Fireworks Night

Stop kissing!

Ding Xuefei tried to speak several times, but was interrupted by a sudden kiss. He had initially thought that Yu Songlin was insecure and wanted him to kiss him more, but in the end, he couldn't bear it any longer.

Yu Songlin froze, a look of regret on his face, but he still obediently released Ding Xuefei.

Ding Xuefei's eyes darted away: "Um, just now... there was a reason for it, don't take it seriously."

Yu Songlin chuckled softly and nodded.

When things quieted down and she met Yu Songlin's deep, unfathomable eyes, Ding Xuefei was at a loss for words. She had been holding back a lot of things to say on the way here, but now she couldn't utter a single word.

Especially when his gaze fell upon Yu Songlin's equally red and moist lips, and he remembered what they had just done, all he wanted to do was run away.

He's not ready to make up with Yu Songlin yet! Please, this is a dating reality show, there are cameras everywhere, what if they find out?

I feel like there are still many things I need to think about. Being together is easy, but if I'm serious about this relationship, there are many, many things I need to figure out first.

Ding Xuefei's hand was already on the doorknob, and she tried to turn around and run away: "Then, let's talk later."

But Yu Songlin hugged her from behind.

"Wait a moment."

Hot breath fell on Ding Xuefei's cheek. He felt Yu Songlin's trembling hand and felt a pang of pity.

I couldn't bear to leave him here alone.

"what?"

After a long silence, Yu Songlin spoke softly, "I feel so unreal. Let me hug you a little longer."

Yu Songlin didn't say it, but Ding Xuefei understood. It was the cold war of the past few days and not being chosen that made Yu Songlin feel insecure.

Five years ago, he would never have imagined that Yu Songlin would be the one among them who lacked a sense of security.

It's actually a bit hard to believe now. Ding Xuefei said, "Weren't you very confident before? What happened?"

“In the five years since we broke up, I’ve thought about it countless times: what if you fall in love with someone else? Every time I think about it, it hurts.”

Ding Xuefei was the same. When they first broke up, what he feared most was seeing Yu Songlin's scandals. But after so long, he had gradually become desensitized and stopped thinking about it when he felt uncomfortable.

Yu Songlin continued, "At that time, I convinced myself that if you really like it, I shouldn't interfere and I can't stop you from being happy."

It's easy to say, but hard to do. Ding Xuefei didn't think she was that selfless, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"But when it actually happened, I realized that I couldn't do it at all. I didn't want to let go, I didn't want to watch you fall in love with someone else... If this really happened, I don't know what I would do, I might just keep waiting..."

“So,” Yu Songlin softened his voice, hooked Ding Xuefei’s chin, and made him turn his head slightly, their breaths almost touching, “don’t be in such a hurry, don’t fall in love with someone else so quickly, okay?”

In the pitch-black room, only Yu Songlin's slow, low voice could be heard, making Ding Xuefei's heart pound like a drum. The words she couldn't say just now seemed to have transformed into something else, eager to burst out of her chest.

Ding Xuefei suddenly turned around, hooked her arms around Yu Songlin's neck, and kissed him fiercely.

Yu Songlin was stunned for a moment, but quickly hugged Ding Xuefei's waist and kissed her back fiercely.

The two were pressed tightly together, and although they had just kissed, this time the kiss was even more intense, as if they were afraid that if they let go, the other would disappear, and they tried their best to feel each other.

This time, the system didn't make any strange noises, leaving the space to the long-separated lovers.

The answer to "Heartbeat Riddle" DAY21.

Early in the morning, Ding Xuefei, wearing his little shark pajamas, carefully slipped out of his room. He listened for a while on the stairs to make sure that the person he was hiding among wasn't downstairs before slowly going down.

That's right, ever since the kissing incident yesterday, he's started avoiding Yu Songlin again.

It wasn't a cold war or anything; he simply didn't know how to get along with Yu Songlin on the show!

Only Shang Rou and Stella were at the dining table on the first floor. Ding Xuefei breathed a sigh of relief, greeted them warmly with a "good morning," and sat down at the table.

The two girls were talking about makeup, and Ding Xuefei couldn't join in, so she simply ate her breakfast quietly.

Today's breakfast was another sandwich, his favorite kind. He didn't even need to taste it; he could tell from the appearance that Yu Songlin made it.

The food still tasted great! And it was kind of him not to be there, otherwise he might not have had a proper breakfast.

"Hey, Xuefei, what happened to your mouth?" Shang Rou stared at Ding Xuefei for a while and then suddenly asked.

"ah?"

Too soon! It turns out he can't eat properly even when Yu Songlin isn't around!

Ding Xuefei's eyes darted around: "Could it be inflamed?"

Stella also noticed that she squinted at Ding Xuefei, like a cat looking at a mouse: "Let me see."

Ding Xuefei wished she could bury her head in the sandwich.

"This doesn't look like an inflammation—did you kiss someone?"

Stella hit the nail on the head, and Shang Rou and Stella covered their mouths in surprise, just like they were in sync.

"Could it be... you and Brother Jinyu?!"

"No, no! It wasn't Brother Jinyu!" Ding Xuefei hurriedly denied, but when she saw the two girls smile at each other, she suddenly realized, "No! I didn't kiss anyone!"

Shang Rou knew that Ding Xuefei was easily amused, so she patted Stella to stop laughing. Ding Xuefei finally had a worry-free breakfast.

*

As the show nears its end, everyone had been saying they wanted to go to the beach to set off fireworks, and this time the production team finally fulfilled their wish.

The production team set up soft blankets, cushions, and twinkling string lights on the beach, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

The beach at night sheds the heat of the day, and the sea breeze, carrying a slightly salty and moist scent, soothes the tense nerves.

A bonfire was burning brightly, illuminating the young faces of people sitting around chatting and laughing.

Ding Xuefei deliberately chose a spot furthest from Yu Songlin, squeezing between Ke Ran and Stella, and pretended to be extremely interested in the campfire and the beverage bottle in her hand.

Yu Songlin took in his little action, his eyes darkening slightly in the flickering firelight, but he maintained a polite smile and did not immediately move closer.

He then turned and spoke quietly with Bai Mu and Shang Rou beside him.

Soon, the staff brought over the prepared fireworks. Ke Ran was the first to jump up, excitedly pulling Ning Yusheng to choose some. The others also got up, and the beach was instantly filled with laughter and joy.

"Brother Xuefei, come quick! This is something you can play with!" Ke Ran waved vigorously at Ding Xuefei, holding up several "electric sparks".

Ding Xuefei responded and was about to get up when she heard Yu Songlin's gentle voice: "Be careful, even though the spark is small, it can easily burn you if it splashes on you."

These words seemed like a casual reminder to everyone, but his gaze subtly swept towards Ding Xuefei's direction.

Ding Xuefei inexplicably felt a burning sensation from that gaze.

After playing for a while, Ding Xuefei just started to feel a bit chilly when Shang Rou came over with two cups of hot drinks and handed one to Ding Xuefei: "Here, ginger tea. Song Lin just brewed it. He said the sea breeze is cool, so he wanted to help everyone warm up."

She paused, then lowered her voice and chuckled, "He specifically asked for less sugar in this drink, saying that you won't be able to sleep if you eat too much sweets at night."

Ding Xuefei took the warm cup, the warmth from her fingertips spreading all the way to her heart, a feeling that was both sour and sweet.

He glanced furtively at Yu Songlin, who was bending down to light a large firework tube for Stella. His profile looked exceptionally focused and handsome in the firelight and the distant fireworks.

Soon, a huge firework burst open in the night sky, its brilliant colors instantly illuminating the deep blue night, drawing gasps and exclamations of amazement from everyone.

Ding Xuefei looked up, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her lips.

Near the end, someone poked him in the back. He turned around and saw his favorite milk candy.

Ye Ming handed over the candy. She gestured towards Yu Songlin and said, "Brother Lin gave it to you. Keep it in your mouth so you don't get choked by the sea breeze."

Ding Xuefei: "..."

Listen to yourself, is there any logic in what you're saying?

He looked at the candy in his hand, then at Yu Songlin, who was patiently teaching Xu Yimeng how to safely set off fireworks, and felt both amused and exasperated.

Yu Songlin... he must have realized that I'm avoiding him, right? He's been being nice to me through these "third-party channels," leaving me with nowhere to hide and making me feel flustered by this silent thoughtfulness.

Fireworks shot into the sky one after another, illuminating the beach as if it were daytime. Amidst the noise and the interplay of light and shadow, Ding Xuefei felt her heartbeat sync with the explosions of the fireworks, a chaotic and disorienting sensation.

He peeled off the candy wrapper, put the milk candy in his mouth, and his whole mouth was filled with a sweet taste.

There's no escaping it now, but... what should we do next?

"What's wrong, Xuefei? Why aren't you watching the fireworks? Why are you here all by yourself?"

Everyone was setting off fireworks and playing with sparklers on the beach. Ding Xuefei was a little tired of playing, so she sat alone in the rest area, wrapped in a blanket, watching from afar.

Shang Rou was probably tired too, so she sat down next to Ding Xuefei and poured herself a glass of juice.

"Sister..." His voice was a little muffled.

Shang Rou looked away from him and smiled knowingly: "What's wrong? You've seemed preoccupied these past two days. Is it because of him?"

Shang Rou didn't say it out loud, but Ding Xuefei knew she understood. To him, Shang Rou was like an older sister, making him unconsciously willing to open up.

Ding Xuefei lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously tracing patterns on the soft blanket: "Hmm, I'm a little unsure what to do..."

"I don't know whether to move forward or back down?" Shang Rou asked gently.

"Hmm." Ding Xuefei looked up, somewhat troubled.

"You two are really a handful," Shang Rou chuckled, then asked, "Are you avoiding him because you dislike him?"

"Of course not!" Ding Xuefei immediately denied. "I just don't know how to face it."

"So you're going to keep hiding forever?"

Ding Xuefei didn't say anything, but he knew the answer was definitely no.

"Are you hiding from him as a person, or from a future you can't foresee?"

Of course it's not Yu Songlin. He's such a good person. Even if he did some stupid things... it wasn't his fault. Ding Xuefei forgave him a long time ago.

Shang Rou turned her head and looked at Ding Xuefei with clear eyes, "Xuefei, what are you afraid of?"

"External opinions are important, but your heart is more important. Xuefei, ask yourself, setting aside all external factors, do you still like him? When you're with him, are you happier or sadder? Do you envision a future where he'll be a part of your life?"

Ding Xuefei was stunned.

Shang Rou's question was like a key, easily unlocking the box in his heart that he had been trying to close. The tense anticipation on the Ferris wheel, the tight hand-holding on the roller coaster, the warmth of Nico brushing against his palm, and that unmistakable kiss in the storage room yesterday, filled with regret and deep affection... all these images came flooding back.

The answer is almost obvious.

He lowered his eyelashes, his voice soft yet clear: "...I like it."

Shang Rou smiled. Xu Yimeng was calling them over to play from afar. She responded, stood up, touched Ding Xuefei's hair, and said softly, "Then follow your heart."

Ding Xuefei felt a flush rise to her ears from what she said, but the heavy weight in her heart seemed to have loosened considerably.