"There's half a minute left in the countdown. Jiaojiao, come here. Hold this. When Uncle says to light it, you'll ignite this fuse right here," Shu Lang said as he led Ruan Jiaojiao to a spot under a sycamore tree.
Ruan Jiaojiao tilted her head to look at Shu Lang, who appeared especially handsome under the night lights. Her heart swelled with gratitude, her eyes slightly misty as she asked, "So you all left me out earlier because you were busy doing this?"
Shu Lang smiled and nodded.
Over on the other side, Ruan Jie had already begun shouting to light the fuse.
Shu Lang, gauging that the timing was just right, held Ruan Jiaojiao's small hand and together they ignited the fuse. Sparks flew from the fuse, and at almost the same moment, the countdown on the television's New Year's Gala had begun: "Ten... Nine... Eight..."
When the countdown hit one, the fireworks shot into the sky with a whistling sound before bursting into dazzling multi-colored blossoms.