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Chapter 204: Fireworks
Chapter 204: Fireworks
Chapter 204: Fireworks
The Cultural Square is the most important place for entertainment for residents of Baimei County.
Every time there is a festival or celebration, all sorts of barbecue stalls, snack stalls, toy stalls, and general merchandise are set up here, to the point that many high school students with nothing to do will also set up stalls here to earn some pocket money.
As for New Year, it is even more lively here. Not only are there many more festive stalls that are rarely seen at other times, but there are also many people who gather here to set off fireworks. Mei Fang and the others came here for this reason.
“Phew… There are so many people here… I can’t even find a place to park,” Mei Yue muttered as she drove through the crowds of people. Xia Yuan peered out the window, mesmerized by the night scenery, with fireworks occasionally bursting in the distance, displaying brilliant colors.
“What are you looking at so intently?” Mei Fang leaned over Xia Yuan, ruffling her hair. “We come here every year. It’s always the same.”
“It’s not always the same… Remember those dice games we used to play when we were kids? They’re gone now,” Xia Yuan retorted. “Remember how we played once and won a lot of money?”
“That year… I think it was the first time we set off sky lantern,” Mei Fang reminisced, turning to Lin Youxi. “Youxi, you must remember it too, right?”
Lin Youxi smiled and nodded, “I lost Yuan Yuan’s hairpin and cried while looking for it.”
“What?! Sister Youxi can cry?!” Hearing this for the first time, Mei Ya exclaimed. “I can’t imagine that!”
“There are lots of things you can’t imagine. When Youxi was little——”“Yuan Yuan, if you continue, we’ll end up exposing each other’s dark histories. You don’t want to lose face in front of Mei Ya, do you?” Lin Youxi interjected. Reaching past Mei Fang, Lin Youxi touched the back of Xia Yuan’s neck, causing her to shudder and tremble from the cold.
Xia Yuan quickly waved her hands, “Alright, alright… Let’s drop it. It’s all ancient history anyway.”
“Oh, come on! Don’t leave me hanging! Tell me, I really want to know! I used to have many good friends among the boys, but I had to transfer to Baizhou to study, and I don’t really like the students there… So, I’m super jealous that my brother has childhood sweethearts like you.”
Mei Fang’s face immediately darkened upon hearing Mei Ya’s complaints.
“You don’t need childhood sweetheart. Having your brother is enough. Don’t get too close to other boys…”
“Wow, Brother, you’ve got some nerve to say that! Shameless! So you’re allowed to have childhood sweethearts but not me?”
“Hahaha… Mei Ya, don’t be upset. We’ve watched you grow up since you were a baby, so in a sense, we’re also your childhood sweethearts,” Lin Youxi patted Mei Ya’s head. “I still remember the first time I held you. I was with Yuan Yuan.”
“See? We’ve grown up together too.”
“But the first one to hold you was me, your sister Yue Yue!” Mei Yue spoke while driving in reverse. “After all, our Xiaoya was born in Echeng!”
Of course, Mei Ya wasn’t really angry with her brother. She knew she had grown up surrounded by love, which is why she was so cheerful and lively. After a few comforting words from her big sisters, Mei Ya quickly became lively again.
“Alright… finally parked.”
“Let’s go!”
“Hey, don’t forget to bring the fireworks!”
To avoid carrying too many things, everyone started setting off fireworks together on the open space at the edge of the Cultural Square.
Mei Ya always had an adventurous spirit. While other kids, even older ones, needed their dads or brothers to help light the fireworks, Mei Ya would grab the lighter and do it herself. She would stand far from the fireworks, then lean sideways to light the fuse. After several attempts, when the fuse finally sparked, she would laugh and scramble into Xia Yuan’s or Lin Youxi’s arms.
Zi zi zi——
The small cone-shaped fireworks first shot out a bunch of sparks, then launch a high beam of light, resembling a shower of silver and gold. Then, the fireworks burst into small, crackling explosions, making everyone scatter, except Mei Fang and Lin Youxi, who were busy taking photos and videos.
Sparklers were easy and fun for everyone to light and enjoy. Everyone danced with sparklers, except for Mei Fang——
Because Xia Yuan’s new cloak was in the way of her fun, and she worried it might get burned, so she asked Mei Fang to hold it. She and Lin Youxi lit two sparklers for each other. Xia Yuan twirled her sparklers like she was dancing, while Lin Youxi preferred to hold hers still, watching the sparks burn out.
Among the four girls, only Lin Youxi wasn’t noisy. Mei Ya and Mei Yue, both from the Mei family, were just as lively as Xia Yuan with their sparklers.
They lit one sparkler after another, quickly using them up.
Then they tried out all sorts of unusual fireworks until only the skyrockets were left. Xia Yuan suggested going to the riverside near the Cultural Square to set them off. They carried the skyrockets to the riverside, where they saw many people setting off sky lanterns on the other side. Seeing this scene, Xia Yuan, Lin Youxi, and Mei Fang exchanged smiles and continued along the bridge.
“This spot shouldn’t interfere with anyone setting off sky lanterns…”
Mei Fang was unpacking the skyrockets when Mei Yue, standing a bit further away, looked into the distance. “Do you hear that? It sounds like someone is playing guitar.”
“Where? Where?”
Xia Yuan walked closer, following Mei Yue’s direction, and listened carefully.
“I know who it is! Ah Fang, Youxi, come with me!”
Xia Yuan pulled Lin Youxi and Mei Fang along the bridge. There, they saw a short-haired girl with a red headband, playing a bass guitar and performing a folk-style song. Without a doubt, this was Peng Xue.
Although Peng Xue’s face looked young, her voice had a slightly husky quality to it, giving off a cool and alluring feeling. The majority of the people gathered around her to listen were girls.
In front of her was a large round box already filled with quite a few coins.
During her performance, people stepped forward to show their support with donations. No matter the amount, Peng Xue would always nod in gratitude.
Her appreciation turned to surprise when someone placed three red bills into the box.
Peng Xue looked up, astonished, and saw that it was Xia Yuan, Lin Youxi, and Mei Fang. Delighted, she greeted them warmly after finishing her song.
“Hello, hello! Discovering this street performer on your New Year’s Eve date! You guys are incredibly lucky!”
Peng Xue said this to Xia Yuan, who took her hand and smiled, “What brings you here performing on the street? Why didn’t you call me?”
“Why would I call you? You’re probably off being lovey-dovey with your Ah Fang. Haha! I didn’t want to be the third wheel.”
“Aiya, what are you saying, Xiao Xue? You’re so naughty.”
Xia Yuan pinched Peng Xue’s cheek. “Actually, I really want to try singing on the street too. Next time you come to Jiangcheng, I feel like we could try it together.”
“Sure, sure! When the time comes, let your Sister Xue take you under her wing!”
Peng Xue patted Xia Yuan’s shoulder, then fist-bumped Mei Fang and Lin Youxi with a smile, “Happy New Year, Youxi-chan, Boss Mei!”
“Happy New Year.”
Mei Fang, obligingly, fist-bumped Peng Xue, “How late will you be here? We drove here with a car and can give you a ride back.”
“Wow, Boss Mei, you’re so considerate! Makes me feel a bit shy——”
Peng Xue teased Mei Fang with a playful tone, then patted his shoulder, “Just kidding. My home is right next to the Cultural Square, I’ll just walk back. I’ll be busking around here after New Year, so come support me when you can. Otherwise, I won’t be able to pay you back, Boss Mei.”
“There’s no rush to repay that money…” Mei Fang smiled slightly. “Just don’t overwork yourself.”
“I know, I know. Now go have fun!”
Mei Fang’s group said their goodbyes to Peng Xue and returned to where Mei Ya and Mei Yue were. By then, the two Mei sisters were already setting off skyrockets.
“You’re so mean, not waiting for us!”
“It’s because you guys took forever!”
“Alright, I’m joining in!”
Xia Yuan and Mei Fang each grabbed a skyrocket to play it with, but Lin Youxi didn’t join in like she usually did.
“Youxi, aren’t you going to join?”
“There are just four left. It’s perfect for the four of you to each have one.” Lin Youxi smiled. “I’ll just take pictures for you.”
On the east side of the night sky were the fireworks from the skyrockets and large firecrackers, while on the west side, sky lanterns floated gently. Near and far, the continuous crackle of firecrackers could be heard.
On this New Year’s Eve, as it comes once a year, people peacefully passed the night amidst the bustling noise, jubilation, and the happiness of being accompanied by their loved ones.