That afternoon, Shen Wei returned from work and received a call from Fang Zheng. Over the phone, Fang Zheng regretfully informed her that he had some hospital duties to attend to that evening and would have to cancel their plans.
Shen Wei understood.
Doctors were always busy.
She replied, "Go ahead and focus on your work. We’ll reschedule dinner for another time."
Just as she was about to hang up, Fang Zheng suddenly spoke again, "Shen Wei—"
Shen Wei paused. "What is it?"
There was a brief silence on the other end before Fang Zheng finally said, "Nothing. Just... I hope you stay healthy."
Shen Wei thanked him and ended the call.
The next morning, Shen Wei woke up early as usual and went for a jog in her quiet, serene neighborhood. The air was crisp and refreshing. As she ran, Li Yuanjing appeared out of nowhere, holding a bottle of water.
Spring was gradually warming up, and Li Yuanjing was dressed in casual yet carefully chosen attire. His sharp features stood out strikingly in the morning light.
Shen Wei stopped in her tracks.
They had just parted ways at the airport yesterday, yet here he was again. But somehow, it didn’t surprise her—this was just Li Yuanjing’s way.
"Do you live here too?" Shen Wei instinctively took the water from him.
Li Yuanjing smirked. "I don’t live in this complex. But I own it."
Shen Wei: "..."
From then on, Li Yuanjing seamlessly integrated himself into Shen Wei’s life. Having shared decades of intimacy with her in their past lives, he knew exactly how to tread the line—close enough to make progress, but never enough to push her away.
Back in Prince Yan's Mansion, Shen Wei had schemed her way into his heart. Now, Li Yuanjing was applying the same tactics, and the results were undeniable. He maintained just the right distance, never crossing Shen Wei’s boundaries yet steadily inching closer.
This was a skill Li Yuanli could never master, not even in a hundred lifetimes.
Li Yuanjing bought the penthouse below Shen Wei’s apartment. On the day he moved in, the sunlight was radiant. He noticed a few crimson roses cascading from the balcony above.
The flowers were vivid, breathtakingly beautiful under the sun.
Li Yuanjing stared at them for a long time, his smile widening slowly.
Over the next several months, Li Yuanjing continued his patient, methodical approach. He left no room for other men, weaving himself into Shen Wei’s world like a steady, unobtrusive stream.
He knew Shen Wei resisted emotional attachments because deep down, she lacked a sense of security—always wary of the outside world. So Li Yuanjing resolved to give her all his love, an unwavering, exclusive devotion.
Step by step, he claimed his territory, like boiling a frog in warm water.
By the end of the year, while cleaning her apartment, Shen Wei belatedly realized how many of Li Yuanjing’s belongings had infiltrated her space.
The items sat there boldly, stubbornly taking root.
She opened the wine cabinet, intending to toss out the bottles he had left—but as she held the cool glass in her hand, she hesitated.
Might as well keep it. Romanée-Conti was expensive, after all.
She’d let things unfold naturally.
Time flew, and soon it was almost Lunar New Year. The physics research institute closed for the holidays, granting its hardworking scientists a well-deserved break.
On New Year’s Eve, Li Qingxun was still curled up in bed, reluctant to rise.
With no lab duties during the vacation, she had spent her time "experimenting" with Zhang He'an. The previous night had been long, the sound of running water in the bathroom echoing repeatedly.
Even after sunrise, she could barely keep her eyes open.
Zhang He'an, ever the early riser, had already tidied the scattered clothes, loaded the washing machine, and opened the curtains. He watered the plants on the balcony and cleaned the apartment meticulously.
Breakfast was ready, and the house was spotless.
But Li Qingxun remained in bed.
Zhang He'an entered the bedroom with a glass of lemon water. "Time to get up."
The room was warm, heated comfortably. Li Qingxun rolled over drowsily. "Later. Skip breakfast—you go ahead."
Zhang He'an smiled. "Then I won’t eat either."
Li Qingxun kicked off the blankets and sat up slowly, the smooth silk sheets slipping off her bare shoulders. She took the lemon water and drank half in one go, the tartness jolting her awake.
Holding the glass, she remembered something. "We should bring some New Year gifts and head to Shen Wei’s place for lunch. A meal cooked by an emperor? I’d brave hailstorms just to taste it."
Zhang He'an kissed the tip of her nose and handed her clothes. "Mm. Get dressed first."
After breakfast and some last-minute preparations, it was nearly noon.
Li Qingxun and Zhang He'an drove to Shen Wei’s villa, gifts in hand.
Having grown up in the research institute and later living in its staff quarters after marriage, Li Qingxun had never considered buying property elsewhere.
Now, seeing Shen Wei’s luxurious neighborhood—its picturesque scenery and elegant houses—she couldn’t help but feel envious. She tugged Zhang He'an’s sleeve. "Let’s buy a place here too. Maybe a villa down south, an island for vacations—oh, and we should ask Li Yuanjing for a discount. His family’s in real estate; no reason not to take advantage."
Zhang He'an chuckled warmly. "Of course. Whatever you say."
They rang Shen Wei’s doorbell, but she wasn’t home—she’d gone to pick someone up from outside the city. Li Yuanjing answered the door instead.
The moment it opened, Li Qingxun’s eyes landed on his... apron.
A bright pink Hello Kitty apron. The sheer absurdity of it, paired with Li Yuanjing’s usual icy demeanor, was so jarring that she burst out laughing.
Li Yuanjing remained unfazed. He couldn’t care less about others’ opinions—as long as Shen Wei liked it.
Inside, Shen Wei’s home was tastefully decorated, a vase of fresh red plum blossoms adorning the coffee table. The TV played a popular drama.
"Make yourselves at home," Li Yuanjing said dismissively.
Zhang He'an stood. "I’ll help with the cooking."
Li Qingxun lounged on the sofa, switching the channel to a newly released historical mystery film starring Li Yuanli. His performance was chillingly authentic—portraying the character’s ruthlessness, resentment, and obsession with terrifying precision.
Critics raved about the movie, predicting Li Yuanli might sweep three Best Actor awards.
Li Qingxun munched on chips, engrossed.
Before long, Shen Wei returned with Huo Ze in tow. Knowing Li Yuanjing would be there, Huo Ze had dressed to impress—every detail meticulously polished to exude charm.
But one glance at Li Yuanjing and Zhang He'an in the kitchen, and his confidence crumbled.
Even in an apron, their looks, physiques, and wealth outclassed him effortlessly.
Huo Ze scratched his head awkwardly, feeling thoroughly outmatched.
Lunch wasn’t ready yet, so Shen Wei and Li Qingxun settled on the couch to watch the movie. Li Yuanli’s striking appearance on screen held Shen Wei’s attention as she nibbled on sunflower seeds.
"Food’s ready," Li Yuanjing announced, striding into the living room and shutting off the TV with a decisive click.
The meal was a feast.
The dinner table was lively. Huo Ze, initially intimidated by the imposing presence of Li Yuanjing and Zhang He'an, had been as quiet as a clam. But as the evening progressed, he gradually loosened up, chatting and boasting wildly, recounting childhood memories of his and Shen Wei's days in the mountain village. Laughter filled the dining room.
Li Yuanjing listened intently.
After the meal, Huo Ze reluctantly left Shen Wei's home. She walked him downstairs, and before he left, he couldn't help but ask, "Sis, are you planning to marry that rich guy, Li?"
Shen Wei tapped his head lightly. "Mind your own business."
Huo Ze rubbed his head, half-jokingly saying, "I thought I had the advantage, being so close to you. Who knew some nouveau riche would swoop in? Sis, Happy New Year."
Shen Wei smiled, her eyes curving. "Happy New Year."
Huo Ze drove off.
Back upstairs, the dishes had already been washed. Li Qingxun set up the mahjong table and called Shen Wei over to join the game.
Four players—just enough for a round.
Li Qingxun warned Zhang He'an, "Don't you dare go easy on me. If you're a real man, show me what you've got!"
This wasn't just any ordinary mahjong game. Shen Wei, Li Qingxun, Li Yuanjing, and Zhang He'an were all sharp-minded, memorizing tiles with uncanny precision.
After several rounds, the competition was fierce, with wins and losses evenly matched—a thrilling battle of wits.
They played all afternoon, and as dusk approached, Li Qingxun reluctantly bid farewell to Shen Wei, promising another game soon before leaving with Zhang He'an.
On New Year's Eve, fireworks were banned in the capital.
Li Yuanjing drove Shen Wei to a private luxury villa outside the city. The villa offered a sweeping view of the city's lights, though the new year hadn't yet arrived. Shen Wei sat in the courtyard, holding a cup of warm water, her laptop open to the company's overseas expansion plans.
"Beep—"
Her phone chimed with a text message.
Shen Wei checked it—a simple four-word greeting from Li Yuanli: "Happy New Year."
Li Yuanli hadn't given up pursuing her, but he always seemed to lose to the relentless Li Yuanjing, who had seized every advantage.
Shen Wei replied with "Happy New Year" and set her phone aside.
The countdown to midnight was approaching.
She put down her documents and gazed at the city beyond the mountains. Li Yuanjing came to her side, sitting close as the night breeze tousled their hair.
Boom—
The first brilliant firework burst across the sky.
The villa's broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala reached its final countdown, the hosts cheering in unison, "Happy New Year!" Meanwhile, the night sky blazed with fireworks, illuminating half the horizon.
Shen Wei watched the fireworks. Li Yuanjing watched Shen Wei.
Enchanted, he gazed at her. Through the storms of two lifetimes, the past had faded like mist, and a new journey had only just begun. Li Yuanjing took Shen Wei's hand and whispered, "Weiwei, Happy New Year. I'll always be here."
Shen Wei smiled.
"Happy New Year," she said.
As the fireworks bloomed, the new year began.
[Extra Story - The End]
