Red couplets, red lanterns, and yellow kumquat pots along both sides of the small alley somewhat alleviate the usual calm and quiet space. Isa slowly walked on the deserted road. She had to take several buses to get here from D province, so she was exhausted.
Every year, at the beginning of the new year, she took the opportunity to return to the orphanage to visit the nuns who had raised her and the children who shared the same fate.
From a distance, seeing the silhouette of a man sitting in front of the house, Isa quickly ran over. The closer and closer distance helped her quickly realize that it was Venn.
“Venn, what are you doing here?” Isa frowned when looking at the box in his hand.
“Oh. I brought dumplings for you. My mother made them. My mother said that eating dumplings on the morning of the fifth day will bring good luck. Even though it's noon, the day hasn't ended yet so it's probably still effective.” He stood up quickly, scratched his head, scratched his ears, and said softly.
“Have you been here since morning? What if I haven't come back yet? Are you going to wait for me like that?”
“Before the new year, I heard you tell the receptionists that you would come back around the fifth, so I waited.”
Looking at Venn's overly honest face, Isa could only sigh in frustration. Many times she had used the excuse that she was uncomfortable and told him not to bring her food anymore, but he had stubbornly ignored her and refused to understand.
Although Isa had never looked down on anyone, Venn was not the person she expected. So, before he blurted out his feelings, she wanted to extinguish all hope to avoid awkwardness on both sides, but she couldn't shout like throwing cold water in his face.
“Thank you, you keep making me feel so indebted.” She took the box from him, bowed her head, and said softly.
Venn smiled, waved his hand, and said no problem, then hurriedly said goodbye. As he climbed onto the motorbike, the phone in his pocket rang loudly. Because the guests had not yet left, Isa politely did not enter the house, just opened the door and stood there.
“Yes, I'm listening, young master.” Venn spoke politely.
“Where are you? Come to the barbecue restaurant at the corner of the intersection and sit with me for a while.”
Hearing Henry's drawling voice, Venn hastily agreed and quickly started the motorbike. Isa quickly ran over and grabbed his hand, her face showing worry.
“What happened to Henry?”
“The young master is at the barbecue restaurant so he told me to stop by. It seems like he drank first.” Venn honestly reported.
“Can you take me with you? I haven't seen him in a long time. Consider today as the day we meet in the first days of the new year.”
Isa quickly suggested and rushed into the house to put away the things.
Venn grinned because he was so happy, he never dreamed that one day he would be able to sit on a motorbike like this with her. He felt that today's plan was beyond his expectations, and he silently thanked Henry and the dumplings.
The famous roadside barbecue restaurant on the first days of the new year was not as crowded as usual because people mainly gathered at home to eat and drink.
As soon as they got off the motorbike, Isa and Venn immediately recognized Henry sitting alone in the hazy smoke.
“Young master.” Venn approached Henry, bowed his head, and lowered his voice.
“Oh, you're here. Oh, is Isa also here? Quick, both of you, sit down.”
Looking at the two empty bottles on the table, Isa felt sad. She knew he was using alcohol to drown his sorrows again, even though his handsome face still had a smile to disguise his emotions.
At the beginning of the new year, Henry did not stay at home or gather with friends but came out here alone, so without even asking, Venn guessed that Erina was the reason why his young master became like that.
“You drink with me, but Venn just eats because he has to drive us home later.” Henry looked up at Isa, smiling gently.
She agreed, and quickly raised the glass, taking the flow of white wine from the glass bottle in his hand. After many days of wishing, today she had the opportunity to sit at the same table with him and eat and drink with him.
“Mr. Henry, I toast you with this glass of wine, wishing you all the best in the new year.”
Henry nodded, picked up the glass of wine, and drank it all in one gulp. The bitter taste made his heartache and resentment rise even more. He was here alone, gnawing at his pain, while that carefree girl was dancing happily with her dream lover. He didn't know where they would go after leaving the park.
The bottle of wine slowly emptied. Although Isa wanted to stop Henry, she didn't dare to speak up for fear of being chased away by him. So, she could only continue drinking with him.
 When everything in front of Henry's eyes had faded, he opened his mouth and whispered.
“Isa, from a girl's perspective, how do you see me?”
The question carrying the inferiority complex from the rich boy made Isa heartbroken. In her heart, he was like a shining star in the sky, so high that no matter how hard she tried, she could not reach him.
“Henry, you are a very good man. I am sure many girls like you.”
“Really? Why doesn't Erina like me? How high is her demand?”
After finishing speaking, Henry laughed bitterly. Neither Venn nor Isa knew what else to say to comfort him at this moment.
When she saw Henry holding the girl's hand and walking into the restaurant to eat, she thought their relationship had become good, but unexpectedly everything became so bad.
Henry was heartbroken because of Erina, and Isa was heartbroken for him and herself. God loves to tease people. Those who want love can't have it, and those who have it don't need it. If she could swap places with Erina just once, she would gladly accept even if it cost her a lot.
The street at night is filled with brilliant shimmering colors from thousands of lanterns hanging high above. Clement held Erina's hand and walked along the bustling street. Both of them admired the splendid beauty and dreamed of a bright, warm future.
“Erina, are you happy today?” Clement tilted his head slightly, kissed her hair, and gently asked.
“Just being with you makes me happy. Don't you understand me?” She leaned her head on his arm and whispered.
After they had walked a long way, it was seven o'clock in the evening. Erina hugged Clement tightly and did not want to let go. Every time she was near him, time seemed to pass faster, and in a flash, it was time to say goodbye.
“Let's go home, baby.” He gently patted her back.
“I don't want to.” She replied sulkily.
“Fayre is waiting for us.”
Clement said as he pushed Erina away, holding her thin shoulders tightly, his eyes filled with love looking at her without blinking.
His lover was standing in front of him, but he felt like she was far away. She hadn't left yet, but he already missed her so much.
“Be good, Erina. You have to be strong. What will happen to you if we are apart for the next two years?” He gently pinched her nose, which was red from crying.
“I'll find another man to hug.” She answered.
“You dare to betray me, huh?”
Clement had just finished speaking when Erina quickly broke free from his hand and ran away. But because the crowd was too crowded, after only taking a few steps, she was caught by him. They both hugged each other and laughed.
She didn't know that after that warm smile, hot tears fell from the corners of his eyes and landed on her long hair. He didn't want to let go of her hand, but because he was a man, he had to prove that he was okay.
As soon as they reached the end of the street, they saw Fayre leaning against a red car like a lantern, waiting. Eria hurriedly ran to her friend's side and apologized for being late.
“Fayre, sorry for making you wait so long.”
“There were too many people, so Erina and I had to squeeze through for a long time to get out.” Clement spoke up.
“It's okay, I'm very happy that I successfully connected the bridge for the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.” Fayre replied humorously.
The two girls quickly got into the car. Through the car window, Erina waved goodbye to Clement.
The two red lights at the back of the car had long since disappeared, but Clement stood still and watched. The happy moment passed quickly like a dream, leaving him with many regrets.
Knowing that even if he got home now, he wouldn't be able to sleep, so he took out his phone and called Ryder, inviting him to drink a few glasses of wine with him to soothe his sorrows.
The red car stopped in front of the luxurious villa. Erina thanked Fayre again and quickly got out. 
When she entered the middle of the yard and saw the maids still sitting and chatting rather than turning off the lights to go to sleep, she turned her head to look at them in surprise.
“Who are you guys waiting for?”
“Yes, miss, the young master hasn't returned yet.” Lucia replied.
“When did he leave?” Erina asked.
“He left right as you walked out of the gate.” A female maid spoke in a low voice.
Erina's eyelids slightly furrowed. As far as she knew, when Henry came home this late, he would definitely be drunk. Thinking so, she quickly ran into the house, and ran straight upstairs, afraid that if she was a little slower, he would suddenly appear, kick the table, jump around, and be angry, which would be very scary.