Don't Say You're Heartless (Modern Edition)

59 Bald Man

The tangyuan were ready and served on the table. One bite revealed their soft and sticky texture. The family sat together, eating tangyuan, symbolizing a year of unity and togetherness.

After eating the tangyuan, Mother Shen took out some fireworks and firecrackers. "Let's set these off today. You two take them outside to play."

Yang Qiong and Shen Qiuhua, like children with new toys, happily went outside. In the courtyard, Yang Qiong sorted the fireworks and gave the fireworks to Shen Qiuhua while keeping the firecrackers for herself, thinking it safer.

The dazzling fireworks lit up the night sky, shining brightly alongside those of other families. The loud firecrackers heralded a year of good fortune.

Shen Qiuhua, like a child, placed the fireworks on the ground and used a stick to light them. She would then quickly run far away. Seeing her clumsy movements, Yang Qiong realized that this usually formidable lady had such an endearing, inexperienced side.

After lighting another firework, Shen Qiuhua stumbled into Yang Qiong's arms.

"You seem to be having so much fun," Yang Qiong said with a smile, wiping the sweat from Shen Qiuhua's forehead. Was it that intense? Just setting off fireworks and sweating so much, she was truly engrossed.

"I've never played with these in my past life." Shen Qiuhua pouted slightly as if expressing her grievances.

"Alright. I'll play with you," Yang Qiong said. With Yang Qiong joining in, the fireworks were used up at an exponentially faster rate. Soon, they were all gone.

"Is that all?" Shen Qiuhua seemed not to have had enough.

"Shall we buy some more?" It was rare to see her so childlike, so Yang Qiong wasn't worried about the cost.

Shen Qiuhua shook her head. "Let's go inside."

Back indoors, Yang Qiong worried that Shen Qiuhua might catch a cold from sweating, fetched a towel to dry her off. "We'll go see the lanterns later. Rest a bit, dry off, and don't catch a cold."

"Yang Qiong is good at taking care of people," Mother Shen praised.

"I only know how to take care of Qiuhua," Yang Qiong joked.

Mother Shen took it seriously. "If you were a boy, I'd make sure Qiuhua marries you."

"Auntie, you're just teasing me. No matter what, I'm a woman and still want to marry Qiuhua. Please, just do me a favor and let Qiuhua marry me, okay?" Yang Qiong pouted and clung to Mother Shen, shaking her arm.

Shen Qiuhua's eyes twitched. What was Yang Qiong up to this time?

"Alright, alright, you child. Still acting like this at your age," Mother Shen said helplessly.

"Then you agree?" Yang Qiong, though she knows that Mother Shen was joking, she still took it seriously. She immediately hugged Shen Qiuhua. "Qiuhua, Auntie has agreed to marry you to me. You're mine now."

"Enough, stop fooling around." Shen Qiuhua wasn't going to join in on this silliness.

"I'm not fooling around, Auntie-" Yang Qiong's drawn-out tone made Mother Shen nod immediately. "Alright, quickly tidy up, we're going out to see the lanterns."

The family went to the area in the county town where they usually had markets, now bustling with people. Rows upon rows of various lanterns were displayed.

"'The east wind blows flowers on a thousand trees. The falling stars rain down. The BMW and carved carriages fill the road with fragrance. The phoenix flute's sound moves, the jade pot's light turns, and the fish and dragon dance all night.'" Shen Qiuhua recited Xin Qiji's 'Qingyu An' (Green Jade Desk).Despite the strict etiquette in her past life, before entering the palace, she could still enjoy lanterns with other women during the Lantern Festival. It was the happiest time of her year.