Chapter BGM:
"Like a Dream" by Francis and the Lights"Slow Dancing in the Dark" by JojiSome
nights are loud. The unforgettable ones are quiet.
—
"Sometimes, it's not the fireworks in the sky, but the warmth beside you that truly lights up the night."
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Later that night, everyone moved to the glass garden. This was Celeste's favorite part—fireworks blooming over the lake across the estate.
Only from Jett's family home could you enjoy such a stunning view. The first burst lit up the sky like fire blooming in ice. Then the second. The third. Flames wove into a river of stars, mirrored in the lake's surface—a dream too beautiful to be real.
In the crowd, under the shimmering lights, Nolan and Celeste found each other's eyes. They mouthed the same words at the same time:
"Happy New Year."
The glow touched their youthful faces. And in that moment, Celeste's heart gave a quiet flutter. She never thought she'd be standing beside the one she liked, watching fireworks like this.
As the light show ended and guests trickled out, the young ones made a run for it—laughing, full of mischief, dashing into the night like they couldn't wait to leave a fairytale behind.
They had friends waiting in town. Celeste and Jett dragged Nolan into a street full of bright lights and smoky air. They ducked into a roadside food stall, a plastic tarp flapping in the wind.
Steam rose from bubbling pots. Fried pork rolls, sticky rice dumplings, fish maw soup, taro balls, herbal jelly, and hot peanut broth lined the tables. It wasn't glamorous—but it was perfect.
Plastic tables. Wobbly stools. And the kind of comfort you can't fake.
Most of the team was already drunk, sprawled out laughing at god knows what. But Celeste and Nolan stayed in the corner—quiet, steady, like two shadows resting just outside the noise.
She leaned into his shoulder—softly, like breathing. Like she'd done it a hundred times before.
"Thanks, human pillow," she murmured, half-drunk. "Wish time could just pause, you know?"
Nolan tilted his head to look at her. Her red hair grazed his collar, light as a cat's tail—a flicker, a tease. He reached up, gently tucked a strand behind her ear.
Her breath caught. Her ears went warm.
But she didn't pull away.
He watched her profile, eyes calm. The wind had gone quiet. He didn't say much. Just reached for a cup of hot ginger tea and handed it to her fingers.
"Time keeps moving," he said softly, his voice light as wind. "But some moments—like this one—stay with us."
She took the tea with a soft smile. That smile was warm enough to light a whole street.
No more words. Just warmth, the kind that stays—long after fireworks fade.
The fireworks had ended. The noise had faded. But in that small, steamy food stall, something between them stayed.
—
Later, Nolan and Jett made sure everyone had a ride. Nolan sent them off one by one—Celeste was the last.
Outside her house, he stood quietly by her side.
"Thanks for walking me home," she said, her voice low and drowsy.
He nodded. After a beat, he added, "I'll have someone drop off some recovery food tomorrow. Okay?"
She smiled, gave a lazy wave, and turned to go inside.
The hallway light flicked on. She didn't look back—but she could feel him still standing there.
Nolan didn't leave until the light went out.
Then he finally got into the Bentley.
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"That night, Nolan's parents finally met Celeste in person.
They were genuinely happy—not just because she was graceful, kind, and easy to talk to, but because for the first time in a long while, their son was smiling again.
He laughed. Really laughed. And for once, he didn't hold the world at arm's length.
It wasn't a miracle cure, and they knew better than to believe in overnight healing.But it was something.A start.
And Mai?He didn't say much. Just quietly stood by the door, listening to their soft laughter drift down the hallway.
Deep down, he gave himself a silent pat on the back.Mission accomplished—for now.Nolan was happy, safe, and surrounded by warmth.
(And yes, the young master's parents were so pleased, they slipped Mac a discreet little bonus. He absolutely deserved it.)"