PPS Chapter 190

Chapter 190 Fireworks

Chapter 190 Fireworks

As dusk slowly descended, the aroma of cooked food wafted from the kitchen, carrying a warm, homely scent that permeated the entire courtyard.

Chu Zhaoyi stared at the two large red lanterns at the entrance for a long time. The lanterns hung high, golden “blessing” (good fortune) characters embroidered on the red silk, with tassels swaying gently in the breeze.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year instantly filled the air.

“Ah Yi, shall we set off firecrackers?” Xie Tingyun dragged a long string of firecrackers and threw them on the ground. Xie Tingyun, who always maintained a respectable image in front of his children, even had a hint of excitement in his tone.

Xie Yuyin and Zhang Anru threw a bag of fireworks on the ground.

Gu Yusen, arriving late, carried two super-sized…fireworks in his hands.

“Coming,” Chu Zhaoyi replied, walking through the gate and casually turning on the lantern switches. The warm yellow light from inside the lanterns spilled out through the red silk, reflecting on the bluestone slabs in front of the gate, as if coating the entire courtyard with a soft halo.

Chu Zhaoyi started walking towards his family. His pace was neither fast nor slow, the soles of his shoes gently touching the bluestone slabs, making a subtle sound.

The halo of the lanterns fell on his shoulders, stretching his figure tall and slender, casting it on the ground, extending slowly forward as he moved.

Gu Yusen went back for two more trips, they bought a few big items, intending to set them off tonight.

Chu Zhaoyi had never seen these before, squatting on the ground like a curious child, looking them over and over.

“Fireworks?”

“These are fireworks. What Auntie is holding are some sparklers, and there’s also a Gatling,” Gu Yusen answered Chu Zhaoyi’s question, while arranging the fireworks properly in the courtyard.

“Firecrackers should be set off after twelve o’clock.”

“Let’s play with the fireworks before dinner!” Zhang Anru also had a childlike side, holding a super-sized Gatling, looking quite imposing.

“Hey, wife, don’t set those off. Stay further away later,” Xie Tingyun remembered that his wife had heart disease, afraid she’d get frightened.

Zhang Anru pouted, reluctantly handing the Gatling to Chu Zhaoyi, muttering, “Okay, okay, okay.”

Xie Tingyun smiled and ruffled her hair, his tone much softer, “You have to be careful.”

“The children are still here!” Zhang Anru blushed, glared at him, and turned to help Xie Yuyin sort out the sparklers.

Xie Yuyin looked tall and strong, but she was a little afraid of setting off fireworks, having been burned as a child and still carrying the trauma. She could only hold a few sparklers and stand aside to watch the younger Gu Yusen preparing to light the fireworks.

Xie Tingyun stood beside Zhang Anru, afraid the sudden sounds would startle her, covering her ears with both hands.

Gu Yusen squatted down, took out a lighter, the flame flashed in the night, and the fuse was instantly lit, making a “hissing” sound. He quickly stood up, retreated to Chu Zhaoyi’s side, and whispered, “Are you ready? Three, two, one–”

“Bang!” The first firework soared into the sky, exploding into a brilliant golden flower in the night sky, followed by the second, the third…

Chu Zhaoyi looked up, his eyes unblinking, the corners of his mouth involuntarily rising, his face reflected with colorful light and shadows.

Xie Yuyin and Zhang Anru waved sparklers to the side, silver sparks dancing in their hands, like stars falling from the night sky onto the ground.

Xie Tingyun stood behind them, watching this scene with gentle eyes, occasionally looking up at the fireworks, then down at the people around him, his eyes filled with contentment.

Gu Yusen stood next to Chu Zhaoyi, his hands in his pockets, his eyes fixed on his profile. The light and shadow of the fireworks flowed across his face, making his eyebrows and eyes appear particularly soft.

Gu Yusen suddenly felt that Chu Zhaoyi at this moment was more dazzling than the fireworks.

The only single person present, Xie Yuyin, waved the sparkler in her hand resentfully.

She mumbled a few words, all hidden under the noise of the fireworks.