"I think that guy looks good, and he seems cultured and well-mannered. Why don't you like him?" Lin Chuan asked curiously.

"Too familiar, not my type," Song Xiaojia laughed. "By the way, what brings you here? Come on, tell the truth. Did you have a date with a girl?"

"No," Lin Chuan shook his head and said, "Old Wu from the provincial city kidnapped a buddy of mine. We just met here, and I gave them a good thrashing before having Zhou Kai and the others take him away. Then I stayed here!"

"You got into another fight?" Song Xiaojia glared at Lin Chuan and said, "And you've brought it all the way to the provincial city?"

"What else was I supposed to do?" Lin Chuan laughed.

"Call the police and let them handle it," Song Xiaojia said annoyedly. "If everyone acted like you, the world would be in chaos. What would be the point of having police?"

"Yes, yes, my mistake. I should call the police next time," Lin Chuan chuckled. "Officer Song, would that be helpful?"

"No use, I'm not a police officer anymore," Song Xiaojia huffed.

"Really?" Lin Chuan was taken aback, observing that she didn't seem to be lying.

"Of course, it's true," Song Xiaojia nodded.

"Why quit being a police officer?" Lin Chuan asked, curious.

"Because... what's it to you?" Song Xiaojia glared at Lin Chuan and said, "Come on, I'm in a good mood today, thanks to you for helping me avoid that blind date. I'll treat you to midnight snacks, and afterward, we'll watch the New Year's Eve fireworks together at East River. Deal?"

"Deal," Lin Chuan nodded.

As they were leaving, Lin Chuan glanced at the opera house's entrance, which was now deserted, and even the doors were shut by the staff. Clearly, Tang Yumeng and Bai Yifan had already left early. Lin Chuan felt an undeniable sense of loss and disappointment.

Song Xiaojia linked arms with him, her face alight with excitement.

The two hailed a car and quickly headed straight for East River. The East River is an important waterway in Jiang Province and can be considered the mother river of the region. Without East River, the bustling provincial city and Jiangbei City would likely not exist.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, taxis all operate on a flat rate without the meter, charging a uniform hundred yuan for trips within the city, non-negotiable.

Song Xiaojia was in high spirits and didn't mind these details. Besides, it's the festive season. The drivers also have it tough and are just trying to earn a bit of hard-earned money. Upon reaching East River, Song Xiaojia gave the driver a hundred yuan, then took Lin Chuan straight to the river.

Yanjiang Road is the most expensive area in the provincial city, with prices reaching up to 18,000 yuan per square meter. The houses by the river sell the views and the sentiment. Living here, you can look out from your home and see the bustling Yanjiang Road, and not far away is the majestic East River. This spot is where the East River and the Yangtze River converge, so the river surface is particularly magnificent and alluring.

There's an observation deck by the East River, a space of several thousand square meters that has practically become a small square. Commonly, it gathers a crowd of elderly people who chat, play chess, or bask in the sun, and during the summer, many people come here to cool off by the river.

Now, on New Year's Eve, the area is crammed with young people. They are gathered here in anticipation of the annual fireworks show. Every Chinese New Year's Eve, the government spends millions to host a grand fireworks show to let the citizens of the provincial city enjoy the spectacular and solemn event.

"Lin Chuan, let's hurry over. It's starting in an hour," Song Xiaojia pulled Lin Chuan's hand.

The two of them were just like a couple, with Song Xiaojia wearing a long down coat that wrapped nearly to her knees, yet not looking the least bit bulky. On the contrary, she appeared incredibly stylish and pretty. Her shoulder-length hair looked graceful and tidy.

Song Xiaojia could certainly be considered a top-notch beauty. Although she didn't have the mature charm and enchanting allure of Tang Yumeng, or the demeanour and elegance that Tang Yumeng radiated with every move, Song Xiaojia had her own youthful beauty and vivacity. She was the kind of girl who looked very pure. She had her own unique and beautiful side.

The observation deck was already packed with people, many crowded around, waiting for the arrival of New Year's Eve.

But amidst such crowdedness, Lin Chuan was somewhat concerned, and he wrapped his arm around Song Xiaojia, carefully shielding her: "Take it slow, I'll protect you."

"Okay," Song Xiaojia nodded, her face blushing as she carefully leaned on Lin Chuan's chest.

Lin Chuan protectively placed his left hand on Song Xiao Jia, and with his right hand pushed through the crowd, slowly making his way forward.

Finally reaching the very front, they found a spot with fewer people. Both leaned against the railings of the viewing platform. The railings here were meticulously crafted from white jade marble, which reflected the luxurious and expensive nature of the platform.

Song Xiao Jia's cheeks felt hot, a burning sensation that went straight to her heart. She could feel her heartbeat accelerating, her blood rushing faster.

"Lin Chuan, it's almost New Year, do you have any dreams?" Song Xiao Jia asked curiously.

At the mention of dreams, Lin Chuan laughed: "I'm not ambitious, I don't really have any dreams."

"How is that possible." Song Xiao Jia looked up at Lin Chuan. They were so close that when they made eye contact, the distance between their lips was definitely no more than two centimeters. Lin Chuan caught Song Xiao Jia's gaze and unwittingly, a spark of electricity passed between them. They stared into each other's eyes intently.

In that moment, Lin Chuan suddenly felt a subtle change in his perception, discovering that Song Xiao Jia wasn't as disagreeable as he had imagined. On the contrary, he found her quite beautiful. Her large eyes, crescent-like brows, expressive and tender gaze, her straight and delicate nose, slightly flushed cheeks, lips like whispering orchids, an egg-shaped face that was stunningly attractive, skin as delicate as frost and snow, her figure slender and graceful like a deity. Lin Chuan was engulfed in an illusion.

Suddenly, a flame of romantic desire seemed to ignite within Song Xiao Jia's heart.

Previously, Song Xiao Jia had loathed Lin Chuan to the bone. But now she suddenly found that Lin Chuan wasn't so detestable after all. Especially after he put on a neat suit, she thought he looked quite handsome. She observed Lin Chuan intently; his thick eyebrows rebelliously arched upwards, his long and slightly curled eyelashes framed a pair of clear eyes as fresh as dew, his straight nose, his lips like tender rose petals, and his wheat-colored skin, a healthy complexion.

Song Xiao Jia's face grew even redder, her heartbeat even quicker.

Although they had had close physical contact before, it had only been in jest or accidental. Today's deep, affectionate gazing was definitely a first. Song Xiao Jia felt a little shy but at this moment, she truly hoped that Lin Chuan would kiss her. After all, they were only two centimeters apart. As long as Lin Chuan dared to kiss her, she would definitely not dodge.

"What's so impossible about that?" Lin Chuan quickly averted his gaze, turning his head to look at the dark expanse of the river nearby.

Seeing that Lin Chuan had given up, Song Xiao Jia immediately revealed a look of dissatisfaction, laughed lightly and said softly: "Everyone has dreams. Or rather, every person has their own dream at every moment of every day. Maybe these dreams aren't realistic or reliable. But it's impossible to have none at all."

"If I really had to say, my dream is quite simple." Lin Chuan smiled and said, "I just want to be an ordinary person and live an ordinary life."

"Hehe, you say that as if you aren't ordinary right now," giggled Song Xiao Jia.

"Haha." Lin Chuan chuckled and replied, "An ordinary person will have ordinary dreams. If you're extraordinary, you'll naturally have extraordinary dreams, right?"

"Maybe," blinked Song Xiao Jia before saying, "I don't really know what to say either."

The two of them chatted for a long time while leaning against the white jade marble railings. Until a chorus of surprise erupted from the crowd: "Only one minute left, one minute until the New Year's fireworks begin!"

Song Xiao Jia exclaimed in surprise: "Wow, it's about to start."

"Yes, it's almost New Year," Lin Chuan said with a smile.

"Quick, think of a wish," Song Xiao Jia hurriedly urged, "You know, you only get this chance to make a wish once a year. Many people say it really works. So, make sure you wish for something. Don't forget."

"Okay," Lin Chuan nodded.

But what should he wish for? Lin Chuan felt conflicted again. His past twenty-something years had been dramatic and extraordinary. For the rest of his life, Lin Chuan didn't want it to be spectacular or live on the edge. He only hoped to find someone he loved and love her for a lifetime, and then take good care of his mother. It seemed just that simple.

Boom…

Suddenly, the first firework of the New Year shot into the sky. A brilliant firework that, upon reaching the heights, burst into a gigantic display. The colorful fireworks showered down, instantly painting the night sky red. Underneath the dazzling fireworks, everyone could see the boundless confluence of the East River and the Yangtze River. Beneath the night sky, were ripples shimmering with light reflections.

"Here it comes, make a wish," Song Xiao Jia hurriedly yelled, then covered her hands and began to wish.

Lin Chuan was dumbfounded as he watched the spectacular fireworks burst, the breathtaking scene before him. Amidst the dense crowd, he seemed to hear Tang Yumeng's scream. Lin Chuan turned his head to search for Tang Yumeng's figure. In the moment of New Year's turn, in the very first second of the New Year, the crowd erupted with cheers, raising their hands, endless shouting and hollering. He tried hard to look for something in the crowd, but ultimately, he couldn't find it.

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