The Best Thing

Hawthorn

After Shen Xifan returned home, she saw piles of sacks and gift boxes in the living room. When she went to wash her hands in the bathroom, she heard a splashing sound from a plastic bucket. Curious, she lifted the lid and was instantly horrified: "Mom! There's a snake!"

Shen's father rushed over, startled by her scream, then chuckled and poked at it with a small wooden stick. "That's an eel. Can't you tell?"

Shen Xifan gagged. "Put it on the balcony! I can't stand the idea of something watching me while I use the toilet!"

Then, she heard faint squeaking noises from one of the sacks. Shen's father explained, "Those are crabs, and this one has silver carp. Come help me put the fish in the bucket, Fanfan. Don’t let them die, or your mom will be upset again."

During dinner, Shen's mother happily waved her chopsticks like a commander. "Pick out some of the best seafood boxes to send to Grandpa and Grandpa-in-law. And those vegetables—this year, the agricultural bureau’s greenhouse harvest was excellent."

Shen's father nodded. "Sending flowers, vegetables, and fruits to the elders for the New Year is practical!"

Shen Xifan blinked in realization. "Oh... So that’s why there’s so much stuff at home. It’s almost New Year!"

Shen's mother huffed. "All you ever think about is work. You don’t even know if you’ll get a holiday for the New Year. This year, your uncle is hosting New Year’s Eve dinner. On the first day, we’ll go to your grandpa’s, and on the second day, they’ll come over for a home-cooked meal."

Shen Xifan groaned. "I have to give red envelopes to the kids again. I’m going broke!"

The New Year was truly approaching. That evening, several groups of people visited the Shen household—all colleagues from Shen's mother’s bureau. They brought two pots of orchids with the elegant name "Ocean Butterfly Whisper," six pots of kumquats, several crates of oranges and tangerines, and boxes of kiwis and strawberries.

Food—that was Shen Xifan’s only expectation for the New Year nowadays. Though material life was abundant, and she could eat whatever she wanted, she still believed that a simple family reunion meal, even if it was just cabbage and tofu, would taste sweet.

Online, people were debating topics like "How should we celebrate the New Year?" and "What’s the point of New Year celebrations now?" Some even posted job listings for "temporary girlfriends" or "temporary boyfriends" to appease parents nagging about marriage.

She absentmindedly clicked on a forum post where the original poster was asking for gift suggestions to propose to his girlfriend. The thread was popular, flooded with comments—mostly from women—unanimously demanding diamonds.

Truly, "A diamond is forever." Even the most refined and aloof women couldn’t resist their allure. Take Shen Xifan herself—she couldn’t resist the charm of that "Platinum Heart Shadow."

But it wasn’t something she deserved. She recalled Yan Heng’s deep disappointment that afternoon and felt a pang of guilt. Yet, hadn’t he hurt her first? What right did he have to demand compensation now? Three years later, was her lingering attachment to the past about the love they once shared, or was it just resentment over the pain he’d caused?

She decided to let it go. When the time came, she’d find someone suitable, have a simple romance, and get married. During the New Year, she’d visit her in-laws, full of festive cheer. The younger generation would call him "brother-in-law" and beg for red envelopes. She’d share a drink with Grandpa, play mahjong with the aunts, and just like that, the New Year would pass. Maybe that was what family felt like.Yet she always felt a sense of discontent. Was this the life she truly desired? Was this the love she had dreamed of? In such a bustling city, could there still be a pure and sincere love that belonged to her?

The next morning, during the daily meeting, Director Cheng suddenly proposed holding a year-end celebration for the hotel, with bonuses to be distributed at the event. Shen Xifan felt that she had finally made it through the year.

On her way home, walking alone, she was drawn in by the lively scenes on the street. Passing by a supermarket, she heard the clamor of voices as people pushed shopping carts past her, children running joyfully through the aisles, and checkout counters crowded with customers.

Memories of New Year celebrations from her childhood flashed through her mind. Unable to resist, she stepped inside and bought rose-flavored rice cakes, plain rice cakes, sesame-filled glutinous rice balls, and a box of Swiss candies.

But she was a little disappointed—why weren’t there any candied hawthorns?

By chance, as she walked through Times Square, she spotted a few elderly vendors carrying poles laden with bright red candied hawthorns, their cheerful appearance drawing children who eagerly picked their favorites.

After much deliberation, she finally chose a particularly large and beautiful skewer. Just as she was about to pay, a familiar voice chimed in beside her, "I’ll take one too!"

What rotten luck—running into He Suye at a time like this. Dressed in a coffee-colored coat, he looked radiant in the sunlight, his faint smile revealing dimples as sweet as the candied hawthorns. Shen Xifan couldn’t help but shudder at the bizarre sight of a handsome traditional Chinese medicine doctor paired with a skewer of candied fruit.

In fact, the candied hawthorn completely erased the serious and cautious demeanor He Suye usually cultivated. He ate with relish, utterly unselfconscious, much to Shen Xifan’s astonishment.

Shen Xifan asked curiously, "Why do I keep seeing you everywhere lately?"

He Suye grinned. "I’ve been busy with my supervisor’s experiments lately, and I usually finish around this time."

"What kind of experiments? State secrets? Biochemical weapons? Or biological viruses?"

"Can’t you have a little more faith in the noble calling of healing? Don’t assume doctors spend their days plotting harm—you know those digestive tablets? It’s something like that!"

"So you came here to buy candied hawthorns?"

"They’re delicious—sour and sweet. Hawthorns aid digestion, relieve stagnation, and promote circulation. They’re especially good for breaking down greasy or meat-heavy meals. Plus, they bring back memories. My family always bought these during New Year celebrations when I was a kid—it really captures the festive spirit."

"When are you going to let me try that medicine of yours?"

"Maybe when you’re so stuffed you can’t walk!"

"Then wouldn’t I be a pig?"

"Who says you’re not? ...Hey, I’m just teasing—don’t get mad!"

The year-end celebration at Gu Nan Hua Ting was quite grand, but for Shen Xifan, nothing held her interest except the bonus.

The ensuing dance was equally dull. She only danced once with Lin Yishen before excusing herself, embarrassed by her lack of grace.

Lost in thought, she suddenly saw a fair hand extended toward her. "May I have the honor of this dance, Miss Shen?"

Without thinking, she blurted, "Only if you don’t mind me trampling all over your feet—" Then she froze. The words felt eerily familiar, as if time had rewound five years.Back then, the college organized literacy classes that forced them to learn dancing. Shen Xifan was truly limited in talent—when she moved her feet, she forgot her hands, her whole body stiff, carefully trying not to step on her partner's toes. The dance partner kept comforting her, "Don't be nervous, relax a little."

But how could she relax? Just as she was caught in a dilemma, a male student said to her partner, "Let me teach her instead. If she keeps staring at the floor like that, she’ll burn a hole through it!"

Embarrassed and annoyed, she looked up and saw a handsome face with gentle, smiling eyes. She couldn’t refuse anymore, letting herself sink into it, beyond redemption.

Later, whenever there was a school dance, the phrase "If you don’t mind me taking turns bombing your left and right feet" became their inside joke. Among all her dance partners, only Yan Heng would laugh and remind her, "Xiaofan, I think you’ve stepped on my foot again."

The same tender affection flowed in Yan Heng’s eyes, just like five years ago. He familiarly took Shen Xifan’s hand, as if they had repeated this hundreds, thousands of times before.

Under the orange glow of the crystal chandelier, the reflections in the water were clear and bright. Shen Xifan felt a little dazed and dizzy, the music blending with her soft breaths. The emptiness in her heart expanded, growing larger and larger, as she struggled to control her overflowing emotions.

The gazes of those around them were fixed on the two of them—an atmosphere that rejected outsiders, existing only in the space between them. She inexplicably felt herself sinking again, and suddenly, his presence grew closer, tangled and helpless.

Startled as if waking from a dream, she decisively let go of his hand and turned to leave. Just a little more, and she would have repeated the same mistake.

The cold water dampened her slightly flushed cheeks, snapping her back to reality instantly. She didn’t want to go back inside, but as she stepped out, she found Lin Yishen holding her coat and handbag, waving her over.

She felt a little awkward. "Thank you, senior. Did I make things difficult for everyone?"

Lin Yishen chuckled. "Didn’t expect my junior to have a bit of a temper too. What’s wrong, not happy about your ex showing up?"

Shen Xifan frowned. "Senior, let me ask you something. Why can you guys break up with girls so effortlessly, without any warning?"

Lin Yishen widened his eyes. "Are you accusing me of being a heartless playboy? I can’t really explain it, but it seems to be a common tactic among guys. When we’re tired or bored, even a single word feels like too much, so we passively avoid it, seeking new thrills, until we’re forced to say, ‘Let’s break up.’"

Seeing Shen Xifan’s indignant expression, he added, "We were all young and reckless back then—what we lacked was just the word ‘responsibility.’ But who doesn’t grow up while hurting others?"

Shen Xifan smiled bitterly. "If we had just sat down and talked things out calmly back then, things wouldn’t be like this now. I wouldn’t be so confused—whether I still have feelings for him or just lingering resentment."

Before she could finish, her phone rang. Seeing it was Li Jie calling, she quickly answered. Li Jie asked, "Shen Xifan, are you free? Want to come over for dumplings? What filling do you like? Oh, and we’re all at the senior brother’s place!"Before she could answer, Li Jie shouted again, "We have chive, three-delicacy, pure meat, and green bean fillings. Which one do you like? We'll make more of that!" He left no room for refusal.

Carrying two roast ducks, she arrived at He Suye's house. As soon as she reached the staircase, she heard Li Jie's voice, "Fang Kexin, how can a girl like you not know how to wrap dumplings? Let me do it!"

She knocked on the door, and after a long delay, someone answered—covered in flour, with white streaks on his face. He had a roguish charm, the type that would appeal to girls. "Hey there, beautiful, who are you looking for?"

She stumbled over her words, "He... Li Jie..."

At that moment, He Suye peeked out, smiling at her, his face also dusted with flour, looking very domestic. Fang Kexin sat sulking on the sofa watching TV, along with some others from the last gathering, who greeted her.

Li Jie was amusing. The moment he saw her, he started rambling, "I was just talking about you, and here you are! Perfect timing, Shen Xifan. Come help me wrap dumplings—you must know how, right? Don't tell me you don’t!"

Shen Xifan ended up covered in flour thanks to Li Jie. Helpless, with her hands coated in flour, she couldn’t even grab a tissue to wipe it off. He Suye, freeing his hands, used a damp towel to clean her up, then took off his apron and handed it to her. "I’ll go boil the dumplings. You won’t need this."

He turned and headed to the kitchen. Qiu Tian gave Shen Xifan a meaningful glance before following. Fang Kexin bit her lip and turned away uncomfortably. Leaning against the fridge, Qiu Tian watched as He Suye poured the dumplings into the pot and said confidently, "You like that girl, don’t you?"

The plate in He Suye’s hand visibly trembled. He turned around with a smile and admitted openly, "Ah, yes. You figured it out that quickly?"

Qiu Tian was taken aback. "Surprise! Surprise!" Then he switched back to his usual carefree grin. "I think she’s a good girl—down-to-earth and kind... Hey, have you confessed yet, or did she reject you? Probably haven’t confessed, right? You’re such a slowpoke..."

He Suye sighed. "Can you not be so sharp? It’s terrifying. If Fang Kexin finds out what you’ve been up to, she’ll kill you!"

Qiu Tian snorted. "I just can’t stand her fawning over you, that’s all. And you’re all like, ‘Really?’ ‘Is that so?’ It’s unbearable. Why do more girls like you than me? It’s seriously unfair!"

He Suye narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself, Even I know you have feelings for Fang Kexin. Otherwise, why would you keep having Li Jie feed me the ‘she likes me’ nonsense? Though, there might be some truth to it...

Qiu Tian reached to lift the pot lid. "Why don’t you just confess?"

Steam rose, fogging up the window. Through the mist, Qiu Tian’s vision blurred slightly. In the dense haze, He Suye’s face carried a faint trace of loneliness. "Without bidding farewell to the past, how can there be a future? I don’t want to pressure her or burden her. As long as I can stand by her side and see her happy, that’s enough."

Qiu Tian patted his shoulder. "Never thought a mule could evolve this fast. Darwin’s theory needs rewriting!"This meal, Shen Xifan really overate—actually, everyone overate. They lay on the sofa clutching their stomachs, groaning and unable to move. Li Jie called out, "Big brother, some digestive tablets!"

Shen Xifan suddenly remembered the new medicine He Suye had mentioned last time and couldn't help but chuckle. Then she saw him walking over with a bowl of something—dark in color but quite fragrant. Could it be... the new medicine?

But it hadn't even been patented or released to the market yet, nor did it have approval from the drug administration. Was he really going to use them as test subjects? Besides, weren't human trials supposed to pay participants? Shen Xifan certainly wasn't going to be a lab rat for free.

However, it was indeed delicious—with the taste of hawthorn and a hint of orange. Qiu Tian scooped a little to taste and listed the ingredients, "Hawthorn, malt, green tangerine peel, smoked plum, and immature bitter orange. Is this Old Gu's concoction?"

He Suye replied seriously, "This is just something I whipped up in the lab for fun. Does it taste good?"

Everyone burst into laughter and eagerly reached for the bowl. Shen Xifan couldn't help but steal a few more glances at He Suye. He leaned against the sofa, his bangs falling over his forehead, covering his brow. He moved closer to her and whispered, "Little girl, want to go eat candied hawthorns tomorrow night?"

She met his gaze with a bright smile, "Sure! It's a date!"

She thought of those candied hawthorns—round fruits coated in glossy red syrup, without any fancy sesame seeds or sweet bean paste. The simplest candied hawthorns, yet the most delicious.

She had always been an idealistic perfectionist. She wanted a love that didn’t need diamonds or gold to embellish it—just love itself, like the taste of those candied hawthorns: hawthorn and syrup, a perfect balance of sweet and sour, never tiring of it.

And He Suye—would he be the one to hand her a stick of candied hawthorns on a snowy, bustling street?