Xiang Yang went to the supermarket to buy some groceries. By the time Chen Jiaojiao returned home, a table full of delicious home-cooked dishes was ready.
Chen Jiaojiao was pleasantly surprised. "You can cook too?"
"There are many things I can do. From now on, I'll take care of all your eating, drinking, and daily needs. Are you satisfied with this tenant?"
"More than satisfied."
The two sat down to eat, then washed up together, and nestled on the sofa to watch TV.
Falling in love felt wonderful.
Xiang Yang felt that the fight he had yesterday was worth it. If time could be reversed, and he had to choose again, he would still resolutely stand by Chen Jiaojiao.
As the end of the year approached, some employees began to take their holiday leave and go home. The beauty salon welcomed its first holiday of the new year.
Chen Jiaojiao finally had some free time.
Every day, she ate, slept, and waited for Xiang Yang to return.
They cooked together, chatted, and their days were filled with unprecedented sweetness.
One day, Xiang Yang came out of the kitchen after washing the dishes and saw Chen Jiaojiao engrossed in something on her tablet. He put his arm around her shoulder and leaned in.
"What are you so absorbed in?"
"Oh, the landlord notified me to move out. His son is taking him to immigrate abroad and will never return. They're selling this apartment."
"Why are they asking someone to move out at this time of year?"
Xiang Yang took a look at the property listing. The apartment was over 160 square meters, and the asking price was 24 million yuan.
"I really like this apartment and this neighborhood. It's a pity I don't have the means. It would be great if I could buy it."
Chen Jiaojiao leaned into his embrace. "I'm also thinking about whether to buy it."
"Do you have that much money on hand?"
"It's impossible to afford with what I have, but my friends are wealthy, so I could borrow from them first."
Xiang Yang was a little displeased.
As a man, he felt it was a bit much that his girlfriend wanted to buy a house and had to ask others for money.
However, he had no other solutions at the moment.
"How about this? You borrow money from your friends to acquire this apartment first, and I'll be responsible for the repayments."
"I'll try to take on more shooting assignments and pay them back monthly. The apartment will be in your name, consider it my first gift to you in life."
Regardless of whether he truly had the capability, his attitude was commendable.
Chen Jiaojiao smiled and agreed. "Okay. Then I'll take you seriously."
"You must. I'll write you an IOU."
Xiang Yang found some paper and a pen and wrote a 24-million-yuan IOU for Chen Jiaojiao.
"From now on, I belong to you, and you are my creditor. You can only shake me off when the debt is repaid, otherwise, it's impossible."
Chen Jiaojiao borrowed money from Jiang Nan Fang, briefly explaining the situation. Jiang Nan Fang immediately transferred the money.
"No rush, take it and use it first. I don't have anything to invest in right now anyway."
Chen Jiaojiao and Xiang Yang went to handle the ownership transfer. When the staff asked whose name to put on the deed, Xiang Yang directly pushed Chen Jiaojiao's ID card over.
"Put it in her name."
Chen Jiaojiao had Xiang Yang's ID card ready and also pushed it over.
"Put it in both of our names."
Xiang Yang was surprised. She said, "It's not fair for you to be solely responsible for the debt without enjoying any benefits. Let's consider this apartment as something we bought together."
Now, it was as if they were a couple, suddenly jointly owning an apartment.
Xiang Yang felt incredibly sweet, believing that his fate and Chen Jiaojiao's were now tied together, making it difficult to separate in the future.
With a week left until the Lunar New Year, Xiang Yang's shooting assignments finally ceased.
The two spent their days in endless playful banter, fooling around for two or three days. One afternoon, Chen Jiaojiao suddenly sighed.
"In my hometown, it snows every winter. Nancheng doesn't even get snow, it doesn't feel like New Year at all. It would be nice if it snowed."
"You want to see snow? That's easy. We'll go to a place with snow."
"What? Are you taking me on a trip?"
"Although I don't have much money, a domestic trip is still possible. Would you be willing to go with me?"
Since she was idle at home anyway and didn't have time to travel when she was busy with work, Chen Jiaojiao was very willing.
The two planned their itinerary together using a tablet, deciding to go to Harbin.
That evening, Xiang Yang booked their flights and routes. They packed their bags and the next day found themselves in Harbin.
The snowy winter wonderland was far more beautiful than Chen Jiaojiao's hometown.
Chen Jiaojiao was as excited as a child. They visited various landmarks, took photos, ate delicious food, and chatted with the locals. Their days were fulfilling.
Soon it was New Year's Eve. Xiang Yang and Chen Jiaojiao booked their New Year's Eve dinner at an affordable restaurant.
As they were eating, Chen Jiaojiao's phone rang.
Upon checking, she saw that Jiang Nan Fang had initiated a video call in their private group chat with her and Zhou Jin Bei.
When she answered, four tiny, baby-faced children crowded into the frame.
"Jiaojiao Auntie, Happy New Year! Happy New Year! What are you doing?"
The four little ones eagerly greeted her.
Chen Jiaojiao said she was celebrating the New Year in the snowy wonderland and was having dinner, then asked if they had eaten.
The little ones replied, "It's midnight here, don't you remember? But Mommy and Daddy said today is New Year, and to celebrate us getting one year older, they're allowing us to stay up late."
"They're drinking wine right now, look."
The camera panned to Zhan Bei Jue, sitting on a warm carpet with Jiang Nan Fang in his arms. They each held a glass of red wine and were smiling at the camera.
Zhou Jin Bei tutted on the other end of the phone.
"No wonder you didn't welcome me when I suggested celebrating New Year together at your place. You had other plans. After so many years as husband and wife, you're still not tired of each other!"
Jiang Nan Fang retorted, "How dare you say that about me? Who is it that hasn't replied to messages or answered calls from Ah Zhong since she met him? Those who know say you're on holiday, but others might think something happened!"
Zhou Jin Bei, unusually shy, exclaimed, "Oh, I've returned to their hometown, and there are many relatives and friends, so I haven't had time to look at my phone."
Chen Jiaojiao also teased her, "Stop using relatives and friends as an excuse. I know you better than that. Go easy on Ah Zhong. You've been working hard, and now you're treating him like a slave before he's even had a chance to rest..."
"Alright, alright, I won't talk to you anymore. I tried to wish you a Happy New Year, and you all made fun of me. I'm hanging up!"
Zhou Jin Bei was the first to leave the group chat.
Seeing the lively scene behind Chen Jiaojiao, Jiang Nan Fang asked her.
"Why did you come to Harbin alone? Sorry, I didn't have time to accompany you. Are you angry with me?"
"No. You know I'm best at entertaining myself. Focus on your own fun, don't worry about me."
Everyone laughed and ended the video call.
Xiang Yang looked at Chen Jiaojiao with a smile. "It's wonderful."
"What's wonderful?"
"It's wonderful to have you. It's wonderful to have you, my sunflower. The friends around a sunflower are also sunflowers. It's wonderful to have met you."