Let me weave your beautiful dreams.
Jiang Huaixi arrived downstairs punctually at ten o’clock. Lu Zizheng put the dumplings into a thermal container, grabbed a bag, and hurried downstairs.
From a distance, she saw a car parked outside the residential complex. Beside it stood a woman. The car seemed to be Jiang Huaixi’s, but the person did not.
It wasn’t until she got closer that Lu Zizheng could see clearly. She slightly widened her eyes and abruptly halted her steps.
There was no doubt that the person standing beside the car was Jiang Huaixi. However, tonight she had suddenly changed her usual style. Her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, her straight, dark, and elegant long hair had been permed into charming and seductive waves. Gone were her usual shirt and pencil pants. Instead, she wore an ankle-length, royal blue embroidered qipao, covered with a long coat, paired with slender black high heels. She looked noble and elegant, yet cold and alluring.
Lu Zizheng had always been confident in her own appearance and had long been immune to Jiang Huaixi’s beauty. But at this moment, she was both amazed and annoyed, which made her stop in her tracks and even consider turning back.
After getting off work, she hurriedly rushed to her mother’s house, still wearing her office suit and trousers. She hadn’t touched up her makeup, and in her haste, she hadn’t even looked in the mirror to fix her hair. She was carrying a small bag with Xi Yangyang and Grey Wolf1 on it. Compared to Jiang Huaixi standing at the door, she felt utterly outshone and almost lost the courage to stand beside her.
Fortunately, Jiang Huaixi couldn’t help but urge Lu Zizheng in the familiar tone that she knew so well: “Did your high heels suddenly get stuck in a sewer grate? Why are you just standing there?”
Lu Zizheng sighed, ruffled her hair, and resignedly walked over.
Once she got into the car, Lu Zizheng couldn’t help but sneak glances at Jiang Huaixi. Although Jiang Huaixi was so beautiful today that even as a fellow woman, she felt inferior, she had to admit that Jiang Huaixi was so pleasing to the eye that it was hard to look away.
As Jiang Huaixi drove, she noticed Lu Zizheng constantly casting curious glances her way, knowing she was wondering about her outfit today. She explained in a calm voice, “There’s a company annual meeting tonight. I just came from there, so I haven’t changed clothes.”
Lu Zizheng responded gloomily with an “oh.” An annual meeting, huh? Fancy food, clinking glasses… It seemed her homemade dumplings would find no place there, appearing so simple and superfluous. She bit her lip, her eyes gradually dimming, much like how her presence felt in Jiang Huaixi’s luxurious upper-class world.
Jiang Huaixi’s sharp peripheral vision caught Lu Zizheng’s despondency. She frowned slightly and said teasingly, “Are you jealous that I’m prettier and more captivating than you? I thought you would have come to terms with that by now.”
Hearing Jiang Huaixi’s familiar narcissistic tone, Lu Zizheng snapped out of her gloom, couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile slightly. Looking at Jiang Huaixi, she replied, “Sorry, you’re overthinking it. You’re not even worthy of catching my eye.”
Jiang Huaixi tilted her head slightly, glanced at Lu Zizheng, and said indifferently, “Oh? Really?” But her eyes held a knowing sparkle.
Lu Zizheng met her gaze for a moment, then turned her head back to face forward, her smile deepening. She compromised and confessed, “Sorry, I lied. Today, you are indeed prettier than me.”
The corners of Jiang Huaixi’s lips also revealed a faint smile. Still not satisfied, she retorted, “You’re still lying, and not just today.”
Lu Zizheng had already forgotten her earlier sorrow and self-pity. She chuckled and said, “That’s enough, I’ve seen narcissistic people, but none as narcissistic as you.”
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Seeing her laugh, Jiang Huaixi’s expression also relaxed. She changed the topic and asked, “What’s in the bag? Is it a New Year’s gift for me?”
Lu Zizheng glanced at the bag beside her seat, slightly taken aback, and replied, “It’s nothing.”
Jiang Huaixi squinted her eyes. She thought she had just seen chopsticks? But she remained silent and didn’t ask further.
The car stopped in the parking lot of Jiangxin Plaza. At this time, Jiangxin Plaza was brightly lit, bustling with shadows of people, and filled with the noise of the crowd. It was packed with groups of people coming to see the New Year’s lantern festival and countdown.
Lu Zizheng thought to herself that Jiang Huaixi probably intended to take her to the lantern festival. However, she couldn’t help but worry that Jiang Huaixi seemed to be dressed too lightly, and she had just recovered from a cold a few days ago.
Unexpectedly, after getting out of the car, Jiang Huaixi led her to walk across from Jiangxin Plaza. After crossing the street, they were faced with the tallest building in Linzhou City, with a fully transparent observation deck on the top floor. It was usually open to the public as a tourist attraction but closed after six o’clock in the evening.
While Lu Zizheng was still puzzled, Jiang Huaixi led her effortlessly into the building and up the elevator.
Lu Zizheng cast a questioning glance at Jiang Huaixi, but Jiang Huaixi didn’t offer much explanation, only saying, “You’ll know soon.”
The elevator ascended all the way to the top floor. Although the lights were off, the brightness from Jiangxin Plaza across the way made it seem like there were dim and warm lights on.
The entire floor was eerily silent. Lu Zizheng could clearly hear her own footsteps overlapping with the sound of Jiang Huaixi’s high heels. Her heartbeat danced along with Jiang Huaixi’s. It felt like the whole world had been reduced to just her and Jiang Huaixi.
She followed behind Jiang Huaixi, watching her graceful figure step by step towards the edge of the floor, lost in thought: If the next moment they were to face not the arrival of a new year but the end of the world, would she then have the courage to embrace the person in front of her without any reservations? If the countdown outside was the countdown of her life, then spending these final moments with Jiang Huaixi would make her life worthwhile.
Jiang Huaixi was about to reach the edge of the floor. From behind, it looked as if she were about to step into thin air. Unconsciously, Lu Zizheng cried out, “Huaixi, don’t go over there…”
Jiang Huaixi turned around to look at Lu Zizheng. In the dim warm light, her features were even more striking, with the lights of Jiangxin Plaza behind her like a sea, the distant river sparkling, and the reeds swaying. Lu Zizheng felt as if a giant painting were hanging before her, with Jiang Huaixi emerging from it like a goddess. She smiled brilliantly at her and extended her jade-like arm, calling out, “Zizheng, come over…”
Lu Zizheng trembled all over, unable to move.
Jiang Huaixi frowned slightly and asked, holding her forehead, “Zizheng, are you afraid of heights?”
Lu Zizheng lowered her eyes and nodded gently. Her fear of heights wasn’t severe and usually didn’t cause much trouble. The biggest issue was that she never dared to climb high mountains. But at this moment, the exposed high altitude challenged her limits.
Jiang Huaixi sighed helplessly and walked back towards Lu Zizheng. The hem of her qipao swayed with her steps, resembling a swimming fish, and her long, fair legs appeared and disappeared with the motion.
Her cool hand took hold of Lu Zizheng’s, guiding her forward and comforting her, “Zizheng, it’s not as scary as you think…”
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Lu Zizheng’s heart was racing uncontrollably. Despite being incredibly nervous and scared, she couldn’t help but follow Jiang Huaixi, step by step, until they reached the edge. Suddenly, she had a strong desire to stand together with Jiang Huaixi, at the same height, and see the beautiful world reflected in Jiang Huaixi’s eyes.
The moment she stood in front of the glass and looked down, Lu Zizheng almost wanted to immediately turn around and run away. But she found her legs weak and wobbly, almost unable to stand. In the next instant of panic, an arm wrapped around her waist, and she fell into Jiang Huaixi’s warm and reassuring embrace.
Jiang Huaixi held her lightly, her voice sounding in Lu Zizheng’s ear, clear yet gentle, “With me holding you, you won’t fall.” After a pause, she continued, “Even if you did fall, I’d be with you, so you’d actually be gaining something.”
Feeling Jiang Huaixi’s steady heartbeat and hearing her soothing voice, Lu Zizheng’s heart gradually calmed down. However, upon hearing Jiang Huaixi’s last remark, she couldn’t help but laugh and reminded her, “Are you sure I wouldn’t be losing out? Don’t overestimate your worth.”
Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow and calmly said, “Oh, your adaptability is quite good. You’re not scared anymore and even have the strength to argue with me. Since you don’t want to acknowledge my value, I’ll let go…” As she spoke, she pretended to withdraw the hand around Lu Zizheng’s waist.
Lu Zizheng was startled and instinctively reached out to cover Jiang Huaixi’s hand, gripping it tightly.
Jiang Huaixi chuckled softly, “Your body’s reaction is much more honest than your words.”
Lu Zizheng bit her lip, and a blush quietly crept up her cheeks, spreading all the way to her ears.
The crowd in Jiangxin Plaza began to gather, facing the large screen to the southwest. The countdown echoed through the sky, reaching the ears of Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi.
“5! 4! 3! 2! 1!”
“Dang dang dang…” The New Year’s bell rang, and a cheer erupted from the crowd. Simultaneously, a streak of light flashed across the distant riverbank, and in the next moment, a brilliant firework bloomed in the sky. One after another, the fireworks exploded, dazzling and colorful, seemingly endless…
Lu Zizheng stared at the sky without blinking, watching as one firework bloomed, then faded, and another bloomed again…
As mesmerizing as the fireworks were, they could no longer hold Lu Zizheng’s gaze. She half-turned, looking up at Jiang Huaixi, her eyes deep and her gaze as gentle as water.
Jiang Huaixi’s eyes curved into a smile, her eyes sparkling like stars. She smiled and said nonchalantly, “Don’t be too moved. The fireworks weren’t set off by me. I just heard from Huaichuan that there would be fireworks here tonight, so I picked a good spot for you.”
Lu Zizheng curved her lips into a silent smile, still looking at her like that.
Jiang Huaixi averted her gaze from Lu Zizheng’s eyes and looked at the sky. Suddenly, she said with a serious tone, “I see a shooting star. Quick, make a wish.”
Lu Zizheng, half-believing, turned back around, only to see the night sky filled with dazzling fireworks, already covering the twinkling stars, let alone any shooting star that Jiang Huaixi mentioned.
Jiang Huaixi urged her, “Another shooting star just passed. If you don’t make a wish now, you’ll miss your chance.”
Although still doubtful, Lu Zizheng closed her eyes obediently and made a sincere wish. Believing in wishes on shooting stars wasn’t because she was overly naive, but because her heart’s desires were too overwhelming.
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She silently recited in her heart: I only wish for my mother to live a long life and for Huaixi to be healthy and safe all her life. I am willing to exchange anything for this.
Jiang Huaixi lowered her head, watching Lu Zizheng make her wish with closed eyes and a devout expression. Her eyes were gentle as she softly kissed Lu Zizheng’s fluffy hair, silently promising her, “Alright. The shooting star may not have heard your wish, but I did.”
When Lu Zizheng finished making her wish and opened her eyes, she heard Jiang Huaixi mock her, “Zizheng, I didn’t know you were so easy to deceive.”
Having made her wish, Lu Zizheng felt a sense of peace, convinced that her wish would come true. Ignoring Jiang Huaixi’s mockery, she leaned into Jiang Huaixi’s embrace, gazing at the fireworks still blossoming in the sky. She softly said to Jiang Huaixi, “Huaixi, Happy New Year.”
Jiang Huaixi’s arm around Lu Zizheng’s waist tightened slightly. Her gaze also turned to the fireworks in the sky, her tone warm, “Yes, Happy New Year…”
Zizheng, if all they have given you is a nightmare, then let me be the one to weave your beautiful dreams.
LP: Re-translated on August 08, 2024
Footnotes
- Xi Yangyang and Grey Wolf: Characters from the popular Chinese animated series “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf” (喜羊羊与灰太狼), widely known among children and adults alike in China.
So romantic❤
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❤
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.