TSBDRA 65: Happy New Year, I Love You

Yan Yushan’s hand genuinely trembled the moment he received the message—he nearly told the driver to turn the car around right then and there.

All he wanted in that instant was to rush back, hold Xu Xishuang tightly in his arms, kiss him, and show him with actions just how deeply he loved him.

Xu Xishuang’s direct confessions always caught him off guard, sending his heart racing wildly.

Staring at those few simple words on the screen, Yan Yushan let out a slow breath, then instinctively rubbed his thumb across the phone, as if he could somehow reach through it to caress his lover’s face.

He replied with care and reverence: “Mm, I love you too.”

And followed it with another promise: “I’ll be back with you very soon.”

He wouldn’t let Xu Xishuang spend the New Year alone.

When Xu Xishuang saw the reply, he stared at his phone for a long moment, cheeks turning pink. Then, quietly, he exited the chat, opened the camera, and took a photo of the watercolor painting in front of him—saving it carefully.

After that, he stepped out of the studio and headed to the kitchen to make lunch.

By the time Yan Yushan arrived home, it was already noon. After getting out of the car, the first thing he did was send Xu Xishuang a message to confirm he’d already eaten. Only once he got that reply did he look up and greet the man waiting at the door.

“Ge.”

Yan Jingmo was wearing a bright red sweater. Catching the amused look in Yan Yushan’s eyes, he sighed helplessly. “Mom made me wear it.”

She had always insisted on wearing red during the New Year for good luck. It was a rule that hadn’t changed since they were kids. Ever since the brothers gained control over their own wardrobes, they avoided red clothes like the plague, settling for a red knit hat or scarf at most. But this year, she had caught him off guard.

Yan Yushan walked into the house with a smile, but it faded slightly the moment his eyes met his father’s calm, expressionless face. Beside him, his mother immediately shot a fierce glare at his father, then turned to Yan Yushan with a gentle smile. Without giving him a chance to react, she wrapped a bright red scarf around his neck with practiced hands.

“No taking it off! You can remove it during lunch, but that’s it—understood?”

This time, it was Yan Jingmo who couldn’t hold back a laugh. Yan Yushan tugged at the scarf with a helpless expression. “Got it, Mom.”

The moment he called her Mom, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Their family had never been one for talking during meals, so whatever needed to be said had to be said now—otherwise, everyone would just sit there simmering in silence.

Yan’s mother raised her hand and patted Yan Yushan on the shoulder. “You’ve always had strong opinions and didn’t want to take over the family business. Your father and I were really angry at first and said some harsh things. I’m formally apologizing to you now. I’m sorry, Xiao Shan.”

Before Yan Yushan could say “It’s okay,” Mother Yan continued, “Your father and I talked it over. You truly love acting, and we’ve actually watched the shows and movies you’ve been in. Last time, he even secretly gave a like to your performance as the general…”

Father Yan gave an awkward cough beside her, trying to stop Mother Yan from exposing him. She shot him a glare, then turned back to Yan Yushan and said, “We both support your decision now. Do whatever you want. Your father and I won’t pressure you to come back and take over the company anymore. But one thing—your brother said you and Xiao Xu are together now. Why haven’t you brought him home?”

“Next time,” Yan Yushan paused. “He’s shy.”

The years of estrangement vanished in just a few words. Both sides were ready to reconcile, and Yan Jingmo could finally breathe a sigh of relief, no longer caught in the middle.

Mother Yan reluctantly let Yan Yushan off the hook, nagging him to make sure he brought Xu Xishuang home soon for a visit. Then she had the whole family sit down at the table to celebrate the New Year with a lavish lunch.

After the meal, Yan Yushan and Yan Jingmo took the prepared New Year gifts and went to visit other relatives. Though they were part of the younger generation, Yan Jingmo held up half the sky of the Yan family business, and Yan Yushan was a well-known name in the entertainment industry—anyone who used the internet had heard of him. Naturally, the elders treated them with great respect, and even the unruly kids at home quieted down when met with Yan Yushan’s gaze. All in all, the family visits went smoothly.

Meanwhile, Xu Xishuang had a simple lunch, then put on a coat, mask, and hat before heading out.

Just a few days ago, he had been thinking about the dream he had before waking up in the hospital. He went through all the belongings left behind by the original body, and sure enough, found the notarized will that had already been prepared.

The original had decided to donate all remaining money to charity after death. Xu Xishuang didn’t change that wish. In fact, before he entered the book, back in his original world, he had made the same decision.

Every time he traveled, especially when flying, Xu Xishuang was never sure if he’d make it back alive. Writing a will had become routine for him. He always hoped to leave nothing behind when he died—but now—

Xu Xishuang sat in a private room at a reserved teahouse, speaking to the representative from a special company. “After I die, please send this letter to the address I’ve provided. It must be delivered directly into the recipient’s hands.”

The representative nodded, took out a portable safe, placed the thin envelope Xu Xishuang handed him inside, locked it, and assured him, “Rest assured, Mr. Xu. We will absolutely fulfill your request.”

The company’s full name was “Last Wish Dream Fulfillment Co., Ltd.” As the name suggested, it specialized in helping people fulfill their unresolved wishes after death. These wishes varied wildly—some were even downright bizarre—but as long as the money was there, they could make it happen.

It was rare, however, for a client to request something as simple as sending a single letter. In fact, it was almost too simple. The representative stole another glance at Xu Xishuang and recognized him as the lead actor in the currently airing drama Who’s Standing Behind the Door. Thanks to professional ethics, he didn’t say a word and wouldn’t disclose anything about today’s meeting to anyone else.

After accepting the payment, the representative picked up the safe, said goodbye to Xu Xishuang, and left the private room.

Xu Xishuang picked up the warm water in front of him and took a small sip, then let his thoughts drift as he stared off into the distance.

That letter was for Yan Yushan. Just two thin pages, filled with the words he wanted to say to him, and the original plot of the book he had been hiding all along, unsure how to bring it up.

Xu Xishuang had made up his mind. If he survived the childbirth, then he would tell Yan Yushan everything himself. But if he died…

He wondered what kind of expression Yan Yushan would have when he received the letter. And what he would feel, knowing that Xu Xishuang had come from another world, crossing time and space to be with him.

He finished the rest of the warm water in his cup, stood up, and left the teahouse. On the way home, he stopped by a supermarket and casually picked up a few things. He knew there were security cameras in the villa, so if Yan Yushan asked where he had been, he could brush it off with the excuse of going to the store.

On the other side, Yan Yushan took a moment to glance at his phone and panicked a little when he saw that Xu Xishuang wasn’t at the villa. Just as he was about to call him, he saw Xu Xishuang walk in carrying groceries from the supermarket.

Relieved, he went back to delivering gifts with Yan Jingmo. By the time they were done, it was already evening. When they returned home, Yan’s parents were already sitting and watching the Spring Festival Gala.

Yan Yushan casually had a bowl of dumplings. He sat on the other side of the sofa, distractedly glancing at the TV screen, then sent Xu Xishuang a message: “What are you doing?”

When there was no reply after a while, Yan Yushan pulled up the security feed and saw Xu Xishuang curled up on the sofa, shaking with laughter at a comedy sketch from the Gala.

Yan Yushan stared at the image of Xu Xishuang on his phone for several minutes, not realizing the corners of his mouth had lifted slightly, his eyes soft. It wasn’t until Mother Yan called him a few times, asking if he wanted some sugar tangerines, that he snapped out of it. “No, thanks.”

He made a decision, put away his phone, stood up, and said to the other three, “I think I’ll head back first. I don’t feel comfortable leaving him home alone.”

The other three froze for a moment, then realized who he was talking about. Yan Jingmo raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.

Mother Yan knew about Xu Xishuang’s background, and when she heard that he was spending the New Year alone at home, her heart ached instantly. She hurriedly told Yan Yushan to pack up some good food from the kitchen, and even made him bring along a large pile of New Year’s goods before finally letting him leave.

Father Yan was initially a bit unhappy that Yan Yushan, who had finally come home, wasn’t spending the New Year with the family. But after a glare from Yan’s mother, he didn’t dare say anything. He watched Yan Yushan stay at home for only half a day before leaving and sat down on the sofa, clearly displeased.

By this time, there were very few cars on the road. The streetlights cast a dim glow as snowflakes drifted down gently. Most people had already returned to their warm, brightly lit homes to watch the Spring Festival Gala and eat snacks with their families. Only a handful were still on the road.

Driving alone, Yan Yushan sped up a little. All he could think about was getting back quickly to see Xu Xishuang—he wanted to see him before the new year arrived.

Curled up on the sofa, Xu Xishuang was already getting a little sleepy, but he didn’t want to go to bed. It wasn’t just because he was used to staying up for the New Year—it was also because he was alone in the house. Without Yan Yushan there, sleeping alone felt too lonely.

So cold.

Xu Xishuang curled even deeper into the little blanket, wrapping himself up tightly. He leaned his head against the soft, fluffy pillow, waiting for the hosts of the Spring Festival Gala to count down with everyone and welcome the arrival of the new year.

“Let’s count down together. 10, 9, 8…”

Xu Xishuang whispered along, “6, 5…”

Bang!

It wasn’t the sound of fireworks bursting in the sky, nor the chime marking the end of the countdown—it was the sound of the villa’s front door being thrown open.

Xu Xishuang looked up, stunned, as Yan Yushan came striding toward him. The other’s hair and clothes were still dusted with unmelted snow, and as he ran, a rush of cold air followed him in.

That wave of cold wrapped around Xu Xishuang in an instant, and then suddenly, his lips were met with a cool touch—quickly turning warm.

Xu Xishuang melted into Yan Yushan’s kiss. He clutched Yan Yushan’s red wool scarf as cheers erupted from the TV. Everyone was celebrating the arrival of the new year.

Fireworks were allowed in the city, and soon the sound of them launching and bursting echoed outside the villa. Colored lights flickered across Yan Yushan’s face. Xu Xishuang lay half-reclined on the sofa, head tilted back, breathing lightly.

“Happy New Year,” Yan Yushan murmured, leaning down to kiss him again. In a very good mood, he savored the sweet taste of tangerine lingering on Xu Xishuang’s lips. “I love you.”

Reading those words on a phone and hearing them in person were two completely different things. The blush on Xu Xishuang’s face hadn’t even faded before it deepened further. He looked at Yan Yushan, the fireworks reflecting in his eyes. Xu Xishuang lifted his hand, wanting to cover his own face from the overwhelming feeling, but Yan Yushan caught his wrist.

The big bad wolf had finally found his chance to pin down the little cat he’d long wanted to devour.

Xu Xishuang was forced to meet Yan Yushan’s gaze without any way to hide. His delicate Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he stared into Yan Yushan’s eyes, a faint mist clouding his own. He trembled slightly. “Happy New Year, I…”

Before he could finish, Yan Yushan kissed the corner of his lips again, cutting him off—but he had already found the answer he wanted in Xu Xishuang’s eyes. 

This time, Xu Xishuang felt the warmth of Yan Yushan’s palm even more closely. The heat spread upward from his waist, brushing over his slightly rounded belly, skimming past the pink tip. Xu Xishuang couldn’t help but shiver, a whimper escaping from his throat.

Yan Yushan paused, kissed away the tear at the corner of Xu Xishuang’s eye, then lifted him into a sitting position on his lap, not going any further.

They stayed quietly wrapped in each other’s arms for a while. Xu Xishuang sat on Yan Yushan’s legs, and as a familiar song began to play, he gradually came back to his senses and turned his head toward the TV screen.

The Spring Festival Gala had reached its final traditional segment—the song everyone sang together, “Unforgettable Tonight.” Xu Xishuang leaned against Yan Yushan’s chest, listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat. Sleepiness gradually crept over him, and he snuggled in a little closer.

That movement made him freeze.

He felt his thigh brush against something… and as a man himself, Xu Xishuang instantly understood Yan Yushan’s current state. His face turned red again. He couldn’t move forward, couldn’t pull back, and ended up frozen in place.

Yan Yushan didn’t say a word. He just looked at him, eyes heavy with desire, leaving the choice entirely in Xu Xishuang’s hands.

Xu Xishuang couldn’t hold out under that gaze. He took a breath, then slowly reached toward Yan Yushan’s waistband.

The Spring Festival Gala had ended, but the fireworks outside were still going. By the time even the fireworks had died down, Xu Xishuang used a wet tissue to carefully clean his aching, weakened hand, quickly tossed the soiled tissue into the trash, and turned his head away, cheeks burning.

Yan Yushan leaned lazily against the sofa, looking completely satisfied and content. When Xu Xishuang glanced over at him, he picked up the red scarf that had been set aside and wrapped it around Xu Xishuang’s slender, fair neck. “From my mom,” he said.

Xu Xishuang held the scarf in his hands, stunned. Then he heard Yan Yushan add, “Mom and Dad both really want to meet you. Mom said that next time you come over, she’ll give you a red envelope in person.”

After a long silence, Xu Xishuang softly replied, “Mm.”