As January was coming to an end, high schools in City A gradually began their winter break. Jiang Rong had moved back home – she disliked the smell of disinfectant in hospitals and the all-white rooms even more. She could only feel overwhelming depression there.
January 26th. “Students, have a happy winter break.” “Happy holidays, Teacher Fang!”
After the laughter and excitement died down and test papers were distributed, everyone started packing up to go home. Tomorrow would be New Year’s Eve. Being in their final year, this winter break was particularly short – only ten days.
Xu Si finished packing and carefully took the photo from his desk, tucking it into the small pocket inside his down jacket.
“Si-ge, let’s celebrate New Year’s Eve together,” Yang Shikun suggested.
“Won’t you be with your families?”
Yang Shikun grinned: “Let’s go wild one last time before the college entrance exam.”
“Alright,” Xu Si agreed. He sent Jiang Rong a message.
[Xu Si]: Break starts, ten days. [Little Teacher]: Okay.
Their next messages came almost simultaneously.
[Xu Si]: Want to celebrate New Year’s Eve together, little teacher? [Little Teacher]: Let’s celebrate New Year’s together this year.
Xu Si couldn’t help smiling at the screen.
Yang Shikun, following behind Xu Si, noticed his smiling eyes: “Si-ge, Si-ge, is Jiang academic star joining us for New Year’s?”
“Yes, together.”
On January 27th, after hurriedly finishing her New Year’s Eve dinner, Jiang Rong told her parents: “I’m going out, celebrating New Year’s with classmates tonight.”
Tian Ling glanced at her: “Be careful.”
“I will,” Jiang Rong obediently replied.
Jiang Zhien asked: “Do you have enough money? I can transfer you another 2000 yuan to spend with your classmates.”
“I have enough, no need.”
Jiang Rong put on her gloves and shoes, ready to leave. Aunt Liu took a scarf from the rack and called after her: “Wear this scarf, Qiao Qiao, it’s windy outside.”
“Okay.” Jiang Rong took the scarf from Aunt Liu, then went back to get another one.
Aunt Liu tried to stuff money from her pocket into Jiang Rong’s pocket, but Jiang Rong quietly said: “I really have money, no need.”
“It’s very cold outside, don’t get frozen.”
“I won’t.”
“Are you coming back tonight? Should I pick you up?”
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Rong replied: “No need, I’ll come back by myself. You should rest early.”
“Okay.”
Three people were already waiting downstairs. Xu Si wore a black down jacket and held the cat in his arms. Looking at the scarf in Jiang Rong’s hand, he asked: “Is that for me, little teacher?”
Jiang Rong looked at the scarf around his neck: “Yes.”
Xu Si took the scarf from her hand: “I don’t mind wearing another one.”
He wrapped it around his neck. Yuan Yuan meowed several times, trying to draw attention to itself. Jiang Rong noticed its clothes – the ones she bought for it last year. It looked festive and cute wearing them.
Jiang Rong patted its head: “So cute.”
Yuan Yuan nuzzled her palm, wanting to go into her arms.
Xu Si held down the restless cat: “Don’t move around.”
Jiang Rong smiled: “Let me hold it.”
And so Yuan Yuan got its wish, ending up in Jiang Rong’s arms.
Luo Xing couldn’t come because of a family gathering, and Jiang Zhixu wouldn’t arrive for a few more hours, so the four of them planned to watch a movie first. They had booked the tickets in advance – the show would end just after 10 PM.
It was a comedy. Jiang Rong lost count of how many times she laughed. Xu Si tilted his head, watching her smiling eyes, his heart softening.
Jiang Rong noticed his gaze and smiled at him: “Happy New Year’s Eve, Xu Si!”
“Happy New Year’s Eve, little teacher.”
The theater was lively with constant laughter. In their eyes, they only saw each other.
When the movie ended, Jiang Zhixu arrived. She wore a black coat, with long curly hair and striking features. Her fox-like eyes were particularly alluring with slightly upturned corners, red lips contrasting with fair skin.
As soon as she saw Jiang Rong, she gave her a big bear hug. Jiang Rong laughed in her embrace: “Ah Xu, you finally came.”
“It was too busy there, I pushed back all my later appointments.”
She greeted the other three. Xu Si politely nodded to her.
Yang Shikun, naturally friendly, greeted her: “Hello, beautiful.”
Jiang Zhixu smiled: “Your friend is still as sweet-tongued as ever.”
She then asked: “Where to next?”
Yang Shikun shouted: “Fireworks! How can we not have fireworks on New Year’s?”
At the abandoned building, Jiang Zhixu watched Jiang Rong’s eyes curve with happiness and smiled along. She noticed Xu Si beside them, his gaze constantly on Jiang Rong, incredibly gentle.
Five sparklers were lit together. They sparkled with golden light, like countless tiny stars. After the brief brilliance, only bare sticks remained.
Xu Si bent his sparkler into a heart shape and gave it to Jiang Rong.
Jiang Rong looked at him: “Thank you.”
Xu Si lit it from several places. Jiang Rong watched the heart-shaped sparkler burn out completely.
Yang Shikun called out to everyone: “I’ll show you something fun!”
Hao Ming looked at what he was holding: “What did you buy?”
“This is something you wouldn’t understand – a Gatling firework.”
Yang Shikun lit the large device in his hand. After waiting a while with no response, he was about to check what was wrong when suddenly there was a bang and a white light appeared, followed by countless more. Fireworks exploded in the sky, absolutely brilliant.
Yang Shikun asked everyone: “It’s considered a small firework, but beautiful, right?”
“Beautiful,” Hao Ming agreed supportively.
Jiang Rong also said: “Beautiful.”
It lasted quite a while before ending.
Jiang Zhixu pulled out a long, stick-like object from her bag: “What kind of firecracker is this?”
Yang Shikun said: “It’s just piu-beng!”
Jiang Zhixu couldn’t help laughing: “Is that really its name?”
Yang Shikun scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed: “I don’t know, even though I play with them every year, I really don’t know the name.”
Seeing Jiang Zhixu about to light it while holding it, Yang Shikun stopped her: “No, no, no!”
“What’s wrong?”
“It might hurt your hand. Stick it in the ground, play with it in the ground.”
“Okay, I’ll try.”
Jiang Zhixu stuck the stick into the soil, then lit the fuse and ran far away. The sound was exactly as Yang Shikun had described.
“Let me try holding one,” she said, taking another and lighting it in her hand before throwing it on the ground.
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