This is a cluster of single-story houses, which are rare in the city now. Large swathes of low-rise houses form alleyways that, when viewed from above, resemble a dense spider web, connecting all directions.
Here are small courtyard houses, one family after another. From the courtyards come the most authentic symphony of the lives of ordinary people: the clanging of pots and pans, the cries of children, the noise at the public water taps, and the calls of street vendors.
Chen Xiao and Bai Cai followed Gong Gong through the alleys, passing one small courtyard after another. They saw housewives sitting on small stools in front of their houses, scrubbing their clothes in front of them in large wooden basins full of dirty clothes. Others carried spittoons or chamber pots. In such places, dozens or even hundreds of households often shared a single public toilet.
The air here smells strange—a mixture of cooking fumes from street-facing kitchens, cheap laundry detergent, the dampness of the alleyways, and the nearby public toilets—all blending together to create an indescribable, peculiar odor.
Bai Cai walked here, her expression full of warmth. She smiled at Chen Xiao and said, "You must have never been to a place like this before. I grew up in a place like this."
At the end of the alley stood a double red wooden door, most of the red paint peeling off to reveal the dilapidated wooden planks inside. A gnarled jujube tree stood by the door, from which hung a string of copper bells. A gentle breeze stirred, causing the bells to sway softly—but the bells were rusted inside, and the tinkling sound was no longer crisp, but rather harsh and grating.
Standing before the dilapidated wooden door, Gonggong paused briefly, took a breath, and carefully adjusted his appearance before cautiously pushing the door open and stepping inside. He turned back to Chen Xiao and smiled, slightly embarrassed, "This is also my first time meeting this senior..."
This courtyard looks no different from an ordinary siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). There are three large tiled houses, and the entrance faces the courtyard. There is an elm tree in the yard, and clusters of elm leaves hang from the branches like copper coins.
The sound of an old-fashioned radio came from inside the room, playing a segment of Peking Opera. Chen Xiao listened carefully and realized it was "Su San's Release".
The three stood in the courtyard for a while. Then the door on the left opened, and a wrinkled old woman came out, carrying a basin of dishwater. She casually poured it under the elm tree, then glanced at the three of them indifferently: "You've arrived? Come in, one by one."
As he spoke, he pointed to the door in the very center of the innermost part.
Gonggong smiled and glanced at Chen Xiao: "You go in first."
Chen Xiao did not refuse. He strode over, knocked on the door, and then pushed it open to enter.
The room was spacious, with old-fashioned furniture in the middle. The mahogany chairs clearly showed the marks of time. After passing through the entrance hall, you could see a portrait of the God of Wealth hanging on the wall, and there was a sandalwood scent in the air.
Chen Xiao walked into the inner room and saw a person quietly reclining in a chair.
This is a woman, as evidenced by her long hair. She wears reading glasses, and next to her is an old-fashioned radio. She is dressed in an old-fashioned cheongsam. On the coffee table to her left, there is a pot of fragrant tea, a small dish of cilantro, and she is engrossed in reading a newspaper.
Chen Xiao approached, but the woman didn't say anything, continuing to quietly read her newspaper. Chen Xiao also remained silent, patiently waiting to the side.
Observe this woman up close—she is no longer young. Although her face is still beautiful, the corners of her eyes and mouth are full of wrinkles, bearing the marks of time. Her forehead is still smooth, but her eyes, hidden behind her eyes, are filled with a kind of wisdom as deep as an ancient well.
Standing in this old house, with its old furniture, vintage radio, and this not-so-young woman, Chen Xiao suddenly felt a sense of ethereal peace and tranquility filling his heart.
It's as if standing in this room completely isolates you from the outside world; all that remains between heaven and earth is this peace and tranquility...
Chen Xiao stood there for a full two minutes. After two minutes, the woman seemed to have finally finished reading the newspaper. She sighed softly, folded the newspaper, took off her glasses, rubbed her eyes wearily, and then subconsciously reached for the teacup next to her.
Chen Xiao immediately stepped forward, picked up the teapot, and filled the empty teacups.
The woman seemed to smile, still not looking at Chen Xiao, but the peaceful look in her eyes was so calm and composed as she took a sip of tea.
It's safe to say that this woman must have been incredibly charming in her youth, as she possessed exceptionally beautiful eyes. However, she wasn't the type of woman with exquisitely delicate features. Her mouth was slightly larger than usual, her lips were a little thinner, her forehead was a bit wider, and even when she extended her hand, her fingers weren't exactly "slender and delicate"—her knuckles were slightly larger than usual.
Then she stood up facing Chen Xiao—her figure was naturally not comparable to that of a young girl, and her hips were slightly wider, and her waist was not slender enough... but somehow she gave people the feeling that this woman seemed to have a graceful and charming demeanor!
This woman isn't exactly beautiful. But there's something about her that makes you instantly think she's stunning—a beauty that defies explanation. It's as if every subtle detail about her possesses an indescribable charm.
“My name is Fireworks.” The woman gazed at Chen Xiao and smiled. “I’m the kind of firework that looks beautiful when it’s set off. After it’s set off, nothing is left.”
At this moment, Chen Xiao suddenly remembered a line that Gu Long once wrote: "More lonely than fireworks."
Without a doubt, the woman in front of me is that kind of person.
Her name is Fireworks... a woman more lonely than fireworks.
“I know your name is Chen Xiao… No need for introductions. I know everything about you—your background, your experiences, and your current troubles.” Fireworks pointed to another chair in the room: “Sit down.”
Chen Xiao was usually quite composed, but when facing this woman, he seemed to feel a little flustered under her bright eyes. He responded with a sound of agreement before sitting down in the chair opposite Yan Hua. Yan Hua seemed to smile: "You have ten minutes. Don't be nervous. You are my guest here, and I will answer any questions you may have... The time is within ten minutes. Oh, by the way, I'm sorry about your clothes. Actually, this chair is too old and should have been replaced a long time ago."
Huh? What?
Chen Xiao was stunned for a moment, but then he suddenly felt the chair beneath him groan. The old chair immediately broke apart. Luckily, Chen Xiao reacted quickly and stood up, but the broken part of the chair arm caught on his sleeve. With a tearing sound, the arm snagged and tore his sleeve, creating a rip about ten centimeters long.
Chen Xiao had barely regained his footing when he stared dumbfounded at the tear in his sleeve. Remembering the last words from the fireworks display, a chill ran down his spine!
“Young man, you don’t need to look at me like that.” Fireworks picked up the delicate little teacup again and took a sip, her smile very kind: “Oh, by the way, don’t worry if the cup breaks, just don’t cut your fingers.”
Chen Xiao froze for a moment. With a slight turn, he accidentally bumped into a small coffee table, knocking a glass to the floor with a clatter. It shattered! He instinctively reached out to pick it up, but as soon as his fingers grasped a shard, he frowned. A shard had cut his fingertip, and a bead of bright red blood slowly seeped out…
Chen Xiao was finally stunned!
He abruptly raised his head, staring at the fireworks: "You..."
Fireworks smiled gently and sat down with her usual elegance: "Didn't you know who I was before you came?"
Chen Xiao swallowed hard, his gaze sweeping over the broken chair on the floor, the shattered cup, the wound on his finger, and the tear in his sleeve...
He swallowed hard, forced a smile, and asked, "Just now... was all of this your plan? If I hadn't sat on this chair, would it have fallen apart? If it hadn't fallen apart, it wouldn't have snagged my clothes. If this hadn't happened, I wouldn't have felt embarrassed and turned away, wouldn't have broken this cup, and wouldn't have hurt my finger while picking up the shards..."
The fireworks continued to laugh, but their gaze had become even more profound: "Do you think there are such coincidences in the world?"
Her voice carried a sense of tranquility and peace: "A single detail may be a coincidence, but when a series of coincidences are linked together... then, it becomes inevitable."
She paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Oh, by the way, can you do me a favor?"
"……What?"
"It's just a small favor." Fireworks smiled gently: "When you leave later, please help me out at the alley entrance outside."
"The alleyway entrance? I don't understand..." Chen Xiao looked bewildered.
"This is inevitable." Fireworks sighed, her expression seemingly indifferent: "Actually, I was just being nosy. Since it's inevitable, I don't need to remind you specifically."
Chen Xiao was completely bewildered, but in an instant, a sudden inspiration struck him. Looking at the woman before him, as beautiful as fireworks, he couldn't help but blurt out, "Could it be! Your special ability is... to foresee the future?"