Chapter 113 A Complete Family
It was already evening when we left Pei's mother's house.
The setting sun dyed the sky orange, and the air was filled with the coolness of early spring.
MAX was curled up in the back seat and taking a nap, his tail wagging occasionally.
"Where do you want to go in the next few days?" Shi Yanchen turned on the heater and adjusted it to a suitable temperature.
"I heard there's a flower-making show on the riverside recently," Pei Song thought for a moment, "How about going to see it tonight?"
"Okay," Shi Yanchen shook his hand, "We can go to the Panda Lantern Festival tomorrow. I saw on the news that there are many new interactive installations this year."
"Oh, by the way," Pei Song suddenly remembered something, "I won the grand prize of a trip for two to Europe at the annual meeting. When do you think is a good time to go?"
"Why not change it to cash?" Shi Yanchen said. "According to company regulations, you can exchange it at a 15% discount. When I'm done with this, I'll take you back to Europe for a short stay. I've lived there since I was a child, so I'm familiar with every corner of Europe. I'll take you to places that tourists don't know about, and you can also visit our restaurant."
Pei Song's eyes lit up: "Okay, then change it to cash."
A lot of people have gathered by the river.
Colorful balloons floated above the vendors' stalls, and the air was filled with the aroma of sugar-roasted chestnuts.
The river water shimmered in the night, and a simple iron frame was erected on the shore.
Several masters were adding charcoal into the stove, and sparks were crackling.
Shi Yanchen held Pei Song's hand and found a position with a better view in the crowd.
The master put a few iron bars into the fire and burned them red, and the muscles on his arms bulged.
When the iron bar was burning red, he suddenly shouted and threw the iron bar into the air.
Suddenly, sparks fell from the sky like meteors, emitting brilliant light in the darkness.
There were bursts of exclamations from the crowd.
Pei Song looked up, with stars shining in his eyes.
Shi Yanchen stood beside him, but his eyes fell on Pei Song's profile.
In the firelight, his outline seemed particularly soft.
Shi Yanchen only felt that the person in front of him was more dazzling than the sparks in the sky.
He took advantage of the cover of night and quickly kissed Pei Song on the cheek.
Pei Song was stunned for a moment, his cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and he looked around subconsciously, afraid of being discovered by the tourists around him.
The masters cooperated well and took turns performing.
Mars in the sky either draws a huge peony or weaves into a dense net, like a golden rain.
Occasionally, sparks fell down, and Pei Song subconsciously dodged to the side, just in time to bump into Shi Yanchen's arms.
The latter took the opportunity to put his arm around his waist and whispered, "Are you scared?"
Pei Song shook his head: "I just think it's amazing that these ordinary iron bars can become such beautiful things after forging and firing."
As the performance came to an end, four iron bars were swung out at the same time, sparks intertwined into a web in the air, and dense golden light spots poured down like a waterfall.
There was applause all around.
After returning home, MAX couldn't wait to pick up the leash.
"I'll take MAX out for another walk," Pei Song said. "It didn't do much exercise at night."
"I'll go with you." Shi Yanchen stood up.
In the darkness of night, three figures walked on the tree-lined avenue of the community.
Shi Yanchen naturally took Pei Song's hand, and the warmth of his palm made the cold night wind become gentle.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
Pei Song shook his head: "Not bad."
Shi Yanchen looked at MAX's figure in front of him: "It looks a lot like you."
"How are they similar?" Pei Song asked curiously.
"Serious and gentle," Shi Yanchen said, "Always attentive to the people he cares about."
MAX stopped abruptly and pricked up his ears alertly.
A wild cat jumped out of the bushes and startled them.
But MAX did not chase after him. Instead, he stood still and waited for Pei Song's instructions.
"Go ahead." Pei Song said.
MAX then slowly approached the cat and sniffed it cautiously, as if to say hello.
The cat looked at MAX warily, then seeing that he had no hostility, it relaxed and walked past him gracefully.
"You are so good." Pei Song touched MAX's head, "You are becoming more and more sensible."
Shi Yanchen watched the scene from the side and said: "Sometimes I feel very lucky."
"Hmm?" Pei Song turned to look at him.
"Lucky to meet you," Shi Yanchen said in a low voice, "Lucky to live with you and MAX." He paused, "It's like a complete family."
Pei Song felt warm in his heart and held Shi Yanchen's hand tightly: "I feel very lucky too."
The next evening, the two came to the Jiangtan Park in the High-tech Zone.
The 64th International Panda Lantern Festival is being held here, and the entire park has been transformed into a dazzling world of light and shadow.
At the entrance is a huge set of "Door God Panda" lights. The cute pandas are wearing majestic door god armor, which is very lifelike.
"The Lantern Festival is divided into four themed areas," Shi Yanchen said, looking at the guide map, "Which area should we go to first?"
"Let's go to 'Flower-filled Brocade City' first," Pei Song pointed at the map, "there is a 'Shushan Qingxue' lamp king over there."
Walking along the lighted corridor, the two came to an open area.
The huge "Shushan Clear Snow" light group stands tall and majestic, the snow-capped mountains are lifelike, the mountainside is dotted with blooming plum blossoms, and several pandas are playing and frolicking in the snow.
"This design is really clever," Pei Song said, "it perfectly combines Shushan culture and panda elements."
"The outline of the mountain is very interesting," Shi Yanchen nodded, "It seems to have incorporated the characteristics of both Emei Mountain and Qingcheng Mountain."
Continue walking forward and you will arrive at the "Night Cruise of Jinjiang" area.
A "Qushui Liushang" light and shadow installation is set up on the riverside. Visitors can send blessings through their mobile phones, and the words will turn into streams of light flowing on the water.
Pei Song took out his cell phone, sent a message of "Happy New Year", and watched the words ripple in the water.
"Do you want to post one together?" Shi Yanchen asked.
"What are you sending?"
"Let me think..." Shi Yan typed on his phone: "May our story last as long as this river."
Pei Song saw the words flowing on the water and smiled gently.
In the "Shuirun Tianfu" area, the most eye-catching is a set of "Sichuan Opera Face-Changing Panda" lights.
The panda wears a Sichuan opera mask, and as the lights change, the mask also changes, causing tourists to marvel at the sight.
"Look at the change in expression," Shi Yanchen pointed at one of the pandas, "This interactive technology is quite mature."
"Yes," Pei Song thought thoughtfully, "maybe it can be used in the elderly home project. Nowadays, the elderly like to interact with pets the most. If we can make some lighting installations like this..."
"Turning into a digital pet?" Shi Yanchen took over the topic, "It is indeed something that can be considered, especially for some elderly people with limited mobility."
"And we can design different interactive methods based on the preferences of each elderly person." Pei Song became excited. "Some like to play chess, some like to listen to opera, and both can be made into interactive projections."
In the "Shuli Anyi" area, the two were amused by the "International Panda Orchestra".
A group of pandas are holding erhu or flute and playing seriously. The lights change with the rhythm of the music, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
When passing by the "Caterpillar Park", Shi Yanchen pulled Pei Song and asked, "Do you want to play?" It turned out that this was an interactive installation where visitors could step on the glowing "caterpillars" and the lights would change with their footsteps.
The two of them were having a lot of fun, until the kids next to them gave them envious looks, and then they backed out embarrassedly.
"Are you hungry?" Shi Yanchen pointed to the food court not far away, "Let's go get something to eat?"
The food area has a variety of snacks. The two bought some special snacks and found a quiet corner to sit down.
The night wind blows, carrying with it a faint smell of fireworks.
"I didn't expect that this year's Lantern Festival would be so thoughtful," Pei Song said with a smile. "Not only does it have traditional cultural elements, but it also has so many interactive designs. I used to think that every year's festival activities were the same, but this time it gave me a different feeling."
Shi Yanchen raised his eyes to look at him: "Why is it different?"
"Because I watched it with you." Pei Song held his hand, his ears slightly red.
Shi Yanchen gently stroked his fingers: "Then let's come together every year from now on."
"Okay, it's a deal." Pei Song nodded slightly with a smile on his lips.