Zhu Yaya didn't notice Yan Heng's momentary stiffness and rolled to the other side of the sofa, hugging a small throw pillow. She laughed for a long time before gradually calming down, out of breath. Yan Heng was no longer smiling, his expression cold and stern, but his two bright red ears betrayed his true feelings.
Just then, the sound of a few firecrackers came from outside the window. Reminded by the crackling, Zhu Yaya remembered her mission.
She rubbed her stomach, which ached from laughing. Yan Heng's smiling along just now had fueled her arrogant attitude. Staring at his red ears, she smiled and asked, "Yan Heng, do you want to see electronic fireworks? There's an electronic fireworks show at Times Square tonight."
"No." His tone was a bit awkward.
"Ah, but I want to!"
"Okay."
Zhu Yaya gently shook her little head with some smugness. She knew Yan Heng wouldn't refuse.
It was nearly ten o'clock at night, which was just about time for her mission.
When Zhu Yaya was heading out, Yan Heng even reminded her to bring a scarf.
"Got it, Mr. Manager." Zhu Yaya made a funny face at Yan Heng.
Zhu Yaya wrapped her scarf around her neck and carried a crossbody bag, which contained a palm-sized fruit box. The watermelon in the box was brought over by Yan Heng today.
Because the subway station was too far from her home, Zhu Yaya and Yan Heng went to take the bus.
At this time, the bus was empty, lacking its usual crowd. There were only three people on board: the driver, Zhu Yaya, and Yan Heng. Zhu Yaya picked a window seat and pulled Yan Heng to sit down next to her.
When she got on the bus, Zhu Yaya glanced at the male driver and thought to herself that it was a good thing Yan Heng was with her. If she had been alone, she definitely wouldn't have dared to get on this bus.
There were very few people along the way until the bus drove into the East District, where the view suddenly opened up. The area was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, glowing with vibrant lights. Even though it was New Year's Eve, there were still people walking together in groups on the streets. When they reached Times Square, there were even more people, so many that it left Zhu Yaya clicking her tongue in amazement. The large screens at Times Square were still playing various advertisements.
It seemed everyone was here to watch the electronic fireworks.
Zhu Yaya and Yan Heng got off the bus and squeezed into the crowd. As they walked, Zhu Yaya suddenly felt a warmth on her right hand; it was being held by a pair of dry, warm hands.
Without even thinking, she knew it was Yan Heng!
Zhu Yaya chuckled inwardly and squeezed his hand back.
Yan Heng felt her returning grasp. His expression froze for a moment, and he coughed lightly, explaining, "There are too many people." He said that, but he tightened his grip on Zhu Yaya's hand.
Zhu Yaya snorted softly in her heart. He was saying one thing but meaning another.
Zhu Yaya noticed that most of the people at Times Square were young. She casually stopped a pretty young woman to ask about the time of the electronic fireworks.
The young woman checked the watch on her wrist. "Ten thirty. It starts in five minutes."
Then, with an ambiguous expression, she dropped her gaze to Zhu Yaya and Yan Heng's joined hands and winked discreetly at Zhu Yaya. "Here to watch the fireworks with your little boyfriend, huh!"
A blush swept across Zhu Yaya's face. Putting on a serious expression, she said earnestly, "Miss, minors are not allowed to date."
However, it would have been more convincing if the two of them had let go of each other's hands.
The young woman gave a knowing look. After saying goodbye to Zhu Yaya and Yan Heng, she turned around and immediately sent a voice message to her friend, "Tsk tsk, you definitely wouldn't guess what I just saw. It was so sweet..."
Zhu Yaya blushed. Miss, I heard all of that.
However, it was time to get down to business. Zhu Yaya pressed the back of her free hand against her cheek to cool herself down. Her eyes began scanning the area for Murong Beichen and Xu Chun. She had to find Murong Beichen and Xu Chun within five minutes.
There were too many people here, so Zhu Yaya also asked Yan Heng for help. Yan Heng nodded without even asking for the reason.
Zhu Yaya was a bit puzzled. Logically, a high-profile, colorful teenager like Murong Beichen should be very easy to spot in the crowd. Why couldn't she see him?
Just as Zhu Yaya was wondering, a commotion arose from the crowd ahead.
Something was up. This disturbance... it must be Murong Beichen's doing!
Zhu Yaya's eyes lit up. Pulling Yan Heng by the hand, she eagerly trotted over. She pushed her way through the crowd to take a look, and sure enough, it was Murong Beichen and Xu Chun.
Murong Beichen was still that colorful boy. This time, he was wearing a bright purple cocoon-shaped overcoat. How should she put it? From a distance, he looked like an eggplant. On his feet were a pair of transparent rain boots, revealing the bright red socks he was wearing inside.
Zhu Yaya looked up at the sky and touched the top of her head. It wasn't raining! She then looked at the ground. There was no snow! So why on earth was he wearing rain boots!
Standing around him were girls with hearts in their eyes. Zhu Yaya even spotted the pretty young woman from earlier. She was among them, screaming along with the group of girls—
"Young Master Chen! Young Master Chen!"
"Young Master Chen is so stunningly handsome! Ahhh, his handsomeness is blinding!"
"Ahhh, Young Master Chen's shoes! Look! It's the latest model from KHESI! So cool!"
...
"Hubby, look at me!" someone in the crowd of girls suddenly shouted.
Murong Beichen gave a wicked, charming smile, extended a hand in the shape of a gun, and pointed it at the crowd. The girls' screams grew even louder.
Thud!
One girl actually fainted and collapsed onto the ground from sheer excitement.
Zhu Yaya: ...
This was way too exaggerated!
At this moment, the electronic fireworks were suddenly lit. One by one, fireworks trailed sparks as they ascended and blossomed in the night sky. They bloomed in massive clusters like flowers in full bloom, while others resembled silver waterfalls, varying in colors and types. Afterward, they all turned into shooting stars, darting in every direction.
It truly was a dazzling display of fiery trees and silver flowers lighting up the sleepless night!
Zhu Yaya, acting like a country bumpkin, was so mesmerized that she almost forgot her mission. It wasn't until another uproar erupted from the crowd that she suddenly snapped back to reality. She hurriedly dug the fruit box out of her crossbody bag and shifted her gaze from the fireworks in the night sky to Murong Beichen and Xu Chun.
Under the watchful eyes of the public, Murong Beichen got down on one knee in front of Xu Chun, holding a large bouquet of foxtail grass flowers. No, wait, foxtail flowers? Aren't confessions usually done with 999 roses? She almost felt like she hadn't transmigrated into "The Domineering Him and Pure Love", but rather "Country Love Story"!
Zhu Yaya shook her head and sighed. It seemed the male lead of this book just wasn't cutting it!
Holding that large bouquet of foxtail flowers, Murong Beichen said affectionately, "Chun'er, when I saw these foxtail flowers, I thought of you. Like these foxtail flowers, you are sooo ordinary and plain, yet so resilient and steadfast. You deeply fascinate me. For you, I am willing to step down from the altar and walk among the ordinary crowd. For you, I am willing to give up my Maserati and ride a small electric scooter. For you... Chun'er, please have pity on your Brother Chen's sincere feelings and be with me! I will make you happy!"
Zhu Yaya stuffed watermelon into her mouth, roasting him relentlessly in her mind.
