Endless Fall

The sound of glasses clinking stopped. Chu Yuzhou cleared his throat and suggested, “How about we re-experience our childhood?”

“How?”

“By playing the games we played in childhood.”

!!

“What kind of game?” Qian Yue took the tissue from Zhou Yanshen.

He glanced at Lin Jiao. “Hide-and-seek.”

Zhou Yanshen said, “That sounds fun.” He looked around. “This place is big enough. It’s not easy to find.”

“Who’s playing the seeker?”

“Rock Paper Scissors. Whoever loses will play the seeker.”

Lin Jiao thought that no one wanted to play, but to her surprise, they were cooperative.

She clenched her fist and reached out her right hand.

Then—

She and Qu Shao lost.

“Stand at the back.” Chu Yuzhou found a suitable spot for the two of them. “Qu Shao, set the alarm.”

“For how long?”

“Three or four minutes.”

Qu Shao agreed. “It’s starting.” He and Lin Jiao faced the white wall and listened to the footsteps leave.

As soon as the alarm went off, he turned off the screen. “I’ll be in charge of the first and second floors. You go to the third floor and the rooftop.”

“Okay.” Lin Jiao slowly turned around.

She walked up the spiral staircase and was about to go up to the third floor from the corner when she stopped because the floor was filled with small lamps.

She stopped at the staircase on the third floor nervously.

An arrow made of roses came into view.

She followed the arrow to the left. Wherever she passed, LED lights in the shape of stars lit up. Under the light hung different photos.

The first photo was taken three years ago on Pei Zhi’s twenty-seventh birthday. She stood on his right and smiled shyly.

The second photo was taken two years ago. On the night of the second day of Chinese New Year, they sat at the entrance of the Pei family’s small courtyard and set off fireworks.

The third photo was taken a year ago. They cosplayed as Joker and Harley Quinn on Halloween and went to Zhou Yanshen’s house for a party.

In the past, they didn’t have many photos together. Now that she looked at the photos, she realized that he was looking at her sideways in every photo, his eyes filled with unconcealable gentleness.

Lin Jiao walked forward with red eyes.

This year, there were more photos of them together on different occasions.

Be it in Paris or at his house, every photo brought back many memories.

Walking to the end of the arrow, she gently pushed open the glass door. Hundreds of silver-white balloons were blown into the night sky by the wind.

There was a note hanging on every balloon string. She could clearly see every line of words.

“Jiaojiao, I like you.”

“Be my girlfriend, okay?”

The moment the balloons floated away, the mist in Lin Jiao’s eyes turned into tears.

She retracted her gaze with tears in her eyes and looked at Pei Zhi, who was standing at the end of the sea of roses. She picked up her dress and ran towards him.

The moment Pei Zhi pulled her into his arms, fireworks shot up into the sky.

The P and L-shaped fireworks lit up the ink-like night and bloomed with a dazzling light.

“Jiaojiao.” He wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and leaned over to touch her forehead. “I like you.”

His voice was trembling, indicating his nervousness.

Lin Jiao sniffed. She grabbed the corner of his suit jacket tightly and sobbed. “I like you too.”

“I haven’t asked yet.”

“Then ask.”

Pei Zhi looked into her tear-stained eyes. “Are you willing to be my girlfriend?”

“I’m willing.”

“Say that again.”

Lin Jiao stood on her tiptoes. “I am willing.” She pressed her lips against his and closed her eyes to feel his breathing.

A cheer came after they kissed.

Zhou Yanshen, who was leaning against the wall, witnessed the entire confession and suddenly felt that the love candle he used last time didn’t look as good.

He looked sideways at Qian Yue. When he saw the envy in her eyes, he decided to ask Pei Zhi for advice before confessing next time.

“I want to be in a relationship too.” Chu Yuzhou sighed, causing everyone to look at him

“Then do it.”

“But no one wants to be in a relationship with me.”

“I don’t think so.” Qu Shao blew out a puff of smoke and elbowed him. “The one you saved last time is not bad.”

...

Chu Yuzhou was speechless.

He shook the images of the girl in his mind and followed them back unhurriedly.

The glass door opened and closed. A cold wind swept up the roses, making them dance in the air.

The heater in the living room rushed in from all directions, dispelling the lingering coldness on them along with the alcohol.

“New Year’s Eve is in four hours.” Jiang Ye looked up at the clock opposite. “Time passes too quickly.”

“That’s right.” Shen Yi sat on the carpet. “I feel like I didn’t do anything this year.”

Chu Yuzhou said, “Me too.” He forked fruits from the fruit plate and asked Pei Zhi, “Brother Pei, how many bedrooms are there upstairs?”

“Six.”

“Then we’ll sleep here tonight.”

Pei Zhi said, “They’re all king size beds. Go up and pick whichever one you like.”

“Is this villa yours?”

...

“Yes, I bought it a few years ago.”

“Then why aren’t you staying here?” Lin Jiao leaned on his broad shoulder and took two sips of red wine.

“It’s too big and I feel lonely here.”

“Indeed.” Zhou Yanshen understood his feelings. “It’s suitable for a family of three to live here.”

“That’s why I’m not buying a villa.” Qu Shao raised his glass and toasted them. “But I don’t mind if my boss gives me one.”

“It’s not like you can’t afford it.”

“How can buying it myself and getting it for free be the same?’

His reply made everyone laugh. Zhou Yanshen placed his hand on his shoulder and smiled playfully. “In your dream, you can have everything you want.”

“Are you in my dream? If not, I don’t want to dream.”

“I think you’re thirsty.” He picked up the red wine bottle and filled Qu Shao’s glass.

Qu Shao carefully placed the glass on the coffee table and found the dice cup from the cabinet. “It’s boring to just drink. Who wants to play?”

“All of us.”

“Why don’t we take turns?”

Shen Yi got some more dice cups and placed one in front of each of them.