The Kitty Became a Cutie and Was Pampered in the 80s
Chapter 1035: Pressuring to Marry (6)

Chapter 1035: Chapter 1035: Pressuring to Marry (6)

"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.

The Ruan Family, despite becoming wealthier over the last two years, had never considered setting off fireworks for the New Year, and even when they did, it wasn’t this kind—it was the cheap handful-for-a-few-cents type. This was the first time Ruan Jiaojiao had seen fireworks like this in real life. As the fireworks bloomed, her cheers of joy echoed alongside them.

The five men in the household didn’t stop their bustling as they began lighting fuses one after another. Within a few minutes, all the fireworks were ignited, competing and bursting across the sky, illuminating the entire garden as well as Ruan Jiaojiao’s delighted little face. Everyone could see her happiness and excitement written all over her expression.

Beidu wasn’t Xiahe Village—the economy here was flourishing, and money for extravagant fireworks certainly wasn’t scarce. While the fireworks bloomed at Shu Lang’s place, they lit up across other parts of the city as well, making the night sky breathtakingly beautiful.

Ruan Jiaojiao laughed, bouncing with joy.

She hugged Ruan Hao nearby, tugged at his clothes, pulled him down, and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, big brother," she said.

Beside them, Ruan Jie, never one to miss out, immediately leaned his face forward. Ruan Jiaojiao obligingly gave him a kiss too.

Shu Lang even got a kiss, and when Xiu Xi was kissed, his handsome face turned visibly red. However, everyone was so engrossed in watching the fireworks that no one noticed his reaction.

"..." Left out and unkissed were Ruan Jianguo and Grandpa Shu.

The two seemed a little disgruntled.

Especially Ruan Jianguo—while Grandpa Shu’s health didn’t allow him to join in the youthful antics, Ruan Jianguo couldn’t understand how such an elaborate plan had been kept from him. Watching Ruan Jiaojiao’s overflowing joy, his heart felt pangs of jealousy.

Determined, he decided that come the Lantern Festival, he’d organize an even grander fireworks display. Little did he know, Grandpa Shu was secretly harboring the same idea...

The fireworks show lasted for a full thirty minutes before gradually winding down.

But Ruan Jiaojiao was wide awake, completely devoid of sleepiness.

Back inside, the New Year’s Gala on the TV had already ended, yet Ruan Jiaojiao remained at the window, eagerly gazing outside, her mood remarkably radiant.

This life felt so blissful, it made her wonder if she was living inside a dream.

"Xiu Xi, wouldn’t it be wonderful if every Spring Festival could be like this in the future?" she said to Xiu Xi, who was sitting beside her.

"It will be," Xiu Xi replied softly.

Back when they were in the forest, there was no such thing as celebrating Spring Festival. The only thing that mattered then was surviving each day, depending on each other. He would go hunting, preserving the best portions of meat for her, watching her eat with gusto, her health flourishing, her life content... For him, that was all the happiness he ever needed.