Fireworks

The group wandered through the crowded park, finally spotting Chang Yongxi by a stone statue.

He’d set up his tripod, holding a wired microphone, pulling passersby for interviews.

When they joined him, he’d just finished with one.

“How’s it going? Got anything for the article?” Zhang Baobao asked.

“Not bad,” Chang Yongxi said, rubbing his brow, exhausted from the day.

“Want me to take pics for you guys?” he offered.

“Here?” Zhong Shuo sounded skeptical.

“Look around, find a spot with a nice view, and I’ll bring the camera.”

They scanned the area—everywhere was packed, and lugging equipment would be a hassle.

“Forget it, let’s do it here,” Zhong Shuo decided.

They huddled together, arms around each other, posing in front of the statue while Chang Yongxi squatted to snap photos.

“Cheese!” One shot done.

“Should we shout something?” Zhang Baobao looked at Zhong Shuo.

In perfect sync, before anyone could decide, they yelled, “Ming Shuzhen, Ming Shuyan, a hundred years of happiness!”

Startled by their outburst, Ming Shuzhen felt her face heat up as nearby strangers turned to look.

She swatted Zhong Shuo playfully.

Zhong Shuo burst out laughing, sharing a smug look with Zhang Baobao.

Ming Shuzhen huffed, glaring at them both, big eyes wide.

Then she turned to Ming Shuyan, curious for her reaction.

Ming Shuyan was delighted. Whether it was posing for photos, shouting blessings into the crowd, or Ming Shuzhen’s reassuring glance, she felt pure joy.

*So this is what it feels like to be loved.*

Especially by Pillow.

Years ago, she’d peered through the radio station window, watching a happy girl surrounded by flowers.

Back then, she’d envied that happiness, secretly imagining herself in it, finding a quiet thrill. She never thought they’d cross paths.

Now, warmth surrounded her.

Her beloved held her hand, their shoulders touching.

In the winter chill, with a cool breeze blowing and a balloon vendor gripping his pole nearby, Ming Shuyan looked at Ming Shuzhen, offering a smile layered with emotions.

“Pillow,” she whispered, leaning close, “want to take one just us?”

“Sure.”

Zhang Baobao and Zhong Shuo stood behind Chang Yongxi’s camera, suggesting dramatic poses.

The couple ignored them, standing side by side, gazing straight at the lens, no peace signs or theatrics.

Yet, it felt perfect.

With too many passersby, Chang Yongxi said he’d blur them out later.

Against the deepening night, they loved the photo.

Zhang Baobao and Chang Yongxi wanted solo shots, so Ming Shuzhen and Ming Shuyan didn’t take more, joining the crowd to watch the big screen on the city tower.

The countdown was still hours away, the screen showing ads and live crowd shots.

Those caught on camera hugged their companions, turning it into an unspoken tradition.

Zhong Shuo muttered, “Wonder if we’ll get on.”

“No way, I can’t even see the cameras,” Zhang Baobao said.

“Probably drones,” Chang Yongxi guessed, pointing to several buzzing overhead.

As they spoke, Ming Shuzhen looked up and saw their faces on the big screen.

“Hey, hey, hey!” She smacked Zhong Shuo, eyes fixed on the screen, gripping Ming Shuyan’s hand tighter.

She didn’t say anything, but Zhong Shuo got it, looking up too.

Everyone glanced up, then instinctively huddled together.

Zhang Baobao hugged Chang Yongxi, Ming Shuzhen embraced Ming Shuyan.

Zhong Shuo, wanting to avoid “man smell,” thought she’d escape, but Ming Shuzhen pulled her into the group hug.

Amid the buzzing crowd, the moment felt electric.

When the camera moved on, they let go, catching their breath.

Chang Yongxi scratched his head, looking at Zhang Baobao. “Like kids, wondering if we’d get filmed, and we did.”

Ming Shuzhen glanced at Ming Shuyan, saying nothing, her eyes sparkling.

Zhong Shuo, the lone single, felt free.

*

The fireworks were set for after midnight. They wandered a bit before the show.

“Five, four, three.”

At “one,” a loud *bang*—fireworks soared, bursting across the sky.

Everyone looked up, snapping photos.

Ming Shuzhen watched the fireworks, then the people around her.

The crowd’s excitement filled her ears.

Scanning their smiling faces, she grinned too.

Turning, she saw Ming Shuyan ignoring the fireworks, gazing at her instead.

Ming Shuzhen flashed her a toothy smile.

Ming Shuyan reached out, pulling her closer. “Thank you, Pillow,” she said softly.

Despite the noise, Ming Shuzhen heard her.

She didn’t reply, smiling to herself.

After the fireworks, they took more photos, the crowd lingering.

“I gotta go—need to edit the video,” Chang Yongxi said.

Zhang Baobao went with him.

Zhong Shuo, seeing the couple left, left too.

Ming Shuzhen looked at Ming Shuyan. “Should we go?”

“Mm…” Ming Shuyan hesitated, her first Little New Year out like this. “Maybe stay a bit?”

“Sure.” Ming Shuzhen smiled. Every private moment with Ming Shuyan felt precious, like collecting rare treasures.

With friends gone, they held hands, strolling down a quieter path.

“Happy Little New Year, Pillow.” Alone now, Ming Shuyan pulled a red envelope from her pocket.

“Whoa, a red packet for me?” Ming Shuzhen was thrilled.

Then she realized, “Ugh, Boss, I didn’t get you anything.”

“Heh.” Ming Shuyan smiled indulgently. “Then make it up to me.”

“How?” Ming Shuzhen asked earnestly.

“How about… a kiss?” Ming Shuyan stared at her.

“What? Here?” The path was less crowded, but still had people.

“Not willing? Fine,” Ming Shuyan teased, turning away.

Ming Shuzhen hesitated, glanced around, and made up her mind.

She quickly leaned in, tiptoeing, brushing Ming Shuyan’s cheek.

“What was that?” Ming Shuyan wasn’t satisfied with the peck. “I barely felt it.”

Ming Shuzhen, offering no “returns,” grabbed the envelope, changing the subject. “Wife, how much is in here?”

Ming Shuyan sighed helplessly, thinking, *Next time, I won’t let her off so easily.*

“Feel it.”

Ming Shuzhen pinched the envelope. “Hey, doesn’t feel like cash. Cards?”

Ming Shuyan neither confirmed nor denied, letting her open it.

Inside were two cards: Ming Shuyan’s secondary credit card and a keycard for her apartment.

Ming Shuzhen stared, stunned. “What… what’s this mean?”

A red packet for the New Year was fine, but a credit card?

“My secondary card—it’s got a decent limit, use it freely. And the keycard—you can come to my place anytime.”

She hugged Ming Shuzhen. “I hope you’ll treat my place like your home, okay?”

“Mm…” Ming Shuzhen tucked the cards back, torn between feeling things were moving fast and not wanting to upset Ming Shuyan, who might sulk otherwise.

“You sure about this?” If she accepted and they ever parted, returning these would sting.

“Of course,” Ming Shuyan said, tucking Ming Shuzhen’s hair behind her ear. “What, you think I’m an outsider?”

“No.” Ming Shuzhen shook her head, ignoring passersby, hugging her tightly.

Burying her face in Ming Shuyan’s shoulder, she mumbled, “I’m scared you’ll regret it.”

Ming Shuyan didn’t reply at first. Thinking she hadn’t heard, Ming Shuzhen started to repeat, but Ming Shuyan spoke.

“I’m scared you’ll regret it.”

She continued, “Part of me thinks you should have the freedom to walk away anytime. But selfishly, I don’t want to let you go. I want to tie you up, keep you looking only at me.”

The near-maniacal words made Ming Shuzhen laugh.

She let go. “Illegal detention’s a crime, you know.”

“Oh…” Ming Shuyan smiled, eyes curving again.

“So, you taking it or not?” she urged.

“Taking it! Free stuff!” Ming Shuzhen pocketed the envelope. “Keep your place tidy—I’m coming over anytime.”

“Good.” Ming Shuyan leaned close. “Always welcome.”

Thinking that was it, Ming Shuzhen was surprised when Ming Shuyan pulled out a necklace.

She lifted the sparkling chain from its box, putting it on Ming Shuzhen.

Ming Shuzhen grinned. “Anything else? Get it all out.”

The cool chain warmed against her skin.

“Looks good,” she said, admiring it.

Hearing her approval, Ming Shuyan relaxed.

Ming Shuzhen smirked. “Am I the first girl you’ve given gifts to?”

“Mm.” Ming Shuyan nodded—not just the first girl, but the first anyone.

“Really pretty. Thanks.” Ming Shuzhen, confirmed as the first, reaffirmed her liking.

“There’s… more,” Ming Shuyan hesitated. “But it feels… too soon.”

“You gave me your card and keycard. That’s not fast?”

“Want it?”

“Of course,” Ming Shuzhen said matter-of-factly. “If you give it, I want it. Anything from you, I love.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Really?” Ming Shuyan asked again.

“Really!” Ming Shuzhen laughed, lightly tapping her.

Ming Shuyan pulled out a square box.

Seeing it, Ming Shuzhen guessed rings.

She teased, “What, proposing?”

“Uh, yeah, can I?” Ming Shuyan, missing the joke, replied earnestly.

“You’re asking *me* if you can propose?” Ming Shuzhen laughed.

“I’m proposing to you—who else would I ask?” Ming Shuyan grinned.

“Exactly.”

Ming Shuzhen gestured for her to open the box. Inside were two women’s rings, each with a large diamond.

Under the night’s scattered lights, the rings gleamed.

Ming Shuzhen blinked, then blinked again, speechless.

Ming Shuyan hesitated.

She hadn’t planned to propose, but Ming Shuzhen’s quip sparked something.

Should she kneel?

But would it be too much, forcing her hand?

What right did she have to promise this already-happy woman more happiness, to not disrupt her life?

Voices of laughter and children’s shouts filled the air—not jarring, but enough to make her heart race.

The fireworks show was over, but occasional private bursts lit the sky.

Ming Shuyan’s eyes shone, staring at Ming Shuzhen until they stung, when her soft voice broke through.

“Aren’t you proposing? Just standing there?”

“Huh?” Ming Shuyan bit her lip, instinctively dropping to one knee.

Her knee hit the pavement with a heavy *thud*, no thought to which leg.

“Hey!” Ming Shuzhen, startled by the sound, rushed to help her up.

Ming Shuyan shook her head, fine, still holding the ring box.

“You.” Her voice caught.

Taking a deep breath, she continued, “Will you… marry me?”

Ming Shuzhen looked at her.

Ming Shuyan suddenly felt like crying.

She never saw herself as pitiable. Even now, with no expectations, she felt blessed, not pitiful.

Yet tears welled up, her heart sour.

“Pillow, will you marry me?” she repeated, smoother this time.

“I might…” Her muscles tensed. “I might not give you a conventional marriage. You might face judgment, lack security, or pressure from your parents. I seem reliable but excel at running away. I can’t even promise forever, I…”

Ming Shuzhen cut her off, voice gentle. “Never proposed before, huh?”

Ming Shuyan paused, nodding. “Yeah.”

“Ever seen proposals on TV?”

“Uh, yeah… I think.”

“Is this how they do it?”

Ming Shuyan realized Ming Shuzhen was teasing, but too nervous to laugh.

“I wanted to lay out the pros and cons, let you choose,” she said.

Ming Shuzhen looked at her, feeling truly equal for the first time.

Though Ming Shuyan was taller, requiring her to look up, now they stood eye-to-eye.

Before, she’d seen her as a superior, a boss, with a barrier between them, her insecurity partly from their roles.

Now, she was certain: Ming Shuyan was just a kid to her.

A stubborn kid who’d refuse candy, claiming it’s bad for teeth, despite wanting it.

“You don’t need to tell me,” Ming Shuzhen said, helping her up, brushing her knee. “I know the pros and cons. Everyone proposing or being proposed to does.”

“Ming Shuyan.” She called her full name sternly, making her tense. “You know I have plenty of flaws?”

Ming Shuyan shook her head, then nodded hesitantly.

“I can be willful. We’ll fight—living together, we’ll definitely fight, maybe even physically.”

“No way,” Ming Shuyan said quickly, unclear if she meant fighting or worse.

Ming Shuzhen patted her reassuringly. “I’ll consider your perspective, but fights drain us. You’ll have to coax me, okay?”

Ming Shuyan nodded eagerly.

“I’m lazy—not the ‘good wife’ type. My parents still clean my place. I don’t cook, don’t want to…”

She listed her flaws, potential issues in their shared life.

“You don’t need to list cons. Right now, the pros outweigh them. I love you, so the cons don’t matter. You don’t need to tell me your flaws—I’m flawed too. No one’s perfect. I can only promise we’ll work through it, and our life will mostly be happy.”

“Ming Shuyan, Boss, Wife,” Ming Shuzhen blinked, wiping tears from her eyes, “no one’s perfect, but someone’s the best. You’re the best to me. I really, really want to be with you forever. I’ve thought about it a lot.”

Ming Shuyan sniffed, stunned to be crying in public.

She thought her heart was stone, yet tears kept falling.

Ming Shuzhen smiled, unfazed, patiently wiping her face with a tissue, then looking at the ring box.

“Which one’s mine?”

“The right one, smaller.”

“Oh.” Ming Shuzhen took it, slipping it on.

Perfect fit.

Then she took the other, sliding it onto Ming Shuyan’s left hand.

“Why’re you putting it on me?” Ming Shuyan sniffed, lashes still wet.

“You knelt, I put on the ring. We’re equal—no traditional roles, okay?”

“Oh.” Ming Shuyan nodded, feeling led but willingly.

Very willingly.