Chapter 75: Fireworks
For a period after that, Pei Zhouye really didn’t show up in front of Wen Yan again.
He sent messages and made calls every day, but Wen Yan never replied or answered.
Wen Yan’s father’s health had improved significantly, and he had found a new job, keeping him busy during the day.
Wen Yan’s mother was a high school teacher and had a winter break. Before the break, she had successfully been named an Excellent Teacher.
Life was a bit tighter than before, but it felt like happiness was back on track.
In the period before New Year’s Eve, Wen Yan had been going shopping with his mother to prepare for the festivities.
The morning market in the old street was bustling, but there were very few young people.
A man wearing a thick down jacket, a mask, and a hat was talking to a crew holding cameras.
Wen Yan glanced over, and his eyes happened to meet the man’s.
“Wen Yan?” Cheng Shangshi recognized him and took off his mask to greet him.
Wen Yan’s eyes widened, and his mother followed his gaze.
“What are you doing here?” Wen Yan was surprised.
“Scouting locations.” Cheng Shangshi pointed to the cameras behind him. “I’m filming a documentary about Nan City.”
He saw the person beside Wen Yan and hesitated before speaking: “Hello, Auntie. I’m Wen Yan’s friend.”
The three chatted briefly. Knowing the man had come all the way to Nan City, Wen Yan’s mother warmly invited Cheng Shangshi to their home for dinner and told Wen Yan to take him around once he was free.
“I’m free right now,” Cheng Shangshi answered frankly. “We just finished filming a segment, so I’ve got nothing to do.”
Wen Yan’s mother was stunned for a second, but didn’t overthink it. “Yan-yan, it isn’t easy for Shangshi to visit Nan City. I’ll do the shopping myself today; you go and show him around.”
Wen Yan hadn’t said much of anything before he was pushed to Cheng Shangshi’s side by his mother.
He shook his head helplessly. His parents had always been hospitable; they were warm toward all the good friends he’d made growing up. Even now, if they bumped into them on the street, they would still greet them.
The two walked side by side.
“Nan City is much colder in winter than A City,” Cheng Shangshi said, finding a topic.
Wen Yan agreed. “Yeah, it’s usually snowing by now. The forecast says it’ll snow in a few days.”
He paused, then added, “Nan City will be beautiful then. When are you leaving? Will you be here to film it?”
Cheng Shangshi: “Maybe. I’ll be here for a week at most. My parents have been nagging me to come home for New Year’s.”
“Do you have time to help me with location scouting?” Cheng Shangshi asked. “Of course, I’ll pay you.”
Wen Yan laughed. “No need. Nan City is my hometown, and as a friend, I’m happy to help you with your documentary.”
“That’s different,” Cheng Shangshi said seriously. “Friends are friends, but labor is labor.”
Wen Yan said helplessly, “Just message me when you need help. I’m not sure I’ll actually be able to be of much use.”
Cheng Shangshi stared at Wen Yan. “You look much better. You’re very happy.”
Wen Yan was caught off guard by the sudden comment.
Cheng Shangshi always spoke in declarative sentences, and his topics of conversation were quite unique.
“I suppose.”
It had been a long time since he’d felt this relaxed—living with his beloved parents, a happy family, and finally free from other pressures.
He had lived like this for many years, but after the ups and downs of the past six months, this kind of life felt exceptionally precious.
When the conversation turned back to Cheng Shangshi, he mentioned he was going to Germany after the New Year to study directing.
“I actually did some research before,” Cheng Shangshi said suddenly. “For your major, if you want to pursue further studies, the labs in Germany are the most suitable.”
Wen Yan’s fingers twitched.
“I don’t have any plans for that for now,” he said softly.
After Wen Yan’s mother returned, she insisted on bringing Cheng Shangshi home for dinner.
The Wen house wasn’t particularly large, but it was spacious, clean, and filled with warmth and happiness. Upon entering, one could see an entire display case of Wen Yan’s certificates and trophies.
Seeing Cheng Shangshi’s gaze, Wen Yan felt a bit embarrassed. Every friend who visited his home would stare at that. His father used to love pulling people over to introduce the awards and stories from his childhood, but he finally stopped after Wen Yan told him he was an adult.
Wen Yan’s father’s workplace was close to home. Since his mother’s break started, he’d been driving home every day to have a quick meal before heading back, not minding the trouble at all.
When he returned at noon and saw a stranger in the house, he was stunned.
“Yan-yan, come here.”
His face was grim as he called Wen Yan over.
The man in the living room was handsome and upright, with an aura of integrity. His looks were definitely top-tier.
“Who is it this time?” his father asked heavily. “Is this also a ‘friend’?”
Wen Yan nodded blankly. “Yeah, Cheng Shangshi, my friend.”
Three times. He’d brought three men home, each with a different style, but his taste was certainly not bad.
His father sighed and said earnestly, “Yan-yan, I’m not saying you have to stay with one person forever, but you should at least be a bit more serious about your relationships…”
“Dad!” Wen Yan’s expression was one of horror. “This really is just a friend! He’s in Nan City filming a documentary; Mom and I just happened to run into him.”
His father’s heart was filled with complex emotions.
Based on Wen Yan’s words, that Pei Zhouye from last time really wasn’t a “normal” friend.
They talked a lot during dinner.
Cheng Shangshi was serious and thorough in his answers, not at all dismissive, which made Wen Yan’s parents very happy. They told him to visit often.
The two met up many times during the location scouting. Wen Yan had plenty of free time during the winter break and would accompany Cheng Shangshi almost every time he went out.
Cheng Shangshi was incredibly upright, and the two had truly become friends.
As the New Year approached, Cheng Shangshi visited the Wen home once more before leaving, bringing New Year’s gifts.
On New Year’s Eve, the Wen family put up spring couplets, wrapped dumplings, and made the New Year’s Eve dinner together.
Wen Yan felt a sense of daze—this year hadn’t been that hard to endure after all. He had managed to maintain his happy life.
When the New Year’s Eve fireworks exploded over Nan City, Wen Yan was standing on the balcony making a call.
It was a video call Wu Qingqing had started in their group chat. On the screen, she was holding a dumpling and smiling, saying “Happy New Year.” Duan Mingtao cracked a few rare jokes, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
“We’ve finished our dinner too. Happy New Year.”
Wen Yan was looking out the window when he suddenly noticed tiny water droplets on the glass. He froze for a second and pushed the window open—the cold wind swirled in with snowflakes, landing on his eyelashes.
“It’s snowing.”
The snow he and Cheng Shangshi had waited a week for had arrived silently on New Year’s Eve.
A message popped up at the top of the screen. Wen Yan was on the video call, so he saw it immediately.
[Pei Zhouye: Wife, look downstairs.]
Wen Yan instinctively looked down from the balcony.
Below, in the dim yellow glow of the streetlights, Pei Zhouye was standing there.
His black overcoat made his shoulder line look sharp, and his breath spread out in the cold air. He was looking up toward Wen Yan, standing straight in the snow. Seeing Wen Yan look over, he suddenly smiled and waved.
The next second—
Boom!
A cluster of small fireworks exploded at his feet. Pale blue sparks shot up, followed by red and gold, flickering to form several words: [Happy New Year].
Wen Yan was rooted to the spot.
In the distance, massive fireworks exploded over the city, the thunderous sound making the glass vibrate slightly.
This display was sudden and exceptionally grand. Lights began to turn on in the windows of many apartments as people leaned out to cheer.
Pei Zhouye didn’t look at the fireworks. He just kept his head tilted back, staring at Wen Yan without blinking.
The snow began to fall harder, landing on his shoulders and hair, but he didn’t move an inch.
Half an hour.
The fireworks lasted for half an hour, and he stood in the snow for half an hour.
His phone vibrated repeatedly. Wen Yan looked down. On the screen was a message from Pei Zhouye:
[Pei Zhouye: Happy New Year.]
Half a minute later, another one:
[Pei Zhouye: Wen Yan, I love you.]
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