Si Tu and Gong Qi had made a bunch of window and door decorations and all sorts of things, waiting to paste them up everywhere in a bit.

"You two are dressed in such red," Gong Qi said to them with a smile, "two lucky dolls."

"Plus you, that makes one more." Qin Fang said to her. Gong Qi was also wearing a red dress.

Xing Yan went to the bathroom. Qin Fang went upstairs to call Han Xiaogong. It was the New Year, so why was he still sleeping? Zhou Siming hadn't come back last night, so it was just Han Xiaogong by himself upstairs. He didn't even close his door.

Qin Fang stood at the doorway and knocked. Han Xiaogong didn't move at all and said with his eyes closed, "Who is it?"

"Don't sleep anymore. Show some New Year spirit," Qin Fang said with a laugh.

"You have such a strong sense of ceremony for the New Year?" Han Xiaogong still had his eyes closed and spoke while lying down.

"Hurry up," Qin Fang knocked on the door again, "get up."

Han Xiaogong turned his head to look over and, seeing Qin Fang in this red short-sleeved shirt, couldn't help but laugh, "You really have too much ceremony."

After saying that, he sat up, yawned, then lifted the covers and got out of bed directly.

This guy only wore shorts to sleep, with nothing on his upper body. He was also very fair and thin, with a great physique. He just came down like this. His morning reaction looked quite obvious. Wearing slippers, he was going to the bathroom. Qin Fang made way for him.

Usually, with Han Xiaogong's face masks and skincare routines, plus his long hair, it was easy for people who didn't know him well to be unsure of his gender. But seeing him sleep so boldly at this moment, he suddenly became more down-to-earth.

When Han Xiaogong came down after freshening up, Qin Fang and Xing Yan were sitting together waiting to eat. Breakfast was made by Si Tu. Han Xiaogong walked over and sat down, saying to Xing Yan, "Your boyfriend just went upstairs to see me naked."

"Do you know what it means to have a heart like still water?" Qin Fang said expressionlessly, "Even if a hundred naked men were placed in front of my eyes now, I wouldn't have the slightest ripple."

Han Xiaogong said with a laugh, "That's not necessarily true."

Qin Fang looked at him. Han Xiaogong tilted his chin towards Xing Yan and said, "Are you also like still water with him?"

"He doesn't count," Qin Fang lowered his head and smiled, "...he doesn't count."

Han Xiaogong let out a "tsk" and poured himself a bowl of porridge.

The New Year atmosphere in this house was unexpectedly strong. Flowers were pasted on the windows and doors, and even on Xing Yan's motorcycle.

Han Xiaogong looked at the red paper pasted everywhere and complained that it was too tacky. Actually, everyone thought it was tacky, but they were still persisting reluctantly. In the afternoon, Xing Yan played the harmonica in the yard for a while, and Qin Fang sat beside him and watched.

These two were dressed like the two dolls beside the God of Wealth. Han Xiaogong took a photo of them. The flower bed, red bricks, old courtyard wall, and two strikingly handsome boys - this scene looked both harmonious and beautiful.

Dinner was also made by Si Tu and Gong Qi, while the remaining three helped with whatever they could. But what was surprising was that Zhou Siming came back at dusk and even brought alcohol.

No one seemed surprised by his return. Everyone just went about their own business, not even greeting him, as if it was just another ordinary day. Qin Fang also tactfully followed their lead, not showing any hint of being special.

Zhou Siming wasn't irritable either. Aside from being silent, there was nothing else. He went straight upstairs.

The meal preparations lasted from morning until evening, with sixteen dishes forcibly crammed onto the table. Han Xiaogong took another two photos of the table. He had taken photos of everyone that day, some individual shots and some with others.

They were drinking baijiu tonight. Qin Fang truly didn't dare pour any for himself. His low alcohol tolerance was barely enough for some beer. Drinking baijiu, he'd be done after just one sip.

Xing Yan brought over two bottles of beer and placed them by Qin Fang's feet. Qin Fang asked him, "Are you going to stay up until midnight for the New Year?"

Xing Yan said, "If I drink too much, I won't be able to stay up. Do you want to wait?"

Qin Fang thought for a moment and said, "It's not important. If you get drunk when it's almost time, I can wake you up and we'll forcibly cross into the New Year."

Xing Yan smiled slightly and nodded, "Okay."

There were six people at this table, with Qin Fang being the last to join.

He raised his glass first and said, "I'm quite happy to spend the New Year with you all. The process of getting to know you was too ridiculous, so I won't say much, but thank you."

He glanced at Xing Yan without saying anything specific to him, but there was still a lot in his eyes. That "thank you" was ultimately because he got to know Xing Yan. Afterwards, he also looked at Si Tu and Gong Qi, smiling as he said to them, "The chefs worked hard."

The others all smiled and drank to his toast. Zhou Siming didn't smile but also drank.

Today's Zhou Siming was unusually calm, without his usual irritability or previous sarcasm. Perhaps it was because the previous argument with Han Xiaogong had quieted him down, or maybe it was because others had paid off his debt for him, causing him to become listless.

He was the only unstable element at this table. As long as he settled down, everything would be peaceful.

They all drank a lot. Except for Qin Fang and Gong Qi who drank beer, the original four residents of the small building were drinking baijiu. The light bulb in the courtyard had been replaced with a higher wattage one, illuminating the night brightly.

Xing Yan didn't show much change when drinking. When others were talking, he would search for Qin Fang's hand under the table. If he couldn't find it, he would place his hand on Qin Fang's leg, pinching it playfully without any sexual intent.

Qin Fang let him pinch. If it got too ticklish, he would reach down to grab Xing Yan's hand, rubbing his palm to signal him to stop messing around.

Zhou Siming drank the most and was indeed quite drunk.

He laughed self-deprecatingly, then said, "I've never considered you all as brothers."

The others looked at him. Zhou Siming continued, "Every single one of you, I sometimes find very annoying and despise, every single one."

Han Xiaogong said, "What a coincidence."

Zhou Siming spoke with his head lowered, not looking at anyone, slowly saying, "Xing Yan is pretentious, looking down on others like a pretentious king.

"Si Tu always acts like a nice guy, so hypocritical. People like us, who is a good person? There are no damn good people at all.

"Han Xiaogong... there's not a single thing about him I can stand. Just hearing him talk annoys me. A troublemaker, a living, breathing big trouble.

"I despise living together with you all, but I have no choice but to continue. My roots are here, a few rotten roots huddled together, shielding each other from the wind and rain to catch a breath."

He took a sip of alcohol and fell silent for a moment before continuing, "But you all live better lives than me. Relying on looks, relying on talent, relying on brains... The one with bad grades sells his face and makes so much money. The one with a body in terrible shape can still make music. The one with a bad temper has a damn genius mind. I have nothing. Originally we had the same roots, but later when I wanted to catch up to you all, it was too tiring, as tiring as a dog."

Si Tu spoke up, "Your mind isn't bad either."

"Yes, I'm not bad," Zhou Siming laughed a few times. "I study until 2 AM while others go to sleep at 10 PM. I work myself to the point of vomiting blood but still score 30 points less than what others get with ease. I'm indeed not bad, but that's it."

That day, Zhou Siming said a lot, cursing out everyone at the table, but no one argued back. Under the table, Xing Yan and Qin Fang held hands tightly. Qin Fang traced patterns on Xing Yan's palm, and Xing Yan would open his palm to let him, occasionally grasping his fingers.

By the end of his rant, Zhou Siming's eyes were completely bloodshot, though it was unclear if it was from the cursing or the alcohol.

He later said, "How could I possibly borrow money from you all? That would be like taking a knife to my face. Then I would forever owe you, and you would forever be my saviors. We could barely be equals before, but if I took your money, I'd have to kneel in gratitude."

He took a deep breath and said, "So I really hate you all. I hate that you have it easier than me. I hate that you took it upon yourselves to get money for me, making me kneel forever. But I also know that in the end, this matter could only have this one outcome. No matter how much I struggle, it's useless."

After saying all this, he emptied the alcohol in his glass, his eyes slightly unfocused. "From the day I met you all until today... there hasn't been a single day that I've liked you. I hate that you live well, but I also hope you live well... so how contradictory can a person be?"

Aside from his cursing, this was the first time Qin Fang heard him say so much. He was indeed very drunk. What he said was twisted, but it was hard to hate him for it.

After he finished saying all this, only then did Han Xiaogong speak. He said calmly, "There's nothing unequal about giving you money. I grew up following your ass. You protected me for so many years. I've never felt I needed to kneel in gratitude to you."

Zhou Siming didn't say anything more, only silently shaking his head.

Outside, the sound of firecrackers began going off in rapid succession. They were in the suburbs where such things weren't restricted. Fireworks near and far exploded one after another. This festive atmosphere would continue until the early morning.

The alcohol made people drowsy. Or perhaps it was the previous topic that made everyone fall silent. In any case, no one said anything more at the dinner table.

Later, Si Tu stood up and said, "You all wait for the New Year. I'm sleepy, going to bed."

Gong Qi also stood up. "I'm tired too."

Before returning to his room, Si Tu sent red envelopes to everyone, one per person, fair and square. Zhou Siming also accepted it. Si Tu patted him on the head and said, "You don't dislike us as much as you think."

Zhou Siming didn't speak, clutching the red envelope in his hand without raising his head.

After distributing the red envelopes, Si Tu turned to leave. At that moment, someone suddenly pushed open the door, startling everyone. Zhou Siming subconsciously stood up, randomly grabbing a liquor bottle.

"Ha-Happy New Year! So many people..."

The person who barged in was a young man holding a large bouquet of roses. He was dressed very fashionably, looked quite young, and was rather handsome.

Zhou Siming frowned, looking displeased: "Who are you?"

"I'm looking for someone," the young man's eyes darted between the faces of the few people, finally settling on Han Xiaogong. He walked over and handed him the flowers, "Happy New Year."

He had probably run over, still a bit out of breath as he spoke.

Everyone's gaze fell on Han Xiaogong again. Han Xiaogong's face didn't look too happy, even frowning a little. He pushed the flowers away and said, "I don't like them."

"Then what do you like?" the young man held the flowers, only saying, "I'll buy you whatever you like."

This all came a bit suddenly, leaving everyone stunned.

Si Tu was already sleepy, so seeing the situation, he didn't stay long and went to bed. Gong Qi also went to sleep. As for Zhou Siming, he went upstairs without a word.

Only Han Xiaogong and that young man were left, along with Qin Fang and Xing Yan.

Qin Fang said "Happy New Year" to the two of them, then also went inside with Xing Yan.

What happened with the two people outside, no one knew. They were all adults, no one needed to worry about these things. And in Qin Fang's view, Han Xiaogong was too skilled, he couldn't possibly be taken advantage of.

By the time the two of them had each taken a shower and come out, the people outside were gone, not knowing if they had gone to their rooms or out.

Xing Yan never talked much after drinking, like a quiet child. Qin Fang smiled and asked if he was sleepy. Xing Yan shook his head.

Qin Fang said then let's wait for the New Year. After sitting for a while, Xing Yan suddenly stood up, grabbed Qin Fang's wrist, and took him outside. The two climbed a ladder to the roof.

This was Qin Fang's first time up here. There were actually two old sofas on the roof. Xing Yan said Si Tu had put them there years ago, when Si Tu especially liked to come sit on the roof.

Qin Fang found this very novel. The roof wasn't dirty, frequently washed clean by the rain. A flat concrete surface. Xing Yan casually found a spot and sat down.

Qin Fang sat next to him, the two leaning back, looking at the sky and stars.

Later, Xing Yan hugged him. Qin Fang then followed his lead and lay down, resting his head on Xing Yan's legs. Xing Yan also lay down.

Lying up high, only the starry river entered their eyes. The two often lay together like this watching the stars when they went out, but lying on the roof now still felt different from lying in the wild grasslands.

Xing Yan stroked Qin Fang's head, his fingertips lightly scratching his scalp.

Qin Fang grabbed his hand and kissed his palm.

Xing Yan took the opportunity to cup his chin, then lightly flicked his lips with his thumb. Qin Fang then opened his mouth and bit his finger.

Qin Fang asked him, "Are you happy being with me? If you're happy, I'll tell you a secret."

Xing Yan touched his lips, smiled faintly, and said, "Of all the years I've celebrated, I'm happiest today."