When they reached the hotel, they bought some fireworks and a lighter from the small shop downstairs.
The landlady seemed to warm up to them a bit since renting a room and buying fireworks meant she earned a little money from them.
She said, "If the two of you find it boring to set them off alone, you can go near the supermarket. There’s a lot of kids in that area."
They thanked her, thinking that it wouldn’t be right to play with the kids without giving them something, so they bought a variety of small fireworks and then took a tricycle to the area near the supermarket.
Directly across from the supermarket stood a small temple; the locals were very devout, and every now and then, there would be a small temple for people to worship.
At this time, there were quite a few adults burning incense and praying at the small temple, while at the temple’s entrance, many children gathered to set off fireworks.
When they arrived among the kids with four large bags of fireworks, the children fixed their innocent big eyes on them.
Even during the New Year, parents were reluctant to give their kids too much money for fireworks, so to the kids, the two of them with four large bags of fireworks were like extravagant spenders.
Qin Muni felt like laughing as they stared, "Kids, come here and play with your big brother and sister."
The children didn’t move and stood where they were, glancing at each other as if asking whether they should go over.
Finally, a little boy walked up to them and shyly asked, "Sister, I want a firework."
Qin Muni took a bundle of ten fireworks from the bag and handed it to the little boy, "Be careful with it."
The little boy took the fireworks and gave Qin Muni a shy yet friendly smile, "Mm, thank you, sister."
Seeing the little boy get the fireworks, the other children also came forward one by one, lining up obediently to wait for the two of them to distribute the fireworks.
Once each child received a firework, the two of them had only half a bag left.
Some children placed the fireworks on the ground, lit them quickly, and ran back to the group of kids.
The lit fireworks sprang forth like a fountain, illuminating the surrounding darkness like brilliantly blooming flowers.
Qin Muni held a small firework while Yuan Chengmo lit it for her with the lighter.
Immediately, dazzling and beautiful sparks bloomed freely from the firework wand she held.
The bright sparks illuminated her face with an unusual softness, and her peach blossom eyes reflected the burning, blooming, and dancing fireworks like radiant stars and moons, brightening the dim surroundings.
Yuan Chengmo stared dazedly at Qin Muni, whose face radiated a childlike smile.
At that moment, he wished time would freeze, allowing him to gaze at her quietly and unrestrainedly until the end.
Seeing Yuan Chengmo just standing there in a daze, Qin Muni, with one hand holding a lit firework and the other hand holding a few more, handed them to Yuan Chengmo, "Senior, you should light a firework and play too."
Her sweet voice pulled Yuan Chengmo out of his trance, and he snapped back to reality, averting his gaze, his dark eyes revealing a hint of embarrassment as if caught peeking.
In the dim light, a suspicious blush spread across his handsome face.
Feigning calmness, he reached out to take the fireworks Qin Muni offered, nodding lightly, "Mm."
The first little boy who got the fireworks suddenly approached them again, with an adorably wide smile, saying, "Big brother and sister, you’re really nice."
The little boy’s praise made Yuan Chengmo chuckle, and he bent down slightly to be at the same height as the boy.
He reached out gently to pat the boy’s head, "Such sweet talk, are you out of fireworks already?"