STT – Chapter 23
by Little PandaYour Beautiful Dream, Leave It to Me to Weave
Jiang Huaixi arrived downstairs right on the dot at ten o’clock. Lu Zizheng packed the dumplings into a thermos box, picked up a bag, and hurried downstairs.
From a distance, she saw a car parked outside the residential compound entrance. A woman was standing beside it. The car looked like Jiang Huaixi’s, but the person didn’t quite look like her.
Only when she drew closer did Lu Zizheng see clearly. Her eyes widened slightly, and she stopped dead in her tracks.
The person standing beside the car was undoubtedly Jiang Huaixi, but tonight, she had completely transformed her usual look. She wore exquisite makeup, and her straight, sleek black hair had been curled into alluring, graceful waves. Gone were her usual shirt and pencil pants; instead, she wore an ankle-length royal blue embroidered qipao1 under a long coat, paired with slender black high heels. She looked noble, elegant, cold, and utterly mesmerizing.
Lu Zizheng had always been confident in her own appearance and had long since grown immune to Jiang Huaixi’s beauty, but at this moment, she felt both stunned and annoyed, halting in her tracks; she even wanted to turn back.
She had rushed straight to her mother’s apartment after finishing work. She was still wearing her work suit and pants, hadn’t touched up her makeup, and in her haste to leave, hadn’t even looked in the mirror or smoothed her hair. To make matters worse, she was carrying a small Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf2 bag. Compared to Jiang Huaixi standing at the entrance, she was simply far too shabby, almost losing all her courage to stand by her side.
Fortunately, Jiang Huaixi couldn’t help but urge Lu Zizheng forward, her tone still the exact same one Lu Zizheng was familiar with: “Did your high heel suddenly get stuck in a manhole cover? What are you just standing there for?”
Lu Zizheng sighed, ruffled her hair, and walked over, resigned to her fate.
Once in the car, Lu Zizheng couldn’t resist stealing glances at Jiang Huaixi. Although Jiang Huaixi was so beautiful tonight that she made her feel self-conscious as a fellow woman, she had to admit that she was so pleasing to the eye that it was simply impossible to look away.
As she drove, Jiang Huaixi noticed Lu Zizheng repeatedly casting strange looks her way. Knowing she was wondering about her attire today, she explained in a calm voice, “There was a company annual meeting tonight. I came straight from there, so I didn’t change.”
Lu Zizheng gave a muffled “Oh.” An annual meeting… exquisite food, clinking glasses. Surely the dumplings she wrapped would have no place there, appearing so simple and redundant. She bit her lip, her eyes dimming slightly—just like her own existence in relation to Jiang Huaixi’s grand and opulent world.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jiang Huaixi sharply caught Lu Zizheng’s dejection. Frowning slightly, she said with a touch of playfulness, “Are you jealous because I’m more beautiful and captivating than you? I thought you’d have accepted that long ago.”
Hearing Jiang Huaixi’s familiar, narcissistic tone, Lu Zizheng snapped out of her melancholy. She couldn’t help but purse her lips and let out a soft smile. Looking at Jiang Huaixi, she replied, “Sorry, you’re overthinking it. You don’t even qualify to catch my eye yet.”
Jiang Huaixi turned her head slightly to glance at Lu Zizheng, saying dismissively, “Oh? Is that so?” Yet, there was a knowing gleam in her eyes.
Lu Zizheng met her gaze, then turned back to look ahead, her smile widening a fraction as she confessed, “Sorry, I lied. You really are more beautiful than me tonight.”
A faint smile rose at the corner of Jiang Huaixi’s lips, but she was still not satisfied, countering, “You’re still lying. As if it’s only tonight.”
Lu Zizheng had completely forgotten her earlier sadness and self-pity. She chuckled and said, “That’s enough. I’ve seen narcissistic people, but I’ve never seen anyone as narcissistic as you.”
Seeing her laugh, Jiang Huaixi’s expression softened as well. She changed the subject and asked, “What’s in the bag? A New Year’s gift for me?”
Lu Zizheng looked down at the bag beside her seat, startled for a moment, and replied, “It’s nothing.”
Jiang Huaixi narrowed her eyes. She thought she had caught a glimpse of chopsticks just now, but she remained quiet and didn’t push further.
The car parked in the lot at Jiangxin Plaza. At this hour, the plaza was brightly lit, filled with milling crowds and a bustling din. Groups of people gathered everywhere, having come together to enjoy the New Year’s Eve lantern festival and wait for the countdown.
Lu Zizheng quietly assumed that Jiang Huaixi was taking her to see the lantern festival. However, she couldn’t help but feel a bit worried; Jiang Huaixi’s clothing seemed far too thin, especially since she’d only recovered from a cold a few days ago.
To her surprise, after getting out of the car, Jiang Huaixi led her across the street away from Jiangxin Plaza. Looming before them was the Linzhou First Tallest Building. Its top floor featured a fully transparent observation deck, which usually opened to the public as a tourist attraction but closed at six in the evening.
While Lu Zizheng was still wondering what was happening, Jiang Huaixi guided her into the building and onto the elevator without any obstruction.
Lu Zizheng cast a questioning look at Jiang Huaixi, but Jiang Huaixi offered no explanation, merely saying, “You’ll see in a moment.”
The elevator ascended all the way to the top floor. No lights were turned on, but because Jiangxin Plaza opposite them was as bright as day, this place was also illuminated as if a dim, warm lamp had been lit.
The entire floor was dreadfully quiet. Lu Zizheng could clearly hear the sound of her own footsteps overlapping with the rhythmic clicking of Jiang Huaixi’s high heels, her own heartbeat dancing along with Jiang Huaixi’s. It felt as if the entire world were left with only the two of them.
Following behind Jiang Huaixi, she watched her graceful, slender figure take step after step toward the edge of the floor. She fell into a deep reverie: If what we are about to welcome in the next moment isn’t the arrival of a new year, but the end of the world, would I have the courage to throw everything aside and embrace the person before me? If the countdown outside were the countdown of my life, then spending these final moments with Jiang Huaixi would mean this life was not in vain.
Jiang Huaixi was about to reach the absolute edge. From behind, it looked as though she were about to step out into empty air. Lu Zizheng cried out in spite of herself, “Huaixi, don’t go over…”
Jiang Huaixi turned back to look at Lu Zizheng. Under the warm, dim light, her features appeared as exquisite as a painting. With the sea of lights from Jiangxin Plaza behind her, and the shimmering green waves and lush reeds of the distant river, Lu Zizheng felt as if a giant scroll painting were suspended before her eyes. Jiang Huaixi, like a goddess stepping right out of that canvas, gave her a brilliant smile and stretched out a slender, fair arm to call her: “Zizheng, come over…”
Lu Zizheng shuddered all over and didn’t move.
Jiang Huaixi frowned slightly, pressing a hand to her forehead as she asked, “Zizheng, are you afraid of heights?”
Lu Zizheng lowered her eyes and nodded gently. Her fear of heights wasn’t severe, and under normal circumstances, it didn’t cause much trouble; her greatest limitation was simply that she never dared to climb high mountains. But standing at such an exposed, lofty height now was challenging her limits.
Jiang Huaixi let out a helpless sigh and walked back toward Lu Zizheng. The hem of her qipao swayed with her steps like a swimming fish, occasionally offering glimpses of her long, slender, fair legs.
Her slightly cool hand took Lu Zizheng’s, leading her forward as she comforted her, “Zizheng, it’s not as terrifying as you think…”
Lu Zizheng’s heart beat frantically. Though she was incredibly tense and afraid, she couldn’t help but follow Jiang Huaixi, step by step, until they reached the edge. She suddenly yearned so much to stand together with Jiang Huaixi at the same height, to look at the beautiful world in Jiang Huaixi’s eyes.
The moment she stood before the glass and looked down, Lu Zizheng wanted to turn back and run away immediately, only to find her legs so weak that she could barely stand. In the next instant of panic and unease, an arm wrapped around her waist, and she fell into Jiang Huaixi’s warm, reassuring embrace.
Jiang Huaixi held her gently, her voice sounding clear yet tender beside her ear. “With me holding you, you won’t fall.” After a brief pause, she continued, “Even if we do fall, I’ll be with you, so you still come out ahead.”
Feeling the steady rhythm of Jiang Huaixi’s heartbeat and listening to her gentle reassurance, Lu Zizheng gradually felt her heart settle. However, hearing the second half of Jiang Huaixi’s words, she couldn’t help but chuckle, reminding her, “Are you sure I’m not the one losing out? Don’t flatter yourself.”
Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow and said calmly, “My, your adaptability is quite impressive. You’re not afraid anymore, and you even have the energy to rebut me. Since you refuse to acknowledge my value, I’ll just let go…” As she spoke, she made a move to withdraw the hand wrapped around Lu Zizheng’s waist.
Startled, Lu Zizheng reflexively reached down, placing her own hand over Jiang Huaixi’s and holding it tight.
Jiang Huaixi chuckled. “Your body’s reaction is far more honest than your mouth.”
Lu Zizheng bit her lip as a flush of crimson quietly crept up her cheeks, spreading all the way to the roots of her ears.
The crowds at Jiangxin Plaza began to cluster together. Facing the direction of the giant screen to the southwest, the sound of the countdown echoed to the heavens, reaching all the way to Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi’s ears.
“5! 4! 3! 2! 1!”
“Dong, dong, dong…” The New Year’s bell chimed, and a burst of cheers erupted from the crowd below. Simultaneously, a streak of light shot across the distant riverbank. In the next instant, a brilliant firework blossomed in the sky, followed by one after another—multicolored, dazzling, and seemingly endless…
Lu Zizheng stared at the sky without blinking, watching as one bloomed, faded, and then another burst into life…
No matter how dazzling the fireworks were, they could no longer captivate Lu Zizheng’s gaze. She turned halfway around and looked up at Jiang Huaixi, her gaze deep, her eyes rippling like water.
Jiang Huaixi’s eyes curved, sparkling like stars. Curving her lips into a smile, she said nonchalantly, “Don’t be too touched. I didn’t set off these fireworks. I only heard from Huaichuan that there would be fireworks here tonight and picked a good spot for you.”
Lu Zizheng curled her lips in a silent smile, still looking at her that way.
Jiang Huaixi broke their gaze and looked up at the sky, suddenly saying with mock seriousness, “I saw a shooting star. Hurry and make a wish.”
Lu Zizheng turned back half-skeptically, only to see the night sky filled with brilliant fireworks that had long since obscured any twinkling of stars, let alone any sign of the shooting star Jiang Huaixi spoke of.
Yet Jiang Huaixi urged her, “Another shooting star just streaked past. If you don’t make a wish now, you’ll miss your chance.”
Despite her doubts, Lu Zizheng closed her eyes as told and devoutly made a wish. Believing in wishing upon a shooting star wasn’t because she was overly naive or childish, but simply because the longing in her heart was too intense.
She chanted silently in her mind: I only wish for my mother to live a hundred years, and for Huaixi to be safe and healthy all her life. I am willing to pay any price in exchange.
Jiang Huaixi looked down, watching Lu Zizheng as she devoutly made her wish with closed eyes, her eyes and brows turning gentle. She gently kissed Lu Zizheng’s fluffy hair, promising in her heart: Granted. The shooting star can’t hear your wish, but I heard it.
Lu Zizheng finished her wish and opened her eyes, only to hear Jiang Huaixi teasing her, “Zizheng, I didn’t know you were so easily fooled.”
Having made her wish, she felt a sense of peace that it would surely come true. Ignoring Jiang Huaixi’s teasing, she leaned in her embrace, watching the fireworks continue to bloom in the sky. In a soft voice, she said to Jiang Huaixi, “Huaixi, Happy New Year.”
Jiang Huaixi’s arm tightened slightly around Lu Zizheng’s waist as she too turned her gaze to the fireworks illuminating the sky. In a warm tone, she replied, “Mhm, Happy New Year…”
Zizheng, if what they gave you was only ever a nightmare, then your beautiful dream—leave it to me to weave.
Footnotes
- A traditional, body-fitting Chinese dress with a high collar, side slits, and frog closures, which originated in the Qing Dynasty and was modernized in 1920s Shanghai.
- A highly popular Chinese animated television series featuring a group of goats and a clumsy wolf, often printed on children's merchandise.
JH hands down. Screw LX. They’re both rich but JH treats her better. JH knows what she wants, LX is still a young bird, getting scared here and there. LX will find someone and learn to treat them better.
JH hands down. Screw LX. They’re both rich but JH treats her better. JH knows what she wants, LX is still a young bird, getting scared here and there. LX will find someone and learn to treat them better.
So romantic❤
So romantic❤