Xiang Yang went to the supermarket to buy some groceries. By the time Chen Jiaojiao returned home, a table full of delicious home-cooked dishes was already laid out.
Chen Jiaojiao was pleasantly surprised. "You can cook?"
"There are many things I can do. From now on, I'll take care of all your eating, drinking, and daily needs. Are you satisfied with this tenant?"
"Very, very satisfied."
The two sat down to eat sweetly, washed up together after the meal, and snuggled on the sofa to watch TV.
Falling in love felt wonderful.
Xiang Yang felt that the fight he had yesterday was absolutely worth it. If he could go back in time and choose again, he would still resolutely stand by Chen Jiaojiao.
As the end of the year approached, some employees began to take time off to go home for the holidays, and the beauty salon ushered in the first holiday of the New Year.
Chen Jiaojiao finally had some free time.
Each day, besides eating and sleeping, she waited for Xiang Yang to come home.
They cooked together, chatted, and their days were sweeter than ever before.
One day, Xiang Yang came out of the kitchen after washing the dishes and saw Chen Jiaojiao engrossed in something on her tablet. He put his arm around her shoulders and leaned his head over.
"What are you so absorbed in?"
"Oh, the landlord notified me to move out. My son is taking him abroad to immigrate and will never return. They're selling this apartment."
"Moving out at this time, right before the New Year?"
Xiang Yang took a look at the property listing. The apartment was over 160 square meters, and the asking price was 24 million yuan.
"I really like this apartment and this neighborhood. It's a shame I'm not capable enough. It would be great if I could buy it."
Chen Jiaojiao leaned into his embrace. "I'm also thinking about whether to buy it."
"Do you have that much money?"
"It's impossible to afford it with my savings, but my friends have money, and I can borrow from them first."
Xiang Yang was a little displeased.
As a man, his girlfriend wanted to buy a house and had to borrow money from others.
However, he had no other way at the moment.
"How about this? You borrow money from your friends to secure this apartment first, and I'll handle the repayments later."
"I'll try to take on more filming jobs and pay them back monthly. The apartment will be in your name; consider it my first gift to you in life."
Regardless of whether he truly had the capability, his attitude was commendable.
Chen Jiaojiao smiled and agreed. "Okay. Then I'll take you seriously."
"You must. I'll write you a promissory note."
Xiang Yang found paper and a pen and properly wrote Chen Jiaojiao an IOU for 24 million yuan.
"From now on, I belong to you, and you are my creditor. Only when the debt is repaid can you get rid of me. Otherwise, it's impossible."
Chen Jiaojiao borrowed money from Jiang Nan Fang, briefly explaining the situation. Jiang Nan Fang immediately transferred the money.
"No rush, take it and use it first. I don't have any investments to make right now anyway."
Chen Jiaojiao and Xiang Yang went to handle the property transfer. When the staff asked whose name to put on the deed, Xiang Yang directly pushed Chen Jiaojiao's ID card forward.
"Put it in her name."
Chen Jiaojiao had Xiang Yang's ID card ready and also pushed it forward.
"Put it in both our names."
Xiang Yang was surprised. She said, "It wouldn't be right for you to only have the debt and no benefit. Let's consider this apartment as jointly purchased by us."
Now, like a married couple, they were jointly financing an apartment.
Xiang Yang was overjoyed, feeling that his and Chen Jiaojiao's destinies were now intertwined, making it difficult to separate in the future.
With a week left until the Lunar New Year, Xiang Yang's filming schedule finally paused.
They spent their days in endless playful banter, and after two or three days of revelry, one afternoon, Chen Jiaojiao suddenly sighed.
"In my hometown, it snows every winter. It doesn't even snow in Nancheng, so there's no New Year atmosphere at all. It would be nice if it snowed."
"Want to see snow? That's easy. We'll go somewhere with snow."
"What? Are you taking me on a trip?"
"Although I don't have much money, a domestic trip is still possible. Are you willing to go with me?"
Since she was idle at home anyway and never had time to travel when working, Chen Jiaojiao was very willing.
They planned their trip together using their tablets, deciding to go to Harbin.
That evening, Xiang Yang booked their flights and itinerary. They packed their bags and the next day found themselves in Harbin.
The world of white snow and ice was far more beautiful than Chen Jiaojiao's hometown.
Chen Jiaojiao was as excited as a child. They visited various spots, took photos, enjoyed local food, and chatted with the locals. Their days were incredibly fulfilling.
Soon, it was New Year's Eve. Xiang Yang and Chen Jiaojiao booked their New Year's Eve dinner at an affordable restaurant.
While they were eating, Chen Jiaojiao's phone rang.
She picked it up and saw a video call from Jiang Nan Fang in their private group chat with the three of them.
Upon answering, four small, childlike faces appeared on the screen.
"Jiaojiao Auntie, Happy New Year! Happy New Year! What are you doing?"
The four little ones rushed to greet her.
Chen Jiaojiao said she was celebrating the New Year in the ice and snow world and was having dinner, then asked if they had eaten.
The little ones said, "It's midnight here, don't you remember? But Daddy and Mommy said today is the New Year, and to celebrate us getting one year older, they're letting us stay up late."
"They're drinking wine over there, look."
The camera panned to Zhan Bei Jue, sitting on a warm carpet with Jiang Nan Fang in his arms. They each held a glass of red wine and smiled at the camera.
Zhou Jin Bei sighed on the phone.
"No wonder you didn't welcome me when I said I'd come over to celebrate the New Year with you. So you had other plans. After so many years as husband and wife, you still don't get tired of each other!"
Jiang Nan Fang retorted, "Says you! Who is it that hasn't replied to messages or answered calls from Ah Zhong since meeting him? Those who know realize you're on holiday, but those who don't might think something happened!"
Zhou Jin Bei, uncharacteristically shy, said, "Oh, I came back to their hometown, and there were so many relatives and friends, I didn't have time to look at my phone."
Chen Jiaojiao also teased her, "Stop using relatives and friends as an excuse. I know you well. Take it easy on Ah Zhong. He's worked hard, and you're already using him like a slave before he's even had a chance to rest..."
"Alright, alright, I won't talk to you anymore. I tried to wish you a Happy New Year in good faith, but you're all teasing me. I'm hanging up!"
Zhou Jin Bei was the first to leave the group chat.
Jiang Nan Fang saw the lively scene behind Chen Jiaojiao and asked her.
"Why did you run off to Harbin by yourself? I'm sorry, I didn't have time to accompany you. You're not mad at me, are you?"
"No. You know I'm best at entertaining myself. Focus on your fun, don't worry about me."
They all laughed and ended the video call.
Xiang Yang looked at Chen Jiaojiao with a smile. "It's so good."
"What's so good?"
"It's so good to have you. It's so good to have you, my sunflower. The friends around a sunflower are also sunflowers. It's so good to know you."