fireworks

At five o'clock in the evening, the bell that signaled the end of the last English exam rang out crisply and decisively from various test centers throughout the city, piercing through the sweltering air and the heartbeats of countless people who had been waiting for two whole days, or even several years.

The bell rang, followed by a brief silence, then a sudden, suppressed uproar—cheers, screams, cries, sighs of relief, and the clatter of books, notes, and exam admission tickets being tossed high into the air. Summer, it seemed, only truly and dramatically arrived at this moment, bringing with it all its passion and clamor.

The "Encounter" restaurant closed early today. Manager Chen and several long-time employees waved and laughed, urging Qi Shuo to leave early: "Hurry back! That kid Qin Zhou, who knows how much fun he'll have later!"

Qi Shuo thanked them, changed out of his uniform, and pushed his cart out the door. The sun was setting, its golden-red light spilling across half the sky, and the air was filled with a restless yet lighthearted atmosphere.

He rode very fast, the wind whistling past his ears, bringing not coolness, but a scalding heat, carrying the scent of dust and the hustle and bustle of the city.

Passing by a cake shop that was still open, he braked and stopped at the door. Looking at the dazzling array of desserts in the window, his gaze lingered for a few seconds on a large cake piled high with cream and fruit and labeled "Passing the Imperial Examination." In the end, he pushed open the door and went in, choosing a relatively small cream cake decorated with strawberries and blueberries, and also picked up two small, exquisitely packaged sparklers.

"Celebrating the end of the college entrance exam for your child?" the cashier asked with a smile.

Qi Shuo paused for a moment, nodded, paid, carefully placed the cake box in the bicycle basket, and put the sparklers in his pocket.

As I pushed open the door, a richer, more intense aroma mingled with the lively sounds of people wafted towards me.

Qin Zhou had the loudest voice, almost enough to lift the roof off. He was gesturing wildly and talking animatedly to Xiao Jue and Song Yungui about which proctor in the exam room looked like his second uncle, and how he had compared a math problem with someone from the next class, only to find that they had both gotten it wrong.

Song Yungui sat beside him, a long-lost, relaxed smile on his face. He occasionally added a few words, his eyes sparkling, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Xiao Jue leaned back on the sofa, a smile playing on his lips, listening quietly, nodding occasionally in agreement, his eyes filled with undisguised satisfaction.

In the kitchen, the range hood roared, and the spatula clattered against the wok, creating a symphony of sounds. Sister Jin, wearing a floral apron, was so busy that her feet barely touched the ground, but her face was beaming like a flower, and she didn't even bother to wipe the fine beads of sweat from her forehead.

"You're back? Quick, quick, wash your hands and set the table! The pot's boiling and we can eat right away!" She turned and called out, her voice brimming with joy.

The dining table in the living room had already been moved to the center, and it was laden with a dazzling array of dishes. The most eye-catching item was a large, steaming copper hot pot. The red oil broth was bubbling under the heat of an induction cooker, with bright red chili oil and plump peppercorns and chilies rising and falling, emitting a domineering yet tempting spicy aroma.

Beside it was a clear broth hot pot, its milky white bone broth bubbling with red dates, goji berries, and a few pieces of corn, exuding a delicious aroma. Around the hot pot were plates and bowls of all sizes—thinly sliced ​​beef and lamb rolls neatly arranged, fresh shrimp, squid flowers, handmade beef balls, fish balls, shrimp paste, various mushrooms, vibrant green vegetables, tender tofu, fried tofu skin soaked in broth… a colorful array, piling up on the table, almost obscuring the surface. There were also several cold dishes: smashed cucumber, cold black fungus salad, and braised beef, prepared by Sister Jin that afternoon.

Several bottles of chilled soda and beer stood on the corner of the table, with fine water droplets condensing on their surfaces.

"Wow! Brother Shuo! You bought a cake!" Qin Zhou, with her sharp eyes, was the first to spot the box in Qi Shuo's hand. She rushed over with a shout, carefully took the cake, placed it on the corner of the table, and marveled at the exquisite cream and strawberry filling. "It's so beautiful! Sister Jin, can I have a strawberry first?"

"Go! Go wash your hands! We'll move once everyone's here!" Sister Jin said with a laugh, as she brought out a large plate of freshly fried, golden and crispy pork, the aroma instantly filling the entire space.

"Everyone's here, everyone's here!" Qin Zhou exclaimed, quickly grabbing a small piece of crispy pork and stuffing it into her mouth. It was so hot she gasped for breath, and between exhalations, she mumbled a thumbs-up, "Mmm... Sister Jin, amazing!"

Song Yungui also got up to help, setting out the bowls and chopsticks one by one and pouring drinks into everyone's cups. Xiao Jue opened a beer and filled the cups for Sister Jin, Qi Shuo, and himself, while pouring soda for Qin Zhou and Song Yungui.

"Come, come, sit down, sit down!" Sister Jin took off her apron, wiped her hands, her face filled with undisguised excitement and pride, her eyes even a little red. "Our two college students have finally finished their exams today! They've worked so hard for so long, no matter how they did, today, there's only one word: eat! Eat to your heart's content! To celebrate Zhouzhou and Yungui finishing this great battle!"

"Long live Sister Jin!" Qin Zhou raised his soda bottle and cheered loudly.

"Thank you, Sister Jin, you've worked hard." Song Yungui also raised his glass, his voice not loud but clear, his eyes filled with gratitude as he looked at Sister Jin.

"You've all worked hard," Xiao Jue said with a smile, raising his glass. His gaze swept over Qin Zhou and Song Yungui, then fell on Sister Jin and Qi Shuo. "Come on, the first toast is to wish our Zhouzhou and Yungui a bright future and all their wishes fulfilled!"

"May your future be bright! May all your wishes come true!" Everyone raised their glasses, the glass and plastic cups clinking together with a crisp, pleasant sound. The soda bubbled cheerfully, and the beer shimmered with a golden hue, reflecting the radiant smiles on everyone's faces.

The steaming hot pot officially began. Red oil bubbled and the clear broth simmered, chopsticks and spoons flew everywhere. Qin Zhou was a carnivore, specializing in fatty beef and lamb, stuffing them into his mouth as soon as they changed color from being cooked, hissing and laughing from the spiciness but not stopping.

Song Yungui ate more delicately, but he was also much more uninhibited than usual, occasionally picking up a piece of the not-too-spicy shrimp paste that Sister Jin had specially saved for him. Sister Jin was busy serving food to everyone, but she didn't eat much herself. Just watching the two children wolf down their food made her smile from ear to ear.

Xiao Jue slowly and methodically cooked the tripe, dipping it in and out of the pot seven or eight times until it was perfectly cooked, coating it with sesame oil and minced garlic, enjoying his meal immensely. Qi Shuo spoke the least, but his hands never stopped moving. When he saw someone's plate was empty, he would silently hand them a new plate of meat or vegetables. When he saw that the broth in the spicy pot was running low, he would pick up a spoon and add more broth.

The topic revolves around exams, but it's no longer about the tension of checking answers and estimating scores; instead, it's become about various anecdotes from the exam hall and post-exam complaints.

Qin Zhou imitated the walking posture of a serious proctor so vividly that Sister Jin laughed so hard she almost fell over.

Xiao Jue recounted his embarrassing experience during his college entrance exam years ago, how he almost lost his admission ticket and frantically searched for it everywhere.

Even Qi Shuo was caught up in the atmosphere. Under Jin Jie's persistent questioning, he briefly said that after finishing his last exam, he felt that the sky was particularly blue.

"And then what?" Qin Zhou pressed.

“Then,” Qi Shuo paused, picking up a perfectly cooked baby bok choy, “he went to work.”

There was a moment of silence at the table. Jin Jie's smile faded slightly, and a hint of heartache flashed in her eyes.

Xiao Jue patted Qi Shuo on the shoulder. Qin Zhou and Song Yungui also put down their chopsticks.

Qi Shuo remained calm, put the baby bok choy in his mouth, chewed it, swallowed it, and then added casually, "So, you guys are better than me."

These words, spoken simply, stirred a pang of sadness in everyone present, followed by a surge of warmth. Qin Zhou suddenly picked up his soda: "Brother Shuo! I'll take care of you from now on!"

“Me too.” Song Yungui said softly, his gaze firm.

"Go away, what nonsense are you talking about!" Sister Jin laughed and scolded, but her eyes were even redder. "If you all do well in the future and become successful, that's the best thing! Come on, eat meat, eat meat, this tripe won't taste good if it gets old!"

The atmosphere became lively again, even warmer than before. The rising steam from the hot pot blurred everyone's faces, and also blurred those not-so-easy past events.

At this moment, there is only the bubbling red soup in front of me, the crisp sound of clinking glasses, hearty laughter, and the rich, unyielding warmth that permeates the air.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the cake was brought out, adorned with candles bearing the number "18". The lights were turned off, the candles were lit, and the warm, flickering light illuminated every smiling, slightly flushed face.

"Make a wish! Make a wish now!" Qin Zhou urged.

Song Yungui was a little embarrassed, but under everyone's gaze, he still put his hands together, closed his eyes, his long eyelashes cast gentle shadows in the candlelight, and his lips moved slightly.

Qin Zhou, with his eyes closed, shouted loudly, "I want to get into Beijing Normal University! I want to make a lot of money, buy Sister Jin a big house! Buy Brother Shuo and Brother Xiao Jue the best cars! Take Yun Gui to eat all over the world!"

"If you say your wish out loud, it won't come true!" Sister Jin laughed and patted him.

"I don't care, I'm going to say it out loud, so that God can hear it clearly!" Qin Zhou shouted.

In the flickering candlelight, Qi Shuo looked at Qin Zhou's profile, full of boundless possibilities and beaming with joy; at Song Yungui's quiet wish with a faint smile on her lips; at Sister Jin's eyes, filled with contentment; at Xiao Jue's gentle light... a hard, cold place in his chest seemed to be warmed by the candlelight, softening and warming up little by little.

He picked up his glass and downed the rest of the beer in one gulp. The icy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning warmth that traveled all the way to his heart.

"Blow out the candles! Let's blow them out together!"

"call--!"

The candles went out, and after a moment of darkness, the lights came back on. Amid cheers, the cake was cut, and sweet cream and fruit were distributed to everyone. Qin Zhou ate until his face was covered in cream, while Song Yungui ate in small bites, a little white cream on the corner of his mouth. Sister Jin watched them, her smile wide and her eyes almost closed.

After finishing the cake and clearing the table, no one rushed to leave. Qin Zhou, rubbing her round belly, slumped in her chair and hummed, "I'm so full... but I'm so happy..."

Sister Jin took out the watermelon she had prepared beforehand, cut it up, and served it. The sweet watermelon was juicy and refreshing, dispelling the heat of the hot pot.

As night deepened, the faint sounds of celebratory firecrackers and laughter drifted from afar outside the window.

Someone set off a small firework from their balcony. It shot into the sky with a whoosh and exploded with a bang, scattering into a dazzling but fleeting rain of light.

"Let's put some too!" Qin Zhou perked up, jumping up to search. "I remember there are sparklers!"

Qi Shuo then remembered what was in his pocket, took it out, and handed it over. It was two thin, exquisitely packaged sparklers.

"Wow! Brother Shuo bought it! That's great!" Qin Zhou snatched it and gave one to Song Yungui. Sister Jin smiled and found a lighter.

The balcony was small and couldn't accommodate too many people. Sister Jin and Xiao Jue stood at the living room doorway watching. Qin Zhou and Song Yungui squeezed onto the edge of the balcony and lit sparklers.

With a hiss, tiny sparks flew out, followed by a dazzling, silvery-white light that hissed and illuminated two young and vibrant faces.

Qin Zhou waved his sparkler, drawing random circles in the air, laughing heartily. Song Yungui, on the other hand, held it quietly, watching the cluster of light burn silently at his fingertips, the sparks reflected in his clear eyes like fallen stars.

Qi Shuo leaned against the balcony door frame, watching quietly. The sparks from the sparklers were brief but dazzling, tracing bright and warm paths against the deep blue night sky.

The light shone on Qin Zhou's unrestrained and spirited eyes, on Song Yungui's gentle and smiling lips, and on Sister Jin and Xiao Jue's faces, which were filled with tenderness and relief as they leaned against the door.

The air was filled with the faint smell of gunpowder, mixed with the lingering aroma of hot pot, the sweetness of cake, and the unique scents of grass and dust that are characteristic of a summer night.

At this moment, there is no heavy past, no gloomy present, and no uncertain future.

Only this small, cramped balcony, overflowing with warmth and the warmth of everyday life, only this real, tangible moment radiating light and heat.

The exhaustion was real, the joy was real, the satisfaction after a full stomach was real, and the cautious yet bright anticipation for the future was also real.

The sparklers burned out, the last embers disappearing into the night. The balcony fell into darkness again, with only the living room light shining through, outlining their blurry silhouettes.

"That's all." Qin Zhou said, still wanting more.

"Hmm." Song Yungui responded softly, looking at the burnt stick in his hand, which was now just a small piece of charred metal wire, as if the residual warmth was still there.

"Alright, you've been making a ruckus all night. Clean up and go to bed early!" Sister Jin said, her voice filled with laughter and the relief of exhaustion.

Everyone agreed and began to tidy up the messy table. The sounds of running water, clinking dishes, and hushed laughter filled the small space.

Qi Shuo tied up the last garbage bag and carried it to the door. As he straightened up, his gaze inadvertently swept across the deep night outside the window.

In the distance, the city lights shone brightly, winding like a river. Further into the sky, it seemed that sporadic, even grander fireworks rose and exploded, silently illuminating a small patch of the night sky before fading away.

The warmth he felt, ignited by the steam of the hot pot, the sweetness of the cake, and the glow of fireworks, slowly settled, transforming into something calm and grounded, like warm sand left on the beach after the tide has receded.

After tonight, Qin Zhou and Song Yungui will embark on a new and unknown journey. And they, this small, cobbled-together "home," will continue to move forward along their own predetermined paths, facing their own storms and sunshine.

But at least tonight, the lights are warm, there's meat in the bowl, people are by my side, and there's light ahead.

Qi Shuo closed the door, shutting out the hustle and bustle of the summer night.

The warm lights and familiar voices inside, along with the crisp sounds of dishes clinking together after being washed, create the most ordinary yet touching accompaniment to life.