Chapter Sixty: Fireworks

Yan Ningsi blinked and let out a cheeky laugh, her eyes sparkling as she gave Bian He a thumbs-up. “That’s truly a great idea!”
“I’ll go right now!” Yan Ningsi was a woman of action; as soon as she decided, she stood up and headed straight for the door without another word.
Seeing her leave alone, especially at night, Bian He put down what he was holding on the table and hurried after her. “Wait for me!”
Yan Ningsi glanced back from the front. “Why are you coming with me?”
“To play third wheel?” Yan Ningsi clicked her tongue and crossed her arms, unapologetic. “I can handle it myself.”
“But you’re my girlfriend now, aren’t you? I can’t just let you go out alone.” Bian He brazenly stepped forward and tried to put his arm around her shoulders, but she shrugged him off in less than a second.
Bian He awkwardly rubbed his nose. “You really don’t give me any face.”
“Of course not.” Yan Ningsi snorted twice. “Alright, let’s go for a walk.”
“Go back and tell Qingqing and the others.”
Bian He hesitated. “Weren’t you trying to ditch me on purpose?”
“Well, you just said what you did, how could I take you to look for another boyfriend?” Yan Ningsi rolled her eyes. “I’ll wait till the show’s over to search.”
“Besides, these mosquito bites are really unbearable.” She couldn’t help scratching herself. “It’s itchy and stings.”
“I was thinking of going to the pharmacy to buy some ointment.”
Bian He watched her scratch her cheek raw and instinctively grabbed her hand, his voice much gentler. “Stop scratching, or your face will be scarred.”
“It’s nothing; I don’t make a living off my looks.” Yan Ningsi said, but still put her hand down, muttering, “If I get a scar, it’ll be hard to find someone in the future.”
Bian He’s lips twitched. “Wait here for me.” With that, he turned back to tell Shen Jin, and pulled out the floral water he’d just bought from the bag. “There’s also medicated oil inside, use whichever you like.”
Without waiting for Shen Jin or Lan Qing to reply, Bian He left quickly.
His manner left the livestream viewers in silence.
[Do you guys think Hehe cares or doesn’t care?]
[I’ll bet he doesn’t care.]
[Honestly, it’s just a show. What’s real can’t be faked, what’s fake can’t be real.]
[True, among the three couples, I feel only Lan Qing and Shen Jin have a chance.]
[This couple is just using the show as an excuse to date!]
[Exactly! I feel so sour watching them.]
The topic shifted; few cared about Yan Ningsi and Bian He’s progress.
Even after Bian He gave Yan Ningsi the floral water, she complained.

“I don’t want floral water, it smells too strong,” Yan Ningsi refused outright. “Medicated oil is better than this stuff.”
Bian He: “……”
Still, seeing Bian He’s disappointed expression as he held the floral water, Yan Ningsi’s heart softened. Despite her complaints, she took it, closed her eyes, sprayed it on herself, then handed it back. “Is that good enough?”
[Is this love?]
[It is love!]
[Hahaha, I love Si Si’s tough mouth and soft heart!]
[Hehe is aggrieved, but he doesn’t say it.]
[This couple is hilarious.]
[Also the saddest, since Hehe knows Si Si likes Sang Yijia’s family doctor.]
[Hahaha, isn’t it like he likes her, but she likes someone else?]
[What a dramatic soap opera!]
[I’m a simple dog, I love watching!]
[Make it a series!]
The livestream was lively and cheerful as Yan Ningsi and Bian He bickered their way out onto the night streets. Only after walking a while did they suddenly remember something.
Yan Ningsi furrowed her brow in deep thought, “How much money do we have left?”
“Let me check.” Bian He turned all his pockets inside out and counted—thirteen yuan and seventy cents remained.
Both fell silent.
“Let’s go back,” Yan Ningsi said, heartbroken that even this bit of money wasn’t enough for ointment.
Bian He was silent too. After a moment, he pointed to Yan Ningsi’s face. “Should we see a doctor then?”
“No money, what’s the point?” Yan Ningsi wouldn’t risk embarrassment. “Let’s just go.”
——
Meanwhile, Sang Yijia and Lu Wenchuan finally reached the top of the tower. It was an open platform, where standing outside one could see the vast night sky and a handful of stars.
“Didn’t the show say there’d be a task at the top?” Sang Yijia circled the platform but found nothing special, then turned to the staff and asked, “Is there really a task?”
“There is,” the group director nodded firmly. “Just wait a bit longer.”
“Alright.” Sang Yijia wanted to finish the task and head back, but didn’t expect there to be a wait.
“Are you in a hurry?” Lu Wenchuan glanced at the time—two minutes to nine. “Probably just a few more minutes.”

“Huh?” Sang Yijia raised her eyelids in surprise. “How do you know?”
“On the hour,” Lu Wenchuan replied calmly.
Sang Yijia understood, nodded, and looked up at the night sky. As the world melted into monochrome, the lantern-lit Qinyao Ancient Town appeared ever more serene and tranquil.
Sang Yijia stood quietly at the edge, gazing at the scenery. Lu Wenchuan stood beside her; she watched the view, and he watched her.
At exactly nine o’clock, a brilliant firework exploded in the night sky with a thunderous boom, drawing every gaze upward.
The fireworks were grand and beautiful, captivating all eyes.
“What’s this?” Sang Yijia turned in astonishment.
“The task is also a surprise.” A slight smile curved Lu Wenchuan’s lips; his profile looked even sharper under the dazzling fireworks, yet for some reason Sang Yijia saw a hint of gentleness.
This…
It was as if her presence had changed him.
Sang Yijia’s heart suddenly raced; the sound of fireworks pounded in her ears, but louder still was her own heartbeat.
The director wisely stepped back, leaving them plenty of space for two.
Other staff watched the fireworks, and a girl clasped her hands excitedly. “I wonder if my future boyfriend will prepare such surprises for me.”
Someone nearby laughed and shook their head. “Keep dreaming.”
“In dreams, anything is possible.”
The girl hummed, “It’s nice to imagine.”
“But…” the staff who’d answered before looked at the fireworks thoughtfully. “All this was arranged by President Wei.”
“So is President Wei pursuing Sang Yijia?”
The director pondered as well. If that were true, wouldn’t everything President Wei had done have been snatched away by Lu Wenchuan?
But that didn’t seem right.
The director couldn’t figure it out and didn’t bother to dwell further. He watched the two in the camera frame.
At this moment, the scene was the warmest and most touching of all.