationship between Xiao Wanqing and Lin Xian. Although there was some awkwardness, they didn’t directly address it, but their words were filled with blessings and hope. The mother-in-law looked at the son-in-law with increasing approval, and Lin Xian’s maternal and paternal grandmothers praised Xiao Wanqing for being well-behaved and understanding since childhood, as well as for her good looks, good temperament, and successful career, encouraging Lin Xian to learn more from her. Lin Xian’s grandfather didn’t say much, but his concluding remarks emphasized the importance of taking care of each other, being tolerant, and supporting each other to live well together in the future.
(LP: “The mother-in-law looked at the son-in-law” is a correct translation, but I assume that that’s the other grandfather… I’m confused)
Lin Xian and Xiao Wanqing nodded in agreement, accepting each point.
On the fifth day of the New Year, under the concerned instructions of her family, Lin Xian embarked on the surprise trip arranged by Xiao Wanqing—a tour of Northern Europe.
The first stop was Finland.
In the bustling streets of Helsinki at midnight, in the quaint Finnish towns of Suomenlinna, in the snow-covered Santa Claus Village, under the clear blue sky, they, like any ordinary lovers in love, intertwined their fingers, held hands, and openly accepted the occasional curious or blessing-filled glances from strangers in the foreign land.
When they arrived at the glass igloo in Finland, it was already the fourth day of their journey.
The winter days in Finland were incredibly short, as if the moment one opened their eyes in the morning, it was already evening when they closed them. When Xiao Wanqing and Lin Xian got off the car, the sky had completely darkened, leaving only the thick snow glowing faintly, sporadically visible small groves of trees, and in the distance, triangular roofed wooden cabins shimmering with a golden light. Everything resembled a snow-covered fairy tale world from childhood fantasies, with a serene silence enveloping the land, as if one could hear the soft sound of snowflakes gently falling to the ground.
Lin Xian dragged her luggage, glancing at Xiao Wanqing’s ink-black hair sprinkled with fine snowflakes, the bright star-like light shining in her dark eyes. She reached out to adjust Xiao Wanqing’s slightly crooked ear muff and asked with concern, “Are you cold?”
Xiao Wanqing smiled gently and adjusted the collar of Lin Xian’s down jacket before tucking Lin Xian’s slightly chilly hand into her pocket, shaking her head and replying, “Not cold, it’s warm.”
The black path beneath their feet had been cleared of snow, with only a dim street lamp illuminating the way. There were no signs, no pedestrians, and it seemed endless. Xiao Wanqing and Lin Xian fell silent, walking side by side as snowflakes fell gently around them. Occasionally, they exchanged glances and smiles, feeling that walking together like this forever was a different kind of romantic and sweet experience.
When they bathed in the sauna room specially prepared at the glass igloo hotel, the front desk thoughtfully reminded Xiao Wanqing and Lin Xian that they were lucky as the Northern Lights might appear tonight, and the glass igloo was the best place to view them.
Lin Xian was clearly filled with curiosity and longing for such a romantic spectacle and eagerly persuaded Xiao Wanqing to wait together tonight. Xiao Wanqing, however, seemed to have foreseen this and calmly touched her head, agreeing to her request with composure.
After finishing their bath and returning to the cabin, once the initial excitement of checking in wore off, Lin Xian started to feel a bit sleepy. Xiao Wanqing told her to rest for a while and assured her that she could wait, but Lin Xian was afraid that Xiao Wanqing would be bored by herself and insisted on staying awake.
At 1:30 in the early morning, Xiao Wanqing and Lin Xian were still waiting.
Lin Xian leaned over, holding Xiao Wanqing’s delicate white feet, carefully painting them with nail polish she had impulsively bought a few days ago because it looked pretty. After applying the polish, she even blew warm air on them to help them dry.
Xiao Wanqing lowered her gaze, watching Lin Xian’s movements, her eyes filled with intoxicating tenderness.
“Perhaps it won’t appear anymore, let’s go to sleep.” Lin Xian blew another breath of air, seeing that Xiao Wanqing seemed a bit tired, she compromised with a heartache.
After blowing several breaths without getting a response from Xiao Wanqing, Lin Xian couldn’t help but feel puzzled. She raised her head and gently called out, “Panpan?”
Xiao Wanqing’s gaze was fixed on the sky in the distance, her red lips slightly parted, looking somewhat strange. Upon hearing Lin Xian’s voice, she withdrew her gaze, flashed a gentle smile at Lin Xian, her tone slightly unsteady as she said, “Xianxian, look outside.”
In the vast night sky, the deep blue canopy seemed to have been suddenly splattered with a magnificent and colorful display of purple and green by a skilled artist, slowly blending and changing into various patterns, dazzling and enchanting, gradually swallowing half of the dome.
Following her gaze, Lin Xian turned around to look at the distant night sky outside the glass, excitement and joy suddenly shining in her starry eyes. She exclaimed, “Northern Lights! Panpan, we are seeing the Northern Lights!”
Xiao Wanqing withdrew her gaze, watching Lin Xian’s fascinated and genuine smile, softly responding to her, “Yes, Xianxian, it’s the Northern Lights.”
Lin Xian couldn’t contain the excitement and joy in her heart, she turned back to face Xiao Wanqing’s warm and clear eyes, and with a charming smile, she said, “Panpan, do you know?”
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She knelt up, her eyes like water, and bowed down in a posture of devout love. Amid Xiao Wanqing’s trembles, Lin Xian moved up from her lover’s slender feet, kissing softly on Xiao Wanqing’s tender lips.
“It’s said that lovers who witness the Northern Lights together are blessed destined partners who can receive eternal love.”
In the girl’s bright watery eyes, there was pure and passionate love, and in an instant, it seared through Xiao Wanqing’s heart from her eyes, stirring up her intense feelings.
She reached behind to find the button on the bedside, raising the curtains of the surrounding glass. Her other hand moved forward, sensually placing a fire at the girl’s slender and firm waist.
Lin Xian heard it, a woman’s soft and wet voice sounding in her ear, “I know.”
The curtains gradually blocked the view of the vast snowfield outside, as if they were also shutting out the freezing cold of the outside world.
The room started to warm up, and even the air seemed to become thick and humid…
Lin Xian was teased until she whimpered like a kitten, unable to form coherent sentences, only calling out softly, “Panpan… Xiao Panpan…”
The woman carried her scent, kissing her tears, and between their brows, all melancholy was swept away, replaced by a light and elegant demeanor. In that moment of daze, it was as if the vibrant woman who captured her attention in her eight-year-old self had seamlessly merged with the present.
“Auntie, you’re so beautiful, I want to marry you,” a tender child’s voice seemed to echo in the distant sky.
The woman’s gentle and alluring voice, yet so close, resonated by her sensitive ear, “Xianxian, call me auntie…” She gently massaged with one hand, while the other moved downwards again.
Lin Xian’s mind buzzed explosively, her moist eyes filled with coquettishness. Before she could protest, she heard the woman declare with utmost tenderness, “Xianxian, Auntie is going to marry you.”
In the next moment, Lin Xian couldn’t help but tremble all over, unable to cry out in pain, as the waves of pleasure once again engulfed her.
Just the thought of it being Xiao Panpan, was enough to make her happy, enough to be satisfied.
At the age of 25, her dream finally came true—
In her hands, it melted into the spring water, transforming into her wife.
In the utmost joy, Lin Xian saw, beyond the transparent roof, the splendid Northern Lights seeming to be enveloping them overhead, like a dream.
Just like the love Xiao Wanqing gave her.
Unforgettable for eternity.
The warm golden light spilled onto the entwined bodies on the bed, Lin Xian turned her eyes, struggling to wake up. She raised her hand, rubbed her eyes, and the strange friction between her fingers subconsciously made her open her eyes and carefully look around.
The morning light filtered through the cracks and sprinkled into her eyes, the platinum diamond ring on her ring finger shimmered brightly in the light.
A slender white hand wrapped around her waist, gently soothing her sore abdomen.
“Xianxian, let’s get married.” Xiao Wanqing pressed against her back, pleading.
February 14th, the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day.
In addition to Lunar New Year blessings, the author who had long disappeared from social media, Jiupanjun, suddenly updated a Weibo post, announcing the news of her marriage.
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Opening the attached image, under a small rainbow, two beautiful white hands were intertwined. Under the warm sun, the platinum rings on the ring fingers emitted a soft yet dazzling glow.
The Weibo post read:
At 18, I thought love was the courage to stand against the world for you.
At 25, I discovered love was the confidence to embrace the entire world with you.
If you say young love is as unpredictable as the wind, then I am willing,
To spend a lifetime dreaming, fading into your arms.
xlx.
-End of text-
LP: 3 more chapters and then it’s complete~
