Chapter 27
“Yao Yao couldn’t wait,” Song Muqing said as they walked towards his car. “She insisted on running over to find you.”
Lin Xiyao was indeed impatient, holding Lu Xuefeng’s hand tightly.
She walked between Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing, successfully separating them, chattering non-stop, seemingly unaffected by the cold.
Song Muqing teased her for being clingy.
Inside the car, Lu Xuefeng was still slightly dazed. Now that Yao Yao was quiet, he remembered to ask, “Why did Mom and Dad come too?”
He wasn’t unhappy, just surprised that Mu Ting and Song Hongfan had come to watch the fireworks as well.
Mu Ting had dressed up for the occasion, wearing light makeup, looking elegant and beautiful.
She explained mysteriously, “Didn’t you know? We also watched your dance drama.”
Lu Xuefeng was stunned again, turning around in his seat to ask, “Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”
His parents had come to see his performance, and he hadn’t even greeted them; it was incredibly rude.
He hadn’t known at all.
Mu Ting waved her hand dismissively. “If we had told you, you would have worried about us. You’re so busy with the production, and taking care of us would have been too much trouble.”
Her words were filled with consideration for him.
“If you want to watch, I can always reserve tickets for you.”
“No need, no need,” Mu Ting quickly refused. “We’re just ordinary audience members; we can buy our own tickets. Besides, it wouldn’t be right to ask for so many tickets.”
“We happened to get tickets, so we came to enjoy the performance,” Song Hongfan added.
Lu Xuefeng felt bad that they had to buy their own tickets.
Reserving tickets was common practice. Lu Xuefeng had occasionally reserved tickets for Teacher Xiao but hadn’t used this privilege himself.
He looked at Song Muqing, as if asking why he hadn’t told him either.
Song Muqing, receiving his silent question, smiled helplessly, glancing at his parents in the back seat. “Mom and Dad didn’t want me to tell you, not wanting to bother you.”
It was their decision; he couldn’t object.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t pursue the matter.
“It was an excellent production,” Song Hongfan praised. “Although I don’t know much about dance dramas, it was very moving and thought-provoking.”
“Yes, the performance was so innovative and unique. It was my first time seeing a dance drama, and I was almost in tears at the end. The dancers were incredibly expressive.”
They weren’t professional dance enthusiasts, simply wanting to see Lu Xuefeng’s work.
Mu Ting described her impressions, still feeling the impact of the performance.
Lu Xuefeng, so young, had created such a powerful work.
The entire audience had been deeply moved, the theater filled with thunderous applause at the end.
“Xuefeng is truly exceptional,” Mu Ting said proudly.
“Everyone should see your work.”
Lu Xuefeng blinked a few times, clenching his hands slightly. “Thank you, Mom and Dad. Next time, I’ll reserve tickets for you. It’s no trouble at all.”
Mu Ting agreed, not wanting to dismiss his kindness.
“I watched it too! Little Uncle looked so handsome at the end!”
Lin Xiyao had also attended the performance. Her parents had other engagements and left early, but Yao Yao, hearing about the fireworks, had insisted on staying and asked Song Muqing to take her.
So, Song Muqing had brought her along.
Children might not understand the deeper meaning of the performance, but they could appreciate beauty. She had been captivated by the beautiful costumes and dancing, then focused on Lu Xuefeng at the end.
Lu Xuefeng, playing along, thanked her for coming.
Song Muqing, focused on driving, listened to their conversation.
Lu Xuefeng got along well with his family.
He recalled Lu Xuefeng saying he wasn’t good at handling close relationships. In reality, apart from romantic relationships, family, friends, and any emotionally dependent relationships could be considered close relationships.
Lu Xuefeng was clearly capable of handling them well.
They chose Haizhou Square as their viewing spot, a large, open space that wouldn’t feel crowded even with a large crowd.
There was also a bridge nearby, requiring climbing several flights of stairs.
Many people were already on the bridge, and with the steep stairs and the large crowd, they decided not to go up.
As they crossed the square, the fireworks began, streaking across the sky with long tails.
Yao Yao gasped, running towards the stone railing, looking up at the exploding fireworks in awe.
Song Muqing reminded her to be careful.
Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing walked towards her at a more leisurely pace.
The fireworks were just starting, not yet at their peak.
As they stood there, Song Muqing turned to Lu Xuefeng. “Are you cold?”
He noticed Lu Xuefeng wasn’t wearing very thick clothing. It had been fine during the day with the sun, but the temperature had dropped at night, the air chilly.
“I’m not cold.”
“You’re not wearing much.”
Lu Xuefeng blinked. “I’m wearing a lot of layers.”
He was simply slender, so it wasn’t apparent.
Song Muqing, relieved, smiled. “That’s good.”
The fireworks were breathtaking.
There were new and innovative designs every year, different from the photos Lu Xuefeng had seen.
All the fireworks ascended together, exploding in a shower of vibrant colors.
Like shooting stars with long tails.
The bright lights flickered on the faces of those around them.
Song Muqing, his gaze fixed on Lu Xuefeng, saw the reflection of the fireworks in his beautiful eyes.
Lu Xuefeng, feeling his gaze, turned to ask why he wasn’t watching the fireworks.
But meeting his eyes, he couldn’t ask.
The emotion in Song Muqing’s eyes was too intense.
His heart skipped a beat.
He looked away, and Song Muqing chuckled softly, as if amused by his reaction.
Lu Xuefeng pretended to be calm, not saying anything.
Song Hongfan was taking photos of Mu Ting, and after taking several shots, they were reviewing them together. Mu Ting looked up, noticing the two of them.
The fireworks were still going strong.
She walked over, holding her phone. “Xuefeng, let me take a photo of you two.”
“Okay.”
Lu Xuefeng and Song Muqing agreed; they hadn’t taken a proper photo together yet.
They weren’t used to taking photos, so they simply stood side by side.
“Look this way.”
Mu Ting had enjoyed taking photos when she was younger. They had a camera at home, but she hadn’t brought it today.
They turned around, the fireworks exploding behind them, a continuous spectacle.
As Mu Ting adjusted the angle and pressed the shutter button, Lu Xuefeng felt a light touch on his hand.
The next second, Song Muqing took his hand.
Lu Xuefeng’s heart skipped a beat.
Because Mu Ting was taking their photo, he didn’t look at Song Muqing or pull away.
He simply let him hold his hand.
The winter air was cold, but his hand, enveloped in Song Muqing’s warm grasp, didn’t feel the chill.
The warmth spread through him.
“Alright, let me send it to you.”
Mu Ting finished taking the photo and sent it to them.
Song Muqing continued holding his hand until Lu Xuefeng looked at him, then he reluctantly let go.
“Take a look,” he said gently.
Lu Xuefeng opened his phone, several new messages waiting.
He looked at the photo first.
It had captured the moment the fireworks exploded, a beautiful image, the two of them standing together harmoniously.
It was a rare photo of him and Song Muqing.
He saved it.
“It’s nice,” Song Muqing commented.
After taking the photo, Mu Ting and Song Hongfan took Yao Yao to buy some snacks; she was hungry.
There were many food stalls, and they let her choose what she wanted.
Lu Xuefeng received a message from Yin Xiaoyu: Come, watch the fireworks. [Video] [Video]
Lu Xuefeng replied: I’m watching them now.
Yin Xiaoyu: ?
Yin Xiaoyu: So rare. You’re actually watching fireworks in person.
Yin Xiaoyu: Where are you?
Lu Xuefeng: Haizhou Square.
Yin Xiaoyu: I’m here too!
Yin Xiaoyu: Ooh, are you with your Professor Song? 😉😉
Lu Xuefeng: Yes.
Yin Xiaoyu: Then I won’t disturb you. Have fun.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t reply, putting away his phone and noticing Song Muqing looking at him.
“Yin Xiaoyu is here too,” he explained.
Song Muqing nodded, remembering the name and having met her once before.
“Would you like to say hello?” he asked.
“No need,” Lu Xuefeng replied. “She said she wouldn’t disturb us.”
There was no such thing as disturbing each other between friends, and Song Muqing wouldn’t have minded, but since she had said so, he didn’t insist.
Yao Yao returned with the snacks.
She thoughtfully brought some for them as well, eager for them to try them.
The warm food was perfect for the cold night.
After watching the fireworks and enjoying the snacks, they strolled around the square, chatting.
Even after the fireworks ended, the square was still lively.
Yao Yao, currently on winter break, was having fun, dragging Lu Xuefeng around, wanting to try everything.
Lu Xuefeng was patient with her.
Song Muqing, seeing it was getting late, suggested they go home.
Yao Yao wasn’t ready to leave, but Song Muqing was firm, saying it was time to go.
He would drive her home.
On the way, Yao Yao sat next to Lu Xuefeng, and soon, she fell asleep.
She was exhausted from all the excitement.
Mu Ting and Song Hongfan had already gotten out of the car, so there was plenty of space.
Lu Xuefeng adjusted his position, letting her sleep on his lap.
Song Muqing glanced at them through the rearview mirror.
Yao Yao had spent most of the evening with Lu Xuefeng and was now sleeping on his lap.
“Yao Yao is quite a handful,” Song Muqing commented.
“She’s fine,” Lu Xuefeng found her endearing.
Children were supposed to be energetic.
Song Muqing said half-jokingly, “Don’t spoil her too much.”
He knew Yao Yao’s personality well: clingy, greedy, mischievous, and always getting her way.
Lu Xuefeng chuckled.
Arriving at Yao Yao’s home, Lu Xuefeng was wondering whether to wake her when Song Muqing got out of the car. “I’ll carry her.”
He picked up Yao Yao.
“Wait for me here,” he said.
He would be back soon, and Lu Xuefeng, tired from the performance and Yao Yao’s constant activity, could rest in the car.
“Okay,” Lu Xuefeng agreed.
Yao Yao stirred slightly, still sleepy, rubbing her eyes.
“We’re home, Yao Yao,” Song Muqing said.
“…Oh,” Yao Yao, still drowsy, waved goodbye to Lu Xuefeng. “Bye, Little Uncle.”
Lu Xuefeng replied, “Bye.”
Song Muqing took her inside.
Lu Xuefeng didn’t close his eyes while waiting. He was tired, but it wasn’t a good time to sleep; he wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly.
So, he opened his phone, looking at their photo again.
They were standing close together, their figures slightly obscured by the darkness and the bright fireworks.
But their expressions were visible.
They were holding hands.
Lu Xuefeng thought his own expression looked a bit stiff, perhaps because he had been surprised when Song Muqing took his hand.
Song Muqing, on the other hand, had a natural, relaxed smile.
He was always so calm and composed.
His thoughts were interrupted by the car door opening.
He turned off his phone screen, turning to see Song Muqing, who had removed his glasses.
Before Lu Xuefeng could ask why he had come to the back seat, Song Muqing leaned in and kissed him.
Without giving him time to react.
The kiss was eager and passionate, unlike their previous gentle kisses.
Any hint of resistance was swallowed by the kiss.
Lu Xuefeng, caught off guard, instinctively leaned back, his back against the car door.
The slightly awkward position provided some support.
Song Muqing leaned closer.
Lu Xuefeng placed his hand on Song Muqing’s chest, creating some distance between them.
They paused, the kiss ending.
Their breathing was erratic.
The car felt stuffy, the space constricted by Song Muqing’s proximity, but Lu Xuefeng was more aware of the warmth in his face.
Slightly dazed, he parted his lips, asking, “…What’s wrong?”
Song Muqing rested his forehead against his, then after a moment, spoke softly, “Yao Yao was monopolizing you.”
Perhaps because of the kiss, his voice was slightly hoarse and alluring.
He nuzzled Lu Xuefeng’s nose affectionately, making his heart flutter.
Lu Xuefeng asked, “Are you jealous of a child?”
“A little,” he admitted frankly, and Lu Xuefeng chuckled softly.
Then Song Muqing kissed him again.
Lu Xuefeng tilted his head back slightly, surrendering to the kiss.
Deep and lingering.
Until Song Muqing’s tongue slipped past his parted lips.
A shiver ran through him, his hands clenching, his fingers turning white. He wanted to pull away, but there was nowhere to go.
The tingling sensation persisted, like a jolt of electricity.
Warm and wet, not gentle.
Claiming every inch of his mouth.
The reality of the kiss.
Lu Xuefeng’s eyelashes fluttered, and he thought, no wonder he had removed his glasses.
