When Lin Yiren and the others arrived, the Qingling River bank was already bustling with people.
At this time, it was sunset, the orange-yellow sun half-hidden among the distant mountains, its afterglow painting the sky in interwoven shades of orange and blue.
Many people had already found their spots on the lawn and set up their cameras.
Those with greedy appetites were still holding skewers of steaming delicacies from the surrounding stalls.
Two young women walked hand in hand with a little girl, strolling towards the sunset.
“Mama, do you want to eat that?” Lin Xing Yao’s chubby little finger pointed to a nearby Small Eats Stall.
“It’s you who wants to eat it, right?” Lin Yiren mercilessly exposed her.
“Ugh.” Lin Xing Yao puffed up her cheeks.
“Alright, alright, let’s go.” Lin Yiren couldn’t help but smile, giving in to her wish.
Chen Zhaoyue hesitated a little. She wasn’t used to eating at these small stalls and thought they weren’t very hygienic.
Lin Yiren noticed her hesitation and understood right away.
Perfect. Time for the Miss Chen, who only eats the finest delicacies, to taste some food of the common folk.
She encouraged Xing Yao to pull along her other Mama to the Small Eats Stall.
The stalls at the entrance of the Qingling River Fireworks Exhibition had all passed inspection, so none of them had the usual street food messiness; every stall was steaming hot, with the vendors smiling as they recommended their specialties to the passing crowd.
Lin Yiren led Xing Yao to the Stirred Mashed Potato Rice she had picked out, lifted her up, and let Xing Yao cling to her Mama’s chest as she gazed at the golden potatoes sizzling in the oil.
The stall owner, a kindly-looking woman, was so charmed by Xing Yao stretching her neck to peek that she asked with a smile how many servings they wanted.
“Two, no chili.” Lin Yiren said.
“Alright!” The stall owner got to work.
The hot oil sizzled as plump, golden potatoes fried, the surface bubbling noisily. The owner picked out a few pieces into a small basin, added ham and stewed jelly, then mashed them together. Next, she mixed in steaming rice, skillfully added cilantro, MSG, and seasonings, finally topping it all with minced meat and stirring everything evenly.
“Here you go, two servings!”
The finished Stirred Mashed Potato Rice was orange-yellow, dotted with a few green cilantro leaves, steaming with wisps of fragrant heat, making it irresistible.
“Thank you.” Lin Yiren accepted the meal.
***
They found a table and sat down. Lin Yiren opened Xing Yao’s portion and said, “Let it cool before you eat.”
“Okay~”
She pushed the other portion in front of the Miss Chen.
Chen Zhaoyue hadn’t expected the extra portion was for her. She looked up to see Lin Yiren watching her expectantly.
Well… I guess I’ll have some.
Chen Zhaoyue scooped a spoonful, blew on it, and put it in her mouth.
The warmth spread inside, the aroma of roasted potato and seasonings dominant, while the other ingredients, paired with the soft rice, created a unique flavor.
For such an affordable meal, it was actually quite good.
After a few bites, she set the box down and looked up to see Xing Yao and Yiren sharing their food across from her.
The sky had darkened further. The Market lights near them flickered on, and more people bustled by, chatting and laughing with friends.
Their earlier claimed spot felt more precious now, as they alone enjoyed a table amid the crowds.
“How does it taste?”
Lin Yiren swallowed a bite of rice, exhaling hot breath as she asked.
“Not bad.” Chen Zhaoyue smiled. This Small Eats Stall’s rice was even better than her own Mama, Huang Susu’s. Her Mama always tried out sophisticated recipes, but the results were hard to describe.
Lin Yiren craned her neck to look at Chen Zhaoyue’s box and discovered the problem. “You didn’t mix it up properly! You have to stir it all from the bottom, then take a big bite. That’s the best way to eat it.”
Lin Yiren demonstrated, mixing thoroughly before feeding Xing Yao a big spoonful.
Following Lin Yiren’s lead, Chen Zhaoyue used her spoon to stir her rice well before taking a bite herself.
“But this still isn’t the best Stirred Mashed Potato Rice I’ve ever had. There used to be a stall near the Snack Street by my old school that tasted even better.”
“You used to go there often?”
“Usually… after playing basketball at night, I’d stop by.”
“You can play basketball?”
“Just with friends. I probably can’t play anymore now.”
Lin Yiren sounded a little wistful—her current status and body made that hobby out of reach.
“Not necessarily. Maybe you’ll get another chance in the future.” Chen Zhaoyue said, her gaze falling on Lin Yiren. She never expected someone who seemed so bookish to enjoy basketball.
What would it look like for a girl to play ball?
Chen Zhaoyue found herself looking forward to it.
The two girls continued the topic, leaning on the table, chatting leisurely, while Xing Yao quietly ate the last bits of her rice.
***
The sun sank completely. The sky turned black, with only a faint golden haze along the horizon.
Speakers around them began to play soft music; there were fifteen minutes left before the fireworks would begin.
People at the Market started moving off to find better spots to watch.
After finishing her food, Xing Yao lazily refused to walk, curling up in Chen Zhaoyue’s arms.
Lin Yiren walked alongside, feeling a belated sense of shyness.
Just now, sitting and chatting in that gentle lamplight, she’d felt a little entranced. She’s always been warm toward people she knows, and for some reason had gotten carried away talking about her old life.
But now she and Miss Chen were friends, right? Besides, her personal information was probably already in front of the other party anyway. Lin Yiren comforted herself with this thought.
They picked a spot and sat down.
Lin Yiren carefully tucked her skirt as she sat on the grass, the touch of grass on her thighs slightly tickling.
She glanced at the Miss Chen who was holding Xing Yao, noticing she sat the same way. Ignoring the odd sensation, she turned her attention away.
Suddenly, a deep drumbeat sounded, drawing everyone’s gaze into the distance.
***
Rows of fireworks shot up from the horizon, the first a brilliant red, bursting high above into scattered starlight.
Then, like blooming daisies, fireworks exploded in the sky, first red, then fading into pale green blossoms.
The fireworks exhibition had begun.
“Wow!” People nearby started to cheer.
Next, more fireworks in various colors soared into the sky from all directions, shrinking to pinpoints before exploding, dyeing the heavens in vibrant hues.
The drums continued, and the fireworks grew even more spectacular.
At first, Lin Yiren’s eyes were fixed on the fireworks, but as the sky flashed between dark and bright, her gaze shifted to the person beside her.
Chen Zhaoyue’s long hair cascaded smoothly down her back, the beauty mark at the corner of her eye flickering in the light of the fireworks.
Lin Yiren suddenly recalled their first meeting, the night she and the Miss Chen had crossed paths. The image of that Miss Chen began to overlap with the one before her now.
The difference was, back then, Chen Zhaoyue had seemed cold and aloof in her eyes. Now, she was gently caressing Xing Yao’s cheek, her features soft and glowing under the fireworks.
Was Chen Zhaoyue always like this? Or had it taken countless days and nights for her to accept becoming a mother, to become the Chen Zhaoyue she was now?
Lin Yiren realized she wanted to know this person better.
Just then, Xing Yao stirred in Miss Chen’s arms, and Lin Yiren quickly looked away.
Chen Zhaoyue patted her daughter’s little head and glanced to the side.
Why is Yiren’s face so red?
Her gaze, bolder than Lin Yiren’s ever was, drifted from the girl’s flushed cheeks down to her legs wrapped in black stockings.
So beautiful. What should I dress her in next time? Chen Zhaoyue was already planning.
The drums reached their climax, and the final fireworks exploded in unison, taking turns lighting up the sky, as if golden rain were falling.
Bathed in the light of the fireworks, the two beautiful young women, each lost in her own thoughts, held their daughter and savored the last moments of the night.