Meanwhile, in Yilin County, Hongshi City.
Shi Ran, dressed in a down jacket, a red scarf, and a festive red knitted hat, strolled along the street.
Hongshi City had low temperatures. On New Year's Eve, the sky was filled with falling snow, reflecting the brilliant fireworks in the night sky, making everything exceptionally romantic and beautiful.
Despite the whistling cold wind, the chill was not overwhelming, likely because the lively New Year's Eve made people feel warm inside.
“Haha, Mommy, the fireworks are so pretty.”
“Sister, sister, let’s set off fireworks.”
“There’s a New Year’s party tonight, let’s go watch it over there.”
“It’s so lively over at the square, let’s hurry and grab a spot, or we’ll miss the party.”
…
On the bustling streets, people walked in small groups, all with radiant smiles and jubilant cheers. In contrast, Shi Ran, wandering alone, seemed a bit pitiful.
She watched children holding their parents’ hands, waving sparklers that ignited, their glow like dazzling stars, exceptionally beautiful.
She stood frozen, staring blankly at a sparkler held by a little girl.
“Pretty big sister, you like sparklers too, right?”
At that moment, the little girl let go of her mother’s hand, skipped to Shi Ran, and offered her a sparkler, “My mommy bought me a lot of sparklers, I’ll give you one.”
The little girl’s action surprised Shi Ran. She smiled behind her mask and bent down to take the sparkler, “Thank you.”
“Hehe, you’re welcome.” The little girl’s smile was innocent. She raised the sparkler she was already holding, “Here, let me light yours.”
“Okay.”
Shi Ran held her sparkler towards the little girl’s, and it was lit in no time.
As the sparkler ignited, the scent of fireworks filled the air. The sparks flew, like a beacon in the dark night.
Before Shi Ran could thank the little girl again, the child had already skipped away, humming, “Happy New Year, Happy New Year…”
The familiar tune, sung in a childish voice, was incredibly pleasant to hear.
She held the sparkler, waving it like a child, as if trying to recapture childhood joy.
In this unfamiliar city, alone and with no one to rely on, every day felt long.
Even on New Year’s Eve, she was still alone.
In this bustling city, she was pathetically lonely.
“You’re here alone, and you don’t want to go back to Jiangnan?”
Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind her.
Shi Ran turned sharply and saw Yuan Wei, dressed in a black down jacket, standing not far away. He was panting, his warm breath dispersed by the wind, his face becoming clearer.
She couldn’t help but freeze, and the sparkler in her hand fell, landing in the thin layer of snow on the ground.
“Yuan… You, why are you here?”
After seeing Tang Si that day, she had left.
Shi Ran hadn’t returned to Jiangnan to find Yuan Wei. She didn’t want to be a burden to him or give him any unrealistic fantasies.
She hadn’t expected Yuan Wei to find her on New Year’s Eve.
“You’re stranded in a foreign land alone, if I don’t look for you, who will?!” Yuan Wei frowned slightly, his gaze towards Shi Ran filled with concern, helplessness, and annoyance, a multitude of emotions.
“Do you know how worried I was about you? Why didn’t you answer my calls? You’re not alone now, you’re the mother of three children. If anything happened to you, how would you face your children?”
He took a few steps forward and questioned her in a deep voice.
Perhaps due to excessive worry for Shi Ran, Yuan Wei raised his voice, his face flushed with anger.