He was met with a glare from Chi Yan, his tone tinged with embarrassment and anger: "Shut up."
Ba Liang covered his mouth and blinked. Tch, can't I even say it?
The couplets were finally pasted up. Chi Yan nimbly jumped off the stool, clapped his hands, and proudly admired his masterpiece: "Isn't it pasted up pretty well?"
Shen Tangning raised the corners of her lips slightly and nodded politely, "Thank you for your hard work."
Chi Yan was finally satisfied and called for eight ounces of firecrackers to be brought over.
Xueqing helped Shen Tangning hide behind the door, smiling as she covered her ears: "They're going to set off firecrackers, Miss, let's get some distance away!"
Shen Tangning followed her example and covered her ears, but couldn't hide her curiosity and looked outside the door. She always felt that lighting firecrackers required courage, and she certainly didn't dare to.
Chi Yan took the tinderbox and was about to light the firecrackers when he turned around and saw her nervous yet expectant look. He raised an eyebrow, pulled her over, and handed her the tinderbox while Shen Tangning looked on blankly: "You light it."
Her expression froze, and she instinctively tried to decline, her voice trembling slightly: "You...you should do it."
Chi Yan curled his lips into a mocking smile: "Scared?"
Shen Tangning pursed her lips and did not refute.
She was afraid that she would be too nervous and forget to throw the firecrackers, and she couldn't even imagine how embarrassing she would be.
Chi Yan found it somewhat amusing: "It's such a long piece, it's not like it'll blow you up."
He pointed to the firecrackers tied to the bamboo pole, which was long enough that it wouldn't explode if held in his hand.
Shen Tangning's voice tightened: "What if?"
Chi Yan pondered for a moment and came up with a plan: "Let Ba Liang carry the bamboo pole, and after we've finished counting, we'll turn around and run."
Eight ounces: "..."
He dared not touch people's hearts because they were too cold.
Shen Tangning also wanted to give it a try, and after hesitating for a moment, she finally nodded.
She took a deep breath, lit the tinderbox, and with trembling hands leaned over, it took her several attempts to finally light the firecracker. Watching the sparks fly out, Shen Tangning froze for a moment, her mind going blank.
Chi Yan pulled her around and ran inside. Firecrackers were already popping behind them. Her heart was pounding. She heard his teasing voice beside her, muffled by the sound of firecrackers.
Shen Tangning's eyes unconsciously revealed a hint of confusion, so Chi Yan leaned closer: "How was it? Wasn't it exciting?"
This was an experience she had never had before. Such things were naturally handled by servants, so Shen Tangning didn't need to do it herself. If she showed even a hint of interest, others would think she was unreliable.
When she met Chi Yan's deep eyes, she was stunned. The young man in front of her was full of vigor and exuded a fiery and unrestrained spirit.
She smiled, her brows relaxed, and she nodded.
Seeing her smile, Chi Yan couldn't help but smile too, then awkwardly turned his head away, feigning nonchalance: "Tonight is New Year's Eve, shall we go to the lantern festival?"
He didn't hear a reply for a long time.
Chi Yan awkwardly turned his head and saw Shen Tangning staring intently at the setting off firecrackers, as if she hadn't heard him.
He couldn't help but beat his chest and stamp his feet in frustration:
Damn it, he finally mustered up the courage to say it!
Just as a look of annoyance crossed her face, Shen Tangning turned around and looked at him with a smile: "Okay."
"..."
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