Chapter 24

Duan Baisui let out a low chuckle. “What are you so nervous about?”
Hand pressed to his pounding heart, Zuo Nian whispered, “I don’t know… it just feels all fluttery…”
It itches and tingles, and it fills him with anticipation.
On TV, whenever a scene reaches this kind of charged moment, the two characters always kiss, cupping each other’s faces with gentle hands.
Zuo Nian’s heart stirred. Should he close his eyes?
Right then, Duan Baisui straightened, as if nothing had happened. “Come on. Get changed. We’ll be late.”
“…”
All the rosy bubbles in his mind popped at once.
He puffed out his cheeks. *What an inexplicable Gege.*
When their car pulled up at the manor, it was just about dinner time.
Duan Yan and Xu Yi had been waiting for them.
Seeing that both of them looked well, the two elders finally relaxed a little.
The New Year was only a week away. Over the meal, Duan Yan proposed that they spend New Year’s Eve having a reunion dinner at home, then head to S City on the first day of the new year for a proper vacation.
Spoon in hand, sipping his soup, Duan Baisui said mildly, “I’m fine with anything.”
Zuo Nian, however, hesitated. “Could… could we leave a bit later? On the first day, I want to visit the orphanage director.”
Smiling, Xu Yi said, “Of course. You two can decide the timing yourselves. It’s your trip.”
Setting down his spoon, Duan Baisui said, “Then let’s leave on the second.”
“Okay~” Zuo Nian agreed.
“Do you want me to go with you to the orphanage?” Duan Baisui asked, as if in passing.
“If Gege has time,” Zuo Nian replied.
“I do,” said Duan Baisui.
Every part of Zuo Nian’s early life he hadn’t shared in, he suddenly wanted to understand.
Xu Yi traded a glance with Duan Yan; neither of them could hide the delight in their eyes.
Maybe, just maybe, this slow‑witted son of theirs had finally realized his own feelings.
On New Year’s Eve, the four grandparents from distant Mocheng were also brought to City A.
All of them were retired now, whiling away their days with mahjong, chess, and square dancing—not a bad life at all.
Duan Yan had long wanted to bring them over, but they were too used to Mocheng and its familiar neighborhood and had never been willing to move.
Today, at least, was a day for reunion, and both families had come together in full.
For once, the manor’s grand dining hall was truly put to use.
The long table was full of people chattering happily.
Zuo Nian wore a bright red sweater, the vivid color festive and eye‑catching—perfect for the occasion.
All of Duan Baisui’s elders were fond of him, handing him red envelopes one after another, each thicker than the last.
Embarrassed, Zuo Nian didn’t know whether he should accept. At twenty‑five, married, he felt too old to be taking lucky money.
“If Grandma and Grandma‑in‑law are giving them to you, just take them,” Duan Baisui said with a smile. “It means they like you.”
Only when he glanced at Zuo Jun and Ason and saw them both nod did Zuo Nian accept the red envelopes at last. Ducking his head, he murmured a shy “Thank you,” sweetness itself.
Dinner ran late into the evening.
At ten o’clock, fireworks began blossoming over the manor’s lawn.
No one went to bed early that night; it was New Year’s Eve, after all.
While the elders watched the Spring Festival Gala in the living room, chatting away, Zuo Nian and Duan Baisui stood shoulder to shoulder at the floor‑to‑ceiling window, looking out at the fireworks.
The night sky bloomed in dazzling colors. Each explosion of light vanished in an instant.
Cell phone in hand, Zuo Nian kept snapping photos, while Duan Baisui watched him instead.
“Sui‑sui, Nian‑nian~” someone called from behind them.
They turned their heads at the same time—
*Click.* The shutter captured the moment.
Ason later sent the frozen frame to Xu Yi with a laugh. “Look,” he said. “It’s just like that photo you took back then. How did they grow up so fast? They’re so big now…”
“They are,” Xu Yi said softly. “Time really flies…”
When midnight passed, the TV program ended as well.
Everyone retired to their own rooms to rest.
Zuo Nian was so happy that he was still too excited to sleep.
He tucked his pile of red envelopes under his pillow and lay there playing on his phone.
When Duan Baisui came out of the shower, Zuo Nian waved him over and enlarged a photo in the family group chat for him to see.
“Gege, this is us when we were little. Do you remember?”
Leaning over, Duan Baisui looked. It was of two children sitting on the ground, playing with building blocks.
The adult taking the picture had called out to them; both kids had turned at the same moment to look at the camera.
The scene was exactly the same as the one from that evening.
Set side by side, the two photos were steeped in an almost fated feeling.
“Gege, Nian‑nian really hopes we can have a new photo like this every year.”
On the morning of the first day of the new year, both of them got up early.
After having breakfast with the family, they loaded the car with New Year’s gifts they’d prepared in advance and set off for the welfare home.
The roads were crowded with people out visiting relatives, and traffic was heavy.
By the time they reached the orphanage, it was almost noon.
Zuo Nian had called Director Xia ahead of time. The kindly old woman now stood at the gate in a faded cotton coat, waiting for them in the falling snow.
“Director Mama!” As soon as the car stopped, Zuo Nian flung the door open and ran to her.
At the sound of his voice, she came forward, affection radiating from her brows and eyes. “Xiao Qi.”
“Director Mama, it’s freezing. Why are you standing out here? You’ll catch a cold,” Zuo Nian said worriedly, brushing the snow from her shoulders.
“I won’t. I’m still strong,” she said with a smile.
While they spoke, Duan Baisui came over with the gift boxes in hand.
The young Alpha was tall and striking, his bespoke suit only accentuating his refined, aristocratic air.
Quickly, Zuo Nian made introductions. “Director Mama, this is my Alpha. His name is Duan Baisui. We… we’ve been married for half a year now.”
“Is that so? Congratulations, Xiao Qi,” Director Xia said, delight lighting up her face.
Zuo Nian scratched his head, a little shy. “Thank you, Mama.”
“Hello, Director Xia,” Duan Baisui greeted politely.
“Hello, Mr. Duan. Please, come in,” Xia Qiulin said, extending her hand.
They followed her inside.
On the way, Duan Baisui took in their surroundings.
It was nothing like what he’d imagined—
The grounds were small, the buildings low, a sense of dilapidation hanging in the air.
Director Xia led them to her office. Pushing the door open revealed the entire room at a glance.
The gray walls were plastered with children’s stick‑figure drawings. The old air‑conditioner rattled and groaned as it labored on, sounding as if it might fall apart at any moment.
She invited them to sit and brewed them each a cup of rose tea, thanking them repeatedly for the gifts they’d brought.
Just then, a cluster of seven‑ or eight‑year‑olds crowded around the doorway.
They peered in with wide eyes and called gleefully, “Brother Xiao Qi!”
Zuo Nian came back whenever he could, bringing the director and the kids clothes, toys, and snacks.
He’d spent several years of his life here; no one knew better than he did what this place lacked.
Over time, the children had learned that his visits meant good things to eat, and they all looked forward to him coming.
Scooping up three bulging bags of snacks from the desk, Zuo Nian carried them to the door. “Don’t push. There’s plenty for everyone. And where are the others?”
“In the dorms~”
“Then let’s go together,” he said. “I’ll come see them too.”
He poked his head back into the office. “Gege, are you coming?”
The children half‑hid behind him, sneaking nervous looks at Duan Baisui. They seemed a little scared of the imposing Alpha.
Shaking his head, Duan Baisui said, “You go ahead. I’ll stay here with the director.”
“Then I’ll be back soon~”
“Mm.”
Once Zuo Nian and the children had run off, he couldn’t help glancing toward the courtyard, but their figures had already vanished.
“I’ve heard Xiao Qi mention a certain ‘Gege’ many times over the years. I suppose that must be you, Mr. Duan,” Director Xia said warmly. “You are indeed every bit as dazzling and outstanding as he always described.”