Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts

After the dinner was over, as usual, it was time for karaoke, cards, and mahjong.

Xu Qingfan made up an excuse and dragged Xia Xiaoxiao to take a walk around the village.

Her grandparents were probably worried they would leave without saying goodbye, so they let a bunch of kids follow them out to play.

Perhaps it was because Xu Qingfan was good-looking. Even though he had just betrayed them earlier, the kids still felt close to him.

As they say, beauty is justice. Even if Xu Qingfan was 99% at fault, doesn't that mean they weren't at fault themselves either?

Of course, it wasn't that exaggerated. Mainly, it was because Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao led a group of kids to the village shop, and he waved his hand, saying, "Pick whatever you want, I'll pay!"

With such a big brother, who wouldn't like him?

The items at the village shop mostly cost fifty cents or a dollar; even after grabbing a big pile, the total was still less than thirty bucks.

After Xu Qingfan paid, the kids immediately grabbed their fireworks and snacks and rushed outside excitedly.

They even left two packs of Red Spider on the table for the two of them, really nice of them.

Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao exchanged a smile, then emptied the remaining arsenal in the shop, carrying a big bag of fireworks as they left.

A large group of them marched down the road, setting off fireworks everywhere, and the village dogs only dared to watch from afar at their doorsteps, lacking their usual bravado.

The village they were in was called Jingtou Village, with a forest park up the hill, and a reservoir halfway up that seemed endless, like an ocean.

But the local customs were somewhat strange. Chinese people usually say "rest in peace," but here, the urns containing ashes are placed in the open air.

A half-meter-high urn, sealed with yellow paper at the opening, was placed on a cement-built stone pedestal by the roadside. Even those with better conditions who built mausoleums would still place the urn atop the mausoleum, with a roof above to shield against the elements.

On the way up the hill, you would see such an urn every few meters. Walking here alone at night without streetlights, the eerie feeling would be overwhelming.

The kids in this area probably received strict discipline when they were young. On paths with tombstones, they behaved very differently; once past that section, they immediately started setting off firecrackers and kicking the grass. Even passing chickens would get kicked a couple of times before they moved on.

It took over two hours to climb to the top; Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao stopped at the reservoir.

They stopped, and the kids who came with them also stopped, pairing up to continue setting off fireworks.

"Why do I feel you're much happier this time you came back?" Xu Qingfan lit a firecracker and tossed it into the reservoir.

The firecracker floated on the water, emitting white smoke, and after two or three seconds, it exploded with a "bang," shooting up two or three meters of water.

Xia Xiaoxiao wiped the drops off her face and playfully scolded him, only to realize he was sitting beside her, shielding her from most of the splash.

"Stupid dog." Xia Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at him, gently using her sleeve to dry his face.

Xu Qingfan seemed frozen by an immobilization spell, his body stiffened momentarily. It wasn't until Xia Xiaoxiao withdrew her hand that he regained his movements.

Xia Xiaoxiao also lit a Red Spider firework, but she threw it far enough that the splash didn't reach them.

"Just like that, I can't really deny them." Xia Xiaoxiao said.

She wouldn't admit that it was because they teased Xu Qingfan about being a son-in-law that she was happy.

Xu Qingfan glanced at the kids who had followed them. This place was beautiful and serene, but unfortunately, there was a row of "third wheels."

"I thought it was because of their teasing that you were happy." Xu Qingfan joked.

"You do resemble that; your face is really thick." Xia Xiaoxiao casually observed her nails.

The topic ended there. Xu Qingfan got up and arranged the firecrackers into a solid heart shape, while Xia Xiaoxiao quietly watched him. When the firecrackers were almost arranged, she got up from the stone.

"Wow, the power is going to be explosive!"

"Quick, set it off!"

"It's going to the sky!"

The kids immediately gathered around to watch and urged Xu Qingfan to light it.

"Record it, come on." Xu Qingfan carefully touched the lighter to the red phosphorus and, once ignited, quickly ran away.

No reminder was needed; Xu Qingfan had already started recording with his phone. On screen, he was fleeing, covering his ears, with a group of excited kids following him, and the light from the firecrackers filled half the screen.

"With the sound of firecrackers, another year passes. One more year of knowing you," Xu Qingfan said as he returned to her side.

Xia Xiaoxiao was momentarily stunned, then responded with a poetic reply: "Leaves emerge with the golden knife, flowers bloom with jade fingers. May you live a thousand years, every year meeting spring."

The latter two lines were obviously the main point, wishing you could live forever and find spring every year.

Spring, of course, could refer to someone specific.

Xu Qingfan racked his brains and could only think of two words, giving a thumbs-up, "Awesome."

Xia Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes beautifully and saved the just-recorded video.

Actually, she preferred Xu Qingfan's earlier words, [With the sound of firecrackers, another year passes. One more year of knowing you.]

...

By around five in the evening, the sky was on the verge of turning dark.

After dinner, Xu Qingfan and Xia Xiaoxiao got in the car that came to pick them up.

The Volvo's trunk was already full, and the car slowly began to leave.

"Make sure to come back often, and remember to come during the New Year; we'll give you big red envelopes!"

"Sure, we'll definitely come for New Year, take care everyone, there's no need to see us off!"

Xu Qingfan waved goodbye to them out the car window, and it was quite some distance before he turned his head back inside.

"Let's hit the road, head back to Li City to pick up the others, then soak in the hot springs!" Thinking of the evening's activity, Xu Qingfan was already excited.

Xia Xiaoxiao handed him her phone to look at: "Xiaoyu and Auntie are taking the same car as Yiyi's mom, and we'll leave once we pick up Ruan Wen and the others."

Xu Qingfan took a glance at the phone, surprised, "Auntie's going too? The group is quite complete."

Lin Qiaoshan stayed behind to watch over the factory, so this hot spring trip only included five mothers, five girls, and Xu Qingfan as the only guy.

[If that's the case, does that mean we can have mixed bathing?]

As soon as Xu Qingfan had this thought, a speed bump jostled him back to reality.

"Sorry, boss, this village's road has five speed bumps in a row," the driver said, implying it was unavoidable.

"No worries."

Xu Qingfan refocused on the evening's hot spring plan, thinking there might be two pools, perhaps one for the mothers and one for him and the five girls.

Or maybe one for him and the mothers and another for the five girls?

Xu Qingfan dropped his smile and turned to Xia Xiaoxiao, "Lucky you, I'll give you a massage tonight."

Xia Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes; she was well aware of his quirks.

"Well, thank you then."

"Ah, it's a piece of cake!"

...