When the young man spoke, his eyes seemed to be smiling. Jiang Qian unexpectedly found herself caught in those dark eyes, and she said softly, “You’re still better.”
Yang Shikun said with a grin, “Brother Si and Scholar Jiang are both naturally talented players.”
Hao Ming: “No, you’re just bad at it.”
Yang Shikun: “…”
Just as the two were about to start bickering, Jiang Qian asked her question: “What do you mean by ranked and casual matches?”
Yang Shikun explained to her: “Ranked is when we play to increase our rank, casual is just for fun. It’s 5 versus 5, divided into three lanes. Mid laner goes middle, jungler roams between their own jungle and the enemy jungle to help teammates in all lanes or secure kills. Support helps the marksman in the bottom lane. Top lane doesn’t need love, so they go solo, usually with a tank.”
Jiang Qian nodded: “I understand.”
Xu Si looked at her: “Want to try a game?”
“Okay.”
Ten minutes later.
Yang Shikun stared in disbelief at their Xiaoqiao’s (Jiang Qian’s) score of 9 kills and 1 death.
Xu Si’s score was even more impressive – 23 kills, 0 deaths.
The enemy team was so confused they were accusing them of cheating in all-chat.
Jiang Qian asked Xu Si: “What does ‘using tech’ mean?”
“It means using cheats.”
“Oh, why would they say that?”
Xu Si chuckled: “Because they think you’re too good.”
Jiang Qian’s face grew hot at his words.
…
“We won!” Yang Shikun exclaimed, excitedly hugging Hao Ming beside him.
They had been losing but managed to turn it around.
Jiang Qian had never experienced this feeling before. In all these years, she had never played games or felt the joy of winning one.
Yang Shikun looked at the ten-win streak on his phone: “We can’t play anymore. If we play again, we’ll definitely lose.”
He looked at the darkening sky outside and asked her: “Want to go set off fireworks?”
“Are we allowed to here?”
“Of course!” Yang Shikun said.
“They haven’t allowed it in our area for several years. I haven’t seen fireworks in a long time.”
Xu Si tugged at her sleeve: “Come on, I’ll take you to see fireworks.”
Jiang Qian looked at Xu Si in a daze, then broke into a smile: “Okay.”
…
There was an open space in front of an abandoned building.
Xu Si set down the fireworks and said to Jiang Qian: “Want to try?”
Jiang Qian hesitated.
Xu Si handed her the lighter and smiled: “Try it. I’ll count three-two-one, then you light it and run.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Qian crouched down to light it, but pulled her hand back as soon as it caught.
Xu Si smiled at her: “Try again.”
Jiang Qian had just lit it when she jumped up in fright. Xu Si grabbed her hand and ran to the side.
His hand was large. And warm.
Jiang Qian followed him to the side, looking at their clasped hands, her heart in chaos.
Xu Si had grabbed her hand in the rush. Her hand was soft and small.
Looking at their joined hands, he suddenly didn’t want to let go.
When he did release her hand, he felt like something was missing from his palm.
Yang Shikun looked at the quiet firework tube and walked closer: “What’s wrong? Did it not light?”
“Bang.”
A bright light shot into the sky.
Several more followed immediately after.
Yang Shikun fell back in surprise: “These fireworks are so inconsiderate, scared me half to death.”
Hao Ming pulled him up and they stepped back.
Colorful fireworks exploded in the sky. Absolutely stunning.
Jiang Qian watched the fireworks while Xu Si watched Jiang Qian.
Yang Shikun was taking pictures of the fireworks from behind, looking at the two standing together.
Jiang Qian wore a white down jacket with a light pink scarf around her neck, her small face pink and white. Xu Si wore a black down jacket, his eyes filled with smiles.
Yang Shikun couldn’t resist taking a photo of the two of them.
The fireworks quickly finished.
Yang Shikun held up his bag to them: “Brother Si, Scholar Jiang, we have other small fireworks here.”
Hao Ming pulled out a box of sparklers: “Yang Dog, you still play with these?”
Yang Shikun snatched the sparklers: “Shut up, these are what Brother Si bought for Scholar Jiang.”
He handed the box of sparklers to Jiang Qian.
Jiang Qian opened the box and gave one to Xu Si, then to Hao Ming and Yang Shikun: “Let’s all play.”
She lit all four sparklers.
She watched the dazzling light, her eyes curving into crescents.
Yang Shikun lit another firecracker.
First came a flash of light, then crackling sparks of many colors burst out.
Jiang Qian smiled: “This one’s pretty too.”
Yang Shikun wanted to throw a firecracker at Hao Ming.
Hao Ming grabbed his wrist: “Try putting that in my hat and I’ll blow you up instead.”
“Fine, fine, what’s the big deal.” Yang Shikun pulled something from his pocket and offered it to Hao Ming: “Want some candy?”
Hao Ming saw what he was holding: “Get lost, you think I don’t know what that is? Isn’t that the kind that explodes in your mouth when you light it?”
“Big Head is so smart.”
“Screw you.”
Meanwhile, Xu Si was teaching Jiang Qian how to play with other fireworks.
Jiang Qian held a long stick: “What’s this?”
Xu Si explained: “It shoots small fireworks. Want to try?”
Jiang Qian was eager to try and took the lighter from him.
She lit hers, then Xu Si brought his close to light it.
Beautiful sparks crackled and burst out.
The four played for a long time.
Jiang Qian couldn’t help smiling: “Today was so fun. I played games I’ve never played before, saw fireworks, and played with so many new fireworks.”
Yang Shikun asked her: “Didn’t Scholar Jiang set off fireworks during holidays when it was allowed? We usually just set off fireworks, play games, and run around.”
“My family wouldn’t let me play when I was little, and by the time I grew up, they weren’t allowed anymore.”
“Then what does Scholar Jiang usually do during New Year?”
“Homework, read books at the bookstore.”
She had only mentioned not seeing fireworks in a long time, and Xu Si had brought her to set them off.
They had played many other things together too.
Xu Si looked at her: “If you don’t mind, we can play together in the future too.”
Jiang Qian looked at him: “Really?”
“Of course. What silly things are you saying, little teacher?”
Jiang Qian looked at him, her almond eyes curving again in happiness.
Near nine o’clock, the three of them walked her to her building. Jiang Qian waved gently to them and said: “Bye bye.”
“Bye bye.”
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