An Unexpected Invitation

The moment Yu Qingkong abruptly stepped out of the queue and walked straight back to Lin Wanzhao, the airport surroundings seemed to blur entirely. She pulled Lin Wanzhao firmly into her arms, burying her face against her shoulder as she closed her eyes.

“Then I’ll be leaving first,” Yu Qingkong finally murmured after a long beat, her voice dropping to a low whisper.

“Mmh,” Lin Wanzhao replied softly. Her lips remained turned upward in a smile, though a subtle wave of emotion rippled through her eyes.

Yu Qingkong offered a gentle pat on Lin Wanzhao’s back before letting go. Turning around, she hauled her suitcase and officially walked through the security gates.

Lin Wanzhao stood with her hands clasped tightly in front of her, taking a small step forward. Her gaze remained pinned completely on Yu Qingkong’s retreating figure. Yu Qingkong always walked with an incredibly straight posture, carrying a natural, sharp elegance that made it utterly impossible for Lin Wanzhao to look away.

Only when Yu Qingkong vanished completely from sight did Lin Wanzhao finally drop her head. She slowly slipped her hands into her coat pockets, her radiant smile fading instantly. Looking around the terminal, the bustling airport shops suddenly felt entirely uninteresting.

She let out a heavy sigh and turned toward the exit. It genuinely felt as if a part of her soul had flown away right alongside Yu Qingkong, leaving her utterly deflated.

Truth be told, spending the Spring Festival alone wasn’t a novelty for Lin Wanzhao; she had done it plenty of times before. In the past, she hadn’t felt much of anything—no intense loneliness or severe discomfort. It used to feel like the chaotic holiday hubbub simply had nothing to do with her. In fact, she had even considered it peaceful. At least she didn’t have to listen to her parents nag about marriage, or watch them cycle through dramatic fights and superficial reconciliations on New Year’s Eve, or endure her mother constantly comparing her to other people’s children.

Yet right now, a profound sense of loneliness gripped her chest, more intensely than ever before. Being completely on her own suddenly felt miserable, making her wonder where her past confidence about staying single forever had gone.

Leaving the airport, Lin Wanzhao drove back along the familiar highway. The Chengcheng weather looked thoroughly uninviting—a gloomy, gray sky paired with freezing gusts of wind that made the daytime look depressing. It was funny how she hadn’t minded the weather at all while Yu Qingkong was standing right beside her.

Spurring a sudden impulse, she swung the steering wheel and drove toward a high-end shopping mall, diving into a frantic spree of reckless retail therapy. Sometimes, she felt her absolute only redeeming quality was that she possessed an abundance of wealth. Thank goodness she had money.

Meanwhile, after a two-hour flight followed by a bumpy, hour-and-a-half bus ride, Yu Qingkong finally arrived back in her parents’ remote hometown. By the time she stepped out of the transit terminal, it was already 4:30 PM. Returning home was always an incredibly grueling ordeal.

Because the town was so isolated, her childhood friends Liu Ting and Lu Xiaoxiao had moved their families away years ago.

Yu Qingkong had always wished her parents would listen to her advice, pack up, and move their restaurant to Chengcheng so she could easily look after them. Living this far apart made casual visits impossible during shorter three-day holidays, where she would end up spending two full days just traveling.

However, the moment she stepped off the bus and caught sight of the familiar corn-and-sausage stall on the right and the decades-old fast-food diner on the left, a wave of profound understanding washed over her. When a person lived in a place long enough, they grew roots. Forcing them to relocate would only make them feel completely unmoored. Besides, a nearby scenic area had recently boosted the local economy, which was a wonderful development.

Two minutes later, Yu Qingkong emerged from the station exit and instantly spotted her father’s car. Clad in a thick navy-blue beanie and a heavily padded jacket that made him look like a stuffed ball, Yu Minghui stood leaning against the vehicle, his hands tucked snugly into his sleeves as he peered intently toward the terminal doors.

“Dad, over here!” Yu Qingkong’s eyes lit up instantly. She raised a hand, waving enthusiastically with a bright smile.

Yu Minghui’s face broke into a massive grin the moment he spotted his daughter. He teased loudly, “Oh, whose stunning daughter is this? Why is she so beautiful?!”

“Dad, you’re still as dramatic as ever,” Yu Qingkong laughed, rolling her suitcase quickly toward the back of the car. Exhaling a breath of white mist, she unhitched her heavy backpack. “Pop the trunk for me.”

“Coming right up! Let Dad handle that!” Yu Minghui opened the trunk, taking the heavy backpack from her hands to place it inside. Yu Qingkong smoothly hoisted the suitcase in right beside it.

“Hey, I told you to let me lift that!” Yu Minghui scolded playfully.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Yu Qingkong replied, closing the trunk lid before scanning the vehicle. “Dad, did you drive the old car today?”

“I did!” Yu Minghui huffed. “Do you honestly think your old man can’t afford a brand-new car right now?”

Yu Qingkong coughed awkwardly. “No, I just thought… this car has been driven for so many years, and it’s full of scratches…”

“So what? I happen to love this vehicle. It was the absolute silent witness to my career taking off step by step back in the day. As long as it runs, I’m not replacing it. If it dies, I’ll keep it as a model collectible,” Yu Minghui said, fondly patting the hood before sliding into the driver’s seat. “Stop worrying about us. Your mom and I are living exceptionally comfortable lives right now. Paying off your mortgage is a breeze for us. By the way, have you considered my offer from last time? Letting your dad…”

“Let’s not go there. Just with my year-end bonuses from this winter, I have plenty,” Yu Qingkong interrupted gently, curling her lips into a smile as she held up seven fingers to subtly hint at her earnings.

“Not bad at all,” Yu Minghui beamed with pride. “As expected of my daughter!”

“Alright, let’s get moving,” Yu Qingkong laughed, resting her hands on her father’s shoulders to nudge him toward the driver’s side. “Time to go home.”

“Haha, sweetheart, the journey must have been incredibly exhausting, right?” Yu Minghui asked as he buckled his seatbelt. “Are you starving? Your mother was terrified you’d be famished by the time you arrived, so dinner is already waiting on the table.”

“It wasn’t exhausting at all; I slept through most of the trip. But I really am hungry. Airport food is dreadful, and the station diners aren’t any better,” Yu Qingkong replied, pulling her seatbelt across her chest as she settled into the passenger seat. “None of it compares to your cooking.”

“Hmph…” Yu Minghui chuckled proudly. “Of course! Otherwise, how could our restaurant become the most famous hotspot in this entire district?”

“Does that mean business has been booming lately?” Yu Qingkong pulled out her phone along with a power bank.

“Absolutely! Let me tell you, a couple of days ago, the mayor himself traveled all the way to this scenic district. Following a recommendation, he stopped by our restaurant for a meal. The absolute second he took his first bite, he slapped the table and showered us with praise! He even visited our private greenhouse plot and bought a bunch of fresh vegetables to take home. Not only that, he actually had his assistant add me on WeChat!” Yu Minghui tilted his head proudly. “I’ll show you the chat records when we get back!”

“The mayor?” Yu Qingkong blinked in surprise.

“The mayor himself! He even offered a few excellent suggestions about using media coverage to further promote our brand,” Yu Minghui laughed heartily.

Yu Qingkong smiled, dropping her gaze. “It seems that fortune-teller from years ago wasn’t entirely wrong after all.”

“Yeah, he said I’d find immense happiness and luck in my later years. It turned out surprisingly accurate.” A prosperous life had completely transformed Yu Minghui’s demeanor; looking at him now, nobody would ever guess he had been shrouded in absolute misery just a few years prior.

“I remember you didn’t believe a single word back then, claiming he was spinning nonsense,” Yu Qingkong chuckled.

“Well, he was spinning complete nonsense back then! He claimed that I would welcome another daughter later in life who would treat us incredibly well… But your mother couldn’t even have more children after your little sister due to her health complications! Claiming I’d have another daughter felt like he was actively cursing me to have an affair and a secret child!” Yu Minghui sighed. “So you see, you really can’t trust fortune-tellers blindly.”

Yu Qingkong shook her head with a laugh. “Alright, as long as our lives keep improving, that’s all that matters.”

“Too true,” Yu Minghui spun the steering wheel, his face glowing. “Let’s go! Time to bring my daughter home for dinner~”

Yu Qingkong watched him with a soft smile before turning her attention back to her phone screen. Opening the chat window with Lin Wanzhao, she typed: “I fell asleep on the bus earlier and missed your message. Don’t worry, I’ve arrived safely. My dad came to pick me up, and he says my mom is already cooking dinner at home.”

Back in Chengcheng, Lin Wanzhao was lying flat on her bed, staring blankly at a financial broadcast on the television. The absolute instant Yu Qingkong’s message popped up, her lifeless, couch-potato demeanor vanished. She bolted upright, thoroughly energized.

[“It’s wonderful that you arrived safely!”] Lin Wanzhao replied, quickly typing out a follow-up:

[“Since you finally have a vacation, make sure to relax completely!”]

When Yu Qingkong didn’t reply right away, Lin Wanzhao slumped back onto the bed, returning to her television show.

Once the broadcast ended, she checked the time, slowly sat up to toss a few empty snack wrappers into the bin, and looked at her phone to call a housekeeping service to tidy up the apartment.

Unfortunately, two of her regular cleaners informed her they had already left the city to celebrate New Year’s with their families. Lin Wanzhao rubbed her temples with a sigh, forced to log onto a digital platform to search for a replacement.

Meanwhile, Yu Qingkong and her father arrived home. The small town was tiny, making the drive from the terminal barely ten minutes long.

Stepping out of the car, Yu Qingkong noticed the house had been beautifully renovated, radiating a cozy, rustic charm. The little courtyard blossomed with vibrant flora, featuring a highly fashionable small outdoor table.

Yu Qingkong smiled. “What’s that table for?”

“You don’t understand modern lifestyle trends, do you? I saw people in television dramas doing exactly this. Setting up a table in the courtyard to enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea… it’s incredibly peaceful,” Yu Minghui explained with a laugh.

“Have you actually sat out there to drink tea yet?” Yu Qingkong teased.

“No,” Yu Minghui’s smile vanished. “There are too many mosquitoes in the summer, and it’s freezing in the winter. It’s thoroughly uncomfortable.”

Yu Qingkong burst out laughing.

“Go on inside first. I need to finish a cigarette out here, otherwise your mother is going to chew me out,” the henpecked Yu Minghui said, pulling out a lighter.

“Alright, I’ll head in.” Yu Qingkong rolled her suitcase through the front door. The mouth-watering aroma of fresh food hit her nose instantly, making her stomach growl louder.

“Mom, Qingyu, I’m home!” Leaving her suitcase in the corner, she followed the sounds of laughter straight into the kitchen.

The moment she stepped through the door, her mother, Zhuang Silu, turned around from the sink. “Oh, Qingkong’s back!”

“Yes, I’m home,” Yu Qingkong smiled warmly.

“Sis!” In an instant, her younger sister, Yu Qingyu, bolted upright from the counter, abandoning the banana she was peeling to throw her arms tightly around Yu Qingkong. “I missed you so much!”

“Haha,” Yu Qingkong patted her back gently. “I missed you too. But you look like you’ve lost weight, what’s going on?”

“She’s actively dieting; hearing you say that will probably make her day,” Zhuang Silu noted. She set down her knife, turning around with a frown. “Where’s your father?”

“He’s out in the courtyard, claiming he needs to finish a cigarette before stepping inside,” Yu Qingkong instantly sold him out.

“Smoking again,” Zhuang Silu grumbled. “Stubborn old man, smoking all day long as if he’s trying to cut his life short.”

Yu Qingkong, who was taking a sip of the herbal tea her sister had handed her, accidentally choked and started coughing. Yu Qingyu rushed to pat her back.

Zhuang Silu turned back to look at her eldest daughter. “Anyway, has everything been going smoothly for you lately, Qingkong?”

“It’s been great, I’m making solid progress across the board,” Yu Qingkong smiled, walking over to stand beside her mother.

“That’s all that matters. Your father and I don’t have massive expectations; we simply want you to be healthy and happy. Your happiness is our happiness,” Zhuang Silu said, her hands moving across the cutting board with lightning speed as she sliced fresh fruit.

Yu Qingkong nodded quietly, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Yu Qingyu used a toothpick to offer a fresh slice of apple to her sister’s lips. “Sis, have some fruit!”

“Look at this girl, taking credit for my hard work,” Zhuang Silu teased, though a warm smile graced her face. “But go ahead, make your sister eat more. She’s far too thin; a strong gust of wind looks like it could knock her right over.”

“Mom, I’m not that fragile,” Yu Qingkong countered with a chuckle. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

“I don’t care, just eat up.” Zhuang Silu carried the large glass bowl of fruit into the dining area, wiping her hands on her apron before shouting out the front door, “Old man! Put out that cigarette and get inside for dinner!”

Yu Qingkong laughed softly, taking a bite of the crisp apple. “This is delicious, incredibly sweet and juicy.”

“Your father ordered them online,” Zhuang Silu called back.

Yu Qingkong turned her focus to her younger sister. “I heard you’re dieting? You aren’t heavy at all, why bother?”

“I just want to be a bit slimmer so clothes look more flattering on me,” Yu Qingyu pouted, scanning Yu Qingkong up and down. “Like you.”

“Your standards of beauty are thoroughly distorted,” Yu Qingkong frowned slightly.

“No they aren’t! Among people my age, this is considered gorgeous! If you don’t believe me, go ask my classmates!” Yu Qingyu protested, twirling her fingers.

“I’m telling you, ruining your health for an aesthetic is a terrible trade-off. Being healthy is what truly matters. Oh, by the way, I brought you a gift. Let me grab it for you.” Yu Qingkong reached down to smooth out a stray lock of hair on her sister’s head.

“What is it?!” Yu Qingyu’s eyes widened with excitement.

Yu Qingkong unzipped her luggage and pulled out a beautifully bound notebook, handing it over. “Here.”

“A notebook?” Yu Qingyu blinked, turning it over.

“Open it up and take a look.”

Yu Qingyu flipped to the first page, catching sight of a bold, sweeping signature. She gasped loudly, covering her mouth. “Jiang Yichen’s autograph?!”

“Mmh. He happened to visit our company recently to shoot a brand endorsement. I remembered you liked him, so I went ahead and asked him for an autograph,” Yu Qingkong smiled.

“Ah! My sister is the absolute best!” Yu Qingyu squealed, planting a massive kiss on Yu Qingkong’s cheek. “What is he like in person?”

“He’s a lovely young man—very polite, down-to-earth, and incredibly gentlemanly,” Yu Qingkong laughed. “Don’t worry, you chose an excellent idol.”

Yu Qingyu clutched the notebook to her chest, grinning from ear to ear.

With Yu Minghui finally joining them inside, the family gathered around the massive round dining table, ready to dive into the feast.

Before picking up her chopsticks, Yu Qingkong glanced down at her phone to check the notifications, finally responding to Lin Wanzhao: [“I understand, I’ll get plenty of rest. I’m just about to have dinner now.”]

Lin Wanzhao replied almost instantaneously: [“What are you having?”]

Yu Qingkong pulled up her camera app, snapped a quick photo of the spread, and sent it over: “Braised duck with konjac, marinated beef, steamed egg custard, black chicken soup, and stir-fried greens.”

Setting her phone aside, Yu Qingkong took a sip of the rich soup and offered her mother a huge thumbs-up. “Mom, this soup is absolutely incredible!”

“Then make sure to drink another bowl!” Zhuang Silu beamed proudly.

Meanwhile, back in her empty Chengcheng apartment, Lin Wanzhao was thoroughly tired of takeout. Dragging herself out of bed, she wandered into the kitchen out of pure hunger.

Opening the refrigerator, she was greeted by rows of neatly arranged instant noodle packets, presenting a variety of flavors that looked like a mini convenience store. Aside from that, there were a couple of tins of spam and a half-empty carton of eggs.

Sighing, she grabbed a random packet of noodles, filled a small pot with water, and turned on the stove. Pulling out a tin of spam, she realized it lacked a pull-ring and began rummaging through the drawers for a can opener.

Giving up on the tool, she was about to pry it open with a kitchen knife when her phone buzzed. Opening the photo Yu Qingkong had sent, Lin Wanzhao’s jaw dropped. Every single dish looked beautifully vibrant and intensely appetizing, making her stomach rumble in protest.

[“This looks incredible, I’m so jealous!”] Lin Wanzhao typed out wistfully. Looking around her sparse kitchen, she felt a sudden wave of self-pity, realizing Yu Qingkong’s assessment of her as a complete lifestyle amateur was entirely accurate.

[“Haha, it really is amazing. My parents’ culinary skills are exceptional; even the mayor praised it,”] Yu Qingkong replied. She set her phone down to enjoy a duck wing. After a brief moment of thought, she picked it back up to send a follow-up: [“What about you? Have you had dinner yet?”]

“Sis, who are you texting so intently? You’re completely glued to your phone during dinner,” Yu Qingyu teased, leaning closer with a curious gaze.

“Just a friend,” Yu Qingkong replied reflexively, tilting her screen away out of pure instinct, though they weren’t discussing anything scandalous.

Noticing the subtle movement, Yu Qingyu let out a knowing chuckle, nodding slowly. “Oh… a friend…”

Yu Qingkong shot her a warning look, placed her phone face-down on the table, and focused entirely on finishing her dinner.

The family chatted and laughed continuously, the warm atmosphere filling the room as they cleared the dishes over the next half hour.

After helping her mother wash the dishes, Yu Qingkong distributed the remaining gifts she had brought. Aside from the autograph, Yu Qingyu received a delicate bracelet she had previously pinned to her social media wishlist but couldn’t afford. Touched that her sister had remembered such a minor detail, Yu Qingyu let out another squeal of delight, wrapping herself around Yu Qingkong’s shoulders like a koala.

Zhuang Silu tried on a pair of elegant earrings Yu Qingkong had bought for her, looking over at her youngest daughter. “Your sister treats you beautifully; make sure you treat her just as well in the future.”

“Of course I will!” Yu Qingyu grinned, happily fastening the bracelet while humming a joyful tune.

Yu Qingkong watched them with a profound sense of contentment, a soft smile gracing her lips.

*****************************************************

Later that evening, the family moved to the sofa to watch television and chat. Finally finding a quiet moment, Yu Qingkong pulled out her phone and bypassed all other notifications to tap directly into her chat history with Lin Wanzhao.

Over the past hour, Lin Wanzhao had sent a string of messages:

[“I just ended up having a bowl of instant noodles, nothing compared to your feast.”]

[“But it actually tasted surprisingly decent?”]

[“The only issue is that I boiled the noodles for too long, so they turned completely soft and lost their texture.”]

Yu Qingkong frowned slightly, typing out a response: [“You have a sensitive stomach; you shouldn’t be eating junk food like that.”]

Lin Wanzhao replied instantly: [“But what else can I do? I don’t know how to cook anything proper, and my kitchen experiments are usually far worse than instant noodles. Besides, having it once in a while won’t hurt; I think society’s prejudice against instant noodles is far too severe…”]

[“Regardless, if you can’t cook, you should order something light and healthy from outside,” ] Yu Qingkong insisted.

[“But I don’t want to move; going out to eat completely by myself feels incredibly boring. Plus, I’m tired of the local takeout options… and even if I wasn’t, ninety percent of the restaurants around here have already closed down for the holidays,”] Lin Wanzhao sent back.

“Completely by yourself? Where are your friends?” Yu Qingkong picked up on the key phrase.

[“They all went back to their hometowns,” ] Lin Wanzhao replied. [“The few acquaintances left in the city aren’t close, and hanging out with them feels thoroughly exhausting.”]

Yu Qingkong stroked her chin in contemplation. Sensing something was amiss, she pressed further: [“Are you still staying at your apartment?”]

[“Yes, where else would I be?” ] Lin Wanzhao sent back a sticker of a sighing bunny.

“Wait, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. You haven’t gone back to your parents’ place?” Yu Qingkong asked, her brows knitting together.

[“I don’t need to go back. There’s no one there anyway. Rather than sitting entirely alone in a massive, hollow mansion, I’d much rather curl up right here in my apartment,”] Lin Wanzhao answered.

Yu Qingkong’s frown deepened. [“Where exactly are your parents?”]

[“Who knows. Probably dining at some overly pretentious, tasteless international restaurant, paying exorbitant prices for mediocre food. Ever since they struck it rich, they’ve been obsessed with high society aesthetics, even though they don’t actually enjoy it. They’re just terrified people will look down on them as uncultured nouveau riche, haha,” ] Lin Wanzhao replied.

To Lin Wanzhao, that was their defining characteristic. It was actually quite comical; years ago, when they first found financial success, someone had snidely commented that their family possessed wealth but zero culture. Infuriated, Lin Tao and Chen Uranyan had immediately dressed up in designer formalwear to attend an elite international opera—only for both of them to fall fast asleep within the first ten minutes.

Reading the texts, Yu Qingkong suddenly remembered Lin Wanzhao mentioning her strained relationship with her parents. However, she hadn’t anticipated that they wouldn’t even gather for the Spring Festival. In her own household, they might miss other occasions, but gathering for the New Year was an absolute, unshakeable tradition.

[“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”] Yu Qingkong typed, her heart aching slightly.

[“Because… I didn’t think telling you would change anything. It’s not like I could ask you to abandon your family and stay behind just to keep me company.”]

Yu Qingkong looked up at the television screen, where a vibrant, festive holiday program was broadcasting a sea of red decorations and joyous cheers. Yet, she found herself completely unable to focus on it.

Lowering her head, she typed back: [“Then how do you plan to spend the New Year? Have you considered visiting your brother? I thought you two shared an excellent bond.”]

[“No, he isn’t in Chengcheng either. It’s really fine, I’m completely used to spending it alone. Look, I’ve already done all the preparation work! These are the snacks I bought to treat myself tomorrow, and I even purchased a massive plush doll to sit beside me while I watch TV!” ] Lin Wanzhao fired over several photos of her haul. [“I’ve spent a few New Years like this before, and it honestly turns out quite cozy!”]

Yu Qingkong swiped through the images of the solitary apartment and the oversized plush doll multiple times. Finally, she took a slow breath and typed out four simple words: [“You should come over.”]

The message sent, and the chat fell completely silent. Several minutes passed before Lin Wanzhao finally managed a response: “Huh?”

[“I mean, come to my place,”] Yu Qingkong clarified immediately.

[“What?!”] Back in her apartment, Lin Wanzhao’s mind went entirely blank. Was Yu Qingkong genuinely inviting her to her family home? She covered her mouth in absolute disbelief, though a wave of anxiety quickly followed. [“Wouldn’t that… be inappropriate? I don’t even know your family, and they don’t know me. Suddenly forcing a complete stranger into your holiday plans sounds incredibly awkward for everyone involved.”]

Yu Qingkong sighed softly, typing back: “But you have absolutely nothing prepared over there. Spending the Spring Festival like that feels far too bleak.”

[“Is it bleak?”]

“Mmh,” Yu Qingkong continued typing. [“Besides, back in my hometown, we believe that if you want the upcoming year to go smoothly, you absolutely have to start it on a warm, abundant note. Otherwise, your luck won’t catch. You have nothing over there, but my house has everything—a rich festive atmosphere, incredible homemade food, and plenty of fun activities. And even if we had absolutely none of those things, at the very least, there’s still…”]

[“At the very least, there’s still what?” ] Lin Wanzhao asked, her heart skipping a beat.

Yu Qingkong stared at the blinking cursor for a long moment before typing out her final reply:

[“There’s still me. Will you come?”]