Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets
Chapter 201: New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Chapter 201: Chapter 201: New Year’s Eve Fireworks

New Year’s Eve.

This was the second New Year’s Eve Tang Yue celebrated after her rebirth.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was prepared by Tang Zhengde and his wife Zhang Hualian, even more lavish than last year’s, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat being indispensable. And Tang Zhengde prepared the meat in several different varieties.

Wang Aihua was chopping meat filling, with Wei Jiajia helping by her side, while Granny Tang was kneading dough to make dumpling wrappers.

Tang Yue taught Tang Jun how to wrap dumplings, and the whole family was filled with joy and laughter.

Tang Min sat in front of the TV, excitedly watching shows, while Tang Xian had run off somewhere unknown.

"Jiajia, those fireworks you bought must have been expensive, right?" Wang Aihua’s gaze had drifted towards the fireworks placed in the corner many times.

Usually, during the New Year, no one in the village would set off fireworks.

Money at home was tight even for basic living expenses, let alone for buying fireworks.

Fireworks are pretty, but no matter how pretty, you can’t eat them.

She had only occasionally seen fireworks when she went to town.

"Sister-in-law, the fireworks were bought from the city, they weren’t expensive, just meant to add to the New Year festivities," Wei Jiajia said with a sweet smile, the dimples on her cheeks and her unhurried tone making one feel as if basking in the warmth of the spring breeze.

Wang Aihua looked enviously at Wei Jiajia who was wearing a bright red jacket, which made her fair skin stand out and her slender face look very attractive. Even though they were doing the same task, Jiajia simply looked better.

Because of the issue with the sewing machine, Wang Aihua dared not say a word out of place nor offend Wei Jiajia, for if Tang Zhengyuan was not allowed to work at the factory, it would be disastrous.

"Little aunt, can you take me to the city next time? Are the buildings in the city really tall and beautiful?" Tang Jun’s eyes sparkled with excitement. The last time he had a brief encounter with the city was when he rode through it during a wedding procession but he never had a chance to play there.

Tang Jun had always wanted to visit the city.

"Sure, Xiao Jun, if you want to go, I’ll take you next time," Wei Jiajia said, then looked at Tang Jun with a hint of apology, "It’s just that, I probably won’t be able to go in the next six months."

Her belly was going to get bigger, and it would become even more inconvenient to travel.

"It’s okay, I need to focus on my studies now. I want to go to university," Tang Jun’s ambition was vast and very clear.

"You really want to go to university?" Wang Aihua asked Tang Jun in surprise.

It always seemed that university was out of their reach.

"Yes," Tang Jun said confidently, and with a slight pout he added, "Auntie, I will definitely get into university."

His sister had already checked for him, there was still a year and a half to go. As long as he worked hard, he was sure to get into the key secondary school. Then, with another three years of high school ahead, another three years of effort, he was certain to make it to university.

"Xiao Jun," Tang Yue’s almond eyes glanced at Tang Jun.

Tang Jun immediately lowered his head to admit his mistake, "Sis, I was wrong. Next time, I won’t just say it, I’ll work harder at my studies. Once I get into the key school and then into university, everyone will know."

"Mmm," Tang Yue responded softly, gently saying, "Xiao Jun, instead of constantly telling others that you want to go to university, you should study quietly. Once you get the university acceptance letter, everyone will naturally know."

"Sis, I got it."

Tang Jun in front of Tang Yue was as docile as a little lamb, completely conquered by her.

Others might not know, but he knew very well how amazing his sister was; all those beautiful clothes were designed by her. Seeing those lovely drawings turn into clothing, he thought it was just like magic.

Wei Jiajia watched in amazement. Her own brother, who was about the same age as Tang Jun, only knew fun, spending every day either at the gaming arcades or out with classmates, hardly ever staying home.

But Tang Jun was different. He didn’t play much, and as soon as he got home, his first business was to do homework and memorize texts.

Living next door, Wei Jiajia was well aware of Tang Jun’s comings and goings. On Saturdays and Sundays, when it was time to relax, Tang Yue would still check his homework and quiz him on his memorization.

On Sunday afternoons, when Tang Jun was allowed to rest, his favorite place to go was actually to the library with Tang Yue.

"Xiao Yue, how did you teach him? If my brother loved studying half as much as Xiao Jun, my parents would be relieved," Wei Jiajia sighed.

Tang Yue: ...

Tang Jun looked at Tang Yue with pride, and said, "Sis, see, I told you I’m very diligent, right?"

"Barely satisfactory," Tang Yue replied, her lips pursed. Her hands were deft; a piece of plain dumpling wrappers, in her hands, quickly took on the shape of beautiful crescents, each with small, evenly spaced pleats, very pleasing to the eye.

"How do you wrap these dumplings, sis?" Tang Jun tried hard with his hands, but couldn’t manage to make them look good at all; his hands seemed even clumsier than his feet.

As Tang Yue continued to wrap dumplings, she taught him at the same time. The harmonious scene between the siblings was particularly lovely to behold.

Wei Jiajia thought to herself that she should have her brother come stay at her home sometime, to see how Tang Jun studies.

Hmm, it’ll be Zheng Yue soon, big sister will definitely bring my brother over, then I can have him stay here.

At dinner, the large round table was laden with a variety of dishes, all steaming hot. Granny Tang, feeling happy, had a bit of wine, as did Tang Zhengde and Tang Mingli; everyone was merry, toasting and drinking.

After enjoying a full meal, it was already 8:30 in the evening. Once the table was tidied up, Tang Mingli moved the fireworks to the road outside the courtyard.

Everyone stood not far from the fireworks, excitedly anticipating the display. Even before they were lit, the excitement was palpable.

"Mingli, be careful," Wei Jiajia reminded him, watching Tang Mingli about to light the fireworks, always worried that something unexpected might happen.

"No problem," Tang Mingli replied. After lighting the fuse, he quickly ran back to Wei Jiajia’s side, draping his arm around her shoulder, nudging her to stand a bit further to the side.

The fuse hissed as it burned, and a plume of smoke appeared.

With a ’bang,’ the flames shot into the sky, the brilliant fireworks blooming with beautiful light against the pitch-black night.

The colorful fireworks reflected on Wei Jiajia’s face, making it glow warmly, and her smile was sweet. Seizing the moment while no one was paying attention, Tang Mingli sneakily gave Wei Jiajia a peck.

Wei Jiajia, absorbed in the beauty of the fireworks, hadn’t expected Tang Mingli to do such a thing. She blushed and quickly looked around to see if anyone had noticed. Seeing no one had, she breathed a sigh of relief, covered her kissed cheek with her hand, shot him an annoyed glare, and then ignored him.

Wei Jiajia lifted her head, and beneath the dark night sky, the fireworks seemed even more beautiful than before.