Chapter 165: Holly
There were a total of twelve programs at Mingde’s New Year’s Gala. At the end, there would be a segment from “Walking with the Light” to announce the voting results. After the seventh program finished, it was time for the intermission.
The audience took the opportunity to go to the restroom, and Mingde had also prepared some snacks and drinks, placed on long tables in the common area.
Because the smell of mala tang was too strong and they were afraid it might cling to the performers, Gu Qinghuan and the others ran back to Class Three’s classroom, eating happily.
Yu Yuan, however, declined their invitation and eagerly went to look for Cui Wanning.
She still remembered the “surprise” Cui Wanning had mentioned. For today’s performance, she had given it her all, and personally felt she had done quite well.
Although she didn’t have the extra attention to look at Cui Wanning while on stage, judging from the applause, she must have performed well, right?
Then… would Mom be happy for her? Would she be satisfied?
Even if she wasn’t the Yu family’s biological daughter, even if her grades weren’t as good as Yu Xin’s… at least for tonight’s gala, as the “daughter of the Yu family,” she should have been presentable to Cui Wanning, right?
Yu Yuan quickly spotted Cui Wanning in the crowd. She was holding a sprig of holly—something Class Three had prepared for Jiang Chuchu and Gu Qinghuan. The two of them had shared a few branches with their groupmates.
Yu Yuan had also received one from Gu Qinghuan. Bright red berries dotted the branch, looking festive and lively.
She had even looked it up—giving holly to elders symbolized wishes for health and longevity. Cui Wanning had a weak constitution, always especially sensitive to the cold in winter and prone to illness, so Yu Yuan wanted to give this branch to her.
Cui Wanning also noticed her and waved with a smile. “Yuanyuan, come here.”
Yu Yuan jogged over. Just as she was about to speak, Cui Wanning grabbed her hand and pulled her in front of the lady beside her.
“Yuanyuan, this is your Uncle Wei’s wife. You met when you were little, remember?” Cui Wanning said with a smile.
Since Yu Yuan was holding the holly and it was inconvenient to shake hands, Cui Wanning took it from her and casually placed it on the nearby table.
“I remember.” Yu Yuan subconsciously wanted to glance at the holly, but recalling Cui Wanning’s reminder that it was polite to look at the person you were speaking to, she restrained herself and shifted her gaze to the lady’s face.
Her tone also turned sweet and gentle. “Uncle Wei Yan, right? Then you must be Aunt Xu?”
A smile immediately appeared in the lady’s eyes. “That’s right, I’m Xu Zhishu.”
Cui Wanning was very satisfied and said to Xu Zhishu with a smile, “See? Our Yuanyuan has been obedient and sensible since she was little.”
Yu Yuan’s lips moved. Compared to being called obedient and sensible, she wanted even more to know what Cui Wanning thought of her performance just now.
But interrupting elders while they were talking would be very impolite, so she closed her mouth again.
Cui Wanning and Xu Zhishu continued chatting. Yu Yuan stood beside them, pretending to listen attentively, maintaining a gentle smile on her face.
Gradually, she noticed that Xu Zhishu frequently mentioned “my son” during the conversation.
Wei Yan and Xu Zhishu’s son was named Wei Xiao. He was a few months older than her and had been arrogant and ill-tempered since childhood. The few times Yu Yuan had met him when they were young, he would either pull her hair or throw grasshoppers and longhorn beetles at her.
Whenever she cried and went to Cui Wanning, Cui Wanning would always smile and comfort her, saying the boy just wanted to play with her and telling her to keep him company.
Later, Yu Yuan stopped crying, but every time she saw Wei Xiao, she tried to stay far away.
Fortunately, the Wei family went abroad during elementary school, so she no longer had to see him. Before leaving, Wei Xiao gave her a metal box.
Yu Yuan had thought it contained candy or postcards, but when she opened it, she found it filled with cicada shells. She was so frightened that she ran a high fever for three whole days, and even now, she was still terrified of such insects.
Her fingers tightened unconsciously. As the second half of the program was about to begin, Xu Zhishu returned to her seat first. Cui Wanning then pulled Yu Yuan aside and quietly instructed, “Starting next semester, your brother Wei Xiao will be studying at Mingde. You should get along well with him.”
Yu Yuan felt her lips grow heavy, and only after great effort did she manage to curve them into a smile. “Okay, Mom.”
Cui Wanning nodded in satisfaction. “That child Wei Xiao quite likes you. You got along well when you were little. Next year, the two families will first arrange the engagement. After you graduate from high school, it can be announced.”
Yu Yuan’s nails dug into her palms. She opened her mouth, wanting to say, “I don’t like Wei Xiao,” but looking at Cui Wanning’s expression, she couldn’t say it at all.
She lowered her head, as obedient and sensible as ever. “I understand.”
The lights in the hall dimmed again as the second half of the performances was about to begin. Cui Wanning returned to her seat, while Yu Yuan remained standing there. After a long while, she reached out and picked up the holly from the table.
Maybe after so many years, Wei Xiao wasn’t as mischievous as before. Although the word “engagement” sounded distant and unreal, just as her mother had told her since childhood—girls would eventually have to marry.
Her mother had already chosen a marriage partner for her early on. She should be grateful.
Thinking this, Yu Yuan walked out somewhat dazed, carrying the holly.
The branch was a bit long, its tip dragging along the ground. A few bright red berries fell off, scattering behind her.
Like crimson tears in the darkness—unseen by anyone.
By the time Yu Yuan came back to her senses, she had already reached the doorway of Class Three.
Bao Qingsong spotted her through the window and called out to Yu Xin, “Class rep, your sister’s here!”
Yu Xin came out, saw Yu Yuan, and quickly pulled her inside. “It’s so cold outside, and you didn’t even put on an extra layer.”
She took the holly from Yu Yuan, looked around, and temporarily placed it in a vase on the podium. Then she pulled Yu Yuan to sit down and pressed a cup of hot water into her hands.
Gu Qinghuan stopped chewing and looked at Yu Yuan through the rising steam of the mala tang.
She swallowed the fish ball in her mouth, wiped her lips, and waved. “Yu Yuan, you didn’t eat dinner either, right? Want to come have some?”
Jiang Chuchu had ordered a super deluxe set—an entire large basin full. Everyone was using serving chopsticks to take portions into their own bowls.
Yu Yuan had intended to refuse, but the aroma of mala tang was too overpowering. Her stomach answered before she could.
She felt a bit embarrassed, while the classmates of Class Three laughed.
Qin Yue shook his head. “It’s over—now every time I hear a stomach growl, I think of the class monitor reciting that food-list monologue on stage.”
Gu Qinghuan pulled Yu Yuan to sit beside her and shot him a glare. “Say that again?”
Jiang Chuchu raised her fist, and Song Yi and Ai Ning also leaned in toward Qin Yue with ill intent.
Qin Yue immediately behaved. “Nothing, I didn’t say anything.”
Satisfied, Gu Qinghuan withdrew her gaze and asked Yu Yuan, “What do you want to eat?” As she spoke, she had already found clean disposable chopsticks and a paper bowl.
“I… I’ve never eaten this before.” Yu Yuan looked at the ingredients bobbing in the red broth, unsure what to say.
“Can you handle spicy food?” Gu Qinghuan asked.
Yu Yuan instinctively wanted to shake her head, but paused. “I can.”
In truth, she could eat very spicy food, but the Yu family preferred light flavors, so she never said much.
“Alright, then I’ll recommend.” Gu Qinghuan skillfully filled a bowl for her, then scooped half a ladle of chili-filled red broth into it and stuffed it into her hands. “Eat!”
Yu Yuan took it and carefully took a bite. Gu Qinghuan asked, “Is it good?”
“Mm, it’s good.” Yu Yuan nodded vigorously.
“That’s good. Eat first—the second half is starting, let’s keep watching the livestream,” Gu Qinghuan said. “The performance was a success, the food is delicious—today is a perfect day. So just be happy today. Whatever it is, we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
Yu Yuan tightened her grip on the chopsticks. Her eyes grew moist. She lowered her head again and continued eating.
“…Mm. Tomorrow, then.”
