Chapter 50: Staying Up on New Year’s Eve
Jiang Rong buried most of his face into the pillow. “Husband…”
He didn’t continue with what He Siming wanted him to say; his voice grew softer, purely out of embarrassment.
He really couldn’t say it out loud—He Siming was just too much…
Jiang Rong backed out. “I’m not playing anymore. I want to sleep!”
He Siming chuckled softly and indulgently. “Go to sleep, wife.”
Jiang Rong nodded. “Mm.”
He had never called him wife before. He found that he kind of liked it.
In the first place, He Siming only wanted Jiang Rong to relax a bit. He wanted to occupy his thoughts with himself, so that when Jiang Rong was alone at home, he wouldn’t overthink things.
He Siming turned his phone screen face down and took a deep breath.
The two of them fell into a long silence. The heat on Jiang Rong’s face gradually faded, and He Siming’s breathing slowly returned to normal as well.
Jiang Rong asked, “Are you going to the hospital again tomorrow? How is your grandma doing?”
He Siming replied, “Yeah. If it were a young person, a mild cerebral hemorrhage could be treated conservatively. But she’s elderly, so it’s a bit more serious.”
Jiang Rong asked, “Then what counts as improvement?”
He Siming said, “She’s already improving. She woke up once this morning. Tomorrow she should be able to move from the ICU to a regular ward.”
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to be so unrestrained with Jiang Rong while his grandmother was still in the hospital.
Jiang Rong said, “I hope Grandma recovers soon.”
He Siming replied, “She will.”
Jiang Rong said, “Then Driver He should go to sleep quickly. You have to get up early tomorrow.”
He Siming said, “Mm. I’m Driver He. I’ll take you for a drive when I’m back—big truck.”
Jiang Rong said, “You…”
Such a perfectly good campus heartthrob—how did he grow such a mouth?
He Siming stopped teasing him. He was genuinely tired too. He smiled and said, “Then you hang up the video first.”
Jiang Rong said, “No. I want to watch you fall asleep.”
“Alright, then keep me company while I sleep.” He Siming found a stand and placed his phone by the bedside so Jiang Rong could see him.
It was as if they were lying on the same bed. As long as Jiang Rong opened his eyes, he could see He Siming on the phone, also lying in bed.
He Siming was truly exhausted. He had been spinning like a top these past two days, not stopping for a moment. Once he closed his eyes, he quickly fell asleep.
Jiang Rong leaned closer to the phone, quietly listening to his breathing. Breathing in sync like that, he soon fell asleep too.
Having someone with you really did make you feel safe.
Over the next two days, He Siming kept traveling back and forth to the hospital, helping the elders receive visiting relatives. His grandmother’s condition continued to improve; she should be able to be discharged in a few days. For now, she still had to stay in the hospital, and most likely she would spend the New Year there.
There were caregivers at the hospital, so the younger generation didn’t need to come every day.
His older cousins had all returned. He Siming didn’t play a big role there anymore, especially since his parents, uncle, and other elders were all present.
As New Year’s Eve approached, He Siming became more worried about Jiang Rong’s emotional state. During their video calls these past two days, the light in Jiang Rong’s eyes had dimmed noticeably. He smiled less, and it was obvious that he was much more anxious.
By evening, his parents finally returned from the hospital.
Neither his dad nor his mom had much talent in the kitchen, and they were promptly kicked out by his aunt.
He Siming found an opportunity to call them both into the room to talk.
Xu Mingqin asked, “What’s up?”
He Siming said, “Mom, Dad, I want to spend the New Year with Jiang Rong. I don’t feel at ease leaving him alone at home. His emotions fluctuate a lot.”
He Zhixian said, “The child is three months along already, right?”
He Siming replied, “Twelve weeks.”
Xu Mingqin didn’t oppose her son leaving. It was just one New Year; she didn’t care that much. From her son’s perspective, she supported him.
He Zhixian said, “Your uncle, aunt, and the rest are all here. How do you plan to leave?”
He Siming said, “You staying here is enough. Grandma can’t be discharged yet anyway. I’ll spend the New Year with Jiang Rong, and when she’s discharged and goes home, I’ll come back again.”
He Zhixian said, “Looks like you’ve thought it through.”
The couple weren’t particularly rigid people. In past years, it was already good enough for them to come back for New Year’s Eve dinner.
Most importantly, He Siming almost always came back every year to celebrate the New Year with everyone. Him not being there this year would stand out.
He Siming said, “I’ve already bought a flight for tomorrow morning. You just need to cover for me. Grandpa is only concerned about Grandma; he probably won’t even notice I’m gone.”
Xu Mingqin: “…” She had a flight at noon on the first day of the new year.
He Zhixian: “…” He had a flight that afternoon.
When He Siming was young, during holidays, if work prevented them from coming back, they would leave him here to show filial piety to the elders. For holidays like Mid-Autumn Festival, they’d rather work than come back to reunite, using He Siming as an excuse—saying they were taking him abroad to broaden his horizons, when in reality they were flying overseas for business.
Now it was karma. The boomerang had come back around.
That night, Jiang Rong wanted to ask whether He Siming really wouldn’t come back for the New Year, but before he could ask, He Siming had already fallen asleep and hadn’t replied to his messages.
Thinking about how his grandmother was still hospitalized, Jiang Rong felt it would be inconsiderate to keep urging him.
He was young; spending the New Year alone was fine. Once Grandma recovered, He Siming could come back then.
Anyway, he didn’t really celebrate this holiday here.
New Year’s Eve morning, 9 a.m.
Jiang Rong woke up, still feeling sleepy. Lying in bed, he checked his phone. He had sent He Siming messages last night, but there was no reply.
What was He Siming busy with? Didn’t he say his grandma wasn’t in serious condition anymore?
He had originally prepared ingredients to cook a big dish from their world, but now he wouldn’t be able to finish it by himself anyway, so he decided not to make it.
It was only nine o’clock and he wasn’t hungry yet. Maybe he’d sleep a bit more, get up later and eat—brunch would be fine too.
Perhaps because the lime-scented pheromones in his body were decreasing, Jiang Rong felt more fatigued and lacked energy.
Baby, if you’re hungry, hang on a bit. Dad doesn’t want to eat yet.
He rolled over and fell asleep again, having all sorts of bizarre dreams.
He dreamed that his parents didn’t acknowledge He Siming’s existence and refused to let them get married, insisting on breaking them apart. They locked him up and told him there was no such thing as transmigration.
He said he was pregnant—pregnant with He Siming’s child—and already three months along.
His parents said, You’re a Beta. Your belly is so flat. It’s impossible for you to be pregnant.
They locked him in a small room. Unable to get out, he eventually wanted to jump from upstairs. He asked whether He Siming would catch him downstairs, but there was no He Siming below.
Had he really not transmigrated? Was he really not pregnant?
Was He Siming fake—someone who didn’t exist at all? Just someone he had imagined?
Was it all a dream?
His mother said, You’re just dreaming!
He said, No, He Siming is real!
His mother said, If he’s real, then why hasn’t he replied to your messages?
Jiang Rong: “…”
Yeah—why hadn’t He Siming replied? Had he forgotten him after going back?
—
He Siming’s flight was at six in the morning. After three hours, he landed at nine and arrived home at ten-thirty.
He had deliberately not contacted Jiang Rong, afraid that Jiang Rong would get too excited and wait for him. When he returned, he found Jiang Rong’s body temperature slightly elevated—0.3 to 0.4 degrees above normal—hovering between normal and abnormal, somewhat like signs of heat. But Jiang Rong had told him that there was no heat period during pregnancy. That meant the pheromones he had supplied four days ago were no longer enough.
After arriving home, he discovered that Jiang Rong hadn’t gotten up yet. He wanted to admire his sleeping face and take a few photos for himself, but then he saw Jiang Rong crying in his sleep.
He Siming’s heart ached as he wiped away the tears sliding from the corner of Jiang Rong’s eyes.
If he hadn’t come back, would he never have known that Jiang Rong cried even in his sleep?
He Siming lowered his head and kissed his forehead. “Jiang Rong?”
He couldn’t let him keep crying. It hurt not only his emotions, but also his body.
He gently shook Jiang Rong’s shoulder to wake him. “Baby, wake up?”
Jiang Rong finally woke from the bleak dream. His eyes were wet, lashes clinging with tears.
The moment he opened his eyes, he saw He Siming right in front of him. He wrapped his arms around He Siming’s neck. “Are you real?”
He Siming laughed softly. “Of course I’m real. Why are you crying?”
Jiang Rong said, “You were in my dream. You were so real…”
He Siming placed Jiang Rong’s hand on his own face. “You’re half-asleep. Your husband couldn’t be more real.”
Jiang Rong blinked his tearful eyes. He really had been groggy. He touched He Siming’s face—it was warm.
Only then did he fully wake up.
Jiang Rong sat up, clinging to He Siming’s neck in a fluster. “Y-you… why did you come back?”
He Siming indulged him as he burrowed into his arms, hugging those thin shoulders that never seemed to gain weight.
He gave an improper answer first. “Of course I came back to replenish pheromones.”
Jiang Rong was delighted hearing that and wanted to hear it again. “Say it again.”
Then came the proper answer. “Of course I came back to spend the New Year with you. Why were you crying in your sleep?” That was what He Siming cared about more.
Jiang Rong buried his head in his shoulder. “I had a nightmare. You disappeared.”
He Siming held him tighter and kissed his earlobe, telling him firmly, “Dreams are always the opposite.”
Jiang Rong calmed down, confirming that He Siming had really returned. With a pitiful tone, he asked, “Why didn’t you reply to my messages last night?”
He Siming explained, “I had an early flight, so I went to bed early. I got up very early too and didn’t want to wake you, so I didn’t reply. I was on the plane the whole time and couldn’t turn on my phone. After landing, I rushed straight back. Next time I’ll explain in advance. I actually wanted to surprise you this time.”
“It was a surprise. I’ve just been too sensitive lately. I wasn’t like this before—really.” Afraid he wouldn’t believe him, Jiang Rong emphasized, “I really didn’t cry so easily before.”
He Siming found him adorable and pitiful as he earnestly insisted. “Crying is fine. Who says boys can’t cry?”
“Is that really okay?” Jiang Rong hadn’t cried much before. Crying didn’t solve problems; when something happened, you just gritted your teeth and got through it. Everyone said Betas were the toughest gender—but now someone was telling him it was okay to cry.
Knowing Jiang Rong was emotionally sensitive right now, He Siming coaxed him for a long time before finally getting him to obediently get up and eat breakfast.
Next came preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner. The unhappiness from the morning quickly vanished.
He Siming prepared beef, lamb, chicken, duck, and fish. It didn’t matter if they couldn’t finish it—New Year’s Eve dinner was a must.
Jiang Rong still made one big dish from his world.
At six in the evening, at the He family’s old residence.
He Zhixian and Xu Mingqin took their seats quietly. The old master was advanced in age and not feeling well; he couldn’t handle the noise. After eating for a while, he went to rest.
Halfway through the meal, the eldest brother suddenly realized that someone seemed to be missing.
“Where’s Siming? I haven’t seen him all day.”
He Siming’s aunt also felt puzzled. “That’s true—I haven’t seen that kid He Siming all day.”
He Zhixian immediately raised his glass. “He was just at the kids’ table. Big brother, come have a drink. When is Siyu’s wedding set?”
Xu Mingqin was forced into socializing. “Big brother, are you about to become a grandpa?”
He Siyu was the oldest of the He family’s children, around thirty this year. He said he’d bring his partner home this year—but ended up not bringing anyone.
Once that topic came up, the eldest brother forgot his original question. “What engagement? There’s not even a shadow of it. He’s already thirty and just stays at home all day, never goes out, never socializes. Mingqin, after the New Year, how about you arrange a position for him at your company so he can meet people? I’m worried sick.”
Xu Mingqin quickly messaged her assistant asking what her eldest nephew did.
Assistant: A well-known comic artist.
Xu Mingqin said, “Isn’t being a comic artist pretty good? No need to go out, no wind or sun exposure, and it makes money too. Right, Siyu?”
He Siyu hadn’t expected the fire to spread to him. “Auntie is right.”
The aunt who never meddled was actually helping him speak—how strange.
He Zhixian sighed. He was more traditional and didn’t really understand comic artists, always feeling it wasn’t a proper profession.
“Siming is still the best at studying. I hear artificial intelligence is powerful now. He’ll definitely surpass us.”
He Zhixian replied, “What’s so good about him? He…”
—got someone’s belly big, and now he’s accompanying his wife, making his parents cover for him.
Xu Mingqin said, “Big brother, drink, eat some food. Sister-in-law’s cooking is still the best. I come back every year just for her taro braised pork.”
At the same time, back at the capital, at home.
Faced with a table full of dishes, Jiang Rong didn’t even know where to start.
He Siming was much simpler. His chopsticks went straight for the big dish Jiang Rong had made—a mixed dish of meat and vegetables, rich in color, aroma, and flavor. He didn’t ask what regional cuisine it was from; it was just delicious.
Jiang Rong praised as he ate, his mouth incredibly sweet.
“He Siming, your braised beef in sauce is so good.”
“This chicken is really tender!”
“And this lamb—even the greens are so sweet.”
“Can I eat like this every day in the future?”
He Siming peeled a sweet shrimp for him, dipped it in sauce, and placed it directly into his mouth. “Of course.”
A classic New Year’s Eve tradition was watching the Spring Festival Gala.
Jiang Rong had never watched it before. Curled up in He Siming’s arms while watching, he found it fascinating. So even during traditional holidays, the whole country celebrated with such enthusiasm—everything for good fortune.
“So you’re supposed to give out red envelopes during the Spring Festival.”
He Siming pulled out a thick red envelope from the corner of the sofa and handed it to him. “Here. Your red envelope.”
Jiang Rong kissed him on his own initiative, eyes bright. “When did you prepare this?”
He Siming kissed the corner of his lips. “Before I went back to my hometown. There are lots more hidden around the house. Remember to look for them.”
Jiang Rong immediately started to get up. “Then should I go look now?”
He Siming pulled him back into his arms. “No rush.”
Jiang Rong said, “Oh.”
Then he was drawn away by messages in the group chat.
Yao Shule: Happy New Year to everyone! Wishing you good fortune and wealth next year!
Yao Shule: [New Year’s Eve dinner.jpg]
Li Yizhou: Happy New Year!
Ding Yan: Happy New Year!!!
Jiang Rong: Happy New Year, everyone!
Jiang Rong: [New Year’s Eve dinner.jpg] Made by He-god, super amazing!
He Siming: You’re amazing too.
Ding Yan: Everyone’s awesome—let’s be even more awesome next year! [Red packet][Red packet][Red packet]
Yao Shule: [Bro is generous.jpg]
Li Yizhou: [Bro is generous.jpg]
When Jiang Rong saw the red packets, he couldn’t help tapping excitedly. “So WeChat can send red packets too? Wow, Ding Yan sent so many.”
He even learned how to queue up. [Bro is generous.jpg]
In an instant, he forgot all about searching for red envelopes.
Then he started researching how to send them himself.
“Is it like this, He Siming?”
He Siming said, “…Yes.”
His first red packet was sent to He Siming.
He Siming smiled happily, accepted it instantly, and kissed him. “Thank you, wife.”
Jiang Rong leaned into his arms, smiling with his eyes curved. “You’re welcome.”
Then he continued sending red packets in the group. He Siming held him and also sent several maximum-amount red packets in the group. Suddenly thinking of something, he sent New Year red packets to his parents privately. His parents each sent back two even larger red packets—one of them specifically for Jiang Rong.
Jiang Rong was delighted when he received them.
Seeing Jiang Rong get addicted to opening red packets, He Siming handed him the phone and let him grab red packets in the family group chat.
The elders in his family loved sending red packets, especially his parents. If money could be used to communicate with the younger generation, they would use money—and they sent quite a lot.
Jiang Rong had a blast grabbing red packets.
He Siyu privately messaged him: He Siming, why are you grabbing red packets in the group this year?
The person who never liked participating in this kind of thing hadn’t missed a single one this year.
He Siming replied: Am I not a kid?
He Siyu: “…”
He Siyu: Hah. You look down on kids the most. Didn’t see you at the New Year’s Eve dinner table—where did you go? Second Uncle and Second Aunt kept changing the subject today. I knew something was up.
He Siming replied: Don’t talk nonsense. I like kids the most.
He Siyu: Impossible. I remember you once told me you’d rather shoot on the wall than have kids.
He Siming: “……”
Bro, stop talking. My wife is looking at my phone!
Jiang Rong’s pupils dilated. “Shoot on the wall?”
He Siming explained stiffly, “I was fourteen or fifteen and didn’t know better. My cousin was a college student back then—he was fishing for answers.”
Jiang Rong also had a cousin, but his cousin was an Alpha who didn’t really like playing with him, a Beta, so they weren’t close. Probably because his parents were overly enthusiastic toward his cousin, Jiang Rong ended up being the overlooked one, and his cousin didn’t bother much with him.
Jiang Rong had heard from Ding Yan that He Siming had always been a campus heartthrob growing up. He just hadn’t expected that the aloof school heartthrob in middle and high school was exactly the same as now—his persona hadn’t changed at all.
Jiang Rong felt a bit envious. “You and your cousin have a really good relationship. You even talk about topics like that.”
He Siming said, “Mm. My parents travel all year round. During summer and winter breaks, I’d stay at my grandparents’ or maternal grandparents’ place. My brother and the others would take me along to play.”
Jiang Rong said, “Your family is really nice.”
No wonder He Siming’s parents were often away, yet he still grew up straight and became such a positive young man.
He Siming said, “They’ll be your family too in the future.”
Jiang Rong replied, “Mm.”
In He Siming’s eyes, the Spring Festival Gala wasn’t that interesting, but watching it with Jiang Rong—who had never seen it before—suddenly made it a bit fun.
He also explained the meaning of staying up on New Year’s Eve to him.
Jiang Rong usually didn’t stay up late, but he wanted to keep He Siming company through midnight. Halfway through, he started getting sleepy.
He Siming hooked his chin and kissed him. “Didn’t you want to look for red envelopes earlier?”
Jiang Rong’s sleepiness halved. “There really are red envelopes?”
He Siming said, “Really. I told you I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Delighted, Jiang Rong got up to search for them, like opening blind boxes.
He Siming stood up to adjust the underfloor heating temperature.
Jiang Rong searched from the living room to the dining room. “I found one!”
He Siming walked toward him step by step. Jiang Rong was counting how many pink bills were inside when he suddenly found himself lifted up by He Siming and placed on the dining table, legs wrapped around He Siming’s waist.
Meeting He Siming’s heavy gaze, Jiang Rong said, “Wait…”
He Siming replied, “No waiting.”
Jiang Rong felt lime-scented pheromones envelop him. He swallowed.
He Siming lowered his head and kissed down from his neck.
Jiang Rong let out a sensitive, comfortable moan. “N-no… aren’t we supposed to stay up for the New Year?”
He Siming said, “This counts as staying up too. It replenishes pheromones and also…”
—unblocks the little peach.
Three birds with one stone.
After a long while, amid the unforgettable finale music, Jiang Rong trembled all over and went limp in He Siming’s arms.
He Siming kissed him. “Happy New Year, wife.”
Jiang Rong replied hoarsely, face flushed, “Happy New Year.”
