The night grew deeper as the TV played a skit from the Spring Festival Gala. Hei Dou sat on the floor, giggling at the comedy.
In the distance, the faint sound of fireworks could be heard, but looking out the window, all that could be seen was the peaceful, quiet night.
Their mother, enjoying herself, was now visibly flushed, her cheeks tinged red from the alcohol. She propped her head up with one hand, leaning to the side, her eyes unfocused, giving her a dazed, almost cute look.
"Back then... what were you thinking? We just chatted online a bit... and you actually dared to come meet me," she slurred, turning to look at the uncle sitting next to her.
The uncle clearly held his liquor better, his face only slightly flushed. He glanced awkwardly at the younger ones at the table, all of them wide-eyed and eager for more juicy gossip, and cleared his throat. "Xiaojuan, let’s save this for later..."
But their mother fixed him with a determined stare, clearly not letting him off the hook without an answer.
The uncle sighed in defeat, leaning back in his chair and putting a cigarette in his mouth. "I wasn’t thinking too much back then. We lived close by, so I thought, why not make a new friend?"
Ning Chu and Ning Yuan both turned their heads to their mother, eagerly awaiting more juicy revelations from her drunken state.
Even Wen Yang, who had been quietly devouring the hotpot, perked up his ears, listening in on the gossip.
"Finish this drink and stop drinking. You’re already tipsy in front of the kids..."
"Okay~" Their mother flopped onto the table, her eyes drooping as she drifted off to sleep.
Unable to hold back her curiosity, Ning Chu asked, "Mom, when did you two meet?"
"Probably when you were in sixth grade."
That would’ve made her around twelve, about six or seven years ago.
"How did you meet?"
"Through Shake, we chatted a bit, and that’s how we met."
Their mother, in her drunken state, answered without hesitation.
"Oh~ That's impressive."
Six or seven years ago, their mother had already started online dating through Shake, and not only did she find someone, but it turned into a long-term relationship with a reliable boyfriend!
And she had kept it hidden so well!
Technically, their mother hadn’t divorced yet, so this could be considered cheating, but their father had been missing for nearly twenty years, and whether he was dead or alive remained unknown. It was almost like she had been a widow all this time. Ning Chu could totally understand why her mother would want to find someone new.
Besides, everyone had physical needs, and their mother was a succubus... Who knew how many children that deadbeat father might have out there?
Brimming with excitement, Ning Chu was about to ask more questions when she realized her mother had already passed out on the table.
"She’s asleep..." Ning Chu sighed, disappointed.
The uncle stood up, helping her mother to her feet. "I’ll take her to bed. You all should get some rest too."
"Okay," Ning Chu muttered, watching her mother. "I’ve never seen her drink this much before..."
She knew her mother would sometimes drink a little during the holidays, but only enough to get slightly tipsy.
"Maybe she’s just happy today," the uncle replied, guiding her mother toward the bedroom. As they passed Hei Dou, he added, "After the gala, go to bed early. Don’t make your mom angry."
"Got it!" Hei Dou’s cat ears perked up as she kept her eyes glued to the TV.
Once the door to the master bedroom closed and the house quieted down, Ning Chu jumped up from her seat. "Wen Yang! Stop eating! Let’s go!"
Taking advantage of her mother’s drunken sleep, she quickly ran to the front door, hastily wrapping herself in a scarf and gloves, and slipping on her shoes.
Seeing Wen Yang wiping his mouth and getting ready to leave, Ning Yuan asked, "Wait, where are you two going?"
"To watch the fireworks."
"Fireworks..." Ning Yuan murmured enviously.
"Bro! Don’t tattle to Mom!" Ning Chu poked her head out from behind the shoe cabinet. "We’ll be back after the fireworks!"
"I know, I know."
"Oh, and the scooter keys..."
...
Riding on the family’s electric scooter, Wen Yang sped through the nearly empty streets, with Ning Chu holding on tightly to his waist, her face pressed against his back. Her petite figure hid from the cold wind behind him.
"We’re almost there!"
Wen Yang looked up at the sky in the distance, where bursts of fireworks were already blooming against the dark night, their brilliant colors lighting up the sky.
"They’ve already started!" Ning Chu grew anxious. "By the time we get to the park, we might not find a good spot."
"Let’s go somewhere else."
"Huh? Why are you turning around?"
Wen Yang stopped the scooter by a long riverbank.
Though they were still quite far from the park, there were no tall buildings nearby to block the view, so they could see the fireworks clearly.
Ning Chu quickly hopped off the scooter and ran to the edge of the river, leaning against the stone railing and gazing up at the sky.
"What’s the rush?"
Wen Yang followed her leisurely, glancing at the fireworks in the sky before his gaze settled on Ning Chu’s excited, flushed face.
Her rosy cheeks, glowing from the cold, were occasionally illuminated by the explosions of fireworks, and in her wide, clear eyes, the sparkling fireworks reflected like tiny stars.
"Isn’t this a pretty good spot?"
"Yeah, not too far, and the view is clear."
The shimmering surface of the river reflected the broken fragments of the fireworks above, and Ning Chu relaxed, leaning over the stone railing, enjoying the beauty of the New Year's Eve night.
After a while, she noticed Wen Yang was still staring at her. "Why are you staring at me? Watch the fireworks."
"You’re prettier than the fireworks."
Hearing Wen Yang's rare sweet talk, Ning Chu froze, her face quickly heating up. She nervously shifted her gaze back to the sky, mumbling softly, "Pervert..."
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The air was filled with the booming of fireworks, and her eyes were filled with their dazzling beauty and shooting stars, but her thoughts were already drawn to the person beside her. She slowly inched closer to Wen Yang with tiny steps.
Feeling an arm gently wrap around her waist, she leaned into his solid chest, resting her head against him like a contented cat as they both gazed at the brilliant night sky.
The scent of gunpowder from the fireworks gradually filled the air, but Wen Yang lowered his head, catching only the fragrance of Ning Chu. He closed his eyes, tightening his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer.
Through the layers of their clothing, it felt as though he could sense her breathing, her heartbeat, and even the pulse beneath her skin.
"Happy New Year," Wen Yang whispered softly.
"Mm! Happy New Year!"
Ning Chu tilted her head back, looking up at his handsome, deep-set features, and stretched onto her tiptoes, her lips just barely reaching his chin.
"Ouch! Your stubble is so prickly!"
Wen Yang instinctively lowered his head, but before he could react, the person in his arms had already turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck.
A gentle breeze brushed past them, and before he knew it, her soft lips were pressed against his.
Having never experienced Ning Chu initiating a kiss before, Wen Yang was momentarily stunned, but he quickly gave in to the sweet sensation, losing himself in the warmth of her kiss.
After what felt like a long time, Ning Chu’s feet began to feel numb from standing on tiptoe, and she finally let go of his neck.
"What do you want as a New Year’s gift?" Wen Yang asked, looking down at her with eyes full of affection.
"Next year at this time, I want you to watch the fireworks with me again!