With My Profound Love, I Offer to the Years

He had seen a photo of Shen Nian at 16 years old in a family portrait. Her smile then was incredibly pure, just like it was now.

She seemed like a flower fairy in the human world, or like the little mermaid who willingly gave up her voice for a pair of legs to meet her prince. Even without saying a word, her breathtaking beauty was undiminished.

Her smile infected Xiao Mubai, softening his heart. His tone became increasingly gentle.

"After today, it'll be a new year. Next year is your zodiac year."

Indeed, Shen Nian would be 24 next year.

"People say your zodiac year is the luckiest, since it only comes once every twelve years. Such a wonderful year is bound to be full of good fortune," Xiao Mubai said, as if coaxing a child.

"Next year will be our little Shen Nian's second zodiac year. Last time, uncle and auntie were with you. This time, will you let your brother accompany you?"

He asked gently.

Shen Nian continued to smile at him.

"In the new year, brother hopes you'll forget the past, start anew, and be healthy and happy."

After speaking, Xiao Mubai took Shen Nian's own clothes from nearby.

During her hospital stay, she had been wearing hospital gowns. Now that she was being discharged, it was time to change into her own clothes.

As he busied himself, he didn't forget to talk to Shen Nian.

"After New Year's, it'll be Spring Festival. Many people travel during this time, so it might get crowded. Brother knows you don't like crowds, so how about we go abroad this year for a holiday trip?"

As Xiao Mubai spoke, he took out his phone to show Shen Nian the travel plans he had made.

These past few nights, when Shen Nian was asleep and he couldn't sleep, he would browse travel guides, noting down good places to take her later.

"I've looked into it, and there are many great places to visit abroad. Bali, the Great Barrier Reef, Phuket, Provence, and the Maldives are all world-renowned beach destinations. The Taj Mahal, a world cultural heritage site, seems nice too."

Thinking of something else, Xiao Mubai added, "I heard Florence is Europe's most famous art center. Didn't you say you wanted to return to your artistic roots? It would be perfect for you. How about we make Florence our first stop?"

Shen Nian pursed her lips, not agreeing, but only said, "Let me think about it."

"Of course," Xiao Mubai said indulgently. "There's no rush. Take your time to think, and tell me where you want to go. I'll make the arrangements."

"Mm," Shen Nian nodded.

Shen Nian only had a thin sweater, not even a coat.

That night had been an emergency, and he hadn't had time to pack clothes for her.

Xiao Mubai frowned after touching the fabric.

He checked the temperature on his phone. It had gotten much colder these past few days, dropping at least ten degrees.

It was still snowing outside. Wearing something so thin would surely lead to a cold.

Since there was no rush to leave, Xiao Mubai put down the thin clothes and said to Shen Nian,

"You change into these clothes first, and I'll go buy you a thicker coat and pants."

Even though the distance from the hospital to the parking lot was short, and they could turn on the heat once in the car, Xiao Mubai still didn't want her to get cold.

"Mm," Shen Nian obediently agreed, then added, "I'm hungry."

"Hungry?" Xiao Mubai immediately became concerned. "What do you want to eat? Shall I bring it back for you?"

"Hmm..." Shen Nian thought carefully. "I want the century egg and lean pork congee you bought me a few days ago."

Century egg and lean pork congee... Xiao Mubai furrowed his brow.

That shop was quite far from the hospital.

But since Shen Nian had rarely expressed a desire to eat something, Xiao Mubai naturally couldn't refuse. He nodded, "Alright, I'll go buy it for you."

His voice was incredibly gentle.

Shen Nian immediately broke into a big smile. "Okay."

"Then wait here for me." Xiao Mubai stroked her soft hair, picked up his coat from the chair, and was about to leave to buy clothes and congee.

"Brother."

Shen Nian's voice came from behind.

Xiao Mubai's body froze.

Although he had expressed many times that he was Shen Nian's brother, she had never actively used this term.

This was the first time she had called him that.

Xiao Mubai turned around and looked at her. "Mm?"

Shen Nian pursed her lips, looking at him silently.

After a few seconds, she lowered her head, took off the sunflower necklace she had always worn, and handed it to Xiao Mubai.

She said, "I don't like sunflowers anymore."

Sunflowers were once Lu Lingrui's favorite. By giving up sunflowers, Shen Nian was also giving up her obsession with Lu Lingrui.

Staring at the sunflower necklace in her hand, Xiao Mubai smiled, happy that she was letting go of herself.

"Okay," he nodded, then walked over and took the necklace from her hand, gently coaxing, "We don't like sunflowers anymore."

Shen Nian nodded firmly. "Mm."

Casually stuffing the necklace into his pocket, Xiao Mubai stroked her head again, his voice soft, "Wait for me to come back, and brother will take you home."

Shen Nian nodded again. "Mm."

Thinking of something, she added, "It's snowing outside, and the roads are slippery. Be careful when you walk, and don't rush back."

The smile in Xiao Mubai's eyes deepened. "Alright."

With that, he reluctantly left the hospital room.

Shen Nian leaned back on the hospital bed, looking in the direction Xiao Mubai had left for a long time. Finally, she murmured,

"Thank you."

...

There were several clothing stores near the hospital. Xiao Mubai entered one and picked out a thick coat, as well as thick socks and fleece-lined shoes for Shen Nian, worried about her feet getting cold.

He was so preoccupied with thinking about Shen Nian that he forgot he was still wearing a thin coat and didn't remember to buy a thicker one for himself.

After buying the clothes, he carried the bags, big and small, to buy the century egg and lean pork congee that Shen Nian liked.

This shop's congee was famously delicious in the area. Especially on such a cold day with snow falling, a sip of hot congee would be incredibly warming.

Snowflakes fell on Xiao Mubai's shoulders as he rubbed his hands together, his breath visible in the cold air.

He looked at the queue of more than a dozen people in front of him. Although Shen Nian had told him to take his time, he still felt a bit anxious.

After thinking for a moment, he took out his phone, tapped the person in front of him, and said, "Excuse me, my sister is sick and really wants to drink this shop's congee. I want to buy it quickly and take it back to her. I'll send you a 50 yuan red packet if you'd allow me to cut in line. Would that be alright?"

Fortunately, the people queuing in front were all very accommodating. Upon hearing Xiao Mubai's request, they willingly gave up their spots. Even when encountering a few who had been waiting for a long time and were reluctant to give up their positions, Xiao Mubai sent them red envelopes, making them happily yield their places.

The value of a bowl of porridge was less than ten yuan, yet Xiao Mubai was sending red envelopes of one or two hundred yuan just for a spot in line.

In truth, the money was secondary. What Xiao Mubai wanted was simply that bowl of porridge. Because Shen Nian desired it, he was determined to do whatever it took to obtain it.