The snow fell heavily, persisting all the way until December 31st.
The entire city was blanketed in white.
Ethan had just arrived at the casino when he received a notice from The Boss: everyone was to go to The Dynasty for the company's New Year's Eve party.
Ethan and Serena went together. When they arrived at The Dynasty, the place was buzzing with energy. The booths in the main hall and the private rooms inside had all been fully booked in advance.
"Ethan, over here!"
Uncle Kun personally came to the entrance of The Dynasty to greet Ethan, ushering both of them inside.
Ethan felt a bit overwhelmed by the special treatment.
However, one sentence from Uncle Kun on the way made everything clear.
"Ethan, is that Ms. Mu here to see you?" Uncle Kun asked, glancing meaningfully in a certain direction.
Ethan looked over and, sure enough, saw Mulan sitting in a booth with Fang Si and a few other women—all young matrons he recognized.
Seeing Ethan look their way, Fang Si waved enthusiastically. Mulan also smiled at him.
Ethan quickly nodded and returned the smile.
"Come, let's have a few drinks first before you go out and mingle," Uncle Kun said, leading Ethan into a private room.
The room was filled with people Ethan knew. Figures like Autumn and Michael Langford were all there. Even Gwendolyn Langford and Lucas were seated inside.
The moment Ethan entered, The Boss immediately pulled him to sit in the central seat of the room.
"Here! Ethan, sit here! Right here!"
Even Michael Langford, the owner of The Dynasty, had to shift aside. As for someone of Lucas's stature, he was relegated to a corner, watching as person after person went up to toast Ethan.
"Mom, look at that Chen guy!" Lucas couldn't help but mutter. "So what if he did a few things for The Boss? Is all this necessary?"
The same people who had been fawning over "Young Master Lucas" before now ignored him, their focus entirely on Ethan.
"Mingyuan, come, have a drink with Ethan," The Boss beckoned.
Michael Langford walked over with a jovial laugh, proactively raising his glass. "Ethan, congratulations. I hear from The Boss you're doing excellent work."
Ethan didn't speak, simply drinking the toast.
"Little Autumn, come over!"
Autumn stepped forward, holding her glass.
"Brother Yi, I know I offended you before. Please don't hold it against me. I'll finish this glass first as an apology!" She downed her drink in one go.
Gwendolyn watched as everyone in the room took turns toasting Ethan. Finally, The Boss's gaze landed on her.
She knew she couldn't avoid it. Picking up her glass, she stood and walked over, thrusting her glass directly towards Ethan without a word.
The obsequious pleasantries the others had offered stuck in her throat.
The Boss grunted in dissatisfaction. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
Ethan looked up at Gwendolyn, seeing the clear disgust in her eyes.
Gwendolyn took a deep breath, forcing a smile onto her face. "Ethan, I'd like to propose a toast."
After saying this, she threw her head back and finished the drink, then turned to leave.
"Wait," Ethan said.
Gwendolyn turned back, the strained smile back on her face.
Before she could process what was happening, a full glass of liquor was flung into her face.
Gwendolyn stood frozen in place.
Ethan grinned. "My hand slipped. My apologies."
"Ethan!" Gwendolyn shrieked.
"Stop yelling!" The Boss frowned. "Go get a towel and clean yourself up!"
Gwendolyn didn't move, her eyes fixed hatefully on Ethan. It was Michael who came over and pulled her away. Gwendolyn left the room without another word.
"Come, Ethan, let the three of us have a drink." Uncle Kun came over with his glass, calling for The Boss to join them. They shared a toast.
"Alright, let's not let Ethan drink too much," The Boss said jovially, clapping Ethan on the shoulder. "Stay and enjoy yourself here for a bit, then head out. We shouldn't keep your other guest waiting too long."
Ethan knew he was referring to Mulan.
Lately, rumors had been circulating at the casino that Ethan and Mulan were an item. Mulan's behavior—visiting him every other day—certainly suggested it. Even though Ethan had denied it, nobody believed him.
He was also acutely aware that the special treatment he was receiving today was largely because of Mulan's perceived interest. His achievements last month alone wouldn't have been enough to make him the center of attention at this New Year's Eve gathering.
"Come, Serena, over here." Uncle Kun waved her over. "Let me have a drink with you. You've done very well! The Boss and I are very satisfied. You must continue to cooperate well with Ethan!"
Uncle Kun patted Serena's shoulder. This was the first time he had publicly acknowledged her in front of so many people.
Serena nodded vigorously. Turning, she looked at Ethan, the center of attention, and suddenly remembered their first meeting. The memory made her laugh involuntarily.
"Ethan, a toast. Let's keep working hard together next year."
"The honor is mine," Ethan said, proactively raising his glass and finishing it first.
Serena happily drank hers too, then pulled Ethan into a corner, leaning close to his ear. "There's something I want to tell you."
"What is it? So mysterious." Serena's cheeks were slightly flushed. "I'm not drunk right now, I'm serious. Do you want to…"
"Ethan! There you are!" Uncle Kun pulled Ethan back. "Quick, quick, no more drinking in the private room. Time to go out."
"Just a moment, Uncle Kun," Ethan said, looking back at Serena.
Serena smiled at him and made a gesture, indicating he should go ahead.
Ethan finally stepped out of the private room.
"Well, look who decided to show up!" Fang Si was waiting right outside the door. Seeing Ethan, she immediately grabbed his arm. "With all those beauties around The Boss today, we thought you'd forgotten all about our Lanlan! Come on."
She dragged Ethan over to their booth. Everyone knew each other, and the moment Ethan arrived, the other women started teasing him. Fang Si forcibly shoved him down onto the seat next to Mulan.
"Come on! We're not leaving until we're drunk!" Fang Si raised her glass high.
Ethan gave Mulan an apologetic look. "I have to leave after this one drink."
"What, are you avoiding me?" Mulan's gaze was heavy with suggestion. "Or are you afraid your little girlfriend will get the wrong idea?"
"Why would I avoid you?" Ethan shook his head, pulling out his phone and shaking it slightly. "There's only half an hour left until the New Year."
"Exactly! We're celebrating the New Year together!" Fang Si clung to his arm.
"I have to go back to be with my mom," Ethan explained. "She's alone in the hospital."
"Oh... I see..." Hearing this, even Fang Si couldn't argue. She looked at Mulan.
Mulan smiled. "Alright. Then let's have that one drink."
"If it's just one drink, then it has to be a linked-arms toast!" Fang Si declared, grabbing their hands and intertwining their arms.
The other women at the table joined in the chorus.
"Linked-arms!"
"Linked-arms!"
"Linked-arms!"
Ethan looked at Mulan. Mulan looked back at him, proactively winding her arm around his, already assuming the position for the toast.
Serena, who had just stepped out of the private room, glanced over and saw the scene. Her eyes instantly darted away. She lowered her head and hurriedly crossed the main hall, exiting the club.
"This... I don't think that's appropriate. My apologies," Ethan said, transferring his glass to his other hand and throwing his head back to drain it.
A chorus of disappointed boos rose around them.
"Ethan, you blockhead!" Fang Si sounded utterly exasperated.
Mulan, however, said nothing. She still finished her drink, then picked up her coat. "Come on, I'll walk you to your car."
"Yeah." Ethan nodded, not refusing.
They walked towards the club entrance. The noise around them was deafening, but neither of them spoke.
Standing outside the club entrance, Mulan pointed ahead. "Your little girlfriend is here."
Ethan looked and saw Serena running towards them, a scarf clutched in her hand. He remembered her saying a few days ago that she would get him one.
"The two of us…" Ethan started to explain.
Just then, a car sped past him, heading straight for Serena as she ran across the street.
BAM!
In that instant, time seemed to slow down for Ethan.
He saw Serena's body thrown high into the air.
He saw the car lose control and crash into the vehicles parked nearby, setting off a chorus of blaring car alarms.
He saw Serena land heavily on the ground, saw blood spreading out beneath her, staining the pristine white snow crimson.
His mind went completely blank. He didn't even know how he got to her side, gathering her into his arms. She was still clutching the brand new scarf tightly in her hand.
In the icy cold of the night, Ethan's hands were covered in her warm blood.
Serena's eyes were wide open. She slowly raised a hand, as if trying to wrap the scarf around his neck. She opened her mouth, but could only manage one word.
"Hel…p…"
Blood gushed from her mouth, drowning out anything else she might have said.
"Help! Somebody help! HELP!"
Ethan screamed, his voice raw with panic. Even he, usually so composed, was utterly terrified and at a complete loss.
In the sky above, fireworks began to bloom, as some people started celebrating the arrival of the New Year early.