Song Qingmu suddenly stood up.
But Song Qingchao tugged at his collar.
He could only swallow the words he intended to say and replied, "Happy New Year," then asked sarcastically, "Why are you here?"
Bai You'an seemed not to understand what Song Qingmu was saying, and just walked forward on his own, "In this new year, brother, please do not be angry."
Song Qingmu felt that Bai You'an had ill intentions.
How could he not be angry upon seeing him?
"Who is your brother?"
Bai You'an shook his head with a smile, "You will surely be."
Song Qingmu rolled his eyes at him, "After a few days apart, Mr. Bai's skin has certainly grown thicker."
"To receive such praise from my brother is also Mr. Bai's good fortune."
Song Qingmu just snorted and sat down.
He knew the relationship between this person and his sister. During the New Year, he wouldn't do anything to upset his sister.
However, his sister was indeed a bit strange today.
Song Qingchao merely nodded and asked, "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet." Bai You'an directly sat by the stove, needing no invitation.
He lowered his head and wiped his lenses, then put them on.
"I have brought some small dishes and strong liquor." He directly placed the food box in his hands onto the table, "This is the famous plum wine from Furong Tower in the city. It's best to warm it to warm the stomach."
However, before anyone could respond, a crowd of people, led by Zhou Ri, came bursting into the cave dwelling noisily.
Her cave dwelling was actually quite large, capable of holding forty to fifty people.
Song Qingchao glanced roughly and saw about twenty to thirty people following them in. The scene was comparable to the morning's New Year's greetings.
Bai You'an stood up with a grin, "How lively."
"Mr. Bai, you've arrived at the perfect time." Zhou Ri was also very gregarious, "Today is New Year's, let's all have a reunion dinner together."
He jogged forward and tugged at Bai You'an's sleeve, "Miss, I'm borrowing Mr. Bai for a moment."
However, before Song Qingchao could speak, Bai You'an was pulled away by Zhou Ri.
Song Qingmu furrowed his brows, "Isn't Eldest Sister spoiling Zhou Ri too much?"
Song Qingchao looked at the strong liquor on the table and reached out to place it in warm water, "Zhou Ri has always had a lively nature and cannot be restrained. He has seven older brothers above him, so he won't cause any major trouble."
Song Qingmu nodded in agreement, "I can see that to some extent."
Song Qingchao smiled. She had thought Zhou Ri wouldn't listen to her so obediently, but he had indeed been diligently cleaning the toilets, becoming a veritable toilet cleaner.
Sometimes, when he encountered people who didn't go to the toilet to relieve themselves, he would drag them along to clean toilets as well.
His energy was truly abundant.
The crowd moved tables and carried dishes en masse. Ying Zhong, wearing a small skirt, weaved through them without seeming out of place.
In the few days he had been here, he had become one with these people.
Some who knew him originally knew he was a boy, but they all joined in calling him "Miss Zhong'er."
Ying Zhong also played along, seeing Bai You'an, he directly put on a displeased face and sat a considerable distance away from Bai You'an.
After finishing his tasks, Bai You'an sat back down next to Song Qingchao.
He propped one hand on his leg and reached for the half-drunk plum wine with the other.
"Why are you drinking so much?"
Looking at Song Qingchao's slightly tipsy eyes, his worry gradually surfaced.
But with so many people present, it was inconvenient for him to do anything.
He simply took a sobering pill from his sleeve and subtly slipped it into Song Qingchao's palm under the table.
Song Qingchao said nothing, nor did she look at Bai You'an.
She smiled, watching everyone frolic, but felt a pang of jealousy. She reached for the wine pot, wanting to drink more.
This time, Bai You'an stopped her, "A little wine is pleasant, but too much is harmful."
Song Qingchao, however, was indifferent, "I am happy today. Furthermore, this is the wine Mr. Bai brought, how can this young lady refuse it?"
Bai You'an frowned, "What are you saying, Miss Song? I didn't bring wine to get you drunk."
Song Qingmu, from the side, chimed in with a sarcastic remark, "Mr. Bai hasn't visited in a while. What is your intention for bringing wine today?"
"What is my brother saying?" Bai You'an was not angered at all. He snatched the wine from Song Qingchao's hand, "I have come simply for reunion."
"Reunion?"
Song Qingchao murmured the word, "Reunion of what..."
For some unknown reason, things she hadn't thought of for a long time now lingered in her mind, refusing to dissipate.
Her mother, whose body was never found, her father, whose whereabouts were unknown.
Her eyes felt sore, but seeing everyone's high spirits, she didn't want to dampen their mood.
After three rounds of drinks, everyone was quite drunk.
Even Song Qingchao was no exception.
Bai You'an tried to dissuade her, but the more he dissuaded, the more she drank.
Song Qingmu also couldn't do anything about her elder sister.
She quietly switched the wine in her cup to tea.
Bai You'an also took advantage of her drunken state to mix sobering pills into her food.
Song Qingchao knew all of this, but she still played along with their act.
"I want to go out for a walk."
"Eldest Sister, it's cold outside."
Even Bai You'an disagreed.
But Song Qingchao insisted on going.
She wanted to feel the wind and clear her head.
Song Qingmu wanted to accompany her but was rebuked and ordered to stay by Song Qingchao.
His body truly couldn't withstand the cold.
It was desolate outside. Even after walking a long distance, the boisterous sounds from the cave dwelling could still be faintly heard.
It was New Year's, and everyone was truly happy.
Song Qingchao was also happy. She was so happy...
Step by step, she trod on the snow that came past her ankles, stumbling occasionally, startling Bai You'an, who followed behind her, into stumbling as well.
Song Qingchao knew Bai You'an was following behind her.
She couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind.
Perhaps the moisture in her eyes had frozen into ice. She looked up at the moon, which appeared hazy.
She raised the hand holding the wine pot to choose a direction, and finally knelt down towards the southwest.
Without words, without tears.
She simply flipped her wrist and poured the wine from the pot out.
"This plum wine is truly delicious."
Turning her head, Song Qingchao looked at Bai You'an, who was looking at her with concern, and smiled, "Mr. Bai, this wine is excellent. Is it made by Hongniang?"
Bai You'an frowned, but in the end, he did not deny it.
"It is indeed made by her. I just heard that people in Mobei City stock up on this kind of wine during the New Year, thinking you would like it, so I had someone buy it for me."
Song Qingchao said "Oh" and still didn't show any signs of getting up.
Seeing that she seemed alright, Bai You'an cautiously leaned closer, intending to help Song Qingchao up.
However, Song Qingchao threw a tantrum and broke free, stating directly, "I don't like it."
Bai You'an was stunned for a moment, then smiled indulgently, "Then I won't buy this wine again in the future. Quickly get up, the ground is cold."
Hearing these gentle words, Song Qingchao felt even more choked up. The image of Shuiyun moving forward flashed in her mind, and her expression immediately darkened.
"Where do you usually go?"