School was out, and Zhou You was on break too. The swimming pool had so few visitors now that only Wang Ping was left to handle things. It was mainly to cater to regular clients who needed their daily swims—after all, since they were going for a high-end route, they couldn't keep shutting down all the time.
Looking back on the past half year, life had been incredibly exciting. He'd done things he'd never done before, met people he'd never encountered, and felt utterly revitalized. Being able to make his own decisions and take control of his life was wonderfully satisfying.
His hobbies had gotten off to a good start, and the circles he wanted to join were beginning to open up. The coming year would be one of gradual rewards.
On a clear afternoon, Wang Fangfang and Zhou You walked hand in hand by the lake, sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves and casting dappled light on them. Their shadows swayed on the path, like a pair of intimate lovers.
Suddenly, they stopped and exchanged a smile. They opened their arms and held each other tightly, their bodies slowly drawing closer, their hands inching toward each other. Their breaths mingled, as if the air itself was charged with passion and desire. They expressed their feelings through the sound of their voices and the rhythm of their breathing.
Their lips touched, gently nibbling at each other's mouths. In that sweet, lingering moment, the whole scene was steeped in love and tenderness, as if time had frozen. Only the two of them could feel that intensity and affection.
With a month-long separation looming, they were filled with longing for each other. When passion flared, they retreated to the house and tangled together for a while.
Their relationship was a bit awkward now. On the surface, they seemed like boyfriend and girlfriend, but Zhou You had never actually confessed. Yet if they weren't, then everything that could happen had already happened.
Zhou You was destined to never take the initiative, but he wouldn't refuse either.
Wang Fangfang now understood that a man like Zhou You couldn't be tied down. She had the advantage of being close, like the one who got the moon first by the waterfront. But how long that advantage would last, she didn't know.
Tall, handsome, young, and wealthy, a university professor who had invested in multiple projects—who wouldn't be drawn to someone like that?
Anyway, they were both still young. They'd take it one step at a time.
Before heading home, he bought some cigarettes, alcohol, and tea leaves. After all, the New Year was coming, and visiting relatives and friends required these things.
This trip home was livelier than the last. Since it was the New Year, many who worked outside were gradually returning.
The whole village seemed to come back to life.
At Zhou You's age, many of his childhood friends were already married with kids, and some even had two children.
When they chatted, their common topics grew fewer.
His friends talked about where they were working, what it was like, how much they earned each month, and whether there was any fun to be had.
Zhou You couldn't chime in, and he didn't want to show off. He only occasionally joined in on village gossip. Still, being with them was relaxing—he didn't have to think about much.
He spent his days like a street loafer, wandering here and there, teasing the kids at home, buying a bunch of stuff from the small supermarket—sweets were a great lure for the children.
As the days passed, the New Year atmosphere grew stronger.
In the northern countryside, the New Year scene was full of joy and bustle. Every household was busy preparing holiday goods, cleaning courtyards, washing clothes, putting up couplets, hanging lanterns, and setting off firecrackers.
People started preparing for the New Year on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month. Every family would wash everything in the house spotless and lay it out in the yard to dry. That day was known as "Sweeping Day," and it was the busiest time for farmers.
Zhou You tried to slack off that day but couldn't escape. Forced to clean, he just waved a broom around and said to his dad, "Since everyone's home for the New Year, find a construction crew. After the New Year, when spring comes, we can start building the house."
"What's the rush? The house is perfectly fine. You just graduated, and already you're looking down on your own home?" his dad grumbled.
"Look down on it? I'm barely home a few days a year. I just want you two to live more comfortably. Look at this—still an outhouse in the dead of winter, freezing my butt off," Zhou You said, pretending to care about his parents, but really, he'd just gotten soft and couldn't handle the discomfort of home anymore.
"Besides, if I ever get a girlfriend and bring her here, you'd show her this? She'd run off in a panic," he added a heavy blow, which left his dad speechless.
In the countryside, nothing was more important than a child getting married. Besides, the old house had been standing for over a decade.
His mom, overhearing this, perked up with curiosity and excitement. "You, got a girlfriend? If you do, bring her home to see us!"
Zhou You put the broom down. "I wouldn't dare bring her even if I had one. Where would she stay? Is there a place to live? No place to shower, and the toilet's out in the open."
After his outburst, his parents fell silent. After a moment, they said, "Alright, since everyone's home for the New Year, we'll get in touch. When spring comes next year, we'll start building."
"That's more like it. I've made some money in the past six months. I'll give you 500,000 yuan. Build it well—I don't care about the rest, but make sure there's a bathroom and a shower room," Zhou You said firmly.
By tying it to his future marriage, his parents couldn't take it lightly. He'd finally achieved his goal.
With the house approved, Zhou You was motivated.
He moved everything out of the house and started a thorough cleaning. He used a broom to sweep dust off the walls, ceiling, windows, and floor, then wiped down the furniture and appliances with a damp cloth until they were spotless.
On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, the whole village began slaughtering chickens and fish, making tofu, frying snacks, and preparing all sorts of delicacies to welcome the New Year.
Some families also steamed New Year cakes, boiled dumplings, and made soups to celebrate the upcoming holiday.
At night, it was the kids' world. The firecrackers bought before the New Year came in handy. They gathered in groups of three or five, setting them off, throwing them into rivers or bottles. There were always a few bratty kids who'd toss them into someone's manure pit. If they were slow to run, they'd get caught and beaten up.
On New Year's Eve, every family had a reunion dinner, set off fireworks, watched the Spring Festival Gala, or stayed up late. The whole village was immersed in joy, with people visiting each other to exchange New Year's greetings, blessings, and happiness.
When Zhou You was a kid, he loved setting off firecrackers too, but back then he had no money. He'd go around picking up leftover ones, treating unexploded firecrackers like treasures. A few kids would gather around to light them, or if they had no fuses, they'd peel them open, pile the powder together, and make a little smoke.
Kids loved the New Year the most—good food, good drinks, and good fun.
Especially in the last few days before the Spring Festival, when all the preparations were done and the busy work was finished, the festive spirit reached its peak.
The whole village was bathed in a joyful atmosphere, with everyone looking forward to the arrival of the New Year.