Ji Yan was getting more and more honey-tongued.

  Shen Hanxing shook her head helplessly. “I’m not an angel.” An angel was not as vengeful and petty as she was.

  “If I knew magic, I must be a witch,” Shen Hanxing’s eyes flashed with deep sorrow. She deserved to be feared and avoided by others. She deserved to be tied to the gallows and burned to death to atone for her sins.

  Ji Yan did not expect Shen Hanxing to say this. When he thought of Shen Hanxing’s background, Ji Yan’s heart ached as he clenched her hand. He said in a deep voice, “If you are a witch, then I will break the rules of this world and turn the whole world into a witch’s kingdom.”


  Shen Hanxing looked at him in surprise. “Mr. Ji’s IQ is not enough today?” She felt that Ji Yan’s words were a little childish. But many, many years later, when she recalled what Ji Yan said today, Shen Hanxing suddenly realized that he wasn’t joking, but a promise that he had spent his entire life to fulfill.

  The living room was bustling with activity as a television program broadcasted. It was rare for the Ji family to gather for a reunion dinner. Along with the loud sound of firecrackers outside the window and the fireworks that lit up the night, they heard the host’s high-spirited countdown on the television. “Three, two, one! Happy New Year!”


  Amidst the clamor, the Ji family raised their glasses together and clinked them together. The New Year had begun.

  After dinner, Shen Hanxing took out a few red packets and gave them to her younger siblings. “Happy New Year. You must put the red packets under your pillow and sleep on them.” The New Year’s money meant that the next year would be peaceful.

  It was the first time they had received such a ceremonial red packet, so the Ji family’s children treasured it and put it in their pockets. Ji Qian held onto the red envelope and jumped around happily. “Then I must sleep early today!” She was also the one who was giving out red envelopes for the new year!

  Shen Hanxing ignored their ruckus. She stuffed a thick red envelope into her grandmother’s hands. Her voice was gentle as she said, “Grandmother, Happy New Year.” In the past, her grandmother gave her new year’s money. This year, it was finally her turn to give it to her grandmother. Thinking of the days that the two of them had spent together in the past, Shen Hanxing’s eyes were red and teary.

  “My baby has grown up,” Her grandmother’s eyes were also red. Her wrinkled hand gently touched Shen Hanxing’s hair. She sounded grateful. “My Hanxing must be happy too. In the new year, you must always be happy.” Her grandmother had always placed Shen Hanxing first. She was always on her mind.

  Shen Hanxing could not help but cry. She nodded hard. “I’ll listen to grandma.”


  “Silly child,” Grandma’s eyes were red. She wiped Shen Hanxing’s tears and smiled, “You’re already married, yet you still cry all day.”


  “Even if you’re married, she can always be a child who cries and laughs whenever she wants,” Ji Yan squatted down beside Shen Hanxing. He took out a thick red envelope that was about to burst from his suit pocket. “This is my new year’s money for Hanxing.”


  Looking at the red envelope bearing its maximum content, Shen Hanxing, who was still crying, could not help but burst into laughter. She took the red envelope and rolled her eyes. “Who would stuff a red envelope so full?”


  Ji Yan smiled faintly and did not say anything. If the lucky money were the best wish for the New Year, he would have wanted to make this red packet even bigger so that his wishes would be even heavier and she would be able to live in peace and happiness year after year.

  Ji Yan could not hide the emotions in his eyes. Grandma’s smile grew wider as she looked at them. She folded their hands together and instructed, “Hanxing, Ji Yan, the two of you must live a good life together.”


  “Grandma, don’t worry. We will,” Ji Yan said firmly.

  “Okay, that’s great,” Grandma nodded with a smile. She was old, and she started to feel sleepy after midnight. Shen Hanxing sent her upstairs to rest early.

  The Ji siblings were downstairs waiting for the new year. Ji Qian excitedly took out a few sets of poker cards and wanted to play with everyone. Ji Zhou and Ji Yang looked at her in disdain, but they sat at the table. At this moment, Shen Hanxing’s phone rang.

  To avoid being harassed today, everyone had muted their work cells. Those private calls were from people who were close to them. She picked up the call. Professor Xu Jinghe’s anxious voice came from the other end of the call. “Hanxing, I’m sorry to disturb you at this time.”


  “Professor Xu, what’s the matter?” Shen Hanxing shook her head indifferently.