Chapter 169 I only hope that every year will bring back the same old friends.

After they had explored the area for a while, the group headed back.

After dinner, we'll start preparing for the fireworks.

Even Xie Yanning's parents walked hand in hand towards the lake.

A large crowd of onlookers had already gathered there.

Xie Yan'an and several others had already set up their positions, just waiting for the right moment to light the fire.

Xie Yanning and Su Wanwan found a relatively quiet corner, a dirt slope, which was quite far away but offered a wider view.

Xie Yanning hugged Su Wanwan from behind, gently kissed her cheek and asked, "Are you cold?" He then tied her scarf around her neck.

As night fell, a wind rose by the lake, carrying icy moisture that was indeed quite chilling.

The cold in the South is different from that in the North, especially in the Jiangnan region, which is neither too far south nor too far north. When it gets cold, there is nowhere to escape it.

Her hands were wrapped around her waist, crossed in front of her waist.

Xie Yanning's breath hit her, and Su Wanwan felt hot.

"If you don't hold me so tightly, I might get cold."

Xie Yanning chuckled softly, "I'm cold."

"Aren't you going to release it?" Su Wanwan asked.

"Are you going?"

Fireworks set off at this time are no longer the cute kind; they go "bang bang bang," which is quite frightening and could probably trigger a heart attack.

"I still prefer to watch more."

Every year there is a fireworks display in the port city, and Su Wanwan and her family have watched it many times.

Before long, fireworks began to be set off one after another.

Xie Yanning's hometown village can be considered a wealthy village. The villagers are all relatively well-off, and they mainly set off large fireworks, which bloom one after another towards the center of the lake, instantly illuminating the entire night sky.

There were many children jumping and playing there, chattering and making a lot of noise.

"So beautiful," Su Wanwan said, looking at the fireworks in front of her.

"Yes, it is very beautiful." Xie Yanning said softly, not knowing who he was referring to as beautiful, or perhaps both. He gently held Su Wanwan's hand, his fingertips kneading her palm.

"What are you doing?" Su Wanwan asked playfully, feeling a little itchy.

"You see what I mean."

Su Wanwan: "..."

She grabbed his hand in return, preventing him from moving.

Xie Yanning chuckled softly in her ear and stopped teasing her. Instead, they watched the fireworks together.

The flowers bloom the same every year, but I only hope that the same people will be there every year.

The fireworks display lasted for about half an hour.

When it was over, Su Wanwan saw Xie Yan'an talking to someone.

What is he doing?

“His arch-enemy, Chen Qingtang’s younger brother, Chen Qinghan,” Xie Yanning said.

"Then they have a good relationship," Su Wanwan concluded.

Xie Yanning pulled her along slowly as they walked back, saying, "You absolutely mustn't let him hear this, or he might jump up in anger."

"She's really young."

The fireworks display attracted some tourists from the neighboring ancient town, making the whole village much more lively.

Some vendors also set up small stalls on the roadside to do business.

Although there will be no shortage of food during the Chinese New Year, it's still nice to have some hot barbecue or other cooked food during the holiday.

Xie Yanning asked her if she wanted to try some.

It's too cold, and I've already digested most of what I ate last night.

Xie Yanning took Su Wanwan to an old shop that had been in business for many years.

“I used to come here quite often when I was a child.”

"I never imagined Professor Xie was such a glutton."

"Food and sex are the greatest desires of humankind," Xie Yanning whispered in her ear.

Su Wanwan was astonished by his shamelessness.

They ran into an acquaintance from lunchtime as soon as they entered the store.

It was Chen Qingtang, and a woman who looked very academic.

The two sat there, eating their barbecue in silence.

Su Wanwan nudged Xie Yanning's shoulder, "Should we go say hello?"

"They probably have something to talk about, so it's best not to go." Xie Yanning didn't want to get involved in other people's relationships. In any case, the choice was theirs. He had already said what he needed to say that afternoon. If they were truly on different paths, there was no point in him saying more.

However, just because they don't go there doesn't mean others can't see them.

Seeing that they were looking for another table, Chen Qingtang said, "What, are you pretending you didn't see us?"

"I'm just embarrassed to let you treat me to a meal," Xie Yanning said.

Chen Qingtang: "Your shamelessness remains unchanged."

"You flatter me."

Sheng Yan looked up at them, stood up, nodded slightly to Xie Yanning, and said, "Brother Yanning," then said to Su Wanwan, "I am Sheng Yan, his cousin." Even distant relatives are considered cousins.

"Hello, Su Wanwan."

After exchanging greetings, Xie Yanning and Su Wanwan, unsure whether they were being a third wheel, sat down at the same table with them.

The shop was doing brisk business, but since Chen Qingtang had already ordered quite a lot, the wait shouldn't be too long.

This couple is clearly involved.

Su Wanwan was a little curious, but didn't want to ask too many questions.

Xie Yanning asked, "When are you going back to school?"

Sheng Yan: "The school's expedition team will be setting off in a few days."

Xie Yanning glanced at the silent Chen Qingtang and sighed quietly: "Then be careful."

Sheng Yan gave a soft "hmm".

Chen Qingtang: "Then I'll wish you a complete success on your expedition from afar."

Sheng Yan concealed her thoughts and softly said, "Thank you."

Xie Yanning didn't say anything else.

When they got back, Su Wanwan asked what had happened.

"It's probably because one of them wanted to be an archaeologist and the other wanted to be an elite in a big city. They wanted to live different lives and were destined not to be together."

"But archaeologists don't spend every day in tombs."

"Alright, it's their fate. It's good that they've separated completely, cutting off their lingering feelings for each other. Otherwise, it's exhausting for me to watch. Just don't come to me crying anymore," Xie Yanning said.

Su Wanwan suddenly wanted to ask why Xie Yanning had never given up on the idea of ​​them during all the years they had been apart.

But she didn't dare.

When they went back downstairs, they didn't find anyone.

Xie Yanning said, "My parents should be asleep; they go to bed very early."

Su Wanwan unconsciously slowed her pace, and Xie Yanning found it somewhat amusing: "Their rooms are in the back, far away from here, they can't hear us."

After eating barbecue, you will inevitably get some of the smell of oil and smoke.

Su Wanwan felt like she smelled like something.

"I want to take a shower."

"Okay," Xie Yanning said. "You can take a shower in my room; it'll be more convenient."

Su Wanwan looked at him.

"Aren't you embarrassed?"

"You're not trying to save water again, are you?"

"Smart, you got it right."

"..." Su Wanwan refused: "No, we don't know how long it would take to shower together."

Xie Yanning chuckled softly, "Alright, alright, we'll wash them separately."

He didn't care and didn't mind spending such a little time.

He led his men to the bedroom.

This was Su Wanwan's first time stepping into Xie Yanning's bedroom; she hadn't had a chance to in the afternoon.

The style inside remains the same, leaning towards a cold and hard aesthetic, but you can still see some traces of your youth.

Su Wanwan took her pajamas inside.

It's an old house, so it's not very big inside; there's only a shower area.

Of course, Su Wanwan wasn't planning on taking a bath or anything like that.