Chapter 290: Ringing in the New Year Together

Jiang Lai stood in the crowd, and when she lifted her gaze she still saw only Ke Zhongyu's profile.

Her phone was pressed against Ke Zhongyu's ear; the man reported their exact location, then hung up and handed the phone back to her, saying, "They'll be over soon."

Jiang Lai looked at the phone in front of her as if it were a piping-hot potato.

"You don't want it?" Ke Zhongyu made a show of pulling it back. "Then it's mine—I'll buy you a new one…"

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Lai immediately reached out, but Ke Zhongyu had already drawn the phone slightly toward his own palm, and her hand once again pressed against Ke Zhongyu's hand.

It wasn't as though they had never held hands before.

At the banquet when they danced, she and Ke Zhongyu could even be said to have been embracing; at Nanshan Shu Jiuhao, Ke Zhongyu had even pressed against her waist… and yet it was today, of all days, when even a light touch made her feel either a tingling numbness or a heartbeat that quickened somewhat.

Because everyone around them was a stranger.

So at this moment it was just the two of them.

Jiang Lai pressed her lips together, turned aside, and walked in silence toward the riverfront, finding a corner with few people and a less-than-ideal vantage point, standing quietly and gazing at the brilliance along the riverbank and the moving lights on the water.

She took out her phone, snapped a photo, and posted a Moments update.

In her over ten years in A City, this was the first time she had lingered here, the first time she had stood at this angle looking up at A City's landmark buildings, the bustling traffic, and the dazzling lights.

The places she had passed by countless times had always been just a fleeting glimpse—either rushing to a part-time job or hurrying back to school to read papers and run experiments.

After graduating with her doctorate she was even busier, rushing between career and family, never again properly sitting still in one place, doing nothing, with no purpose at all.

She had lost herself.

The evening wind by the river was cold, but Jiang Lai seemed not to feel it, quietly watching the scene before her eyes.

A sudden weight settled on her.

A heavy black overcoat draped over her body.

Ke Zhongyu stood beside her, also quietly watching these things he had long grown tired of seeing, but because Jiang Lai was at his side, the dull and mundane became novel again.

"I'm not cold, Ke Zhongyu." Jiang Lai turned her head to look at him.

Ke Zhongyu glanced at her. "When I tell you to wear it, wear it."

Men were mostly domineering most of the time.

Jiang Lai's hand gripping his coat paused; just as she was about to say something, the voices of Ke Zhongying and Xiao Qian came from behind—everyone had hurried over.

They all came walking this way.

Xiao Qian asked, "Why are you in this corner? We just now searched all the way in from over there. Eldest Miss Ke jumped up to look for you and nearly twisted her ankle."

Jiang Lai looked at Ke Zhongying. "You twisted it?"

Ke Zhongyu also looked toward her feet.

Ke Zhongying waved her hand. "No. You picked a pretty good corner—no need to squeeze in—but you won't be able to see much of the fireworks from here later."

Assistant Zhou understood in a second, saying, "Don't worry, you'll be able to see them."

Then immediately went off to make a call.

Ke Zhongying: "Oh, I forgot Assistant Zhou and Secretary Guan are here too. Then let's watch from here."

Chi Ce slipped both hands into his pockets, swaying his body as he stood beside Ke Zhongyu, propped his elbow on the railing, and said with a smile, "It'll be the New Year in a moment. Does everyone have any New Year's wishes?"

"I do." Ke Zhongying stood beside Jiang Lai, gazing at the river. "I want Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, Dad, Mom, Brother, Sister Jiang Lai, and everyone to be healthy—especially me! And my bionic robot—finish it quickly!"

She pressed her palms together and sincerely made her wish.

Jiang Lai smiled.

Ke Zhongyu: "Rather than making a wish to heaven, you'd be better off making one to me and Jiang Lai."

As long as the elders had less to worry about, they would be healthy in body and mind, and apart from the major matter of marriage, there was nothing else that would make the elders worry.

As for the major matter of marriage, Ke Zhongyu was already taking matters into his own hands, more anxious than even his parents.

As for the bionic robot, the key lay in improving the Crystal Core—and wasn't that up to Jiang Lai?

Ke Zhongying thought this made perfect sense, turned to face the two of them, and began making her wish: "I ask the two of you to please be healthy, safe, and happy."

Jiang Lai also looked at her. "In the new year, please also be healthy, safe, and happy. As for the Crystal Core, once the Three-Region Project enters the testing phase, I'll do a systematic review for you."

"Thank you, Sister Jiang Lai!" Ke Zhongying threw her arms around Jiang Lai, and when she lifted her gaze she found her brother's eyes were so jealous they were practically throwing off sparks.

After letting go, Ke Zhongying asked, "Sister Jiang Lai, what about your New Year's wish?"

Everyone looked toward Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai, however, looked at the distant lanterns, a faint smile on her lips: "My wish is for the Three-Region Project to complete testing in the first quarter of next year, carry out product promotion in the second quarter, and for everything to go smoothly."

"Isn't that a bit ruthless?" Ke Zhongying said. "Are you trying to work yourself and everyone to death?"

Xiao Qian: "We're still okay. Senior Sister handles the technical problems, and all issues get resolved promptly. As long as we execute strictly, plus with Ke Clan's massive support in manpower and resources, both Senior Sister's side and my side can manage it. Professor Cheng's side will need a bit more time—Senior Sister's requirement for that side is to test in the first half of the year and promote in the second half, which is fine."

She remarked with feeling, "Ke Clan still has money."

The Self-developed Chip Project had been running for so many years, and funding was one reason—the state's money couldn't be spent carelessly; it was all strictly controlled.

Ke Clan was different. Ke Clan poured money into this project by the fistful.

If the winning bidder back then had been Star Universe Technology under the Fu Family, even if her Senior Sister worked herself to death, they might not necessarily have had this kind of efficiency.

Assistant Zhou pushed up his glasses. "Lan Chuang was founded by President Ke; it is President Ke's life's work, and it will be Ke Clan's most resounding calling card—naturally, they will spare no effort."

Secretary Guan nodded and asked with a smile, "Any other wishes?"

Such as starting a new relationship, for instance.

Jiang Lai: "I hope the people around me will be safe and healthy in the new year."

That was all.

Everyone silently looked at Ke Zhongyu.

President Ke, you seem a bit useless.

"Pfft!" Chi Ce couldn't hold back a laugh and nudged Ke Zhongyu with his elbow. "What about you? What's your New Year's wish?"

Ke Zhongyu gave a cold laugh.

She couldn't be bothered with everyone, instead she raised her hand to check the time and reminded, "There are still five minutes."

"Quick quick quick, my tripod! Set it up, set up the camera too!" Ke Zhongying fumbled through her bag in a panic; she had forgotten to bring it when she left the house, having previously said she wanted to take photos and called the butler to have it delivered.

Xiao Qian reached for the tripod, opened it and placed it on the ground; Ke Zhongying set up the camera and directed everyone.

"Stand closer, stand closer, don't be too far away."

Everyone stood in a row, squeezing Ke Zhongyu and Jiang Lai into the middle, the two of them pressed tightly together.

A spot opened up automatically beside Jiang Lai's right hand.

Ke Zhongying looked at the camera's screen and said, "Not bad, not bad, just stand like that later, you don't need to look at the lens, having your back to it is fine; when the fireworks go off, remember to shout Happy New Year loudly!"

Secretary Guan laughed and said, "Yes, young lady."

The camera's button was pressed.

Ke Zhongying ran over, stood beside Jiang Lai, facing the river.

Everyone quietly counted the seconds.

Bang!

Bang bang!

Gorgeous fireworks sparkled in the night sky.

"Happy New Year!"

Cheers rang out along the entire riverbank, the fireworks' glow illuminating Jiang Lai's lovely features; Ke Zhongyu turned his head beside her and whispered, "Happy New Year, A Lai."

Jiang Lai hadn't heard Ke Zhongyu shout Happy New Year together; his first Happy New Year was directed at her.

"Happy New Year, Ke Zhongyu."

Hers too.