Read Novel Full Chapter 61.2 – For Future Memories (II)
Chapter 61.2 – For Future Memories (II)
Extra chapter (1/1) from us, AerialRain! Buy us a ko-fi for more chapters. Thank you for your support!
As noon approached, the last of the Spring Festival couplets were finally up. Xiao Feng nestled in Xia Mian’s arms, covering his ears as he watched Mao Zhishan set off a couple of firecrackers in the courtyard.
At Xia Wenyue’s command, “Alright, everyone changes into your new clothes—it’s New Year’s!”
A cheer erupted, and everyone dashed off excitedly. The happiest of all were the three little ones. After changing into his new clothes, Chenchen came running over to show off. The three of them were wearing identical fluffy outfits, and from a distance, they looked like three little panda cubs tumbling around, making everyone smile warmly.
While the children played joyfully, the adults began making dumplings and preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner.
As night fell, they gathered around the dinner table, watching the Spring Festival Gala on the big, bulky twenty-one-inch color TV.
All the hard work had been for this moment of peace and happiness.
“Wow, it’s snowing!” On her way to the bathroom, Mao Huilan suddenly shouted with excitement.
Xia Wenyue beamed. “A timely snow promises a good harvest. This is going to be a good year.”
Xiao Feng was already running outside with Mao Huizhu. Ever since the heavy snowfall last time, Xia Mian had noticed the little guy had taken a special liking to snow.
Of course, she liked it too. The snowflakes drifting down under the warm yellow glow of the lights were absolutely beautiful. Just as she stepped outside, she heard Chenchen’s excited voice calling from outside, “Mao Huizhu! Xiao Feng! Come out quick—my dad’s going to set off fireworks!”
As soon as he finished speaking, sharp whistling sounds split the air, followed by bursts of colorful fireworks exploding in the sky.
“Wow!” Mao Huizhu’s mouth hung open. Xiao Feng’s eyes sparkled with wonder. Having grown up in a remote mountain village, he had never seen such dazzling fireworks. He toddled after Mao Huizhu, swaying with excitement.
Mao Huilan clapped her hands. “My dad bought fireworks too!” and turned to get them.
Xia Mian dashed out first. At the entrance, she saw Huo Xuewen holding a firework launcher. One after another, fireworks shot from the meter-long tube, blooming into vibrant colors overhead.
Chenchen clapped gleefully and said proudly, “Mao Huizhu, Xiao Feng, my dad’s setting off fireworks! Aren’t they pretty?”
“We have some too!” Mao Huizhu suddenly remembered, just in time for Mao Huilan to return with a bundle, “Here they are—use them sparingly, we have to make them last five days!”
Since the Mao family was all girls, their father had bought small ground fireworks—like spinning lotuses, butterflies, and roosters.
Their elder sister came out with a lit incense stick, smiling. “So, how are you guys going to light them?”
Everyone cheered and grabbed incense sticks from her. Xia Mian handed one to Xiao Feng. “Are you scared?”
Xiao Feng watched happily as Mao Huizhu lit a firework. “Not scared!”
So Xia Mian helped him set up the gentlest kind for him to try.
Like a cautious little squirrel sneaking food, Xiao Feng crept up to the firework and very carefully lit the fuse. As it began to spark with a hiss, he turned and dashed into Xia Mian’s arms.
Xia Mian burst out laughing. Xiao Feng didn’t even pause to respond—he quickly turned around to check on the result of his effort. When the lotus-shaped firework started spinning fast across the snowy ground, he jumped with joy, stomping his little feet. “Auntie! Look!”
“Mm, Auntie sees it,” she said, planting a big kiss on his cheek. “Xiao Feng, you’re amazing!”
After setting off two, her interest was piqued, too. It had been years since she last played with fireworks—only once at her grandma’s, when she was little, before firework bans made them rare.
But little Mao Huizhu was incredibly fast. Before Xia Mian and Xiao Feng could get through many, the whole stash was nearly used up.
Seeing the girl running back for more, Xia Mian quickly rushed over and snatched one without a second thought.
Xiao Feng clapped his hands in delight.
Xia Mian looked closely—it was a parachute firework. It was said that this type would shoot up, explode, and then slowly release a tiny parachute floating down. Very cool.
“This one explodes,” she told him. “How about Auntie and Xiao Feng light it together?”
Xiao Feng naturally had no objections, so Xia Mian held his hand and swapped out the incense stick for a longer one. Even so, he was startled several times and almost pulled his hand back. It took quite an effort before they managed to light the fuse.
As the fuse sizzled to life, Xia Mian panicked and turned to run, clutching Xiao Feng tightly.
A thin layer of snow had already accumulated on the ground, and because she got up in a rush, her footing slipped after only a few steps.
Xia Mian instinctively turned to shield Xiao Feng, thinking for sure she was going to fall flat on her butt.
But just then, a strong hand caught her shoulder.
She opened her eyes to see Ning Shaobai’s handsome, impassive face, illuminated under the dim streetlamp, snowflakes drifting all around. The sight was so pretty it made her heart skip a beat.
“Dr. Ning, you’re so positively handsome!” Xia Mian praised him with absolute sincerity.
She had no idea how he interpreted that, but the next second, he rolled his eyes and abruptly let go of her shoulder, causing her to lose her balance and stumble backward. “Ah!”
Only to land against a solid chest.
She let out a breath of relief, looked up, and grinned sheepishly. “I know Dr. Ning has a kind heart! You wouldn’t just let me fall.”
Ning Shaobai helped her stand upright and muttered in disdain, “Stand up straight. Got no bones?”
Xia Mian set Xiao Feng down and sighed exaggeratedly. “Dr. Ning, you’re really hard to please. Can’t even compliment you?”
Ning Shaobai rapped her lightly on the forehead. “Your kind of compliment? No thanks, I’m scared.”
“That’s prejudice!” Just as she began to protest, Chenchen came bouncing over happily. “Uncle!” he cheered, hopping around Ning Shaobai’s legs. “Fireworks! Fireworks!”
Only then did Xia Mian notice the large bag of fireworks Ning Shaobai was holding in his other hand.
“Wow, Dr. Ning, you’re amazing!” she excitedly rushed over for a big hug.
But Ning Shaobai, quick as ever, extended his arm to hold her off by the shoulder. “None for you!”
“Dr. Ning, how can you be so heartless?” Xia Mian widened her eyes dramatically. “I gave you so much, and this is how you repay me? Back in the day…”
She made it sound like he was a scumbag who had abandoned his wife.
Ning Shaobai shoved the bag of fireworks into her arms. “I beg you—just shut up!”
Xia Mian instantly switched tones and chirped, “Thank you, Dr. Ning!” Then turned around and cackled triumphantly. “Haha! Kids, let’s go! We’ve got more fireworks!”
Ning Shaobai shook his head and sighed.
A few minutes later, he, Huo Xuewen, and Ning Shaoyun stood at the steps of the front door, watching Xia Mian lead a gaggle of children waving sparklers in a chaotic frenzy.
“Sister Ning! Sister Huimei! Come on down!” Xia Mian shouted. Without waiting for a reply, she ran to pull Mao Huimei down first, then dragged Ning Shaoyun along as well, handing each of them several sparklers to wave joyfully.
Under the lights, amid the snow, surrounded by the innocent laughter of children, the moment felt magical. Maybe it was the atmosphere, but even Ning Shaoyun and Mao Huimei couldn’t help joining in, their sparklers flashing as they danced like a group of joyful sprites.
“I never realized life could be like this,” Huo Xuewen said, his eyes resting on Ning Shaoyun and Chenchen, full of gentleness. “Xiao Bai, thank you.”
Maybe it was the New Year mood, but Ning Shaobai actually had a faint, rare smile on his face. Still, his tone remained blunt. “I only did this for Chenchen. And like I said, you only get one chance.”
Huo Xuewen looked at Ning Shaoyun and Chenchen, his gaze resolute. “I won’t miss it again.”
Ning Shaobai made no comment—he merely supported his sister’s decision.
…
On New Year’s Eve, they got their fill of new clothes and fireworks. On the first day of the new year, they made New Year’s visits and collected red envelopes. The second, third, and fourth days were filled with eating and playing. By the fifth day, everyone had agreed to go visit the temple fair together.
This time, though, Xia Wenyue had a goal—she was conducting some research, which was related to her late return from the south before the New Year.
The preparations for this trip mirrored the previous ones, with the only difference being that Huo Xuewen was now responsible for holding Chenchen’s leash. As he watched his son run ahead, already challenging Xiao Feng to a race, Huo Xuewen parted his lips to speak, then thought better of it.
Well, children being children, leaving him some “happy” memories didn’t seem like a bad idea… right?
“Did you bring the camera?” Huo Xuewen asked, turning to Ning Shaobai.
Ning Shaobai lowered the camera he’d just snapped a photo with. “What?”
Huo Xuewen looked at the two boys in front, his eyes full of sympathy. “Nothing.”
< | >
Author’s Note:
Years later, Chenchen would question Huo Xuewen: “Dad, how could you walk me like a dog?!”
Huo Xuewen: “…”
Son, that photo was taken by your uncle, and I didn’t dare to go against him.
Yes. That’s the reality.