In the blink of an eye, New Year's Eve arrived.
This year, the Spring Festival couplets sold exceptionally well, even clearing out last year's inventory.
Pan Huiying said it was a good omen.
Zhou Dewen came to find Wang Yue, and they headed to Binjiang Road to buy fireworks.
Walking on the street today, firecrackers and fireworks were being set off everywhere, creating a lively scene.
"Brother Yue, let's call some girls."
Zhou Dewen and Wang Yue walked along Binjiang Road, their eyes scanning around.
"You call."
Wang Yue said.
"Damn, then I'll call my cousin."
Zhou Dewen pulled out his phone and made a call.
After a while, he put down his phone with a sigh, "Forget it, she said she wants to set off fireworks with her classmates."
"Then we won't call your cousin."
Wang Yue said.
"If I don't call my cousin, who else do I know that I can call?"
Zhou Dewen said dejectedly.
"There are so many girls on this street, you can just go up and talk to one."
Wang Yue said.
"Forget it, I'm not that brave yet."
Zhou Dewen said listlessly.
The two arrived at the fireworks stall, where all sorts of firecrackers and fireworks were available.
Wang Yue bought a few magic sparklers, the kind that came in tubes and could be held.
Zhou Dewen, on the other hand, bought more, picking up a variety of firecrackers and fireworks.
For example, things like "Little Bee," "Ground Whirlwind," "Spring Thunder," and "Sky Rockets."
After buying the firecrackers, the two walked downstream along Binjiang Road.
Downstream on Binjiang Road, there was a large lawn where many people were setting off fireworks.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Rumble!"
The deafening sound of firecrackers echoed in their ears.
The fireworks exploding in the sky were incredibly beautiful.
This lively atmosphere would not be present a decade or so later.
The two reached the downstream of Binjiang Road and walked onto the lawn. Zhou Dewen placed the Ground Whirlwind and prepared to light it.
The Ground Whirlwind was an interesting firework; once lit, it would spin like a top and shoot out beautiful sparks. It looked good, but it wasn't safe to get too close due to potential hazards.
"Brother Yue, you light it?"
Zhou Dewen asked, holding up his lighter.
"You do it."
Wang Yue decisively shook his head.
"I'm scared."
Zhou Dewen was also a bit timid.
Just as they were discussing who would light it, a female voice suddenly called out, "I'll do it!"
The two turned their heads and saw a girl in black walking over.
The girl was quite pretty, and Zhou Dewen's eyes immediately glued to her.
Wang Yue knew that this kid had fallen in love at first sight again.
"Since you guys are so timid, I'll help you light it. Is that okay?"
The girl raised an eyebrow and said.
"You do it, you do it."
Zhou Dewen quickly said, "Here, the lighter."
The girl took the lighter and walked directly to the Ground Whirlwind, then lit the fuse.
She then quickly retreated to the side.
Five seconds later, the Ground Whirlwind started spinning rapidly, emitting golden sparks.
The fireworks reflected in the eyes of the three, each with a different expression.
Wang Yue was lost in thought.
The girl's eyes held a hint of amusement.
Zhou Dewen's gaze darted between the fireworks and the girl's face.
In less than 30 seconds, the Ground Whirlwind stopped.
The girl picked up the lighter and handed it to Zhou Dewen, "See, it's done. I'm leaving."
"Wait!"
Zhou Dewen suddenly called out.
The girl turned her head and asked, "What's wrong?"
"You... What's your name?"
Zhou Dewen asked a bit sheepishly.
"Li Qian."
After saying her name, the girl prepared to leave again.
"I still have a lot of fireworks, and I'm not very brave with them. Do you want to join us?"
Zhou Dewen said with a smile.
Li Qian turned her head again and smiled, "Sure."
And so, the pair became a trio.
Li Qian was truly bold; no matter what firecrackers or fireworks they had, she wasn't timid at all.
Zhou Dewen leaned close to Wang Yue and whispered, "Brother Yue, I really like this girl. Help me out!"
"Okay."
Wang Yue nodded.
"How will you help me?"
Zhou Dewen asked again.
"Just watch my show."
Wang Yue said with a smile.
"You two carry on, I'm going to the restroom."
Wang Yue said loudly.
He made sure both Li Qian and Zhou Dewen could hear him.
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Zhou Dewen waved his hand.
Li Qian just nodded and didn't say anything.
Wang Yue jogged to a nearby fireworks stall.
The fireworks stalls here were densely packed, with one almost every ten meters.
"Boss, how much is this?"
Wang Yue pointed at the largest firework on the stall.
This firework looked like a cannon barrel.
"Young man, you have good taste! This is a compound firework, and it looks amazing when lit. It has 81 shots. It's not 998, not 788, just 688 and you can take it home."
The boss, a middle-aged man, introduced enthusiastically.
"Is this all you have in one box?"
Wang Yue asked.
"How could that be? We have more in the warehouse."
The boss said.
"I want 100 boxes, do you have them?"
Wang Yue asked.
"One hundred boxes?!"
The boss was startled. He looked Wang Yue up and down carefully, making sure he wasn't joking.
"Young man, are you sure you want a hundred boxes?"
The boss asked.
There were other people at the fireworks stall.
Hearing Wang Yue's words, many people looked at him in surprise.
Good heavens, this isn't buying fireworks, it's like setting up a fireworks show!
"I'm sure. Just tell me if you have them."
Wang Yue said with a smile, "If you do, I can transfer the money now."
"Yes!"
The boss quickly replied.
He had to have them, even if it meant getting them from competitors. This was a major customer!
100 boxes meant 68,880.
"Then bring them all over and put them by the river."
Wang Yue said.
"No problem."
The boss patted his chest, then added sheepishly, "Young man, could you pay a deposit first?"
"Do you have Alipay?"
Wang Yue asked.
In this era, Alipay was not widely used, but businesses generally had it.
"Yes."
The boss said.
Wang Yue directly transferred 68,880 through Alipay.
"Young man, don't worry, I'll go get them for you right away!"
The boss said with a beaming smile, and drove off in his car.
This stall wasn't solely manned by the boss; his family was also there, so Wang Yue wasn't afraid of him running off.
"Young man, why are you buying so many fireworks?"
A passerby asked curiously.
"To set them off."
Wang Yue said with a smile.
Extravagant to the point of being inhuman!
Everyone around was stunned by Wang Yue's generosity.
Wang Yue's nearly seventy thousand yuan, while seemingly spent meaninglessly and even wastefully, felt worth it to him.
Besides, besides helping his buddy impress a girl, he could also use them himself.
Wang Yue picked up his phone and called Qiao Zixuan.
"Hello? What's up?"
Qiao Zixuan answered quickly.
She was watching the Spring Festival Gala with her parents.
"In half an hour, look out your window, in the direction of Binjiang Road."
Wang Yue said with a smile.