New Year's Eve.

　　The countdown is about to begin, signaling the start of a momentous event. After nearly a decade, City A is hosting its first New Year's Eve fireworks and light show. The anticipation is palpable as countless citizens gather, converging at the observation deck and surrounding areas, eagerly awaiting the spectacle that awaits.

　　Standing shoulder to shoulder with Gu Pan amidst the crowd, Lu Yitong gazes ahead at one of City A's iconic landmarks, the commercial building. Vibrant beams of light adorn the entire building complex, transforming it into a majestic fortress of color and wonder. With bated breath, everyone holds their cameras ready, poised to capture the magic about to unfold.

　　As the countdown numbers illuminate the top of the building, the crowd erupts into jubilant cheers. Some leap into joyful embraces, while others seek out secluded corners, using the fireworks as a backdrop for intimate moments.

　　In the midst of it all, beautiful couples, unable to contain their excitement for the impending stroke of midnight, indulge in fairy tale-like interactions, moments before the transition from old to new.

　　Unbeknownst to them, their enchanting scene is being observed and admired by a pair of eyes not far away...

　　The tender and romantic moments shared by lovers capture Lu Yitong's heart, stirring endless ripples within her. Unable to resist the fluttering sensation in her chest, she reaches out to grasp Gu Pan's hand.

　　At that precise moment, jellyfish-shaped fireworks ascend into the night sky, casting hues of pink and purple. Gu Pan gazes upward, his slender neck and the gentle rise and fall of his Adam's apple under the shifting lights exuding a youthful allure all his own.

　　Lu Yitong stared at his profile, his lips moving along with the crowd as they counted down, "30, 29, 28..." Her fingers, pushed by the deafening roar of the crowd, felt an intense urge to tentatively reach out to Gu Pan's palm. But the boy clenched his fist tightly, guarding that inch of space with determination... Lu Yitong could only reluctantly give up.

　　"Tightwad!" Lu Yitong pouted, but immediately stopped herself, forcing a smile instead.

　　"If you're angry, just be angry, don't hold it in," Gu Pan's implication was clear: standing firm doesn't mean you've done something embarrassing.

　　"Angry? Nah! But there's something you have to do with me!"

　　"Oh?"

　　"Let's video call Auntie together, okay?" She pulled out a selfie stick from her backpack, "She must be waiting!"

　　Gu Pan remembered the task Li Danxia had given him earlier. Over the phone, she had insisted that her son ensure Lu Miss's safety. Of course, Li Danxia was unaware of City A's New Year's Eve celebration. As for how this local news managed to catch her attention, Lu Yitong was clearly instrumental.

　　Leaning in towards Gu Pan, the girl propped up the selfie stick, capturing the colorful spectacle behind them to show Li Danxia afar.

　　Gu Pan cooperated, making a few festive expressions. Li Danxia was satisfied, and she hung up the phone, decisively returning to her influential position at the gaming table.

　　It's the midnight session at the gaming parlor. A night worth staying up for on New Year's Eve.

　　"I'll take you back to school! The dormitory gates should be open all night for New Year's Eve. I'll call a cab..."

　　Gu Pan glanced down at his app, but Lu Yitong didn't say a word. Instead, she darted out, heading straight for the row of brightly lit shops across the road.

　　She waved back, saying, "Gu Pan, let's grab some snacks. Hurry up and come along!"

　　Just then, a wave of people surged forward, and before Gu Pan could react, a moving wall formed in front of him. He stared intently at the direction Lu Yitong ran off, silently praying that nothing would go wrong on the first day of the new year.

　　But Lu Yitong disappeared into the snack shop in a flash. By the time Gu Pan struggled through the crowd and reached the other side, the row of similar-looking storefronts left him bewildered.

　　He dialed her number, but there was no answer.

　　Panic began to set in as he felt like he hadn't done a good job "supervising" her. The palm that he had fiercely guarded from Lu Yitong's invasion now sweated profusely.

　　In the blink of an eye, at least ten bangs swept past him, and he had never felt so desperate to see that face that was always full of drama, sometimes cunning, sometimes aggrieved.

　　For the first twenty minutes of the new year, Gu Pan was consumed with frantic "worrying" about Lu Yitong.

　　After dialing ten times, Gu Pan finally got an answer. It felt like the best New Year's gift he could've received: the voice of Ling Hanlu!

　　"Hey?" Her voice carried a hint of urgency. "I'm not the phone owner. The owner's collapsed. If you're her friend or family, please come to 'Shop No. 6' quickly. We were just about to call for help..."

　　Gu Pan stayed silent, even though he heard Ling Hanlu's plea. He couldn't shake off his doubts about Lu Yitong fainting.

　　At "Shop No. 6," a crowd had gathered, obscuring the truth behind their chatter and murmurs.

　　Gu Pan maneuvered through the throng and witnessed a scene reminiscent of one he'd seen months ago in a bus station. Ling Hanlu crouched beside the woman who'd fallen. But unlike before, this woman's face looked normal, with a faint smile tugging at her lips. Only Gu Pan could detect the subtlety of that smile, a testament to enduring trials.

　　Instead of nervous sweat, anger surged through Gu Pan. It felt like he was being fed a dish of Lu Yitong's fabricated romance, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

　　He understood that without genuine affection, schemes only led to disgrace. Lu Yitong might not grasp this entirely, but she persisted nonetheless. And now, she had unwittingly involved Ling Hanlu.

　　Gu Pan knelt beside Ling Hanlu.

　　Their eyes locked, leaving Ling Hanlu speechless with surprise.

　　"I'll handle it! She's okay, I'm sure. She'll wake up soon," Gu Pan reassured as he gently tapped Lu Yitong's cheek.

　　"Ah? So you're the 'dear' who just called?" Ling Hanlu handed over the fallen girl's phone to Gu Pan. "Are you sure she's okay? If you need any help, we're here for you."

　　"...we?"

　　Only then did Gu Pan notice the middle-aged man standing behind Ling Hanlu. Through his glasses, he was scrutinizing the young man who seemed unrelated to Ling Hanlu.

　　"I'm sure she's fine. If she doesn't wake up in two minutes, I'll call 911!" Gu Pan whispered intentionally to Lu Yitong's ear, his tone firm and resolute.

　　True to his words, a minute later, Lu Yitong blinked her eyelids. Thirty seconds later, she took a deep breath, as if returning to life, bringing an end to what Gu Pan considered his most awkward performance.

　　Upon opening her eyes, Lu Yitong seemed to revert to her usual self. This enabled her and Ling Hanlu to quickly recognize each other.

　　Their shared memory unfolded in a café. One accidentally spilled coffee, the other avoided Gu Pan's gaze. The reunion at "Shop No. 6" was even more dramatic than before. Lu Yitong remained silent, but conveyed her gratitude to Ling Hanlu for her enthusiastic rescue efforts with a smile. However, in Gu Pan's view, she should have apologized to the kind people for her unwarranted impulsiveness.

　　Gu Pan felt relieved that Lu Yitong acknowledged her mistake and willingly returned to school. He believed it wasn't too bad after all. However, the presence of the middle-aged man left him unsettled, making it difficult for him to maintain his composure. Little did he know, he was also a puzzle that person was eager to solve.

　　"Ling Hanlu was escorted out of the residential area"

　　"Thank you for being with me on New Year's Eve! It's been so long since I've felt such grandeur and excitement," Fang Yucheng said, releasing Ling Hanlu's seatbelt.

　　"Fang Director, you're too generous. I learned a lot from your storytelling about City A's history and local tales today. I never imagined that such a modern commercial area had such a rich past... And thank you for purchasing 'Shop No. 6'," Ling Hanlu replied, lifting the shopping bag. Then, she shifted her body and reached for the car door. "It's late. Goodnight, Fang..."

　　"Wait a moment!" Fang Yucheng couldn't contain the urgency welling up inside him and gently grasped Ling Hanlu's arm.

　　"What is it?" Ling Hanlu turned back, slightly puzzled.

　　"I'm sorry, I hope Teacher Ling won't mind, but..." he apologized for his abruptness.

　　"Oh, it's fine. What's on your mind?"

　　"It's not that important... I was just wondering, do you know the guy we met at 'Shop No. 6'?" Fang Yucheng's hand, previously resting on the steering wheel, instinctively gestured near his head, indicating a crew cut.

　　Ling Hanlu pondered for a moment and understood. That meant a buzz cut, one of Gu Pan's most distinctive features. Seeing Fang Yucheng's sincere inquiry, she thought about how to honestly and smoothly introduce this young man. Only by expressing herself calmly and judiciously could she ensure that no hint of romantic interest was perceived.

　　It wasn't fear. She wasn't concerned that an academic figure she considered above petty gossip would use this as a topic of idle chatter. It was simply hesitation.

　　"Director Fang, the boy you mentioned, he came to my class through an introduction from an old classmate. He's studying at the nearby School of Economics," Ling Hanlu replied, believing she hadn't fabricated anything. All she stated was factual.

　　"I understand. Our dear Teacher Ling's influence has spread beyond campus, congratulations!" Fang Yucheng's hand returned to the steering wheel, gripping tighter and tighter. Almost trembling, he quickly let go and said, "It's really late now, Teacher Ling, go rest! Have pleasant dreams!"

　　After saying her farewells, Ling Hanlu headed towards the residential area gate.

　　It was late at night, and she walked alone. She could hear the large red banner ahead, decorated with "Happy New Year," flapping in the wind. Along the way, she could also hear the faint sounds of people in the houses, still awake and emitting indistinct sounds of either happiness or unhappiness.

　　Apart from that, she could hear footsteps.

　　Her own footsteps, tapping on the ground. But there seemed to be another kind of rhythm, producing a different sound. It echoed hers, matching her pace. She suddenly turned around...