Mistaken ‘O’ is a Crazy Gorgeous Boss - Chapter 80 [END]

The elders exchanged greetings, and Qin Huan hugged Qu Zhen, looking her over from head to toe.

“Koukou has been taking good care of you,” she said, pinching her daughter’s cheek. “You look even more radiant.”

Qu Zhen smiled and nodded. After the hug, she went with Qu Han to fetch things from the trunk, leaving the three of them ample space for a private chat. Qin Huan also hugged Shen Zhikou, and seeing the unspoken words in her eyes, she shook her head and patted the back of her hand.

“No need to explain, Auntie Qin understands,” she said, her eyes filled with heartache. “You’ve suffered so much all these years, Koukou.”

Shen Zhikou knew Qin Huan was as perceptive as ever and simply nodded in agreement.

“Thank you, Auntie Qin.”

“We’re family, no need for such formalities. That would only create distance.”

Qin Huan held her hand and led her inside, turning to chat and laugh with the gentle-mannered Lan Yu as if they were long-time friends.

Knowing Lan Yu was coming, Qin Huan and Qu Han had prepared everything in advance, even renovating the rooms inside and out, and went all out in terms of courtesy and sincerity.

The five of them stepped inside, with Qin Huan taking Lan Yu to see the flower fields in the courtyard, while Qu Zhen and Shen Zhikou went upstairs to put their things away. Seizing the rare moment of privacy, the two shared a kiss in the bedroom. Qu Zhen lifted Shen Zhikou onto the windowsill, cupped the back of her neck, and kissed her a second time.

Neither of them wore lipstick, and Shen Zhikou tasted the minty flavor of Qu Zhen’s lip balm. At the end, she kissed the corner of Qu Zhen’s lips.

“Zhenzhen needs to reapply her lip balm.”

Qu Zhen, bundled up in warm clothes, felt her cheeks flush pink from the indoor heat. She held onto Shen Zhikou tightly and whispered, “It’s fine if I don’t.”

“I like the minty flavor.”

Shen Zhikou always knew how to sway Qu Zhen’s decisions with just one sentence: “Then I’ll go apply it later.”

“Good Zhenzhen.”

“Sister.”

“Hmm?”

“The flower shop is closed for the holidays. Tomorrow, let’s take Auntie Lan out to explore, okay?”

“Okay.”

No one had called them from downstairs yet, but mindful of being at home, Qu Zhen reluctantly let go of Shen Zhikou. Holding her hand, she led her downstairs, watching her every step as if guiding a toddler learning to walk.

In the living room on the first floor, the five of them had dinner together, then sat around watching TV and chatting for a while before retiring to their respective rooms. Since it was Lan Yu’s first visit, Shen Zhikou worried she might not feel comfortable and stayed with her in the second-floor guest room until everything was settled, then bid her goodnight before returning to her own room.

The next day, after morning tea, Qu Zhen drove the four of them to the county center for some sightseeing. When they passed by Autumn Park, Qu Zhen took a group photo of Shen Zhikou, Qin Huan, and Lan Yu. By the time they reached the Thousand Lantern Riverbank at Moonlight Bridge, Lan Yu returned the favor, taking many photos of Qu Zhen and Shen Zhikou. She always smiled as she watched the younger pair, her naturally smiling eyes and lips making her appear incredibly gentle.

At least gentler than the breeze by the riverbank, the branches beside the flowers, or the drifting clouds near the setting sun.

…

On the 28th and 29th days of the lunar calendar, all the necessary New Year goods had been stocked up. On the evening of the 29th, the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks could already be heard. Shen Zhikou helped Qin Huan and Lan Yu prepare snacks like malt candy, roasted peanuts, and candied hawthorns. When the aroma wafted into the living room, Qu Zhen immediately dashed in.

Like a wagging-tailed puppy drawn by the scent.

She generously praised the cooking skills of the three, leaving the two elders beaming with delight. Then, taking Shen Zhikou by the hand, she slipped away with the excuse of wanting to set off fireworks, leaving Lan Yu and Qin Huan smiling as they continued wrapping dumplings.

Pulled outdoors, Shen Zhikou watched as Qu Zhen took sparklers and fireworks from a nearby drawer, and suddenly, the image of the girl at sixteen flashed through her mind.

Back then, she had been the same, calling her to the window and setting off fireworks for her to watch.

Now, time had flown like an arrow, and the girl, now twenty-two, no longer had to set off fireworks alone in the courtyard, separated from her by a window. Instead, she would hold her hand, light a heart-shaped sparkler, and hand it to her, turning her head to gaze at her face while softly expressing her love.

“I love you, sister!”

“In the new year, I wish for you to be happy, healthy, and for everything to go smoothly for you.”

As the sparkler burned out amidst her wishes, Shen Zhikou looked back at her. “I haven’t made a wish yet.”

Qu Zhen lit another one. “Sister always makes wishes behind my back. I want to save all my wishes for you.”

Shen Zhikou caught the detail. “Always?”

After a sparkler burns out, there’s a faint scent carried away by the cold wind. Qu Zhen leaned closer to Shen Zhikou, her voice slightly lowered as if feeling guilty.

“The night before we returned to Mingqiu County, I knocked the phonograph off the display cabinet.”

“It was an accident. Little Snowflake can vouch for me.” Qu Zhen studied her expression. “I tried to put it back but accidentally turned it on and heard your recording.”

It was, in fact, Shen Zhikou’s birthday wishes for her over the past four years.

When she turned it on, the familiar voice emerged from the phonograph, its cool tone even making Little Snowflake perk up her ears. Qu Zhen stood frozen in place, initially intending to turn it off, but upon hearing her name, her legs felt as heavy as lead, and she couldn’t move.

“…Zhenzhen.”

“Happy birthday.”

The Omega coughed, as if still recovering from a cold, her voice slightly hoarse. “In this new year of your life, may you be happy every day and may everything go smoothly for you.”

The recorded voice trailed off almost inaudibly. “I… want to see you, but I’m running out of time.”

There were four such recorded wishes in total. Qu Zhen listened carefully to each one, her eyes burning red with unshed tears. Little Snowflake, sensing her distress, pawed at her pants and meowed softly to comfort her. Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, she placed the expensive phonograph back in its original position, sat quietly on the sofa for a while, and then, pretending nothing had happened, went to the study to find Shen Zhikou, who had just finished her meeting.

Her little kitten always made her heart ache like this. No matter how deeply she liked her or how fully she loved her, it never felt like enough. She wished she could like and love her little kitten even more.

Realizing she had thought of the word “love,” the trickling streams of emotion finally converged into an eternal green desert.

She loved her.

She should have known it long ago.

Only a few stars dotted the night sky, and the closed door blocked the view from inside. Qu Zhen leaned in and kissed Shen Zhikou’s lips. After a brief, gentle kiss, she pulled back, her eyes filled with affection as she gazed at her, like the moon forever watching over her.

“I overheard everything,” she said, pinching Shen Zhikou’s index finger. “Will you forgive me just this once, sister?”

“Okay,” Shen Zhikou indulged her. “I can forgive you many times over.”

“That makes sister seem good and Zhenzhen seem bad.”

“Even a bad Zhenzhen is still likable.”

Qu Zhen pursed her lips, suppressing the urge to kiss, and lit all the sparklers and fireworks for Shen Zhikou. When the neighbors nearby began setting off firecrackers again, she took Shen Zhikou by the hand and led her back inside, cornering her in the small storeroom on the first floor to continue their lingering, tender kisses.

…

On New Year’s Eve, all five of them woke up early to welcome the new year. The three elders took charge of preparing the dishes and cleaning, while the two younger ones were responsible for hanging lanterns, pasting couplets, window decorations, and so on.

The entire house was filled with a festive red. The rabbit lanterns hanging from the tree branches in the courtyard swayed in the wind, looking like lively little rabbits frolicking among the trees. The warm sunlight streamed through the windows adorned with red paper cuttings, casting dazzling, fragmented light.

Qu Zhen and Shen Zhikou were at the end of the second-floor corridor. After recording a complete video from the courtyard to the indoors, Shen Zhikou tugged at Qu Zhen’s sleeve, directing her gaze toward the distant Thousand Lantern River.

The river was frozen for miles, and the corridors on both sides were adorned with rabbit lanterns, as if celebrating the arrival of spring. But Qu Zhen knew it must have been Shen Zhikou’s doing again. She leaned in close, whispering in her ear, the smile in her eyes growing clearer.

“What did you do behind my back again, sister?”

“I wanted to make the child of New Year’s Eve even happier.”

Qu Zhen’s heart raced. “Sister’s goal has been achieved.”

“Then, can I have a reward?”

Qu Zhen was generous, planting kisses on both of Shen Zhikou’s cheeks. “Let’s go, we’re heading down to eat candied hawthorn skewers.”

“Mm.”

Qu Zhen had a special fondness for candied hawthorn skewers. By the time the New Year’s Eve dinner began, she had already eaten three skewers and still felt a bit unsatisfied. One of them was given to her by Shen Zhikou, who couldn’t bear to see the young girl’s wish go unfulfilled and secretly passed her own skewer to Qu Zhen behind Qin Huan’s back.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was exceptionally lavish, with a variety of dishes covering the table. A few more dishes were yet to be served, including some of Shen Zhikou and Qu Zhen’s favorites.

The five of them went to the front yard to set off firecrackers. The moment the noise erupted, Qu Zhen instinctively covered Shen Zhikou’s ears. If it weren’t for the elders being nearby, she would have even wanted to hold her little kitten in her arms.

As night fell, the crackling sounds lasted for five full minutes before other neighbors also began setting off firecrackers of varying durations.

The five of them returned to the dining table, clinking glasses before officially starting the meal.

The conversation never ceased during this time. Shen Zhikou sat between Lan Yu and Qu Zhen, always helping them serve food while quietly listening to everyone chat. She spoke very little, but the atmosphere around her felt less cold, clearly conveying her happiness.

Lan Yu, Qin Huan, and even Qu Han all took care of her, piling her bowl with food until it nearly resembled a small mountain. In the end, Qu Zhen ended up sharing most of it, allowing Shen Zhikou to finish the bowl.

The sound of firecrackers outside continued unabated. After finishing the New Year’s Eve dinner at nine, the five of them gathered in the living room to drink tea and watch the Spring Festival programs on TV.

At exactly eleven, the three elders, starting with Qu Han, took turns giving red envelopes to the two younger ones.

When it was Qin Huan’s turn, she held their hands together, visibly moved, and said, “Another new year, another year of blessings. In the new year, Mom hopes Koukou and Zhenzhen stay healthy, share a harmonious relationship, and enjoy smooth sailing in your careers.”

Qu Zhen replied with a smile, “Got it!”

Shen Zhikou accepted her red envelope, her heart warmed by the loving atmosphere, and said softly, “Mm, it will definitely be so.”

The last to give red envelopes was Lan Yu.

This was her first time celebrating the New Year with Shen Zhikou, the first time she had given her a red envelope. Her heart was filled with endless emotions, which ultimately condensed into a single sentence.

“Aunt Lan wishes Koukou and Zhenzhen peace and safety, and may everything go as you wish.”

Shen Zhikou, having received her third red envelope, did not thank Lan Yu. She remembered Qin Huan’s words, family members need not exchange such formal thanks.

“Aunt Lan, may all your wishes be fulfilled as well.”

With only forty minutes left until the new year, the five of them gathered together. Qin Huan brought out a bamboo cylinder filled with fortune sticks from her room, preparing to let the two younger members of the family draw one.

“Koukou and Zhenzhen, shake it together.”

“It’s definitely going to be the best fortune!” Qu Zhen covered Shen Zhikou’s hand. “If it’s not the best fortune, then it’s not accurate.”

Qin Huan laughed. “Let’s give it a try.”

“Sister, are you ready?”

Shen Zhikou had once visited a temple with flourishing incense and drew a fortune stick, only to end up with the worst possible outcome, a highly inauspicious fortune. Now, encountering this again, Shen Zhikou suddenly felt a flicker of nervousness. Even though she didn’t believe in it, she didn’t want her beloved to draw an unfavorable fortune with her.

She pressed her lips together. “Mm.”

“Then let’s begin!”

Their hands intertwined as they shook the bamboo cylinder together. Shen Zhikou stared intently at the swaying sticks, and when one finally fell onto the table, she turned to meet the gaze of the person beside her. The remaining tension vanished.

Suddenly, she felt absolutely certain they had drawn the best fortune.

And indeed, the result fulfilled their wishes.

[Perfect Harmony, the thirty-third fortune stick, the best of the best… extremely auspicious.]

On the right side of the bamboo stick were two annotations: “A predestined marriage, sown in a past life, blossoms in this life to unite as one,” and “Perfect harmony, hearts must share the same joy.”

Qin Huan beamed with joy. “Truly, great fortune and great blessings.”

Lan Yu also smiled. “It’s the best fortune, signifying a perfect and lifelong partnership.”

Even Qu Han’s eyes held a hint of a smile.

Qu Zhen shook Shen Zhikou’s hand and took the bamboo stick to show her. “Sister, it’s the best fortune!”

“Mm. Are you happy?”

“Very happy.” Qu Zhen lowered her voice. “Meeting you is my best fortune.”

“Me too.”

Qu Zhen couldn’t put the bamboo stick down. Before the fireworks display began, she took a photo of it, planning to post it on her social media the next day. With ten minutes left until the countdown, the sound of firecrackers started again outside, accompanied by colorful fireworks blooming in the sky.

The five of them stood in the courtyard, waiting together for the arrival of the new year.

In the last five minutes, the surrounding noise grew louder. Platinum fireworks streaked across the night sky, and countless dazzling displays blossomed in the heavens. Qu Zhen held Shen Zhikou’s hand tightly, glancing back at her from time to time.

She knew Shen Zhikou must have arranged an exceptionally grand fireworks display. So, when the final one-minute countdown began, she distanced themselves from the other three, leading Shen Zhikou under a tree. She precisely located a special gift, a rabbit lantern hidden in the most secluded corner among the swaying lanterns in the wind and took it down for her.

“Sister, this is the lantern I made for you. The secrets and blessings hidden inside have already been whispered by the little rabbit to the evening breeze, the moon, the stars, and the clouds, and they have carried them to the mysterious snow-capped mountains. Can you hear the echoes from the mountain deities?”

Shen Zhikou gazed intently at this unique rabbit lantern.

After six years, the young woman’s craftsmanship had improved immensely. The little rabbits she made were incredibly lifelike, and the lanterns were refined to near perfection. She had owned two rabbit lanterns in her life, the first one led her to meet her girl, and the second one allowed her to keep her girl by her side for the rest of her life.

Her eyelashes fluttered, and her throat tightened. “I heard it.”

“If you heard it, sister, can you tell me what it is?”

Shen Zhikou answered, “It’s fondness.”

The sounds of firecrackers and fireworks grew louder. Qu Zhen stared at her without blinking, guiding Shen Zhikou’s right hand to feel her own heartbeat. She had imagined many scenarios for saying these words, romantic settings with flowers, candles, bonfires, gifts, music, and more. Yet none of those imagined moments felt more fitting than this one.

Word by word, she declared, “It’s love.”

Amid the countless noises mingling with Qu Zhen’s voice, her words remained crystal clear: “I love you, Shen Zhikou.”

“Happy New Year, my love. From this day forward, I will love you deeply every single day. This love is as eternal as the sun and the moon, unwavering until death.”

Time reset to zero, and the new year had arrived.

No matter how dazzling the fireworks, they could never compare to the warmth of having the one you deeply love by your side.

Through countless days and nights of longing and waiting, Shen Zhikou, who had persevered day after day, finally received the answer she had once dared not hope for… a beacon shining just for her amid the myriad lights of the world. She lifted her head and met Qu Zhen’s gaze, her heart beating just as fiercely and rapidly as the other’s.

Under the radiant moonlight and the glow of earthly fireworks, she offered her own sincere heart and answer in return.

“I love you too.”

“As eternal as the sun and the moon, unwavering until death.”

[End.]