Chapter 167: Really Taking Him for a Fool?

Words : 1285 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

On New Year’s Eve, Yun Shifei and Yun Tiancheng were busy in the kitchen. Yun Tiancheng was steaming fish. He placed the marinated fish on top of ginger slices and set it into the pot to steam. The Yun Family tradition was that every year on Chinese New Year, fish must be eaten, symbolizing abundance year after year. The dishes he prepared were mostly the traditional foods for the New Year, but he added a few sweet dishes like rice wine dumplings, sweet-and-sour pork ribs, and glutinous rice lotus root, because Yun Shifei had a sweet tooth. Yun Shifei wasn’t idle either; she helped out alongside him. She eagerly suggested, "Dad, let me stir-fry some vegetables! I can cook a few dishes too, you know." In her past life, she had learned how to cook, though she hadn’t taken it seriously yet. Usually, Aunt Zhong was the one who cooked. "Alright, give it a try then," Yun Tiancheng said with a smile, looking at the obedient Yun Shifei. Watching Yun Shifei busying herself in the kitchen, Yun Tiancheng felt a wave of emotions. Over the years, every Chinese New Year, he would wonder if Yun Shifei was doing well wherever she was. This year, she was finally back. But Xu Ya and Yun Sisi weren’t here. He still didn’t understand why such a good family had ended up like this. He had hoped that Yun Shifei’s return would lead to a happy life for the family of four, but things didn’t go as he wished. Yun Tiancheng couldn’t help but sigh. Perhaps this was fate. All he could do was take things one step at a time. But one thing he was certain of: he couldn’t give up on Shifei. This girl was so sensible and kind, having endured so many hardships in the past. From now on, he would give her the best of everything. The New Year’s Eve dinner was sumptuous, but it was just Yun Shifei and Yun Tiancheng at the table. Yun Shifei felt a bit regretful and said, "It’s just the two of us. We can’t finish it all." Wasteful, really. "It’s alright if we don’t finish it. It’s New Year; we need to eat well no matter what," Yun Tiancheng said, picking food for Yun Shifei. "After dinner, let’s go outside and set off some fireworks." Just as Yun Tiancheng finished speaking, a loud boom sounded outside the window. Yun Shifei turned to look and saw a brilliant firework blooming in the sky. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the enormous firework resembled a giant oil painting. Yun Shifei was mesmerized. It was so beautiful! Fireworks like this were only seen during the New Year. No matter how many times she had watched them, every New Year, she found them breathtaking. After dinner, she went to find Cheng Lie. Cheng Lie stepped out, only to see Yun Shifei had changed into new clothes. It was a red coat, with white fur trimming the cuffs and edges of the hood, swaying gently in the night wind, mirroring her gentle nature. Seeing that Cheng Lie had brought out the scarf she had given him, Yun Shifei felt very happy. It proved that Cheng Lie truly valued their friendship now. It also proved that the Cheng Family wouldn’t meddle with the things she gave Cheng Lie. Yun Shifei waved the firework sticks in her hand. "Come on, let’s go light fireworks!" Yun Shifei dragged Cheng Lie to the rooftop of her building. On the rooftop, she lit a sparkler with a lighter. Holding it, she began weaving it through the air. Then she turned to Cheng Lie. "Isn’t it so pretty?" As her eyes met Cheng Lie’s dark stare, her lips curved into a wide smile. Her eyes crinkled like crescent moons, clear and radiant. Under the pitch-black sky, she was the only source of light. Looking at her like this, she really resembled a fairy. Cheng Lie silently nodded. She looked beautiful. Soon, the sparkler burned out. Yun Shifei handed a few more to Cheng Lie. "Try playing with them!" Cheng Lie: "..." He had seen kids in the neighborhood playing with these before, mostly little girls. Boys weren’t into them—they preferred exciting firecrackers. Being a boy, holding these felt a bit unnatural. But since Yun Shifei asked him to play, Cheng Lie didn’t refuse and quietly accepted the sparklers she handed him. One in each hand, Yun Shifei helped him light them. Watching Cheng Lie hold the sparklers stiffly, without moving, Yun Shifei chuckled inwardly. Instead of seeming playful, he looked like he was taking them very seriously. His expression remained as calm as ever, even his brows slightly furrowed—a stark contrast of coldness. Yun Shifei: "..." Were bigshots incapable of understanding fun? Unable to hold back, Yun Shifei grabbed Cheng Lie’s hand. "You have to wave the sparklers to make them fun!" Holding Cheng Lie’s hand, she traced a circle in the air. The sparks formed a glowing arc. She turned to Cheng Lie. "See? Like this. Got it now?" Was she treating him like an idiot? Cheng Lie pursed his lips, feeling a little exasperated. Still, Yun Shifei holding his hand made him a little uncomfortable. As soon as she let go, Cheng Lie lightly swung the sparklers in his hand. "Yes, just like that. Isn’t it fun?" Yun Shifei asked excitedly as she saw Cheng Lie get the hang of it. Under the hopeful gaze of the young girl, Cheng Lie nodded. The sparklers burned out soon enough, and Yun Shifei lit several more. After playing with all of them, Yun Shifei prepared to light the fireworks tube. Meanwhile, more fireworks painted the distant sky with bursts of color. Yun Shifei lit one as well. Boom— The firework soared into the sky, blooming in its most radiant brilliance. Boom— One after another chased upwards. Yun Shifei gazed at the fireworks above. They were so beautiful. Being a child has its perks, like being able to play with fireworks. Later, the city would begin banning fireworks and firecrackers, and she’d only be able to watch them on TV. By then, there wouldn’t be any festive New Year atmosphere left. As the night deepened, the sky grew more lively, with fireworks blossoming one after another. Yun Shifei had already used up all her fireworks and stood still, watching the vibrant sky above. Cheng Lie stayed beside her. The two of them sat on the rooftop, feeling the chill of the wind, gazing at fireworks beneath a star-filled sky. Soon, Yun Shifei grew sleepy. She looked at Cheng Lie. "Let’s head back to sleep now. I have to visit relatives tomorrow." New Year’s was indeed busy, mostly with visiting relatives. Apparently, all those uncles and aunts had gathered in South City. She’d have to accompany Yun Tiancheng to greet them. She missed Old Mrs. Xu as well. Earlier, she had called her, and Old Mrs. Xu told her to visit when she had time. They hadn’t seen each other in ages. There was also her cousin Yue Jiao. Yun Shifei walked Cheng Lie home, slipping a few candies into his hand. They were various flavors of Swiss sweets. "Go on now, Cheng Lie. A new year, do your best!" For the time being, she probably wouldn’t have much time to play with Cheng Lie. The boy silently gazed at her, saying nothing, before turning and entering the Cheng Family home. Rubbing her cold hands, Yun Shifei quickly headed back home, looking forward to hugging her comfy bed. Cheng Lie returned home, where the Cheng Family was lively—Cheng Guomin, Zhao Haishuang, and Cheng Huai all sat on the sofa, watching the Spring Festival Gala.

Chapter 167: Really Taking Him for a Fool?

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