Shine on Me

If one has ever received love as fervent and open as the blazing sun, who would still care about the flickering sparks of fireworks?

Chapter One of Book 2

For the past few years, my mother and I have spent the Spring Festival at my uncle’s house, and this year was no exception. As soon as my last workday ended, I didn’t return to Wuxi but headed straight for Nanjing.

For some reason, Jiang Rui was unusually enthusiastic this year. He even snatched Old Zhang’s job and drove to the train station to pick me up himself.

The moment I stepped out of the station, I saw him waving energetically in the crowd, grinning like a blooming flower. Then he rushed straight toward me and grabbed my small suitcase.

“Wait!” I held onto the suitcase, eyeing him suspiciously. “Jiang Rui, why are you being so nice? Did you do something to betray me?”

He scoffed. “Can’t I just be excited to see you?”

…He definitely did something to betray me.

The whole way, Jiang Rui acted weirdly, looking as smug as if he’d stolen the neighbor’s cat. Even after we got the car from the parking lot and drove for a while, he still had that expression.

I snapped, “Jiang Rui, can you at least try to look normal?”

Jiang Rui waggled his eyebrows. “I’ve discovered a big secret—one that concerns someone’s lifelong happiness. Wanna hear it?”

I glanced at him. He blinked at me mischievously, so I replied indifferently, “Sure.”

I was just humoring him, but he actually got cocky.

“Then beg me.”

I promptly smacked him hard on the head. “Happy now?”

“Tch, suit yourself.” Jiang Rui rubbed his head. “Don’t regret it, Nie Xiguang. The later you find out, the less happy you’ll be.”

“Hah.” I tossed him those two syllables to show how little I cared about his secret.

Probably because of the holiday, the roads were jammed. By the time we reached Xinjiekou, the car was completely stuck. Resting my chin on my hand, I gazed at the bustling streets outside the window when a sudden idea struck me.

“Jiang Rui, let’s find a place to park. I need to buy something.”

Jiang Rui was startled. “Seriously? Now?”

“Yeah. Didn’t you say Mom and Aunt went flower shopping? There’s no one at home anyway, so come with me. Right there!”

I pointed ahead to Nanjing’s largest shopping mall.

Jiang Rui reluctantly let me drag him inside.

“You never shop for luxury stuff. Even for New Year’s shopping, you don’t need to come here, right?” He scanned the mall. “Wait, are you planning to buy me a gift now that you’re earning your own money?”

I crushed his hopes mercilessly. “You’re overthinking it.”

“Oh, I get it—you’re hoping to bump into a certain handsome guy?” His expression turned teasing again. “I remember a certain guy’s home isn’t far from here. It’s totally possible he’d come out for a stroll during the holidays.”

In an instant, I knew he was talking about Zhuang Xu. My heart still twinged a little, but I gritted my teeth and said, “I brought you here to help me pick out a gift.”

“A gift… for my boyfriend,” I emphasized.

Jiang Rui’s head-shaking abruptly stopped. “Boyfriend?” he repeated dumbly.

“Y-you have a boyfriend?”

I nodded smugly, then felt a little annoyed at his shocked expression. “Your sister here is at least somewhat beautiful and talented—is it really that strange for me to have a boyfriend?”"Who is it?" he pressed, then suddenly looked enlightened. "Could it be Zhuang..."

I cut him off in time. "His name is Lin Yusen."

He froze again, the happy expression still lingering on his face. I didn't quite understand why he guessed Zhuang Xu or why he seemed so pleased. Suppressing a faint unease, I patiently explained.

"It's the one I mentioned to you before—my direct supervisor."

He still wore that dazed expression.

"When did this happen?"

"Actually, it hasn't been long." I suddenly felt a little embarrassed. Jumping into a relationship so quickly felt strange.

"Not long?"

"Less than a month." I remembered something. "Oh, and don't tell Mom."

"Why?" Jiang Rui blurted out. "Are you not serious about this?"

"Of course I am! It's just..." I trailed off, not finishing my sentence. Explaining everything about Lin Yusen would inevitably bring up that annoying mother-daughter pair and even involve Dad. Why dredge up those unpleasant memories for Mom during the New Year?

It was better to keep it quiet for now.

I couldn't be bothered to explain further to Jiang Rui. "Just don't say anything for now."

This was the first time I'd ever shopped for a man who wasn't a relative. After browsing a few stores without finding anything I liked, I happened to glance up and spotted the brand of watch Lin Yusen often wore.

I dragged Jiang Rui inside. Scanning the display, my eyes lit up. "Jiang Rui, how about this watch?"

He looked at the watch, then at me, silent for a moment.

"Give me your opinion."

Jiang Rui reluctantly said, "Giving a watch is too cliché, don’t you think? Feels uninspired."

I sighed. "I know it's ordinary, but the way he checks his watch is just so handsome."

Images of Mr. Lin glancing at his wrist in various poses flashed through my mind, and I zoned out for a second. When I noticed Jiang Rui's odd stare, I realized I'd been propping my chin in my hands, staring blankly at the watch for who knows how long.

...So embarrassing.

Snapping back to reality, I pretended nothing happened and motioned for the salesperson to bring out the watch.

On the way home, Jiang Rui was unusually quiet, staring straight ahead as if lost in thought.

I waved a hand in front of his face. "Jiang Rui? Jiang Rui?"

He turned to me and said, "I just realized—sometimes, a single unintentional action from one person can change someone else's entire life."

"...Wow, what a profound discovery."

He gave me a dazed look, then fell silent again, even sighing.

My little brother had suddenly turned into a brooding young man, and with a long red light ahead, I had nothing better to do than vent to Lin Yusen. But the moment I opened my phone, I forgot about complaining and instead started bragging.

"I bought you a gift today!"

He replied almost instantly: "You went shopping for me right after getting off the train?"

"Yep!"

No further reply came—instead, my phone rang the next second. Seeing his name on the caller ID, I was speechless. As soon as I answered, he demanded, "What gift?"

"Aren't you rushing to catch a flight? You canceled our plan for you to drop me off in Nanjing—how do you have time to call now?""Miss Nie criticizes her boyfriend for being illogical? What's the conflict between catching a flight and making a phone call? And who was it that said long flights are exhausting and told me not to go back and forth?"

It was only in recent days that I learned Lin Yusen's father had passed away long ago. His mother resides in Switzerland, and every Spring Festival, he flies there to spend time with her.

He has an early flight tomorrow, and today he still wanted to drive me to Nanjing first before returning to Shanghai. Of course, I refused—not only is the traffic terrible, but even without congestion, the round trip would take six or seven hours.

Though my heart and actions were so considerate and thoughtful, I couldn’t help but argue playfully: "Oh I was just saying that casually, but deep down, I really wished you’d drive me."

He laughed on the other end. "Then I must sincerely apologize. I didn’t realize Miss Nie was being duplicitous. I lack experience—next time, I won’t make such a mistake."

...Sigh, I always lose in these verbal exchanges with him.

He must have been feeling quite smug because he even pressed further, "What gift did you buy me?"

I thought, aren’t you being a bit too eager? Shouldn’t someone with your usual composed demeanor just wait for me to hand over the gift, casually accept it with a thank you, to maintain that cool aura?

Despite my inner grumbling, I still answered honestly.

"It’s a watch." Feeling the gift was rather unoriginal, my voice softened slightly.

But he seemed genuinely interested and started asking for details. "What color and material?"

"Black, metal, with a leather strap. Same brand as the one you’re wearing. But it’s prettier than yours—probably a newer model."

He suddenly laughed. "Miss Nie is so generous—I feel a bit pressured."

Our conversation was interrupted by a long honk from behind. Only then did I notice the traffic light had turned green, but Jiang Rui hadn’t moved the car.

Before I could remind him, he stepped on the gas and drove off. When I checked my phone, I realized I’d accidentally hung up. I switched to texting Lin Yusen:

"After I told Jiang Rui—my younger brother—about us today, he’s been acting strange. Does my brother have a sister complex or something?"

Lin Yusen replied with a question mark.

Hmph, I was just joking—what kind of response is that? But a few minutes later, another message came through:

"Bring your brother to meet me in a few days."

I couldn’t help but laugh.

"Wow, you’re so high-profile, demanding I bring my brother to you. If you want to see him, come yourself."

Past Xinjiekou, the traffic eased, and we soon arrived at my uncle’s place.

My mom and the others hadn’t returned yet. Standing in the living room, Jiang Rui suddenly said, "Sis, do you want to go chat with Auntie Zhang in the kitchen?"

I blinked. "Huh?"

"She misses you."

"Oh." I gave him a puzzled look—his suggestion was so abrupt. Then I remembered his earlier mention of a big secret.

"What was that big secret you mentioned earlier?"

"Nothing." After a long pause, Jiang Rui said, "I’m going upstairs to... calm down."

Then he left.

Calm... what do you need to calm down for...?

Baffled, I headed to the kitchen.Auntie Zhang was in the kitchen making fish balls, and my mouth watered the moment I saw them. Noticing my eager expression, she smiled and said, "This year, I made fish balls from three big green carps, each weighing over ten pounds. I’ve already prepared a few bags for you to take back to Wuxi."

"Great! I love homemade fish balls the most. Auntie, let me help you make them."

Making fish balls was a labor-intensive task, but fortunately, after being put through the wringer by Lin Yusen, my strength had increased. Handling fish balls was now a piece of cake for me.

As I vigorously pounded the fish paste, Auntie asked about my work. I couldn’t help but complain, "My boss is so annoying. He keeps nitpicking and making me work overtime and stuff."

Auntie was indignant. "That’s unacceptable! Working overtime every day is too much. You shouldn’t put up with that—report him! Besides, doesn’t Mr. Nie hold shares in that company?"

I sighed magnanimously and said, "Forget it. I’ll forgive him because he’s handsome."

Auntie Zhang strongly disapproved of my tendency to forgive people based on looks. She repeatedly emphasized that I shouldn’t tolerate such a terrible boss. Trapped by my own words, I had no choice but to promise that after the New Year, I’d report my boss—who also happened to be my boyfriend.

Only then was Auntie satisfied. She dropped the subject and chatted about other things for a while before suddenly asking, "How was your study abroad trip with Jiang Rui? Was it fun?"

"Study abroad?" I paused. "It was a study tour," I corrected her.

"Oh, right, a study tour. I’m getting old and can’t keep these things straight."

"It was really fun," I replied, stirring the fish paste a few more times before suddenly stopping. A strange feeling flickered through my heart, but before I could trace its source, I heard the sound of lively chatter outside.

My mom and the others were back.