The afternoon wore on, and the anticipated phone call still hadn't arrived. Unconsciously, the sky outside had darkened.
It was also time for the factory to close. From the spacious office building, employees departed one by one, their spirits high.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, everyone was in a jubilant mood. Throughout the workday, people of all ages discussed their plans for buying New Year goods, mentioning how much pork, chicken, fish, and other delicacies their families had already purchased.
There was also talk of new clothes for family members. Walking on the streets, the entire county was filled with the festive atmosphere of the New Year, exuding joy and cheer.
In the office, Li Ya watched the darkening sky outside as she silently packed her belongings, preparing to leave for the day.
For her, celebrating her birthday alone was something she had long grown accustomed to. In recent years, she had spent her birthdays entirely by herself, sometimes so busy that she would forget it was her own birthday.
As Li Ya walked out of the office building, preparing to drive her Audi away, a glaring set of headlights suddenly appeared. A car drove into the factory entrance.
Li Ya stood frozen in place until the car stopped beside her.
The car door opened, and a figure etched into her memory stepped out.
Seeing that tall, familiar silhouette, Li Ya's heart, which had sunk to the bottom with little expectation, sprang back to life. An almost irrepressible surge of excitement welled up within her.
"Xiao Chuan, weren't you very busy today? How come you have time to come here?"
However, she still tried to remain calm and spoke slowly, maintaining their usual demeanor.
Her words carried the care and gentleness of an elder sister.
"Yes, I was indeed very busy today. I ran around all day, my back and waist are aching."
Qin Chuan stretched his sore arms and waist.
The resources in their small county were still too scarce; many of the ideal items couldn't be found. Fortunately, perseverance paid off, and he finally achieved a result that he was somewhat satisfied with.
"Sister, you don't need to drive your car. Get in mine, and I'll take you somewhere."
"Okay!"
Li Ya nodded gently.
The moment she saw that familiar car stop in front of her, Li Ya's heart, which had been heavy with sadness all day, immediately cleared like the sky after a storm. The hint of resentment and sorrow vanished without a trace, replaced by a joy that came from the depths of her soul.
He remembered her birthday. Even though he was busy during the day, he had rushed back in the evening.
She, Li Ya, had indeed chosen the right person. Even when he was busy, Qin Chuan had her in his heart, remembering her birthday.
No one knew how truly important this birthday was to Li Ya.
After all, this was her first birthday since she and Qin Chuan had gotten together. What woman wouldn't want her boyfriend by her side on such a special day…
While Li Ya's thoughts were in a delightful disarray, the imposing Tiger-head Benz smoothly started and drove out of the Butterfly Apparel Factory.
Soon, the car entered the main street of the county. With the Lunar New Year approaching, red lanterns were hung everywhere, and vibrant five-star red flags fluttered in the wind.
Even at night, the streets were packed with people. Many families, young and old, were out shopping and having fun, frequenting department stores to buy New Year gifts.
As a folk song goes—
"Little child, little child, don't fuss,
After Laba, it's New Year's.
Laba porridge, in a few days,
Then comes the twenty-third, tinkling and clanging.
Twenty-third, candies stick,
Twenty-fourth, sweep the house clean.
Twenty-fifth, frozen tofu,
Twenty-sixth, go buy meat.
Twenty-seventh, slaughter the rooster,
Twenty-eighth, knead the dough.
Twenty-ninth, steam the buns,
New Year's Eve, stay up all night!"
This rhyme was known throughout the land, sung by people of all ages. It represented the busyness of the New Year and the people's anticipation for it.
It was already the twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month, and indeed, every household had begun to get busy.
The 1990s were truly an era with the strongest New Year spirit, a time of genuine human warmth and simple joys. Although people were poor, they were truly happy, visiting relatives and friends, and chatting about everyday life.
Unlike later times, when New Year felt increasingly devoid of its traditional spirit. Neighbors who had lived across from each other for years might not even know each other's names.
After dinner, each person in every household would be engrossed in their mobile phones, preferring to watch dancers or muscular men rather than talk to relatives and friends.
This was because they had so little contact in their daily lives. The emotional bonds between people had grown weaker, and there was no common ground for conversation…
"Xiao Chuan, where are we going?"
In the Tiger-head Benz, Li Ya asked, seeing Qin Chuan drive past several restaurants they often frequented without stopping.
"It's a secret. You'll know soon enough!"
Qin Chuan turned and smiled mysteriously.
This made Li Ya even more expectant. Could there be a surprise waiting for her?
Finally, the Tiger-head Benz turned left and right, stopping in front of a hotel.
This was the most high-end hotel in Yongnan County. Qin Chuan led Li Ya out of the car, and they went upstairs to the highest floor.
At the entrance to the stairs, two female servers stood waiting.
Upon seeing Qin Chuan and Li Ya, they immediately bowed and said in unison, "Boss Qin, good evening!"
"Is everything ready?"
Qin Chuan asked.
"Yes!"
One of the female servers replied.
Qin Chuan turned and said to Li Ya, "Sister, give me your hand."
"Xiao Chuan, what exactly are you doing?"
Li Ya was a little excited and nervous but obediently handed over her hand.
The two slowly stepped into the hotel floor.
"Oh, why is it so dark? There's no light?"
Upon entering the corridor, it was pitch black, so dark they couldn't see their hands in front of their faces.
"It will be soon!"
Qin Chuan said with a smile. As soon as he finished speaking, a firefly-like dot of light suddenly appeared in the previously dark corridor.
Then came two, three, four, seven, ten, a hundred…
More and more points of light appeared rhythmically on both sides of the corridor walls, gradually illuminating the entire passage, making it look colorful and extremely beautiful.
"Wow!!!"
This sight caused Li Ya to cover her mouth in surprise, her eyes filled with twinkling stars.
"Sister, is it pretty?"
Qin Chuan asked with a smile.
"Yes, yes, yes, it's extremely beautiful. This is the most beautiful lighting I've ever seen!"
Li Ya nodded repeatedly, her beautiful eyes filled with excitement and emotion.
"Sister, look at the ground!"
At this moment, Qin Chuan spoke again.
Li Ya slowly lowered her head, and then her beautiful eyes widened completely. Finally, she could no longer contain herself and let out an excited scream, "This… are these all roses?"
The floor was a vibrant red, extending the entire length of the corridor. Due to the lighting, it might have been mistaken for a red carpet. It turned out to be a carpet of fresh rose petals.
No wonder the air was filled with a pleasant floral scent.
"Yes! They are all rose petals!"
Qin Chuan nodded with a smile. He had made arrangements for these roses by directly calling the city and placing the order long in advance.
Conveniently, their supermarket's transport trucks made round trips daily, so they were able to bring them back as well.
"Xiao Chuan, sob sob~~!"
Li Ya was truly moved to tears at this moment.
The ground was covered with rose petals, and it was hard to imagine how many roses it would take to fill the entire corridor.
Li Ya had never seen so many roses in her entire life.