Chapter 51: New Year’s Visit

The Next Day

Qin Lang, unusually, slept in. When he opened his eyes, it was already past 7 in the morning.

As he started to get up, he felt Lin You stir beside him, snuggling up to him like a kitten, murmuring softly, “Qin Lang, sleep a little longer…”

Qin Lang chuckled and gently held her in his arms, savoring her warmth and softness. He also realized they weren’t staying in the main compound anymore, so not many people knew he was back. There wasn’t any sound from downstairs either, likely meaning his parents had already left.

He picked up his phone from the nightstand and, sure enough, there was a message from his mother “We went out early. You two rest up, there’s no rush to go out.”

Smiling, Qin Lang set the phone aside and closed his eyes again, drifting back to sleep.

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Later That Morning

When they finally woke up and got ready, it was already past 10, a comfortable time to go visit some old friends from his childhood in the compound.

In the compound, many of his childhood friends had grown up and taken different paths. Some were in various professions, and quite a few were in the military. Due to strict confidentiality policies, certain topics couldn’t be discussed openly, so they stuck to reminiscing about funny childhood stories.

In past years, people had often seen Lin You coming and going with Professor Song or with Qin’s parents, but rarely had they seen her and Qin Lang together. This led some to speculate whether they were really married.

One year, a friendly auntie had even tried to set Lin You up with someone, forcing Professor Song to reveal that she and Qin Lang were indeed married.

“Oh, Little Lang, I can’t believe you actually managed to marry such a beauty like Yoyo!” someone joked.

Qin Lang exchanged a look with Lin You, and they both laughed.

Qin Lang walked over to the elder who had spoken and replied with a grin, “Yeah, I’m one lucky guy, aren’t I?”

This remark sent everyone into a burst of laughter.

One of the young men standing nearby also began to tease them about their high school days.

“Qin Lang, remember when everyone teased you because your mom found you such a beautiful wife, and you were so mad?”

Seeing that Qin Lang and Lin You weren’t upset, he continued.

“You even said if anyone kept saying that, you’d stop talking to them.”

“And now, if anyone “doesn’t” say it, you’d probably stop talking to them!” someone else chimed in.

Lin You’s cheeks flushed, and Qin Lang quickly pulled her close, as if claiming her as his own.

“You guys will just have to hope for next time around and maybe have your parents start looking for wives early,” he teased.

One of the friends joked, “Well, then I’ll just come back to life in your family!”

“Not a chance,” Qin Lang replied instantly. “In her next life and the one after that, she’ll still be mine.”

Another friend laughed and teased, “Qin Lang, you’re still as possessive as ever!”

“Yep, you got that right,” Qin Lang replied with a smile.

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Later That Afternoon

After visiting a few families to wish them a happy New Year, they were ready to head back. On the way, Professor Song called to say, “We’ll be dining out tonight, so don’t wait for us, eat something on your own.”

Qin Lang looked at Lin You gently and asked, “Are you tired? Want to go home and rest first?”

Lin You shook her head with a small smile, indicating she wasn’t tired.

Qin Lang suggested, “How about we grab dinner and see a movie? Maybe there’s a good New Year’s release showing.”

Surprised by the spontaneous idea, Lin You nodded happily. “Sure.”

She then took out her phone to look up the movie listings for this year.

After dinner, Qin Lang noticed a flower shop nearby. He asked Lin You to wait for a moment and went inside. A few moments later, he returned with a bouquet of pink roses her favorite.

Lin You held the flowers as they watched the movie, while Qin Lang sat beside her, enjoying the cozy atmosphere of the holiday and the warmth of her presence.

The teasing remarks from friends about Qin Lang’s high school days were long forgotten. Qin Lang had already explained himself, and with their happiness now, why bother over the past? What mattered was the wonderful present they shared.

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Back at Home

When they got home, they saw that Professor Song and Qin’s father hadn’t returned yet.

They hung their coats by the door, noting that it was only just past eight. Lin You sat on the sofa and set the flowers on the table, gazing at Qin Lang.

With her hair up in a bun and wearing a light gray sweater, she looked more beautiful than the flowers in the soft glow of the lamp.

Qin Lang sat beside her and asked, “I didn’t see your old childhood friend today. Remember Xiao Dong from middle school, the shy one? She always cried at the slightest thing. Did she get married?”

“Xiao Dong?” Lin You laughed, correcting him. “Her name was Xiao Dong, as in ‘carefree.’”

Thinking about Xiao Dong made Lin You recall Qin Lang’s mischievousness during their younger years.

In the compound, only she and Xiao Dong were in the same class, so they often went to and from school together. Because Professor Song worked night shifts occasionally, Xiao Dong’s parents would pick them up if it was late.

One time, Qin Lang came to pick her up on his motorcycle. He’d just learned how to ride, so when he brought them home, he sped along unfamiliar roads, and all three of them ended up falling into a bush. Xiao Dong was the first to react by crying, convinced her leg was broken.

In the end, she was fine, but that incident got Qin Lang banned from riding motorcycles.

That summer, he’d always tease Xiao Dong whenever he saw her. Being sensitive, she would often tear up at the sight of him.

When she found out Lin You was marrying Qin Lang, Xiao Dong had tried to persuade her, saying, “Why would you marry him? Don’t do it just out of gratitude.”

Xiao Dong eventually moved to New Zealand with her husband, and they had long lost touch.

Qin Lang noticed Lin You’s thoughtful expression and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“I was just remembering how annoying you were in middle school.”

“What? How was I annoying?”

Lin You recounted the story to him. Qin Lang, however, didn’t seem bothered and defended himself, saying, “She cried all the time anyway. I just teased her a little!”

“A little? She was terrified to even see you.”

“But she still dared to try talking you out of marrying me, didn’t she?”

Lin You smirked. “I’m actually regretting not listening to her.”

Hearing this, Qin Lang couldn’t help but start tickling her. Lin You, unable to stand it, tried to escape while pleading, “No, Qin Lang, I was wrong! I don’t regret it!”

Qin Lang laughed, but he didn’t stop, enjoying the chance to tickle her.

Before long, the mood shifted, and Qin Lang’s voice softened as Lin You’s laughter filled the room.

Just then, Professor Song’s voice echoed from the courtyard. “Yoyo, Qin Lang, we’re home.”

They quickly composed themselves as Professor Song walked in.

Relieved that they still had all their clothes on, Lin You blushed as Qin Lang pulled her close, shielding her reddened face from view.

“Dad, Mom, you’re back! We’re off to bed,” Qin Lang said quickly, guiding Lin You upstairs and leaving his parents staring in surprise.