Chapter 15 Fireworks 15 Days After the Fake Heiress Ran Away from Her Wedding

On the day of Gong Hanlu's birthday, the night sky was a clear blue, and a warm evening breeze caressed his face.

The old house was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and peace knots hung among the old trees.

Guests who came to offer their birthday wishes got off their cars in front of the carved crane wooden gate and looked out at the bustling mansion.

Within just a few months, the Gong family held another exceptionally grand banquet.

As a guest, Yun Chiyi got out of the car wearing high heels. To match the scene, she specially wore a lotus root-colored suit, with a fitted top and a slit skirt, and casually carried a small pearl-studded bag.

Wen Yanyan was also there this time, her simple white dress resembling a night-blooming cereus.

Everyone in the Gong family knew Yun Chiyi and warmly welcomed her into the house.

She spotted the peace knot on the tree at a glance.

Upon entering, they didn't rush inside, but stood for a long time in front of the pine tree with couplets hanging on it.

Beside him was a middle-aged man whose face did not look old, but most of his hair was gray, and he coughed from time to time.

Seeing the two girls standing there watching, Qi Quan glanced at them sideways.

Yun Chiyi seemed unaware, blinked her clear eyes, and shook Wen Yanyan's arm: "They really did hang up this birthday couplet."

After hearing her mention the matter of choosing couplets, Wen Yanyan said softly, "That's what Grandpa Gong said, and in the end, he will follow your opinion."

After listening to a few words from about two meters away, Qi Quan called out to the two people who were about to leave: "Excuse me, I overheard what you were saying."

Yun Chiyi's expression was blank: "Hello."

Qi Quan coughed, pressing his fist to his lips, until his neck turned red. He said in a hoarse voice, "Did you choose this birthday couplet?"

Yun Chiyi nodded warily: "Yes, it's just that the handwriting is good. I don't really understand these things."

Qi Quan smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, I mean no harm. There are too many young people I don't recognize these days. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Qi Quan, the Quan of spring water."

As soon as she finished speaking, the two girls opposite her showed surprised expressions. Yun Chiyi glanced slowly at the red-and-black-character birthday couplet, then looked at the middle-aged man in front of her dressed in a black Tang suit.

"So you are Mr. Qi."

Qi Quan asked about her identity, and after learning it, a hint of regret appeared in his eyes.

Yun Chiyi blushed and said, "I didn't understand at first either, but Yan Yan told me some things. Besides looking at first impressions, I also consider other aspects."

Wen Yanyan replied, "Because you are naturally smart."

The two girls complimented each other, which showed that they had a close relationship.

Qi Quan turned his gaze to Wen Yan Yan: "You know calligraphy?"

Wen Yan Yan was flattered by what she heard. Master Qi was famous throughout the country, and now he was standing in front of her and taking the initiative to talk to her.

Overwhelmed with excitement, she forced herself to remain calm and joyfully grasped Qi Quan's hand.

After several exchanges, the two felt an increasing sense of kinship and regret for not having met sooner.

At this moment, Yun Chiyi returned from her stroll. She looked at Wen Yanyan with a smile and said, "Yanyan, why are you still here? Teacher Zhang Yu is enjoying the scenery in the backyard. He saw your work at his father's place and asked me to introduce you to him. He wants to take you on as a student."

Many veteran artists were present today, which made Wen Yanyan's eyes light up. She was reluctant to end her conversation with Qi Quan, and was caught in a dilemma.

However, if she really had to choose, she preferred Qi Quan's style.

Upon hearing that someone was eager to take Wen Yanyan as their disciple, Qi Quan immediately perked up: "Zhang Yu has so many students under his command, how could he be so greedy?"

Yun Chiyi chimed in, "Teacher Zhang also loves taking on apprentices; he must have students all over the world."

Qi Quan sighed, "I'm getting old, and all I want to do is take on one more student."

Wen Yanyan cast an inquiring glance at Yun Chiyi, wanting to ask for her opinion, and Yun Chiyi nodded slightly.

She received a hint and seized the opportunity to show Qi Quan the photos on her phone: "Teacher Qi, this is something I wrote in my spare time. It's not well written at all. Teacher Qi, could you help me see how I should revise it?"

Qi Quan beamed with joy: "You've already called me teacher, how can I refuse?"

Yun Chiyi sighed and said, "It seems I'm going to disappoint Teacher Zhang. I can't get a word in edgewise either. Yan Yan, call me if you need anything."

Wen Yanyan was immersed in joy, nodding vigorously.

A dark figure flashed past in her peripheral vision, and Yun Chiyi turned around and walked over with a smile on her lips.

"What a coincidence, to run into you in such a big yard."

Lin Jishen looked down at her and said, "I remember Zhang Yu didn't receive an invitation."

Yun Chiyi chuckled and said, "That's not important."

She slowly turned around and said deliberately, "You were eavesdropping on me."

Lin Jishen did not answer.

Yun Chiyi lifted her skirt and swayed her body: "Is it pretty? It's a style that was popular a few years ago."

Lin Jishen's eyes darkened slightly as he recalled the figure chasing butterflies in the courtyard.

At the time, everyone praised Mrs. Lin for her love of fashion, saying that all the dresses she wore were hand-tailored and that she was skillful and had a good sense of aesthetics.

The two stood in a relatively quiet spot, looking at the well-dressed guests.

Lin Jishen stared at the scene he had personally set up with rapt attention, a smile creeping onto his lips.

"It's so lively!"

Yun Chiyi gave a perfunctory reply: "Yes, there are lots of delicious things to eat."

Lin Jishen took out the notebook he had been keeping with him all this time and crossed out the first few items in the schedule: "After the banquet there will be a fireworks display, followed by a guzheng performance, and then there will be nothing else."

She listened silently and said, "Why don't you arrange something fun?"

Lin Jishen retorted, "I'll make sure your next birthday is a big celebration."

Yun Chiyi was not intimidated by his imposing presence: "Then I'll leave it to you."

She patted his elbow solemnly, indicating that she had high hopes for him.

However, Yun Chiyi's attention was still focused on the two or three guests she was talking to. It was rare to have such a good opportunity to make so many connections in a year.

She put on a sweet smile and gracefully stepped into the crowd.

Gu Zhao and Gu Chi were also present, and they only managed to get in by borrowing Yun Jingui's invitation.

They saw Yun Chiyi chatting and laughing with the wealthy women. She was poised and graceful, and seemed to be well-liked by them.

Alarm bells rang in Gu Zhao's mind, and his intuition compelled him to move aside.

He didn't approach or disturb them further, but simply listened to their conversation.

Yun Chiyi smiled broadly, then shyly covered her red lips: "No, I still think the lotus root starch pastry from Qingjiao Alley is better. It's an old brand, and the taste is authentic."

The woman teased her, saying, "You little girl, you're so picky. You know where the good stuff is."

Yun Chiyi said, "It was a chance discovery; I guess I was just lucky."

Hearing that they were talking about food, Gu Zhao felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders.

That's true. Yun Chiyi doesn't care about anything serious all day long, so how many serious topics can she possibly come up with?

Gu Zhao convinced himself that the feeling that had just washed over him was just his imagination.

More than half an hour later, the banquet officially began.

Gong Hanlu sat at the host's table with an air of authority that commanded respect without anger. During the banquet, someone asked a junior to present a gift. Such a demeanor would have made him a high-ranking local official in ancient times.

After several important guests had finished presenting their gifts, Gu Zhao wondered when it would be their turn.

So he looked around, trying to find Yun Chiyi among the group of young people.

She had clearly agreed to deliver the gift, but now she's nowhere to be found.

Yun Chiyi sat at the last table, peacefully eating the food in her bowl.

Was she really going to go up there, raise her hands above her head, and bow deeply at a 90-degree angle to fawn over Gong Hanlu?

Of course not. If Gu Zhao asks, I'll just make up some excuse to brush it off.

In any case, in his eyes, she was hopeless and there was no difference in the consequences.

She finished her small bowl of rice and gracefully wiped her fingertips clean.

She was the only stranger at the table; everyone else there was someone she knew, yet she was the one who felt most at ease while eating.

The other seven people all held their bowls and stared at her without even blinking.

Yun Chiyi blinked her dark eyes and smiled, "I'm done eating. Please enjoy your meal."

She carefully moved the chair aside, and a large hand grabbed the back of the chair and easily lifted it up. Yun Chiyi turned around, puzzled.

Gong Mufeng gestured for him to enter.

Yun Chiyi's smile didn't reach her eyes: "I haven't seen you for a while, and I thought you would be absent from such an important occasion."

Gong Mufeng looked at the unsmiling Gong Hanlu in the distance and sneered, "How could I dare?"

Ignoring the stares of those around him, he poured himself a drink from the table without any hesitation. The pungent liquor went down his throat, but then turned into a subtle sweetness.

"Have you finished eating? Go for a walk in the backyard."

Yun Chiyi stood in front of him, looking up at him like a bewildered forest fawn.

"Sure."

Gong Mufeng took another sip of wine before leaving. He walked very fast, and Yun Chiyi had to jog to keep up with him.

She ran, lifting her skirt, past the banquet hall.

As she hurried past, she and Lin Jishen exchanged a glance from afar.

Lin Jishen watched her being led by Gong Mufeng, tilted his head, slowly lifted his eyelids, and his eyes seemed to be filled with frost.

Gong Mufeng's pace slowed down only when he reached the backyard.

Yun Chiyi was panting heavily, her cheeks flushed. She exercised in private, but she couldn't outrun Gong Mufeng, who was always making a fuss.

She looked anxious: "Ah Feng, what's wrong?"

Gong Mufeng kicked the flower bushes with his foot: "Your dad just sent me a message."

Upon hearing just the beginning, Yun Chiyi's brows furrowed tightly. She clutched her chest pitifully, her voice so low it was almost inaudible: "Did he tell you about the birthday gift?"

Gong Mufeng walked straight to the stone bench and sat down, then lightly tapped the seat next to him, gesturing for Yun Chiyi to sit down.

Yun Chiyi shook her head, a little sweat still on her forehead from running, adding to her fragile beauty amidst her current melancholy.

Gong Mufeng lit a cigarette, took a puff and held it between his fingers, staring intently at her: "I was just wondering, were your feelings for me before because of Gu Zhao's instructions?"

Yun Chiyi was slightly taken aback, as if she felt that the answer was hurtful, and her eyes slowly welled up with tears.

With a cigarette dangling from his lips and his hand resting on the armrest of the stone bench, Gong Mufeng continued, "I can't escape Gong Hanlu's control over me either, so how could you possibly go against Gu Zhao's wishes?"

Large tears streamed down Yun Chiyi's face as she murmured to herself, "So this is how you see me."

She stubbornly raised her head, not wanting Gong Mufeng to see her vulnerable side.

Gong Mufeng asked irritably, "Then why don't you cling to me like you used to?"

Yun Chiyi wiped away her tears with the back of her snow-white hand, her eyes red-rimmed, and tried her best to steady her trembling voice: "How can I explain this? I feel like we're pursuing different things now, and you're drifting further and further away from me."

She took two steps forward, then stopped as if afraid of something.

"Ah Feng, what about you? Did you ever love me before?"

Gong Mufeng was stumped by the question; his love was pitifully little, almost nonexistent.

Yun Chiyi gave a wry smile and said, "I understand."

Gong Mufeng said, "We can start over, and I can love you properly."

After a moment of surprise, Yun Chi took a breath, her nose turning red: "Please give me some time to think it over."

"Ah Feng, don't tell anyone else about this. It's a secret between the two of us. I don't want others to think I'm so ashamed that I almost married you, but you don't love me."

If Lin Jishen knew that she had rejected Gong Mufeng's advances, it wouldn't be something that could be easily dismissed with a few words.

Gong Mufeng looked at her, who was holding back tears, and said, "You are the first person to reject me."

He stood up: "Okay, I can give you time, but don't keep me waiting too long."

Yun Chiyi kept her head down and didn't make a sound. Suddenly, it felt like all the strength had been drained from her body. She slowly squatted down and tried her best to cover her face with her arms.

Seeing her reaction, Gong Mufeng felt a sense of helplessness. He wanted to reach out and stroke her slender shoulder blades to comfort her.

However, the restless and unfamiliar emotions in his heart forced him to lower his hand.

Has she forgotten how many beautiful women have wanted his favor, yet he still treats her differently?

Gong Mufeng couldn't help but think of what Gong Hanlu had said: "Yun Chiyi doesn't know how to appreciate kindness."

Gong Mufeng left first, casually tossing the things in his pocket into the trash can.

Yun Chiyi noticed it was a women's watch and innocently pursed her lips.

She waited a few minutes before going out, and only the corners of her eyes were still red.

She went outside and saw Lin Jishen standing under the eaves, and out of the blue asked, "Have you quit smoking?"

Her voice was hoarse, her cheeks were wet, and her pure eyes were clear and bright.

Lin Jishen was taken aback; she seemed to be right.

From what point did he stop relying on the comfort that tobacco provided?

The process was so light and easy that he didn't even notice it.

When he was a teenager, he tried to quit smoking, and the first few days were very difficult.

He needed something to keep his brain excited, so he simply let things take their course and didn't try to force it.

Whoosh! Bang!

Brilliant fireworks exploded in the night sky, startling Yun Chiyi. She then looked up, her wet eyes gazing at the azure starry sky.

The shadows and scents of fireworks still linger in the night sky.

Then, another firework burst into bloom with a crackling sound.

The light that ignited illuminated her entire face, and her eyes were clear, devoid of worldly desires.

Even the faint sadness disappeared.

The first fireworks show lasted for more than two minutes. The two stood facing each other the whole time. Yun Chiyi lowered her head, and her clean and tidy appearance was unexpectedly captured by a pair of indifferent dark eyes.

Lin Jishen didn't watch the fireworks; instead, he kept looking at her.

Yun Chiyi took out a handkerchief to wipe her face, and when she saw this thing, her brow twitched.

She almost forgot the task Lin Jishen had given her.

"The birthday banquet will end in half an hour, don't forget."

Lin Jishen's eyes were particularly dark at this moment. He calmly turned around and his gaze accurately caught a pot-bellied middle-aged man in the distance.

That was Wang Jianjia, the Lin family's best business partner and friend twenty years ago.

This was the first time Lin Jishen had seen him so closely. He looked even older than in the photos, a testament to the passage of time.

Wang Jianjia was on the phone, speaking loudly while making hand gestures: "Why are you crying? I've told you so many times, you're here for the Gong family's birthday banquet, not to go out and fool around."

He explained impatiently, continuing in a gruff voice, "It's a rare treat to eat food from your hometown at the dinner table. I'll show you on my phone when we get back."

"Eat it, eat it, two small pills after meals, you have to say it several times a day."

Lin Jishen walked over as if nothing had happened. Wang Jianjia looked at him in surprise, and the face of the old friend she had forgotten suddenly reappeared in her mind.

Wang Jianjia directly called out to Lin Jishen: "Stop..."

Lin Jishen stopped, his expression indifferent, his eyes calm and unwavering.

How can there be someone who looks so much like them?

Lin Jishen's gentle and refined demeanor gradually returned, and he smiled kindly, asking, "May I ask who you are?"

Wang Jianjia suddenly awoke from a deep dream, and buried memories flooded back like a torrent.

The second fireworks show followed, and the quiet night sky was brought back to life.

Wang Jianjia stared intently at the man in front of her, trying to glean the truth from his eyes and brows.

Just then, a sound of fire came from somewhere.

Yun Chiyi and Lin Jishen both turned their heads sharply, trying to find the source of the sound in the noise.

Fireworks continued to bloom in the sky, and Wang Jianjia also heard the sound.

Some scenes overlapped before his eyes, and he vaguely heard the sound of a roof beam burning and falling down.

Wang Jianjia broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly made his way through the crowd to leave.

Yun Chiyi moved lightly on her toes, and in a daze, she turned to face Wang Jianjia.

Her eyes were bright, her cheeks slightly flushed like a little rabbit's, and her eyes revealed genuine concern: "Sir, why are you sweating so much?"

She took a fragrant handkerchief out of her bag: "Are you feeling unwell?"

The girl in front of me was extremely beautiful, and her voice was like a gentle spring, soothing my flustered heart.

Wang Jianjia took the handkerchief from her hand and saw a familiar pattern in the corner. He unfolded the silky handkerchief and pulled it into his palm to see the embroidered pattern clearly.

He knew it all too well; he had seen this painting countless times, and it had hung in the Lin family's living room back then.

In an instant, his pupils trembled, his breathing became rapid, as if he were trapped in a nightmare, and the veins on his forehead bulged like writhing earthworms.

Yun Chiyi leaned closer with concern: "Sir, are you alright?"

Wang Jianjia shoved her away abruptly, and Yun Chiyi fell backward, her back hitting a tree, letting out a muffled groan.

She winced in pain, then opened her eyes to see a man with bloodshot eyes gripping her shoulders, hissing, "Who are you! What do you want!"

He then noticed her attire, which was clearly the style that Mrs. Lin liked.

He couldn't help but see things and mistook her for someone else.

"What are you doing here! You came here to see me, didn't you!"

The sound of fireworks faded into the air, and Wang Jianjia's roar stood out starkly in the silence that followed the excitement.

Someone cried out in panic, "They're hitting people! They're hitting people!"

Immediately afterwards, the shout that had been drowned out by the fireworks rang out again.

"Fire!"

Within seconds, the crowd was thrown into chaos.

When someone got up to leave, they bumped into a wine glass on the table, and the sound of shattering filled the room.

Yun Chiyi looked around in a panic, struggling to break free from her restraints, her voice trembling as she cried out, "What are you doing? You've mistaken me for someone else!"

Wang Jianjia suddenly came to his senses and took a closer look at Yun Chiyi.

She huddled under the tree, hugging herself in fear.

Indeed, it wasn't Mrs. Lin.

"Wang Jianjia, are you crazy?!"

Angry voices echoed through the crowd.

Reeking of alcohol, Gong Mufeng punched Wang Jianjia as soon as he arrived, then kicked him repeatedly to the ground. Wang Jianjia covered his head and lay on the ground retching.

Yun Chiyi stood up in surprise, her lips pale with fright, and hurriedly pulled Gong Mufeng away.

"Ah Feng, stop right now! Someone will die!"

She wasn't strong enough, so she could only cling tightly to Gong Mufeng's arm, her cheek pressed against his back.

"Ah Feng, can you calm down?"

Gong Mufeng kicked Wang Jianjia again: "You should consider the occasion before you act out."

Wang Jianjia vomited blood and lay on the ground, drenched in sweat. His eyes were unfocused, and he was just panting heavily.

The guests were stunned by what they saw; the series of events seemed to be happening in a dream.

Lin Jishen stood outside the noisy crowd, his eyes sparkling. He faced the cold wind alone, his suppressed laughter causing his shoulders to tremble.

Tonight is so lively!

Yun Chiyi glanced at Lin Jishen, who was watching the show, and their eyes met briefly.

[Host, Lin Jishen has become even more obsessive. You're the one who caused it. You're doomed. *crying*]

A note from the author:

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