The moment the loud sound rang out as it was ignited, I instinctively stepped back in panic. In my confusion, I almost found myself diving into a nearby thicket.
Seeing this, Chu Qingci immediately put away his phone and rushed towards me, grabbing my hand as he pulled me toward a more open area.
"Shen Jia, are you alright?"
In the darkness, I looked up at him.
Shaking my head, I answered, "I'm fine."
"Where's your phone? How did the pictures turn out?"
He handed me his phone, and I examined the results.
Chu Qingci certainly had a natural talent for photography.
The shots were impressive.
"If you're scared of this, we can stop."
He suggested gently.
"Alright, let's go with the smaller firecrackers then." I took out a smaller, bucket-shaped firework from my bag, one meant to be set off in the air.
Standing by, Chu Qingci took the firework from my hands, placed it in the center of the open space nearby, and lit it.
After lighting it, he ran back toward me and stood by my side.
Three seconds later, the firework exploded.
Clusters of lights bloomed in the sky, twinkling like stars.
The distant fireworks blended with the ones nearby, creating a magnificent display. Looking up, the sky was filled with dazzling bursts of color, as though the stars themselves had come alive.
The sky was awash with vibrant hues, and for a fleeting moment, the neon lights of the city paled in comparison to the brilliance above.
The city was alive with lights and sounds, the echoes of laughter blending with the dazzling fireworks, as if the very stars were celebrating with us.
As the firework ascended, nearing its peak, Chu Qingci and I unconsciously turned our gazes toward each other.
In that instant, it felt as though the entire world had shrunk down to just the two of us.
In each other's eyes, we saw a reflection of the stars, our faces mirrored in the soft glow.
Perhaps it was the intensity of the moment, or perhaps the firework display that was filling the night sky, but our faces slowly drew closer.
Chu Qingci lowered his head and gently leaned in.
I lifted mine, feeling the warmth of his breath brush against my face, tickling my skin.
I closed my eyes slowly, perhaps in shyness.
A soft, fleeting touch brushed against my lips, warm and tender.
It lasted only a moment—just a delicate kiss before he pulled back.
I slowly opened my eyes, my gaze filled with unguarded affection.
In that moment, the intensity of his love, which had been suppressed, finally broke through, shining through in his eyes.
After a long silence, he spoke.
"Shen Jia, I like you. Let's apply to the same school for the college entrance exam."
His eyes were filled with unwavering seriousness.
The surprise came so swiftly that I found myself a little flustered, unable to react in time.
"Alright," I heard myself say, the words slipping out before my mind had fully processed them.
"The fireworks are finished, and it's getting late. Let me walk you home," he said, looking at his phone. It was already 11:30, and the lively atmosphere had quietly shifted to the late hour.
He linked his arm with mine, picking up the unfinished fireworks still on the ground.
I allowed him to lead me.
On the way, I began to feel the sweetness in my heart, my steps lighter with excitement.
When we reached Wangbei Station, he stayed by my side.
"I'll walk you to the building entrance," he said softly.
"Okay, let's go."
We walked side by side, gradually reaching my building.
As I turned to say goodbye, he suddenly called out to me in a low voice.
"Shen Jia, Happy New Year. May peace be with you every year."
I turned back, a smile in my eyes and a soft curve to my lips. I gently returned the wish.
"Chu Qingci, Happy New Year. May all your wishes come true, and may you be safe and joyful."
He smiled quietly, his gaze full of tenderness as he looked at me.
"It's getting late. I need to head home. See you next year," I said, waving.
I turned and walked away.
He watched me until I had entered the building before he turned to leave.
After returning home, feeling somewhat weary, I washed up and lay down on my bed.
I gazed out the window, my thoughts wandering.
Suddenly, memories of another him came flooding back. My life now seemed peaceful, without the ominous signs people had spoken of.
Sometimes, I even wondered if the events of the past had all been a dream.
Or perhaps, the day I was in danger was actually the day Chu Qingci from my past life had died.
Chu Qingci had passed away in the summer of this year, in the period just after the college entrance exams.
I remember He Yi had told me that in this world, everything unfolds as it is meant to.
That would mean that my current relationship with Chu Qingci had already played out in a past life, and that's why it was repeating now.
But why, in my memories, were Chu Qingci and I merely ordinary friends?
I couldn't make sense of it.
Lost in thought, I soon grew tired and drifted into sleep.
After parting ways with him on New Year's Eve, our relationship had grown much closer.
Though we hadn't officially gotten together, it felt as if we both understood without saying anything.
The day before school started, we went out for a walk together.
The fresh breeze, the warm sun, the budding willows by the riverbank, and the melting ice all spoke of the arrival of spring.
The first day of spring also marked the start of the new school term.
The final semester of high school began under the vibrant warmth of spring.
The days leading up to the college entrance exam seemed to fly by.
It felt as if the spring that had just arrived was already beginning to fade before my very eyes.
Gradually, we approached the tail end of spring.
And the weather grew warmer.