Chapter 74 Fireworks World
The afternoon sun faded its scorching heat, becoming gentle. As the group set out for the Old Street Night Market, Wei Wuxian, like a bird fresh out of its cage, walked in front, holding Lan Wangji's hand, his steps so brisk that he seemed ready to fly.
"I heard there's sugar painting here! And even sugar figurines!" Wei Wuxian's eyes sparkled as he turned and called to the children behind him, "Jingyi, Jin Ling, let's have a competition later to see whose sugar painting is the best!"
Lan Jingyi immediately responded: "I will definitely win!"
Jin Ling snorted, "Let's wait and see."
Si Zhui smiled and shook his head, but secretly clenched the pocket money given by Wei Wuxian in his hand - that was what Wei Wuxian stuffed into his hand in the morning, telling him to buy what he liked.
Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan walked in the middle, looking at the group of people playing in front and smiling at each other. Jin Zixuan tidied her hair that was messed up by the wind and said, "Walk slowly, don't let them run away."
"Yeah." Jiang Yanli nodded, her eyes fixed on Wei Wuxian, her eyes filled with tenderness. "It's great to be like this, Ah Xian. It's like being a kid again, without any worries at all."
Jin Zixuan held her hand: "It will always be like this in the future."
Lan Wangji felt his hand exerting a little pressure on his palm and looked down at Wei Wuxian: "Very happy?"
“Of course!” Wei Wuxian looked up at him, the golden light of the setting sun falling on his face, tinging his fur with warmth. “Look, the sky is blue, the wind is soothing, you’re here, my sister-in-law is here, the children are here too…” He counted on his fingers, his eyes curved with a smile, “This is the happiest thing I can imagine.”
Lan Wangji's heart felt like it was filled with something warm and soft. He slowed down his pace, walking side by side with Wei Wuxian. His fingertips gently tickled the palm of his hand, causing Wei Wuxian to pull back in a tingling sensation, only for him to hold it tighter.
The night market was already bustling with activity the moment it opened. Red lanterns lit up, illuminating the dazzling array of stalls on either side. The sweet aroma of sugar paintings, the scorching aroma of grilled skewers, and the delicate fragrance of osmanthus cakes blended together, whetting one's appetite.
“Wow! Sugar painting!” Wei Wuxian was the first to rush over, pointing at the dragon pattern on the turntable. “Boss, I want this!”
The old master smiled and spun the dial. When the pointer landed steadily on the dragon, Wei Wuxian cheered and tugged on Lan Wangji's arm, shaking him: "Look, look! Isn't my luck super good!"
Lan Wangji looked at the light in his eyes and nodded, "Yes, very good."
Soon, a lifelike sugar dragon appeared in Wei Wuxian's hand, glittering and translucent, gleaming amber under the light. Just as he was about to take a bite, Lan Wangji stopped him, "Be careful, it's hot."
“I know.” Wei Wuxian blew on it obediently, but then passed it to Lan Wangji’s mouth first, “Try it first.”
Lan Wangji didn't refuse and took a small bite. The sweetness spread on the tip of his tongue, carrying the warmth of Wei Wuxian's fingertips.
This scene was filmed by the director who was following him. In the camera, Wei Wuxian was holding the sugar dragon with a smile on his face, while Lan Wangji lowered his head and bit it gently, the action was so gentle that it could drip water. The barrage was full of "Ao Ao" again:
"Teacher Wei, happiness is written all over your face! The light in your eyes is unstoppable!"
"Help! What kind of fairy tale love is this? We have to share every bite of candy!"
"Looking at Mr. Wei's current appearance, who would have thought he had been through so much in the past... It's great."
Wei Wuxian didn't check his phone, but he could feel the kind eyes cast at him from all around. He dragged Lan Wangji along, sometimes watching candy figurines being blown, sometimes smelling barbecued skewers, like a child brimming with curiosity about the world.
“Senior Sister, this osmanthus cake looks delicious!” Wei Wuxian picked up a piece and handed it to Jiang Yanli, “Try it.”
Jiang Yanli was about to take it when Jin Zixuan took it first. He wiped the edge with a tissue before handing it to her: "It's fresh out of the pan, be careful of the heat."
Wei Wuxian watched this scene and suddenly winked at Lan Wangji: "Look at my brother-in-law, he's becoming more and more caring now."
Lan Wangji glanced at him and said calmly, "I can do that, too."
“Oh?” Wei WuXian raised an eyebrow. “Then why don’t you show me one?”
Lan Wangji said nothing, turned around and walked towards the milk tea stand not far away. When he came back, he was holding a cup of warm pearl milk tea in his hand and handed it to Wei Wuxian: "Less sugar, warm."
That was Wei Wuxian's favorite flavor.
Wei Wuxian took the milk tea and took a big sip. The pearls crunched in his mouth, but his heart felt sweet as if it were filled with honey. He deliberately leaned close to Lan Wangji's ear and whispered, "You pass."
Lan Wangji's ears turned slightly red, and he reached out to ruffle his hair, his movements natural and intimate.
The children paused at the toy stall in front. Lan Jingyi was wielding a wooden sword, while Jin Ling was absorbed in contemplating a jade ornament. Si Zhui stood nearby, watching them quietly with a faint smile on his face.
Wei Wuxian walked over and patted Jin Ling on the shoulder: "Do you like it?"
Jin Ling was stunned for a moment and shook his head: "Just take a look."
Wei Wuxian picked up the jade pendant and handed it to the stall owner. “Wrap it up.” He turned to Jin Ling and said, “Take it and think of it as… a gift from your uncle.”
Jin Ling was stunned. Seeing the sincerity in Wei Wuxian's eyes, he suddenly felt a little overwhelmed. Jiang Yanli walked over and pushed his arm: "Hurry up and thank Ah Xian."
"Thank you...thank you, Senior Wei." Jin Ling took the jade pendant, and his fingertips felt a little hot. This was the first time he received a gift from Wei Wuxian, and his heart suddenly felt warm.
When Lan Jingyi saw it, he immediately raised his wooden sword and shouted, "Senior Wei, I want one too!"
“Here.” Wei Wuxian smiled as he took the wooden sword from the stall owner and handed it to him. “But make a promise: you’re not allowed to practice swordplay in our house, or else your uncle will punish you by making you copy the family rules.”
"I know!" Lan Jingyi hugged the wooden sword and smiled from ear to ear.
Si Zhui didn't ask for anything, but just looked at Wei Wuxian, his eyes full of gratitude. Wei Wuxian ruffled his hair and said, "Why don't you want it? Didn't you see anything you liked?"
"No, Dad." Si Zhui shook his head and said softly, "I'm very happy to be out with everyone."
Wei WuXian's heart softened, and he handed him the remaining half of the candy dragon. "Here's one for you. It's sweet and will make you happier when you eat it."
Si Zhui took the sugar dragon and ate it in small bites, his eyes curved into crescents.
Lan Wangji stood by, looking at Wei Wuxian's gentle profile, and suddenly felt that perhaps this is what happiness is - watching the one you love smile, being with the one you love, even if it's just walking on the noisy streets and eating an ordinary skewer of barbecue, he would feel full in his heart.
The lanterns at the night market grew brighter and warmer, illuminating everyone's smiling faces. Wei Wuxian, holding Lan Wangji's hand, walked among the crowd, listening to the laughter around them, and suddenly stopped.
"Lan Zhan," he looked up at him, the lights in the sky reflected in his eyes, "Look, there are so many stars here."
Lan Wangji followed his gaze. It was the light of a lantern, but in Wei Wuxian's eyes, it turned into stars. He squeezed Wei Wuxian's hand and whispered, "Mm, very beautiful."
No one is more beautiful than you who is beside me.
Wei Wuxian didn't hear this, but he seemed to sense something, and his smile grew even sweeter. He pulled Lan Wangji along, following the crowd ahead, his steps brisk and his heart at ease.
Sixteen years ago in the mass grave, he thought he would live in darkness forever; sixteen years later in the human world, he was surrounded by love and warmth.
Perhaps this is fate's compensation. All that he had lost, missed, and regretted, all returned to him one by one in this time and space in the most gentle way.
Wei Wuxian sniffed, suddenly feeling a little warm in his eyes. He looked up at the sky. The moon was round and the stars were bright, just like Lan Wangji's eyes.
"That's great." He said softly, not sure if he was talking to Lan Wangji or to himself.
Lan Wangji squeezed his hand, and in response, he felt an even tighter warmth in his palm.
Yeah, that’s great.
With you, family, and the world of fireworks, it is the best time.
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