Qin Jiao gave an embarrassed laugh. She was actually already holding back, but it wouldn’t be right to pretend she didn’t know how to play at all. Besides, with Shen Yi sitting right next to her like a human furnace, Qin Jiao found herself growing a little restless.

Nearby, Qin Zhonghui, Su Yun, Sun Jianhua, and Qin Na were playing mahjong. Xiao Shi was playing with toys with Xiao Cheng, and a sketch from the Spring Festival Gala was on TV.

Qin Jiao suddenly relaxed.

This warm feeling of a big family celebrating the New Year together... it had been a long, long time.

Her gaze drifted to Shen Yi out of the corner of her eye. He was intently studying the chessboard, trying to find a way to counter his grandpa’s strategy, and he didn’t seem to notice her looking at him.

Qin Jiao silently turned her head away.

’If only my family could have been like this in my past life,’ she thought. ’But alas, there are no ’if onlys’.’

Mr. Du wasn’t in the best of health, so of course, he couldn’t stay up all night for the New Year’s vigil. He let out a yawn; for an old man like him, making it to eleven o’clock was already quite an accomplishment.

Seeing Mr. Du about to head back, Xiao Shi spoke up. "Sis, didn’t you say you were going to set off firecrackers for Grandpa Du to see?"

Qin Jiao had almost forgotten about the firecrackers. She looked at Mr. Du apologetically. "Grandpa Du, you should go rest if you’re tired. We can set them off for you to watch tomorrow."

"Oh, you bought firecrackers? Go on, set them off. I’ll watch for a bit." Mr. Du suddenly patted his grandson’s hand and said, "Xiao Yi, it’s been years since you’ve set off firecrackers, hasn’t it? Go join them. Your grandpa wants to watch."

"Okay."

Shen Yi, Qin Jiao and her sister, and Xiao Cheng—the four of them—grabbed the firecrackers and went to the main gate. Before heading out, Qin Jiao made sure her sister and Xiao Cheng had their coats on and hats pulled down. Xiao Cheng was a shy boy, but after spending some time together, he whispered a "thank you" to Qin Jiao and then asked, "Big Sis, can I set off firecrackers too?"

"You can, but some of them are dangerous. In a bit, I’ll let you and Xiao Shi light some sparklers."

Xiao Cheng nodded emphatically, his eyes dancing with excitement.

Sun Jianhua stood in the doorway, watching his son show a liveliness he hadn’t seen in a long time. He turned to Qin Na and said, "Xiao Na, thank you so much, and thank your second brother and sister-in-law for me, too. Ever since I divorced my last wife, Xiao Cheng hasn’t smiled much."

"My second brother’s family are all wonderful people," Qin Na said, then hugged Sun Jianhua’s arm. "Xiao Cheng is a poor kid. I’ll be good to him from now on."

"I’ll be good to you too, Xiao Na."

Qin Zhonghui and his wife were in the kitchen kneading dough while Mr. Du watched them with a kind expression. In the next room, Du Liya, who had gotten drunk and fallen asleep, woke up thirsty to find a glass of warm water with goji berries and red dates waiting on the table beside her.

After lighting the biggest firecracker, Shen Yi covered his ears and ran back to Qin Jiao’s side. At the same time, with a sudden BANG, fireworks shot into the sky. Near and far, fiery trees and silver flowers bloomed as starlight and pyrotechnics wove together in a dazzling display.

Lost in thought, Qin Jiao looked up, just in time to see the brilliant light of the fireworks blooming in Shen Yi’s dark eyes.

She froze, her heart skipping a beat. The sound of firecrackers, the cheers of children, the songs from the Spring Festival Gala playing on someone’s TV—all these noises blended together.

Yet in that instant, it was as if Qin Jiao couldn’t hear a thing.

She saw Shen Yi smile at her. His lips moved, as if he said two words. Then, they moved again, and he said another three. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"What did you say?" Qin Jiao asked him, curious.

A gentle smile graced Shen Yi’s lips, but he didn’t repeat the five words he had just mouthed.

’Because now isn’t the time for Jiao Jiao to hear them.’

The five words Shen Yi had just mouthed were: I’m sorry. I love you.