Liu Yuewang Smelled Something
After finishing their New Year's Eve dinner, Liu Chang'an went downstairs to set off fireworks. At that moment, the whole city was crackling and popping, illuminating the sky in a half-light and half-dark state. If it weren't for the continuous explosions and the dazzling fireworks, the billowing smoke and the interplay of light and shadow in the sky above the city would have looked like a fire spreading throughout the entire city.
Liu Chang'an carried Zhou Dongdong and performed a spiral ascent. He had promised to teach Zhou Dongdong to "fly," so he had to take her along to fulfill her wish to be a little airplane. However, during the descent, Liu Chang'an originally wanted to perform a spectacular low-altitude flight before soaring down, like Iron Man. But he didn't expect that the gunpowder in the cannons couldn't support such a difficult maneuver. In addition, Zhou Dongdong's overly excited gesturing interfered with Liu Chang'an, so the two of them "crashed" together.
Seeing the two of them plunge headfirst into the snowdrift that Shangguan Dandan and Zhou Dongdong had made earlier that day, Zhou Shuling was startled and quickly ran over to look. She found Zhou Dongdong lying in Liu Chang'an's arms, laughing non-stop, and couldn't help but complain that both the older and younger ones were doing stupid things. However, she didn't dare to say it loudly, because it was always Liu Chang'an who called her stupid. If she said he was stupid, she would inevitably feel guilty, and he might even hit her on the head.
Shangguan Dandan quickly ran over, took out her phone and snapped a series of photos of Liu Chang'an, who was disheveled and lying in the snowdrift, before posting them on her WeChat Moments.
"Delete it for me!" Liu Chang'an quickly climbed out of the snowdrift.
"You always take pictures of Dongdong, so I want to take pictures of you too." Shangguan Dandan refused, hiding her phone to prevent him from snatching it.
Zhou Shuling covered her mouth and laughed. She had received quite a few of those photos from Liu Chang'an. They were usually taken leisurely by him when Zhou Dongdong did something stupid. It was a case of tit for tat, and one thing subduing another.
Liu Chang'an snorted, turned around and pulled Zhou Dongdong out of the snow pit. He didn't really care, it was just that the little old lady was annoying, always taking pleasure in seeing him make a fool of himself.
"I'm going to recite a poem now." Shangguan Dandan cleared his throat. "Green Jade Table - Snowstorm: The Dongfeng releases a thousand trees of flowers at night, and blows down stars like rain. Precious horses and carved carriages fill the road with fragrance. The sound of phoenix flutes moves, the jade pot shines, and fish and dragons dance all night. Moths, snow willows, and golden threads. Laughter and fragrance linger. I searched for him a thousand times in the crowd. Suddenly I turned around, and there he was, rolling in the snowdrift."
After Shangguan Dandan finished reciting the poem with intonation, she chuckled and decided to post the excellent adapted lyrics and the photos she had just taken on her WeChat Moments.
"Ignorant and incompetent." Liu Chang'an could only offer this weak retort. As for telling Shangguan Dandan that it was a poem for the Lantern Festival and that her revised version didn't rhyme, it was meaningless to Shangguan Dandan. After all, she had no regard for the refinement of literary figures when revising poems; she could even casually change "slightly inferior in style" to "very impressive."
Shangguan Dandan is very interested in online novels, but has no desire to read any of the self-proclaimed traditional or serious literature. However, due to her background and education, she has a great fondness for ancient classics.
Liu Chang'an set up the other fireworks and cannons, lit them one by one, and watched the dazzling fireworks bloom overhead. The four of them looked up to watch.
Although they have no blood relation to each other except for the foolish mother and the foolish child, this is their family life—simple and happy.
Liu Chang'an raised his arm and gently put his arm Shangguan Dandan and Zhou Shuling, patted their shoulders, and watched them look up at him. Liu Chang'an's lips curled up slightly, and he gestured for them to watch the fireworks.
Shangguan Dandan tilted her head slightly and took Zhou Dongdong's small hand.
It escaped from the coffin and probably will never want to go back in again.
Unless... occasionally... when Liu Chang'an makes her too angry, she goes inside to sulk for a while.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Liu Chang'an went to his girlfriend's house to offer New Year's greetings.
The sun was already rising this morning, and the snow covering the city was probably about to melt away. Liu Chang'an put his hands in his pockets, looked up at the sky and the streets, and slowly walked towards the River West.
I've been walking this route for many years, from Xiangtan University Affiliated High School to Xiangtan University. The route hasn't changed much. Year after year, I can estimate how many steps it takes to get there with my eyes closed, and it's pretty much the same... It's only when I see the snow in winter that I realize with a sigh: another four seasons have passed.
Like any ordinary person, Liu Chang'an simply sighed, without feeling much emotion.
The snow on the street was divided on both sides, revealing the wet, dark gray cement road surface. Liu Chang'an walked onto the bridge and saw that the trees and bamboo groves near and far on Orange Head were covered with snow. The huge statue was covered with snow, but it did not diminish his temperament and spirit at all.
People in South Hunan have a special affection for him, especially the men, women, and children living in Junsha. Sometimes, when they look up and feel lost, they find him watching them, which gives them a lot of courage.
Of course, not everyone will receive such incentives.
Liu Chang'an smiled slightly, waved at the statue, and continued walking across the long Juzhou Bridge.
The greenery in Hexi University Town is lush, with evergreen trees topped with white snow, which is quite beautiful. There are fewer students coming and going during the winter break, and some students stay on campus for various reasons, walking through the streets lazily or in a hurry. The subway construction in the surrounding area has also been suspended. Next year, several key undergraduate universities in the university town will have their own subway station shops.
Upon arriving at the Juyuan residential area, there were far fewer firecrackers and fireworks debris. A familiar figure appeared ahead, tall and voluptuous. Liu Yuewang was holding a string of firecrackers, hesitating as if she didn't want to light them. An Nuan came out of the door and, seeing her mother's reluctance to light the firecrackers, nonchalantly declared herself a pro at it, took the lighter from her, and then looked at Liu Chang'an.
Liu Chang'an still walked with his hands in his pockets, swaying unsteadily. His leisurely and carefree demeanor was always unique. An Nuan casually tossed the lighter to Liu Yuewang and ran downstairs.
"Happy New Year, give me a red envelope!" An Nuan came up to Liu Chang'an, showing a sweet and cute smile, and held out her hands together.
"No." Liu Chang'an slapped her palm.
"You came back from Antarctica and didn't come to see me. You said you'd come to wish me a Happy New Year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and that was fine. I've been thinking about you every day at home for half of the winter vacation, and when we finally met, there was no red envelope and you even hit me!" An Nuan looked at Liu Chang'an with tears in her eyes, feeling extremely aggrieved.
Liu Chang'an smiled, pulled her into his arms, and inhaled the fragrance of her hair. The familiar scent filled his nostrils, instantly activating his emotions.
An Nuan hummed, feeling even more aggrieved. Was he just going to hug her and be done with it without even comforting her? Just as she was thinking this, Liu Chang'an cupped her cheeks, his eyes filled with affection and the joy of a long-awaited reunion, and lowered his head to kiss her lips.
The passionate kiss made An Nuan's body go weak. She hugged Liu Chang'an tightly without caring about anything else. She didn't want the red envelope or to be coaxed anymore. She just wanted to be melted by his embrace and kiss.
A snowball came flying at me.
Liu Chang'an then released An Nuan and reached out to wipe the snowflakes off her cheeks and hair.
An Nuan turned her head away angrily. Who else but Professor Liu, who neither dated himself nor could he stand seeing others date, would throw snowballs at her in this situation?
"Do you think I'm invisible?!"
"They're acting in an idol drama, kissing in the snow!"
"Should we add some background Douyin and upload it to TikTok?"
"I give you guys a thumbs up! Buy trending topics!"
After Liu Yuewang finished speaking, she held the firecracker in her hand high, exclaiming, "It hasn't left Tianxing yet!"
"Can you set off firecrackers for us? We were going to do it last night, but my mom and I are both too scared to do it," An Nuan said sweetly to Liu Chang'an, her cheeks flushed, ignoring her mother's mockery.
"She's so delicate, cute, and well-behaved," Liu Chang'an laughed.
"Ugh! I'm just delicate, cute, and obedient. Go set off firecrackers!" Liu Chang'an didn't believe her, An Nuan huffed and punched Liu Chang'an. It's so nice to have someone to punch you; she'd been itching to do it for half the winter break.
Liu Chang'an walked up to Liu Yuewang and said, "Professor Liu, Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year... Hmm, you have a... I can't quite put my finger on it. Come on, let's set off some firecrackers first, and I'll give you a red envelope later, I've got it ready." Liu Yuewang sniffed. Liu Chang'an had a smell that seemed to make her dizzy for a moment, but she wasn't sure if it was his smell that caused it.
Going out of the heavens is a big deal; in some places, it's also called opening the gate to wealth.