Chapter 266: Extra: The End
"Who?! Who said that!" Rong Xingyu immediately protested when he heard Rong Zhenghao’s words. "I... My alcohol tolerance is very good!"
Rong Zhenghao fell silent.
Sure enough, it still wasn’t good!
They had only poured a tiny bit of red wine into Rong Xingyu’s glass because it was almost New Year’s.
But no one had expected that Rong Xingyu would boldly down it in one gulp!
The brothers coaxed him before finally taking the wine glass out of Rong Xingyu’s hands.
But who would have thought that once the glass was gone, Rong Xingyu’s lips would tremble and tears would immediately start streaming down.
The brothers were shocked.
Seeing Rong Xingyu cry, the Rong family became even more flustered.
"Xiaoyu, what’s wrong? Don’t cry..."
The alcohol hit and instantly detonating all the grievances Rong Xingyu had been bottling up in his heart today.
While wiping his tears, Rong Xingyu sobbed and complained to his brothers, "D-Ding Yixin... he... he bullied me..."
The Rong family was stunned.
Ding Yixin was driving toward the Rong family’s old residence.
Suddenly, he received a call from Rong Xingyu.
Ding Yixin raised his brows in surprise as he answered, "Baby—"
But what came from the other end was Rong Zhenghao’s slightly cool voice. "Forget ’baby’ for now. Hurry up and come over here."
Ding Yixin fell silent.
If one listened carefully, a trace of helplessness could be heard in Rong Zhenghao’s voice.
"Xiaoyu insisted on calling you."
The other side was in complete chaos and Rong Zishan’s collapsing voice could even be heard.
"Xiaoyu, stop crying! Fourth Brother is begging you! Fourth Brother will kneel for you!!"
Ding Yixin asked, "Did you let Yuyu drink?"
Rong Zhenghao didn’t speak, but his silence was answer enough.
"I’ll be there right away," Ding Yixin said.
After hanging up, Ding Yixin quietly increased the speed of the car.
When he finally arrived at the Rong residence, the moment he stepped through the door, Rong Xingyu immediately rushed over toward him with tear-filled eyes.
"Does your head hurt? Why did you drink again?" Ding Yixin lowered his head and asked softly, looking at the little drunkard in his arms.
Rong Xingyu shook his head. "It doesn’t hurt. It’s just... just a little dizzy."
Ding Yixin let out a quiet chuckle. "Heh."
"Then why did you drink again?"
Rong Xingyu’s mind was already muddled, but he still tried hard to think about the question.
After a long while, he finally remembered that he was still angry at Ding Yixin.
"We... We’re still fighting!" Rong Xingyu suddenly struggled and insisting on wriggling out of Ding Yixin’s arms. "I don’t want you to hold me!"
"Baby, we’re not fighting," Ding Yixin said.
It had only ever been Rong Xingyu sulking on his own.
But when Rong Xingyu was sober, he already disliked reasoning things out.
Now that he was drunk, it was even more impossible.
He let out an exaggerated huff and turned his head away.
He then put on an expression as if he were extremely angry and refusing to communicate with Ding Yixin.
Ding Yixin: "..."
For some reason, seeing Rong Xingyu like this made Ding Yixin want to laugh.
However, he knew that if he actually laughed out loud, he probably would not even be allowed to go into bed tonight.
"Then does Yuyu remember why you are angry at me? There has to be a reason, right?" Ding Yixin lowered his voice and asked gently.
As expected, Rong Xingyu seriously tried to recall the reason.
But after thinking for a long time, he truly could not remember why he had been angry at Ding Yixin in the first place.
Rong Xingyu: "..."
Rong Xingyu: "Hmph. It’s all your fault!"
"Alright, alright. It’s all my fault. I was wrong."
Ding Yixin kissed Rong Xingyu’s cheek and coaxed his little ancestor in a soft, humble tone.
What else could he do? He could only spoil him.
"Can we make up?" Ding Yixin asked while pressing a kiss to Rong Xingyu’s lips and taking the initiative to reconcile.
He clearly looked as though he would keep kissing him until Rong Xingyu nodded.
Only then did Rong Xingyu graciously nod. "Fine."
On the last day of the year, Rong Xingyu’s one-sided sulking officially came to an end and the two of them made up.
However, not long after, drowsiness overtook Rong Xingyu, and he fell asleep on the way back.
Ding Yixin: "..."
He let out a sigh and carried Rong Xingyu inside, he then switching on the lights on the first floor.
The entire first floor had been carefully decorated.
It was filled with balloon flowers and arranged like a small sea of blossoms.
Countless balloons floated from the ceiling and strings of tiny star-like fairy lights hung everywhere, glowing softly.
On another table stood a set of candlesticks.
Ding Yixin looked down at the little drunkard sleeping soundly in his arms and shook his head helplessly.
The surprise he had prepared along with the candlelight dinner had all gone to waste.
He carried Rong Xingyu upstairs and gently placed him on the bed.
After being changed into soft pajamas, Rong Xingyu turned over and continued sleeping sweetly.
However, he soon woke up again.
By then, most of the alcohol had already worn off.
He was just like that... Quick to get drunk and quick to sober up.
While vaguely recalling what he had done while drunk, Rong Xingyu lifted a hand to cover his eyes. "Help..."
He had actually cried while telling his brothers about what happened between him and Ding Yixin.
He was never drinking again.
Rong Xingyu did not even know how he was going to face his brothers in the future.
He climbed out of bed and slowly walked downstairs.
When he saw the scene Ding Yixin had painstakingly arranged, a smile could not help but appear on his face.
...
Hearing sounds coming from the kitchen, Ding Yixin walked over, and sure enough, he saw Rong Xingyu there.
From behind, with an apron tied around his waist, Rong Xingyu’s figure looked even slimmer, as if it could be encircled with just one hand.
Ding Yixin stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Rong Xingyu from behind while resting his chin on his shoulder.
"What are you making?"
"There." Rong Xingyu gestured for him to look.
He was pan-frying steaks.
Ding Yixin raised an eyebrow.
Rong Xingyu smiled. "Since the candlesticks are already prepared, it would be a pity not to have a candlelight dinner."
Ding Yixin chuckled softly as well. "But let’s skip the red wine."
Rong Xingyu: "..."
Did he really have to bring that up?
Soon, the two of them sat facing each other at the dining table.
The lights in the dining room had been turned off, and only the candlelight flickered on the table, casting a warm glow over them.
It felt incredibly cozy.
At that moment, the distant sound of a clock counting down suddenly rang out.
Rong Xingyu softly counted along, "Ten, nine, eight... three, two, one!"
Fireworks burst into bloom outside the window.
Without wine glasses, the two of them lifted small pieces of steak on their forks and lightly clinked them together, smiles shimmering in their eyes.
"Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
Not only for the new year, but for every year to come, they would walk forward together.
"Tired?" Ding Yixin asked softly.
"A little," Rong Xingyu admitted. "But I don’t want this night to end."
"It doesn’t have to. Not really." Ding Yixin took his hand and led him toward the stairs. "We’ll go to sleep, and when we wake up, it’ll be a new year—but it’ll still be us. Still together. Still in love."
They climbed the stairs slowly, hand in hand, pausing at the top to look back at the beautiful scene below—the flowers, the lights, the candles still flickering bravely.
"We should leave it," Rong Xingyu said. "Just for tonight. Let it all stay until morning."
Ding Yixin nodded. "Whatever you want."
In their bedroom, the soft lighting created its own intimate atmosphere. Rong Xingyu changed into his pajamas while Ding Yixin did the same, their movements comfortable and familiar. It was the easy rhythm of two people completely at home with each other.
When they finally climbed into bed, Rong Xingyu immediately curled into Ding Yixin’s side, fitting against him like he belonged there. Because he did. Because this—them—was exactly where he was meant to be.
"Goodnight, baby," Ding Yixin murmured against his hair. "Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year," Rong Xingyu whispered back, "I love you."
"I love you too. More than everything."
As sleep began to claim him, Rong Xingyu smiled against Ding Yixin’s chest. The year ahead stretched before them—full of possibilities, challenges, joys, and undoubtedly more moments of him being ridiculous and Ding Yixin loving him through it all.
But that was okay. That was life. That was them.
And there was nowhere else he’d rather be.
The last thing he heard before drifting off was Ding Yixin’s soft voice, barely a whisper in the darkness:
"Not only for the new year, but for every year to come. Together."
Rong Xingyu smiled in his sleep, already dreaming of all the years ahead.
The End.
