I didn't play hide-and-seek with him, as I hoped that when he turned around, it would be me he saw.
And then, he did turn around. His lips curved in a helpless smile, his expression soft, and under the glow of the light, my face became vividly reflected in his dark eyes.
I gazed deeply into his eyes, as if searching for some hidden meaning. He seemed to understand every nuance of my gaze, so he didn't blink, allowing me to lose myself in the reflection of myself in his pupils.
Not only that, but he always knew how to please me.
"You look lovely today," he said with a slight wink and a gentle smile.
Hearing those words, warmth crept onto my cheeks. The cool breeze whispered around us, but it couldn't dissipate the flush on my face.
Looking again at my reflection in his eyes, I noticed how my lightly applied makeup seemed more pronounced under his teasing compliment. My cheeks instantly turned crimson, my nose slightly reddened by the winter chill, making me appear soft and endearing.
I didn't respond to his words, but my gaze shifted to the bag he was holding. Inside, it was packed with fireworks.
I was a little surprised. "You bought all of these? I thought we'd pick some up on the way."
I skipped ahead, glancing back at him. "Come on, let's go to the Starry Wheel to set them off. There'll be lots of people there, and it'll be such a spectacular scene."
Excitement bubbled in my voice as I envisioned the fireworks lighting up the sky.
He followed behind, watching my spirited enthusiasm with a mix of indulgence and helplessness, his pace steady and unhurried.
When we arrived at the Starry Wheel, the place was already teeming with people. There wasn't much space left, and the anticipation in my heart sank. The sparkle in my eyes dimmed.
Seeing my dejected state, Chu Qingci shook his head gently and said in a soft voice, "Shen Jia, come with me."
I looked at him, his eyes shimmering with certainty, and felt a glimmer of hope reignite.
Following his lead, we walked through the bustling crowd. He seemed familiar with the area, guiding me to a secluded spot I never knew existed.
When I ran ahead, I was amazed to discover a hidden space with an incredible view. It was quiet and undisturbed, perfect for setting off fireworks while enjoying a panoramic view of others' displays.
I turned back to Chu Qingci, my eyes alight with joy, brimming with gratitude.
"How did you know about this place? It's amazing!" Overcome with excitement, I dashed over to hug him.
He stiffened slightly in surprise but soon relaxed, one arm occupied with the bag while the other gently wrapped around me in return.
After a moment, we released each other. I picked up the fireworks from his hand and asked, "Did you bring a lighter?"
He gestured to the bag. "It's in there; check for it."
Because the bag's contents were hard to see in the dim light, I pulled him to a brighter spot. Under the glow, I found the lighter and set the bag aside.
"Have you ever played with sparklers before, Chu Qingci?" I asked, holding out two sparklers to him.
He shook his head, looking at me with slight curiosity as he took them.
"Well then, it's an honor to have your first sparkler experience with me," I teased, lighting one of the sparklers and handing it to him before lighting my own.
We watched the tiny sparks bloom in the cold, lonely night, their light dancing like fleeting fireflies. One after another, the sparklers burned out, leaving us with only a handful remaining.
"Let's take a picture, Chu Qingci," I suggested, looking into his deep, whirlpool-like eyes, which seemed capable of drawing anyone in.
He nodded. "Sure."
I opened the camera's selfie mode, snapping two pictures of us holding sparklers. But something felt off.
"Chu Qingci, you need to smile in pictures!" I said, a touch of frustration in my voice.
He chuckled softly at my irritation, his lips finally curving into a gentle smile. I quickly pressed the shutter.
Looking at the photo, I was delighted—it was perfect. His gaze was tender, his smile serene, exuding a warmth that melted the winter chill.
Seeing my improved mood, he offered, "Shen Jia, let me take some photos of you."
He took the lighter from my hand and pulled out a cylinder firework from the bag, setting it up nearby.
This type of firework spread like tree branches when it bloomed, safe to stand near though its crackling could be loud.
"Alright," I agreed. As someone who loved taking pictures, the idea thrilled me. Still, I felt a tinge of apprehension, worried about the noise.
"I'll stand here. Light it up," I said softly.
He nodded and lit the firework, retreating a few steps as sparks began to flare. At first, it was quiet, the light expanding slowly. I turned to admire its brilliance.
Suddenly, the firework burst into crackling sounds, startling me despite myself. It was loud, just as I'd feared.