Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Xie Limo kept finding ways to cheer Yun Bixue up and tried to let her go out more often with her friends.

However, as they got closer to the end of the year, Yun Bixue's mood just couldn't seem to get any better because she would think of her grandfather. She recalled how lively last year's new year was. This year, no matter how hard she tried to act happy, the atmosphere still felt solemn with only her and Xie Limo.

Fortunately, her younger sister said that she would be back on the twenty-ninth, so she was looking forward to that.

Yun Bixue thought of her best friend, Bai Yaoyao, as well, so she wondered if she should get Yaoyao to come over for the New Year too.

Thinking about it, Yun Bixue decided to call her.

No one answered the call, but it was possible that Yaoyao just did not notice. Perhaps she would call back once she saw the missed call.

At that moment, Bai Yaoyao was shopping for clothes for the New Year with Duan Yanhao.

Bai Yaoyao had no idea of the culture and customs of this country, nor did she know about the streets here, so she simply followed Duan Yanhao around.

Duan Yanhao, who was clad in his casual attire, was still as handsome as ever. Bai Yaoyao couldn't help but praise him in her heart. As expected, a soldier was different from others. Even his silhouette had the strange power of making someone feel safe.

Bai Yaoyao had a sudden realization—as long as she followed him, it would definitely be the safest direction.

Duan Yanhao walked forward. When he saw that Bai Yaoyao wasn't by his side, he turned around to find her rooted at her spot. He frowned. "What's wrong?"

Bai Yaoyao shook her head. "I'm okay." She couldn't say that she was caught in a daze because of his figure. That would be too embarra.s.sing.

Because they were nearing the shopping district, the number of people around them increased as well. The crowded area caused Bai Yaoyao to be jostled around slightly as well.

In that manner, Bai Yaoyao was slowly jostled to the side.

The frown between Duan Yanhao's brows deepened. He walked back and grabbed Bai Yaoyao's hand. "Don't get jostled around by other people."

Bai Yaoyao looked at her hand, which was held by him. It was like a strand of warmth on a cold winter day, capable of warming her heart.

And, at that moment, the lyrics of the song that was playing in the shopping district tugged at the deepest part of her heartstrings.

Bai Yaoyao shut her eyes. Everything felt like it would be okay. Even with her eyes closed, as long as she followed him, she would not be pushed by others.

Because she knew that he would use his body to protect her from being pushed.

As they walked on, Bai Yaoyao's steps became lighter. In the bright atmosphere of the shopping district, she truly felt as if she was no longer alone.

She no longer needed to spend New Year's all by herself.

Thinking about it, she asked happily, "Duan Yanhao, you will spend your New Year with me, right?"

Duan Yanhao paused in his steps and turned to look at Bai Yaoyao. He saw her eyes had curved into crescents, but her expression seemed to hold a trace of vulnerability.

Duan Yanhao knew she tried not to show it, but he saw through her. Even the iciest heart would melt at that.

He nodded and answered, "I won't go back on my word of spending New Year's with you. You can buy anything you want. As long as you like it, you can just buy it, okay?"

Hearing that statement from Duan Yanhao, Bai Yaoyao's heart thumped, and she even felt the urge to cry.

In the past, when she was in a foreign country, she was always alone as she looked at other people enjoying themselves. Always listening to songs alone, always being lonely on her own.

But now, she had someone to keep her company, and she could see the gentleness in his eyes. It was as if the sun had shone into her heart.

"Duan Yanhao, don't look down on a woman's ability to shop. I'm strong at that." Especially now that she was in a better mood, she wanted to buy more.