◎It Won’t Be Anyone Else◎
【New Year Extra】
Recently, Fang Zeqing had been swamped with business trips, his personal time completely overrun by work. He had called Li Xia several times, making a pact to save Stranger Things 5 for New Year’s Eve. They would binge it together through the night, catching the explosive finale right at the stroke of the new year.
Once they had hot mulled wine and snacks at the ready, the two nestled into the sofa. As the familiar opening credits flashed on screen, Fang Zeqing suddenly said, “A long time ago, I used to wonder if the show I loved would wrap up before I met the person I loved.”
Li Xia clutched a plate of freshly washed strawberries, munching on one while patting his shoulder. “That just means you still had hopes for romance back then, Little Fang.”
Fang Zeqing smiled. “I was still in school at the time—freshman or sophomore year, probably. The first season had only just aired. Waiting for the next ones felt endless, with no telling how long it would take. When you’re young, you crave something solid amid all that uncertainty—someone to wait with, turning the unknown into something real. It seemed so romantic.”
Li Xia nodded as if she got it, then asked, “But how do you know that person will be your rock?”
The world offered endless paths for a young life to explore, and finding a life partner was no different.
She let out a sigh. “There might be someone like that out there, but it wouldn’t be me.”
Fang Zeqing fell quiet.
He simply watched her smile in silence.
Li Xia met his gaze. Her chewing slowed to a stop, and just as realization dawned and she opened her mouth to speak, his voice cut in:
“It won’t be anyone else.”
His tone was the same as always, but the words rang with unwavering certainty.
Li Xia scooted closer until her nose nearly brushed his cheek. Fang Zeqing turned his face toward her, and she nuzzled against it.
The final season was now playing on the screen. Once these eight episodes ended, that was it—no sequels, no more waiting.
“Pity I couldn’t keep the wait going with you,” Li Xia said, turning his words over in her mind. “It’s not exactly the slow-burn romance you pictured, with years stretching out. What do we do now?”
“Isn’t it?” Fang Zeqing asked.
“Is it?”
Helpless, he bumped his forehead gently against hers. Li Xia yelped in feigned pain and dodged away, dissolving into giggles.
She hadn’t gotten even an inch from his arm before Fang Zeqing tugged her right back.
Li Xia rested her head in his lap. He bent down to kiss her, his fingers gently smoothing her hair.
As thoughts of the finale crossed his mind, he murmured, “It’s all here now, complete. No more waiting required.”
Li Xia caught his meaning—
They stood at the perfect full stop. The years before they had found each other were over. This was their first New Year crossed together. From here on, every year ahead required no daydreams, no anticipation.
Just holding each other’s hand.
Just—
She reached up to cradle Fang Zeqing’s face and kissed him.
As expected, the kiss deepened, neither willing to let go.
By the time they parted, a quarter of the show had already played.
Fang Zeqing reached for the remote to rewind. Li Xia snatched it first. “Come on, I’ll fill you in on what you missed. I want to jump to the next episode.”
Fang Zeqing relented with a sigh, but moments later, something felt off.
Li Xia, who had been curled in his arms, suddenly scrambled upright and bolted a meter away.
“Don’t be mad! I really only peeked at two episodes—”
“Mmm—”
“Okay, truly just two!”
“Fine, I confess… hee hee.”