Chapter 205

Chapter 205 Fireworks

The Cultural Square in Baimei County was the most important entertainment destination for the residents.

Every festival and celebration would see various barbecue stalls, snack stalls, toy stalls, and sundry stalls gather here. Many high school students would also set up their own stalls to earn some pocket money during their free time.

During the New Year, it became even more lively, with many festive stalls that were rarely seen throughout the year, and many people gathered here to light fireworks. This was exactly why Mei Fang and his group had come.

“Phew… There are so many people here… It’s hard to find a place to park.”

Mei Yue drove slowly through the crowd, while Xia Yuan beside her fiddled with the window, looking at the night scenery outside. Occasionally, fireworks would burst in the distance, illuminating the sky with brilliant lights.

“What are you looking at? So engrossed.”

Mei Fang pressed against Xia Yuan, stroking her little head, “We’ve been coming here every year, and it’s always like this.”

“Where has it always been like this… Those dice games we used to play when we were kids are gone now.”

Xia Yuan turned around and mumbled, “Do you remember? We played for a bit, and then won a lot of money.”

“That year… I remember it was the first time we released Kongming lanterns.”

Mei Fang looked back at Lin You Xi, “You must remember, right?”

Lin You Xi smiled and nodded, “I lost Yuanyuan’s hairpin, and I cried, searching for it for a long time.”

“What! Sister You Xi can cry too!”

Mei Ya, munching on melon seeds from the car seat, said, “I can’t imagine it.”

“There are many things you can’t imagine. When we were young—”

“Yuanyuan, if you keep going like this, we’ll end up revealing all our dark secrets. Do you want to lose face in front of Xiao Ya?”

Lin You Xi, pinching Xia Yuan’s nape through Mei Fang, made her shiver.

So Xia Yuan quickly waved her hand, “Forget it… It’s old news, no need to talk about it.”

“What! You’re teasing me! Tell Xiao Ya, she wants to hear it! Xiao Ya had many good male friends, but then transferred to Bai Zhou for school. I don’t really like the students there… So, I’m super envious of your childhood friend.”

After hearing Mei Ya’s grumbling, Mei Fang immediately frowned.

“Why do you need another childhood friend? You have a brother, enough already. Don’t get involved with other boys…”

“Ugh, how can you say that, shameless! You only allow yourself to have a childhood friend, not me?”

“Hahaha… Xiao Ya, don’t be upset. We’ve watched you grow up from a baby, so in a sense, we are childhood friends too, aren’t we?”

Lin You Xi patted Xiao Ya’s head, “I still remember the first time I held you. I did it with Yuanyuan together.”

“Yes, yes! We grew up together since childhood.”

“But, the first person to hold Xiao Ya was me!”

Mei Yue said as she reversed the car, “After all, Xiao Ya was born in E Cheng!”

Of course, Mei Ya wasn’t truly angry with Mei Fang. She knew she had grown up surrounded by love, which made her personality lively and cheerful. After being comforted by her sisters, Mei Ya quickly regained her energy.

“Alright… Finally stopped.”

“Charge!”

“Hey, don’t forget to bring the fireworks!”

To avoid carrying too much, they started setting off fireworks on the empty ground at the corner of the Cultural Square.

Mei Ya was always adventurous. While other children, even adults, needed help from their fathers or brothers to light the fireworks, Mei Ya would always grab a lighter and go herself. She stood far away from the fireworks, then tilted her body to light the fuse. After several failed attempts, when she finally saw sparks from the fuse, she immediately rolled over and laughed, diving into Xia Yuan’s or You Xi’s arms.

Zizzz…

These cone-shaped small fireworks always first spewed out a bunch of sparks, then shot out high beams of light, creating a feeling of fire trees and silver flowers. Then, the fireworks gradually exploded into smaller bursts, making loud popping sounds. Everyone scattered to avoid them, except for Mei Fang and Lin You Xi, who continued taking photos.

Candle fireworks were easy to light and fun. Everyone waved them around, dancing. Only Mei Fang stood still—

Because Xia Yuan’s new cloak hindered her movements, and she was worried about burning it, so she asked Mei Fang to hold it for her. She and You Xi each lit two candle fireworks. Xia Yuan spun the candle fireworks around like she was dancing, while Lin You Xi liked to hold the candle and watch the flames burn out.

Among the four girls, only Lin You Xi was calm. Mei Ya and Mei Yue, the two Mei family members, were just as rowdy as Xia Yuan.

They lit one after another, using the burning one to light the next, and soon finished all the candle fireworks.

Everyone tried different strange fireworks, leaving only skyrockets unplayed. Xia Yuan suggested going to the riverside of the Cultural Square. They carried the skyrockets to the riverside, where they saw many people releasing Kongming lanterns on the opposite bank. Xia Yuan, Lin You Xi, and Mei Fang exchanged smiles and continued walking along the bridge.

“This area shouldn’t affect others from releasing lanterns…”

Mei Fang was dismantling the skyrockets when Mei Yue, standing slightly farther away, looked toward the distance, “Did you hear that? Someone is playing guitar ahead.”

“Where where!”

Xia Yuan followed Mei Yue’s direction and listened carefully.

“I know who it is! Afang, You Xi, let’s go!”

Xia Yuan pulled Lin You Xi and Mei Fang forward, and soon they saw a short-haired girl with a red ribbon tied around her head, playing a bass guitar, performing a folk-like song. It was Peng Xue.

Although Peng Xue looked young, her voice had a smoky quality, very charming. Most of the listeners around her were girls.

In front of her was a large circular box filled with coins.

During the performance, everyone came forward to support her.

Regardless of the amount, Peng Xue nodded gratefully.

Her gratitude lasted until someone put three red bills into the box.

Peng Xue looked up in surprise, realizing it was Xia Yuan, Lin You Xi, and Mei Fang. She was overjoyed and greeted them warmly after finishing her song.

“Hello hello! Finding me, a street performer, on New Year’s Eve, you guys are so lucky!”

Peng Xue naturally addressed Xia Yuan, who also smiled and pulled her hand, “Why did you come to perform on the streets without calling me?”

“What would I do? You’d definitely be with your Fang, all lovey-dovey. Haha! I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“Oh, what are you saying, Xue, you’re so naughty.”

Xia Yuan pinched Peng Xue’s cheek, “Actually, I really want to try street singing too. Next time you come to Jiang City, we should give it a try together.”

“Great great, then let Sister Xue take you flying!”

Peng Xue patted Xia Yuan’s shoulder, then stretched out her fist and smiled at Mei Fang and Lin You Xi, “You Xi, Boss Mei, Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year.”

Mei Fang gave Peng Xue a fist bump, “How long will you stay here? We came by car, so we can drive you back.”

“Woah, Boss Mei is so thoughtful, making me feel a bit embarrassed—”

Peng Xue flirtatiously teased Mei Fang, then patted his shoulder, “Haha, just joking. My home is near the Cultural Square, I can just walk back. I’ll be performing around here after the New Year. Boss Mei, please come and support me more often, or I won’t be able to pay off my debt to you.”

“That money isn’t urgent…”

Mei Fang smiled, “Just don’t work too hard.”

“Okay okay, go have fun!”

Mei Fang and his group bid farewell to Peng Xue and returned to where Mei Ya and Mei Yue were, who had already started playing with skyrockets.

“You guys didn’t wait for us!”

“It’s because Yuanyuan and the others were too slow!”

“I’ll play, I’ll play!”

Xia Yuan and Mei Fang each took a sky rocket to play, while Lin You Xi did not join in as before.

“You Xi, aren’t you going to play?”

“There are only four left. Four of you can each have one more turn.”

Lin You Xi smiled, “I’ll just take pictures for you.”

The eastern sky was lit up by skyrockets and large fireworks, while the western sky was filled with floating Kongming lanterns. From time to time, firecrackers would explode continuously in the distance.

On New Year’s Eve, people spent a happy and peaceful night amid the bustling festivities and the company of their loved ones.

Happy New Year.

There’s one more chapter to come later, before January 30th.

End of Chapter