"Sister..." Lin Chuan gazed at the spectacular fireworks, as stunning as Tang Yumeng's beauty. The fleeting brilliance of the fireworks resembled the love he simply couldn't grasp. Perhaps, the difference in status between them was just too vast, it was hardly possible for them to be together. She was like a firework soaring into the sky while he was merely an ordinary blade of grass on the ground; the distance between them was just too immense.

After making her wish, Song Xiaojia turned her head to look at Lin Chuan and noticed that he was staring blankly at the beautiful fireworks. She asked curiously, "Lin Chuan, did you make a wish?"

"Oh, I did," Lin Chuan nodded.

"What did you wish for?" Song Xiaojia asked curiously.

Lin Chuan turned his head and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I hope that you can crack cases like a deity this year and strive for a first-class merit. How's that?"

"Huh?" Song Xiaojia was stunned and asked doubtfully, "Why... why is the wish you made about me?"

"Hehe..." Lin Chuan laughed but didn't say anything.

Song Xiaojia pursed her lips and smiled, "Could it be that you've fallen for me?"

However, Lin Chuan didn't hear this sentence because as Song Xiaojia spoke, a massive firework was launched into the sky. The loud boom drowned out all other sounds, even swallowing up the probing nature of her words. Song Xiaojia could only embarrassingly let it go.

The fireworks display lasted for a full half hour before it ended.

Or rather, during that short half an hour, more than a million CNY worth of fireworks were set off. This wasn't just watching fireworks; this was clearly a game of burning money, with a huge amount of CNY being incinerated. It satisfied the eyes of tens of thousands of people, as well as their hearts.

"Happy New Year," Lin Chuan said, looking down at Song Xiaojia in his arms.

"Happy New Year," Song Xiaojia replied, lifting her head to look at Lin Chuan.

Their eyes met.

This time, Lin Chuan didn't disappoint Song Xiaojia's expectations. He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, saying, "Yes, I like you."

As he spoke these words, Lin Chuan found it hard to believe himself. How could he have suddenly spoken these words to Song Xiaojia? Was it because he had lost hope in Tang Yumeng? Or had he completely given up on her? But his feelings had shifted too quickly, hadn't they? Could it really be love at first sight?

No, he had known Song Xiaojia for half a year; how could it be love at first sight. Actually, Lin Chuan knew Song Xiaojia quite well. Even though she usually showed disdain for him, she indeed was a kind girl, or rather, a kind police officer. She wanted to serve the people, but unfortunately, this is how society is, this is how the system is.

"What?!" Song Xiaojia's face turned red instantly. Biting her red lips, she said, "Lin Chuan, are you... are you confessing to me?"

"Do you accept it?" Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

"I..." Song Xiaojia was flustered. She didn't know what to do; she had never thought that Lin Chuan would confess his feelings to her. She had not expected such a sudden confession.

Perhaps, this was a form of retaliation—a retaliation against Tang Yumeng. Seeing her arm in arm with Bai Yifan heading to the opera house had chilled his heart. Just days ago, they were still flirting with each other, seemingly in perfect harmony, but unexpectedly... the conclusion turned out to be this.

Perhaps, he truly misunderstood the signals.

Song Xiaojia was anxious for a while, then she closed her eyes and nodded vigorously: "I'm willing. I am willing."

"You really want to be my girlfriend?" Lin Chuan also seemed surprised. If this were based on Song Xiaojia's usual temper, she would definitely have scolded him fiercely, and he might even have been beaten up. But unexpectedly, the girl agreed, having braced himself for the scolding, yet the outcome was beyond his expectations.

"Hmm," Song Xiaojia nodded, burying her head in Lin Chuan's chest, not daring to look up for a long time.

Lin Chuan looked out over the distant river, happiness had come so unexpectedly that he was caught off guard.

"Lin Chuan, what's wrong with you?" Song Xiaojia looked up at Lin Chuan.

"Nothing!" Lin Chuan shook his head and smiled, "I just feel that happiness came too suddenly."

"Really?" Song Xiaojia blushed and said, "Then... will you cherish me in the future?"

"Of course," Lin Chuan held Song Xiaojia tightly. This feeling was a bit strange. He didn't know whether he really liked Song Xiaojia, but he was certain that at this moment he truly had feelings for her. She was a lovely girl, though not as gentle and understanding as Tang Yumeng. However, she still was a good girl, an unmaterialistic girl who valued feelings.

The two hugged each other tightly, as if time had frozen at that moment. The rolling river of history couldn't take away their warm moment.

......

After the fireworks display ended, the crowd began to leave. After the revelry, they left behind endless trash on the viewing platform—plastic bags, cigarette butts, chewed-up sugarcane pieces...

Lin Chuan suddenly felt sorry for his mother, who had to get up early and work late every day to sweep the streets and keep the city clean and tidy. With such poor public manners, every day was exhausting.

"Lin Chuan, let's go," Song Xiaojia chuckled.

"Okay," Lin Chuan nodded.

The two of them left the viewing platform hand in hand.

Lin Chuan had come from Jiangbei City, and it was already one o'clock in the morning; going back seemed rather late. There were no cars, and it was inconvenient at such a late hour. However, Song Xiaojia lived in the provincial capital, and it was convenient for her to return home since she was just in the Provincial Committee Compound. But what about leaving Lin Chuan alone? Would that be too unkind?

"Lin Chuan, where are we going now... now?" Song Xiaojia asked curiously, her eyes seemingly flawless as they flickered.

"You tell me." Lin Chuan smiled and said, "Anyway, I can't go back now."

"Ah?" Song Xiaojia was startled and asked, "What about your car?"

"Didn't I say it was driven home by them?" Lin Chuan smiled and said, "So, I am alone now."

"Is that so." Song Xiaojia's face turned a bit red as she said, "Then what do we do? Are you going to roam the streets alone? It's New Year's Day today; you can't be left on the streets, or else, the whole year might not bode well."

"So what do we do?" Lin Chuan looked at Song Xiaojia with a smile and said, "Why not... we go stay at a hotel?"

"Ah? Have you gone mad?" Song Xiaojia blushed from her cheeks to her ears instantly, staring at Lin Chuan and saying, "We haven't even been a couple for a day, and you... you're suggesting I go book a hotel room with you. You... you're simply..."

"What's the matter?" Lin Chuan smiled and said, "After all, we are a couple, what's the difference between being a couple for a day or a year?"

"You!" Song Xiaojia was at a loss for words, biting her lip and saying, "Anyway, I'm not going to stay in a hotel with you."

"Then what do we do? You want me to sleep on the streets?" Lin Chuan countered.

"I... I'll take you to a hotel," Song Xiaojia said, holding Lin Chuan's arm. "I really can't adapt this quickly. You... at least give me some time to accept this, right? Otherwise, how could I go to a hotel with you?"

Lin Chuan thought for a moment and said, "Alright then, I won't make it difficult for you."

"Thank you." Song Xiaojia giggled.

After that, the two headed to the hotel.

The hotels near the riverside were all branded ones; the lowest was a local three-star hotel. There were also two five-star hotels with very comprehensive facilities. One of them was Shangri-La. Lin Chuan had never thought to skimp on himself. So, he decided to stay at Shangri-La.

"This extravagant?" Arriving at the hotel entrance, Song Xiaojia looked at Lin Chuan in surprise and said, "A night here could cost three to five thousand CNY."

"Isn't money meant to be spent?" Lin Chuan smiled and said.

"You little show-off, have you struck it rich recently?" Song Xiaojia laughed and said: "Is your transportation company really making that much money?"

"It's okay." Lin Chuan nodded and said, "Made a few hundred thousand in the past two months; everyone got a share."

"Wow, maybe I should just join you in the future," Song Xiaojia exclaimed.

"You're going to quit being a good police officer?" Lin Chuan asked with a smile.

Upon this mention, Song Xiaojia's face changed, and she fell silent.

After registering at the lobby, Lin Chuan paid with his card. A bellboy led Lin Chuan to the elevator. Lin Chuan held Song Xiaojia's hand as they entered the elevator. Past one o'clock in the morning, the elevator was empty, clean, and the spacious lift was unusually quiet.

Song Xiaojia felt guilty, like a thief. It was the first time Lin Chuan felt Song Xiaojia's hand was so soft and smooth, as if it had been soaked in milk for a long time. In silence, their room was on the twenty-third floor, and the elevator ride of more than ten seconds felt like a very lengthy process.

Ding Dong...

Finally, the elevator arrived. The elevator doors opened, and Song Xiaojia let out a long sigh of relief, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Lin Chuan took out the room card and opened the hotel door.

A fragrant scent wafted through the hotel room. It smelled very nice. The room was large, with an en-suite bathroom and a toilet, and a viewing balcony. The balcony was vast, featuring an enormous bathtub. Lying in the bathtub for a bath, pouring a glass of red wine, and savoring the scenery over the river was quite comfortable.

Song Xiaojia stood at the room's entrance, clutching her clothes, and said, "Lin Chuan, I... I'll just see you here. I... I should go home now."

"Really going back?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Yeah." Song Xiaojia nodded and said, "I'm worried my parents will get worried."

"Well then." Lin Chuan nodded and said, "There are taxis at the hotel entrance, so I won't see you out."

"Okay." Song Xiaojia ran into the still-open elevator like she was fleeing. Coming out of the elevator, Song Xiaojia's wildly thumping heart finally calmed down. There were taxis at the hotel entrance, but the price wasn't discussed – a hundred CNY just to start for the city area, with an extra charge for longer distances.

Getting into the taxi, Song Xiaojia felt her cheeks were still flushed and burning hot.

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