To Sink Into You - Chapter 40

As evening fell, a flurry of goose-feather snowflakes drifted down, gradually blanketing the freshly swept roads in a pristine layer of white. The ground shimmered with crystalline patterns, a landscape sculpted in jade and silver.

The main house glowed with warm light. Ming Qian sat with Ming Yi, watching the Spring Festival Gala, while Ming Yang and Zuo Lian huddled together, painting New Year’s pictures. Wen Yuxi and Aunt Wu busied themselves in the kitchen, wrapping dumplings, the entire family enveloped in a cozy, harmonious atmosphere.

Just after eight o’clock, dishes began arriving at the table. Everyone set aside their tasks and gathered in the dining room for dinner.

Wen Yuxi picked up a pair of serving chopsticks and placed a crispy pork meatball in Ming Qian’s bowl, smiling. “Sister, try this! It’s a new recipe I learned.”

“Thank you,” Ming Qian replied with a gentle smile, subtly gesturing with her chin toward Ming Yi, her meaning clear.

Wen Yuxi immediately understood. She placed a meatball in Ming Yi’s bowl as well, softly saying, “Grandma, please try my cooking.”

Ming Yi lifted her eyelids, picked up the meatball, and took a bite. Her tone was neutral. “Not bad.”

Zuo Lian, curious, tried one herself. Her eyes lit up like stars as she exclaimed, “Oh, our Qiqi is so talented! This is absolutely delicious!”

Ming Yang nodded in agreement. “It really is delicious.”

Wen Yuxi grinned sheepishly and buried herself in her meal. A moment later, someone placed a shrimp in her bowl. She looked up to thank them, only to realize it wasn’t Ming Qian, but Ming Yi.

The “Thank you, Sister Ming Qian” caught in her throat. Wen Yuxi quickly corrected herself. “Thank you, Grandma.”

Ming Yi maintained her usual indifferent expression. “Eat more.”

“Yes, Grandma,” Wen Yuxi replied obediently.

Ming Qian silently observed their interaction, her brow smoothing into a contented smile.

Finally, they’ve reconciled.

After dinner, Wen Yuxi took Ming Qian’s place in keeping Grandma Ming Yi company to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

The older generation often held onto certain traditions. Although the gala had become increasingly dull in recent years, Ming Yi still sat in front of the television until she heard the New Year’s Eve bell, all for the sake of ritual.

Wen Yuxi surreptitiously stifled a yawn and peeled an orange for Ming Yi. “Grandma, have an orange.”

“Hmm,” Ming Yi replied, accepting the orange. Her gaze drifted from the television screen as she casually asked, “Bored?”

“Huh?” Wen Yuxi wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “No, just a little sleepy. I woke up early today.”

Ming Yi: “Go upstairs and rest if you’re tired.”

“How could I? We’re supposed to stay up all night on New Year’s Eve,” Wen Yuxi said with a smile. “You and Mom can go to bed later. Sister Ming Qian and I will keep watch together.”

After a long silence, Ming Yi asked, “Do you like Qianqian?”

Wen Yuxi paused, her expression turning serious. “I do,” she replied.

Ming Yi met her gaze, her deep eyes holding a wisdom that seemed to see through everything. “How much?”

Without hesitation, Wen Yuxi answered, “The kind of love that would make me die for her.”

Ming Yi frowned. “Childish talk. Stop talking about life and death so casually. It’s bad luck.”

Wen Yuxi covered her mouth. “…Oh.”

Ming Yi continued, “If you truly love Qianqian, settle down and live your life with her. You’re young, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that there’s no better Alpha in this world than Qianqian. If you lose her, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

“I understand,” Wen Yuxi said sincerely. “Grandma, don’t worry. I’ll cherish her properly.”

“Hmm.” Ming Yi turned back to the television. “Go play now. Stop hovering around me. Go find your wife.”

“Okay,” Wen Yuxi said, smiling.

At eleven o’clock at night, the heavy snow finally stopped, transforming the world outside the window into a pristine, silver-white landscape. As far as the eye could see, everything was pure and immaculate white.

Wen Yuxi put down her phone and asked Ming Qian, “Sister Ming Qian, I just saw on the city news that there’s a designated fireworks display area by the Riverside. Should we go check it out?”

Ming Qian readily agreed, “Sounds fun!”

The two bundled up in their winter coats, hats, scarves, and masks, fully armed against the cold, and headed out.

With the drivers all home for the New Year, Ming Qian took the wheel herself. The Bugatti purred out of the courtyard and onto the main road. Before long, they could see fireworks blooming in succession across the horizon.

Wen Yuxi pressed her face against the car window, sighing, “It’s so beautiful.”

“Do you like it?” Ming Qian asked, her slender hands encased in silk gloves as she turned the steering wheel. “We could buy some fireworks ourselves.”

“No need,” Wen Yuxi replied with a grin. “That would be too much trouble. We can just enjoy other people’s for free.”

Ming Qian chuckled. “You’re something else.”

The Zhu River wasn’t far from the estate, and they arrived in just over ten minutes.

The roadside was crowded with cars, and Ming Qian struggled to find a parking spot. After finally securing one, she asked, “Do you want to go where the crowds are?”

“No need. Watching from the car is perfect,” Wen Yuxi said, tightening her scarf. “Can I open the window?”

“Of course.”

The window slid down, and the clamor of the world rushed in with the cold wind, carrying the scent of gunpowder. It wasn’t unpleasant—it was the smell of the New Year, the smell of human life.

The pitch-black night sky was dotted with fireworks like blooming flowers. Laughter and cheers filled the air as they sat in the car by the roadside, suspended between the liveliness and quiet, as if only the two of them remained in the world, creating a surreal, floating sensation.

Ming Qian closed her eyes, then opened them again, her expression serene and at peace, her body and mind more relaxed than ever before.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Wen Yuxi asked softly, “Sister, what time is it?”

Ming Qian glanced at her phone. “Almost midnight.”

Just as she spoke, a wave of excited cheers erupted from the crowd in the distance. Immediately afterward, they began shouting a thirty-second countdown in unison, welcoming the new year with jubilant fervor.

“30!”

“29!”

“28!”

“Sister,” Wen Yuxi leaned closer to Ming Qian, her almond-shaped eyes clear and bright. “If I made a New Year’s wish to you, would you help me make it come true?”

Ming Qian gazed at the girl before her, her smile gentle and indulgent. “You can try.”

The countdown continued.

“10!”

“9!”

“8!”

“3!”

“2!”

“1!”

“Happy New Year!”

Wen Yuxi’s throat tightened. As the New Year’s bells chimed, she wrapped her arms around Ming Qian’s neck, her lips brushing casually against the woman’s pale cheek as she murmured, “Happy New Year. Sleep with me tonight?”

Ming Qian’s gaze flickered, a faint blush creeping up her earlobes. She embraced Wen Yuxi’s slender waist. “Happy New Year, Yuxi.”

Wen Yuxi nuzzled against her chest, daring to press further, “Can it come true?”

Ming Qian stroked her long hair, her voice soft as a sigh, “Yes.”

By the time they returned to the manor, the elders had already retired for the night, leaving the responsibility of staying up late to the only two young people present.

After washing up, Wen Yuxi, holding a tablet, smiled and suggested, “Let’s watch a movie?”

Ming Qian leaned against the headboard. “Okay.”

Wen Yuxi climbed into bed and sat beside Ming Qian, their bodies close enough that their long, dark hair intertwined, the scent of black coffee and rosemary blending seamlessly.

With the tablet resting on their laps, the movie began to play. The art film’s atmosphere was fresh and delicate, its plot captivating.

Neither in heat nor during a High Fever Period, this was the first time Wen Yuxi and Ming Qian shared a bed without any trace of desire. The moment was warm and peaceful, like that of a couple who had been together for years—perfect in its simplicity.