Heartache

Xiaoguo took a closer look and realized that the workmanship was better than hers. It was truly the work of a professional!

After making sure that there were no problems, she paid the bill.

When they came out, there was nothing else to buy. The two of them were prepared to go back.

They returned to the noodle shop with their numerous shopping bags. Ruyi had recently hired more staff, so she was now taking a back seat at the restaurant. When she looked up from where she was at the counter, she saw Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang.

“Woah.” Ruyi quickly went forward to help them with their shopping bags. “Without taking a closer look, I would have thought that the bags have legs”

The corners of Xiaoguo’s mouth curled up. She smiled and said, “I made sure to buy everything I need this trip, so I won’t have to go shopping again on the eve.”

As she spoke, she sat down at a table with no customers and gestured to Qin Anming who was at the other corner of the shop.

“How’s business these days?”

“Not bad, I guess.”

Xiaoguo saw the answer on Ruyi’s face and raised her eyebrows. “Seems like business is good.”

“Hehe.” Ruyi smiled and nudged Xiaoguo. “By the way, did you buy any firecrackers?”

Lighting firecrackers was what she loved most about the new year.

“Huh?” Xiaoguo looked like she was just reminded of this. She knew that she had forgotten something, so it was actually the firecrackers.

“I really forgot about that. I was thinking about it when I set off, but it completely slipped my mind.”

Xiaoguo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her brain was really failing her.

“Did you not see them at the stalls? Was that why you forgot about them?”

Ruyi looked at Xiaoguo with an empathetic look.

Hearing her words, Xiaoguo realized that Ruyi was right. “Indeed. When I was at the market, I didn’t see a single firecracker shop.”

How strange. It was unlikely that there was a ban on fireworks and firecrackers during ancient times. How could there be no one selling them?

“I knew it. You didn’t know where the shops were!”

Ruyi could tell from Xiaoguo’s puzzled expression that she had no idea.

“Fireworks and firecrackers aren’t sold in the city. They’re all sold in open spaces in case there were any accidents. You can see the stalls when you leave the county gate and turn west.”

Xiaoguo nodded in confusion. So that was the reason. If Ruyi hadn’t mentioned the firecrackers, she would have completely forgotten about them.

After a while, Qin Anming came over with Zhuang Zhuang.

“Brother, I have something to ask you.”

Xiaoguo looked at Qin Anming, who looked lost, and smiled helplessly. “It’s almost the new year. I want to ask you if you’re coming home.”

“Yes, I’m going back.” Qin Anming replied without thinking, “Where can I go if I don’t go back for the new year?”

A hint of dismal appeared in Ruyi’s eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

Xiaoguo was paying close attention to Ruyi’s expression, so she saw the flash of disappointment in her eyes. She turned to look at Qin Anming speechlessly. What a blockhead. When would he ever be enlightened?

Xiaoguo had no intention of getting involved in their relationship. Fate plays a very important part. Once fate arrived, people would be attracted to each other like magnets.

“Of course we have to spend the new year together. It’s so nice to have the family gathered for the festive season.”

Ruyi smiled and said, “In that case, Brother An Ming, rest early in the next two days. You should go home and help out.”

Xiaoguo could tell that Ruyi was trying to sound light-hearted, and she smiled gently. “What about you?”

“Me?” Ruyi was confused. What about her?

“What are your plans? Aren’t you coming with my brother?” Xiaoguo didn’t stop smiling. It would be better to have more company for the new year.

“I can go too?!”

Ruyi looked incredulous. Was it appropriate for her to go during the new year?

“Of course!”

Zhuang Zhuang answered first. Then, he smiled at Xiaoguo, hoping to receive praise for answering correctly.

Xiaoguo looked down at him and ruffled his hair. “He’s absolutely right!”

“What about us?!”

Ling Long and Fu’er overheard their conversation while passing by. Since the lady boss was going, she couldn’t possibly leave them here.

The two of them looked at Xiaoguo with sparkling eyes, sending their silent hopes towards her.

Xiaoguo did a facepalm and said helplessly, “I’m talking about you guys, of course. Ruyi, Linglong Fu’er, Uncle Xu and Xiaocui.”

Everyone was included.

“That’s great! I’ll tell Sister Xiaocui and Uncle Xu.”

Ling Long ran happily to the kitchen to look for Xiao Cui. Fu’er ran to the cashier to tell Uncle Xu about the joyous news.

“Thank you, Sister Xiaoguo.”

Ruyi said seriously. For the bunch of them who had no family, there was nothing more heartwarming than an invitation to spend the new year together.

Xiaoguo didn’t say anything as she patted Ruyi’s hand gently.

As for Zhuang Zhuang, he sat in Qin Anming’s arms and kept looking at everyone with his big eyes. He enjoyed being around people, so he was glad that his family could spend the new year together.

Ruyi was planning to give Qin Anming a few more rest days so that he could go back earlier. The rest of them would continue working at the shop for a few more days before leaving on new year’s eve.

No one had any objections, so the decision was made.

Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang bade farewell to everyone. After loading their stuff onto the donkey cart, they drove hurriedly towards the firecracker shop.

There would be many people spending the new year together this year, so she had to buy more firecrackers. Fortunately, she had enough meat and vegetables, so she didn’t have to make another trip to buy more food.

She brought Zhuang Zhuang to the place where firecrackers were sold. Ruyi was right. The address was easy to find. There were a lot of firecrackers and the place was very crowded.

Looking at the crowded scene in front of her, Xiaoguo couldn’t help but frown.

Fortunately, the road was wide enough for the donkey cart to cruise through. This saved her the trouble of getting off the cart with Zhuang Zhuang and the shopping bags.

“Zhuang Zhuang, just tell me if you see something you fancy.”

“Yes!”

Xiaoguo and Zhuang Zhuang went their separate ways to check out the firecrackers. To be honest, her idea of firecrackers was confined to sparklers and bang snaps. These were the only two things she dared to play with. Everything else brought back traumatic memories for her.

When she was young, her father had bought a firework called Baby’s Stars. On a whim, he asked her to light it. At that time, she was only in the fifth grade. She was young and bold, so she went ahead and lit it with a lighter. Unexpectedly, she got nervous after lighting up the fireworks. At that very moment, her legs went weak and she fell to the ground.

Everything happened so suddenly that the adults could not react in time. Even she was stunned as she watched the rope in front of her slowly burn to its end. What followed next was a deafening bang and fireworks were launched into the sky. Under her shocked and frightened gaze, they exploded in the sky. It was really as beautiful as the name Baby’s Stars.

After that episode, she couldn’t hear anything for more than half a month. It was caused by the loud bang of the fireworks shooting into the sky. The moment the fireworks exploded, she, who was lying on the ground, was thinking to herself that she had never seen a firework so beautiful. It was also great that it was silent.

It was only later on that she realized that she was just one firecracker away from losing her hearing.

As her recollection came to an end, Xiaoguo shuddered in silence. It was so scary just thinking about it.

However, at the thought that Qin Anming would be around, Xiaoguo felt more assured and bought a huge set of fireworks.

Xiaoguo heard from the boss that the colors of the fireworks were very beautiful. Xiaoguo listened to his promises several times before she decided to buy them.

Although the fireworks were beautiful, they were short-lived.

Xiaoguo clutched at her chest. She didn’t expect this short-lived thing to cost so much. The price was almost as much as half a pig. Her heart ached so much that she couldn’t breathe.

Zhuang Zhuang comforted Xiaoguo silently. He had seen it just now. His mother was on the verge of tears when she handed over the money.

Xiaoguo hugged the sensible and obedient Zhuang Zhuang and said with a trembling voice, “My good son, quickly say a few more words about how much you like to watch fireworks. Just to make me feel better.”

“Mother, I love watching fireworks. I love watching fireworks. I love watching fireworks. I love…”

It was all thanks to Zhuang Zhuang that Xiaoguo’s heart stopped aching so much. For the sake of her son, so what if she had to bite the bullet?

It was just one big firework. So what if he wanted two or three?

Well, she couldn’t afford it then…