The bare branches of the trees by the road were shivering in the wind.

Throughout the entire winter, the wind had been bitterly cold.

Henry held Jasmine’s hand and blushed.

When he met the girl’s eyes, he awkwardly whispered, "I just like you. I... I don’t know why."

As he spoke, he looked at Jasmine’s face and said nervously, "You do believe me, don’t you?"

Jasmine shook her head and said with a smile, "I believe you."

Looking at their hands, Jasmine broadened her smile.

She only believed him for once!

In a school office of Sun City University.

The professor handed a large envelope to Jasmine.

"This is a postgraduate acceptance letter from aboard. The school knew your situation and have communicated with the other side. You don’t have to worry about the fees. We will help you solve it."

Looking at the envelope that the professor handed her, Jasmine panicked.

After the happiness, Jasmine calmed down and gradually clenched the envelope.

"What’s wrong? This is the first acceptance letter that we had received. Do you have any difficulty?"

The school was very familiar with Jasmine’s family background.

Jasmine studied hard and had excellent results. The school had helped her stay here.

They knew that for a student like Jasmine, even if the school paid the tuition fees for her, the living expenses would still be a heavy burden.

"Dr. Cooper, I don’t think I can go. Can I postpone this till the next year?"

Jasmine said after a moment of hesitation.

The professor sitting opposite had a troubled look on his face.

"I know about you, and I will try my best to communicate with the school. But this notice is only efficient for three months."

Not to mention a year, she would not be able to enter the university after three months.

Jasmine clenched her hands. She knew that the professor was not joking with her,

nor did he deliberately make things difficult for her. But she couldn’t leave her mother here alone. If she wasn’t here, what about her mother? She bit her lips and handed the envelope back. "If they do not agree, I will not go."

Her gaze lingered on the envelope. Although this was the university she had been dreaming to go, she could not leave her mother now.

"How can you give up so easily? You insisted to apply to this school. It wasn’t easy for you to be admitted. Do you know how many people are envious of you?"

Mr. Cooper said in regret.

Although he knew that Jasmine’s family is poor, he could not stand her giving up her education for financial problems.

The program would only take a year or two. Was that so difficult for her? Jasmine shook her head and said gently,

"I go to school not only for myself but also for my family. I can’t give up my family for my education. Sorry, I would rather become a more mediocre person. Thank you, Mr. Cooper and the whole college. Thank you for your help."

Jasmine bit her lips and ignored the professor’s further attempt to persuade her. She left with her back straight.

She admitted that she was a vulgar woman.

Giving up her dream for material goods, she knew she was ridiculous.

But life was just so ridiculous.

When one didn’t even have the right to live, what qualifications did one have to pursue dreams?

At the school gate.

Jasmine had just come out when she saw the figure waiting not far away.

Henry just stood there and attracted the attention of all the girls passing by.

However, Henry ignored them and looked at Jasmine. Then, he smiled like a child.

He ran towards her.

"You’re out. Do you want to go to the supermarket today?"

Jasmine blinked and nodded with a smile.

She voluntarily held his hand and said, "Come and pick me up tonight, okay?"

Her smile was more beautiful than the setting sun. At this moment, Henry could see nothing else except for her smile.

Henry was surprised at the fact that Jasmine smiled at him and hold his hand.

His brain seemed to have been kicked by something and lost its functions.

He smelled the faint fragrance from Jasmine and was mesmerized by her brilliant smile.

Everything was so beautiful that he felt like dreaming.

Subconsciously, Henry reached out and pinched his own face. Jasmine asked nervously,

"Why are you pinching yourself?"

Henry smiled. "I want to see if I am dreaming!"

He was afraid that he would soon wake up from this dream.

...

Jasmine was so angry that she even laughed at his silly look, "Even that you don’t have to pinch yourself. It’s red."

There was a red mark on his handsome face now. What if others laughed at him? Jasmine reached out and rubbed his face. "Fool!" she whispered.

"I’ll accompany you to the supermarket."

It was time for Jasmine to work.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Day, so the supermarket was very busy today.

Many people were shopping for things they needed for New Year’s Day.

Customers were coming and going. But in the corner, there was a figure sticking his sight on the cashier.

"Hey, your boyfriend!"

The colleague nudged Jasmine’s arm and raised her eyebrows.

Jasmine finished a bill and looked up. She and Henry looked at each other and smiled.

Jasmine blushed and quickly looked away to get back to her work.

She replied to her colleague in a small voice, "Yes!"

"Good taste. He is handsome and stylish. He must be rich."

The colleague wondered why Jasmine still worked here after finding a rich boyfriend.

If she asked her boyfriend for some pocket money, it would be more than their salary.

But some women just liked to play Cinderella and acted as if they were innocent and upright.

That kind of woman found satisfaction in playing independent females because it made them feel special.

And those rich young men also liked it.

Jasmine’s face darkened and her smile faded. She only said, "I’m back to work."

"Oh my god, what are you afraid of? I don’t want to snatch your boyfriend. My boyfriend is also very rich."

As she spoke, she touched her diamond necklace and said proudly.

"Do you see that? It’s three carats. He gave it to me last week as my birthday

present. Tomorrow is New Year’s Day and he will also buy a gift. Don’t forget to ask for a gift from your boyfriend. He’s so rich. You should let him buy something expensive."

When Jasmine heard this, her brows furrowed even more tightly.

She clenched her hands tightly.

She pursed her lips into a straight line and lowered her head to get herself busy with the work.

She could no longer hear what her colleague was saying.

Was she the same as those girls, hoping to receive valuable gifts and special surprises?

She admitted that she liked that kind of romance, but it was not an excuse to be greedy and vain.

Jasmine lowered her head. For the entire night, she had not looked up at Henry again.

When everything was finished, the colleague rubbed her arms and said tiredly,

"I’m exhausted. Once my boyfriend proposes, I won’t work anymore. The boss just called and said we can go home early."

Tomorrow was the New Year’s Day.

Jasmine glanced at the time. It was already half-past eleven at night.

If she went back now, she could cross the new year with Jenny.

After packing up her things, she looked up and found that Henry had already fallen asleep on the bench beside the window.

"I saw several girls asking him for his social media account. Your boyfriend is very popular."

The colleague winked and smiled.

Jasmine pursed her lips and did not speak.

Although she did not like to hear these words, she had to admit that what she said was true.

Even if she did not see it, she knew that Henry is very popular among women.

He had a superior family background and a handsome appearance. He could easily find other beautiful girls smarter than her, tenderer than her, and wealthier than her.

He probably chased her on a whim.

Jasmine stepped forward.

She patted Henry on the shoulder, "We can go now."

Henry moved and raised his head and smiled at her, "Are you off work?"

Looking at his blurry eyes, Jasmine nodded, "The boss said that we can go back earlier today. I am free tomorrow."

Tomorrow was New Year’s Day. Both the school and the supermarket were on holiday. She just needed to work in the bar for a while.

Henry immediately stood up from his chair and said happily, "Then I’ll send you home."

Jasmine nodded and followed him out.

The wind was chilly. They walked to where Jasmine lived.

They stood there for a while.

"I’m here!"

Henry responded, "You can go in first!"

"I have time tomorrow. We can go out together during the day."

Jasmine hesitated and whispered.

Henry immediately smiled and said, "Okay, then I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning."

Jasmine raised her head and looked at him. She saw Henry’s eyes were sparkling with a smile.

Jasmine pursed, tiptoed, and quickly kissed his lips.

...

Her kiss was so gentle that it did not linger on his lips.

It was just a short moment of touch, but Henry stiffened. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Jasmine wanted to retreat.

But with a drag on her wrist, she fell into a strong embrace.

After a dizzy rotation, Jasmine was pressed against the wall.

Under the dim street light, she saw Henry pressing down.

She saw his expression clearly.

Jasmine resisted with her hands in panic and whispered, "I just realized that I don’t have any present for you on New Year’s Day..."

She stammered a little, knowing that she was a little bold just now.

She didn’t know what was going on in her mind. For no reason, she just wanted to kiss him before she left.

Now that she was caught by him, she was a little flustered.

She felt a sense of shame for being caught in the act.

She was worried that Henry might think of her as a very casual woman.

"Can I give you a present too?"

Henry suddenly spoke.

Jasmine was stunned, "What?"

Before she finished speaking, Henry suddenly pressed down.

In this narrow, dark, and cold alley, Jasmine grasped Henry’s clothes. She felt his soft lips press on hers.

The air seemed to be filled with his scent.

Henry’s kiss was a little clumsy and made her feel pain several times.

She wanted to dodge but was pressed tightly by his hands on her weight. He almost wanted to knead her body into his.

The kiss became hotter and hotter on this cold night as they were getting closer.

In the depths of the alley, one could hear their faint whispers and rustles of clothes from time to time.

The sound was faint. But in this quiet alley, it sent one’s pulse racing.

Jasmine was pressed against the wall. Neither of them had any skills.

Just with their instinctive passion, they kept on kissing.

The bell rang.

Midnight was coming.

New Year’s Day arrived.

The sound of a countdown in the city square rang out. When the clock struck twelve, countless fireworks exploded in the sky.

The night sky was illuminated by the colorful fireworks.

At this moment, many excited men and women passionately hugged and kissed each other.

Just like Jasmine and Henry in the depths of the alley.

Jasmine felt like she’s suffocating.

She didn’t even know how long the fireworks had gone off above.

She only knew that the moment they stopped, she tightly grabbed Henry’s clothes and reclined on his chest, being short of breath.

"You should go back."

Jasmine bit her lips and said in a low voice.

Although it sounded a little ruthless.

She was too embarrassed now to look up at him.

The excitement and happiness were still surging in her veins.

She clearly knew that they shouldn’t be like this, but she didn’t push her away just now.

She chose to follow her heart.

Even the bleak winter night seemed to be warmer now.

This winter was not that cold for Jasmine.

And the night was not that dark.

The time of parting was still far away.

Henry tightened his embrace and said in a smothered voice, "Now... can I say that you are my girlfriend?" Jasmine smiled and nodded with a red face, "Yes!"

Henry was encouraged and happy as a child being rewarded with a sweet. He hugged her excitedly and said, "You are my girlfriend. Jasmine is my girlfriend."

His cheers came out of the alley. Jasmine hurriedly covered his lips and said, "You’ve disturbed others."

Henry smiled, "Then I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow."

Jasmine nodded. She tiptoed and gently kissed him again, "Good night, see you tomorrow!"

And she called him in her heart, "My boyfriend."