Chapter 359. Fireworks
As night deepened, a comedic skit from the Spring Festival Gala played on the television. Hei Dou sat on the floor, giggling at the performance.
In the distance, the faint sound of fireworks could be heard, but when peeking out the window, all that greeted the eye was a quiet night.
Mom was happily tipsy, her cheeks flushed a rosy hue as she propped her chin on one hand, tilting her head, her eyes losing focus, giving off a somewhat silly vibe.
“Back then… back then, what were you thinking? Just chatting online a bit… You really dared to come find me.”
She mumbled incoherently, turning her head to look at Uncle, who was sitting nearby.
Uncle, clearly holding his liquor much better, had only a slight flush on his cheeks. He awkwardly glanced at the eager young ones at the table and cleared his throat, “Xiao Juan, let’s talk about this later…”
But Mom kept staring at him, determined not to let up until she got an answer.
With a helpless sigh, Uncle leaned back in his chair and took a drag from his cigarette, “At that time, I didn’t think too much; we lived close and just wanted to be friends.”
Ning Chu and Ning Yuan both turned to Mom in unison, eagerly waiting for some juicy gossip from their tipsy mother.
Wen Yang, stuffing his face with hotpot, was much quieter but had his ears perked up for gossip.
“Finish this drink and don’t drink anymore in front of the kids…”
“Oh~” Mom slumped onto the table, dozing off.
Ning Chu couldn’t resist her curiosity and asked, “Mom, when did you two meet?”
“Probably when you were in sixth grade.”
At that time, she was about twelve years old, six or seven years ago.
“How did you meet?”
“Just shook a phone and chatted a bit.”
Mom, in her drunken stupor, answered Ning Chu’s questions instinctively.
“Oh~ That’s amazing~”
So, seven years ago, Mom was already engaging in a long-distance online romance and actually found a reliable boyfriend! They had what could only be described as a long-distance relationship!
And she had hidden it so well!
Though technically Mom wasn’t divorced yet—strictly speaking, it could be seen as cheating—her heartless father had been missing for nearly twenty years, and who knew whether he was dead or alive? Mom was, in a way, like a widow now; finding another partner was completely normal. As children, Ning Chu could understand that.
Besides, everyone has physiological needs, and Mom is a Succubus… Who knows how many kids that missing father had outside.
She was bubbling with excitement, ready to ask more questions when suddenly, she saw Mom had already passed out on the table.
“She’s asleep…” she sighed, feeling a bit disappointed.
Uncle stood up and helped Mom, “I’ll take her inside; you all should sleep early.”
“Okay.” Ning Chu looked at Mom and muttered, “I’ve never seen her drink like this before…”
She knew Mom drank a bit during holidays, but it was usually just to a pleasantly tipsy level.
“Maybe she’s just really happy today?” Uncle replied, assisting Mom to her bedroom. Passing by Hei Dou, he reminded her, “Watch the Spring Festival Gala, and sleep early. Don’t make your mom angry.”
“Got it!” Hei Dou perked up her cat ears, eyes glued to the TV.
The two figures disappeared into the master bedroom, closing the door behind them, and all fell silent.
Ning Chu immediately jumped to her feet, “Wen Yang! Stop eating! Let’s go!”
Seizing the opportunity while Mom was passed out, she dashed to the front door, quickly putting on her scarf and gloves and slipping on her shoes.
Seeing Wen Yang wipe his mouth and stand up to leave, Ning Yuan hurriedly asked, “Wait, where are you two going?”
“To see the fireworks.”
“Fireworks…” Ning Yuan murmured enviously.
“Brother! Don’t tell Mom!” Ning Chu popped her head out from the shoe cabinet, “We’ll be back right after the fireworks!”
“Okay, okay.”
“Oh, the car keys…”
…
Riding the electric bike, Wen Yang carried Ning Chu as they sped down the almost deserted streets.
Ning Chu tightly hugged his waist, her face pressed against his back, her small frame hidden behind him, escaping the biting cold wind.
“We’re almost there, almost there!”
Wen Yang looked up at the distant sky, where fireworks started to burst in the dark night, their vibrant colors lighting up the darkness.
“It’s already started!” Ning Chu said anxiously, “At this rate, we won’t get a good spot in the park!”
“Then let’s find another place.”
“Huh? Why are you driving back?”
The electric bike stopped by the riverside.
It was still quite a distance from the park, but there were no tall buildings obstructing the view, allowing them to see the brilliant fireworks clearly.
Ning Chu hurriedly hopped off, ran to the edge of the river, leaned over the stone railing, and gazed up at the sky.
“Why the rush?”
Wen Yang leisurely followed, standing beside her, glancing at the dazzling display but lingering his gaze on her excited, flushed face.
Her rosy cheeks lit up occasionally by the explosions of fireworks, and in her sparkling eyes, it almost seemed like the fireworks were reflecting.
“Is this spot okay?”
“Yeah, not too far, and we can see clearly.”
The rippling water was also reflecting the shattered fireworks, and Ning Chu relaxed, bending to lay flat against the stone railing, enjoying the New Year’s Eve night.
Before long, however, her gaze shifted to the side, “Why do you keep staring at me? Look at the fireworks.”
“You’re more beautiful than the fireworks.”
Hearing Wen Yang’s rare sweet words made Ning Chu pause for a moment before her face quickly flushed with heat. She flusteredly turned her gaze back to the sky, muttering softly, “Pervert…”
The booming sounds of the fireworks mixed with the dazzling bursts and falling meteors in her sight, but her thoughts were completely captivated by the person beside her, subtly sliding closer to Wen Yang.
With a gentle arm around her waist, she leaned against his sturdy chest, tilting her head like a cat to gaze at the bright horizon.
The air began to fill with the smell of gunpowder. Wen Yang lowered his head, inhaling the scent of Ning Chu.
He closed his eyes, his arm around her waist tightening unconsciously, drawing her closer against him.
Through their clothes, it felt like he could sense her breath, heartbeat, and pulse.
“Happy New Year,” Wen Yang whispered.
“Mm! Happy New Year!”
Ning Chu looked up, meeting his deep and handsome face, tiptoeing to just barely reach his chin.
“Ah! Your stubble is so rough!”
Wen Yang instinctively lowered his head but found the girl in his arms had turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck.
A gentle breeze brushed against them, and her soft, light lips found their way to his.
Never before had Ning Chu taken the initiative like this; he was momentarily stunned but quickly succumbed to the sweet kiss.
After what felt like an eternity, with her toes starting to tingle, Ning Chu finally released Wen Yang’s neck.
“What do you want for the New Year?”
Wen Yang looked down at the girl in his arms, her face tilted back, filled with tenderness.
“Next year, at this time! Come watch another fireworks display with me~”
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