They walked along, chatting and laughing, buying lots of little odds and ends, eating candied apples, and buying oden, which they shared just like that year. In the end, Jian Changnian even carried two small bottles of liquor.
Xie Shi'an was both amused and exasperated: "When did you become an alcoholic? Don't think that just because you're on vacation you can stay under the coach's nose... Hey!"
Before he could finish speaking, he was pulled into a yukata shop by the roadside. When he came out, Xie Shi'an was still a little awkward.
"Isn't that strange?"
The woman had slender shoulders and a narrow waist, making her very suitable for wearing a kimono. Her hair was also styled in an updo, revealing her long, fair neck. She had even put on light makeup and lipstick before going out today, which made her even more radiant and beautiful in this outfit.
Jian Changnian had a sudden thought and gently brushed the stray hairs from her cheek behind her ear: "How could that be? You look beautiful."
A blush crept onto her cheek. Xie Shi'an looked away and pulled the person away, saying, "Let's go, let's go, the fireworks show is about to start."
"Hey, slow down, I'm not used to walking in wooden clogs..."
Let alone wearing clogs, Jian Changnian rarely even wears high heels, unless it's for work such as appearing on TV shows or shooting magazine covers. In those situations, her skirts cover her legs, making it difficult for her to take steps. She can't even walk normally anymore and almost walks with her feet in the wrong direction.
Seeing her embarrassed expression, Xie Shi'an couldn't help but burst into laughter, tears welling up in his eyes.
"So stupid!"
"Stop right there! Don't run!"
Jian Changnian chased after them, and the two of them, not to be outdone, scooped up a handful of seawater and splashed it at each other. Xie Shian was splashed right on the spot and began to fight back. The two of them chased and played along the coastline, the waves washing over their toes, and their clear laughter carried far.
Seeing that genuine, unpretentious smile on her face once again, Jian Changnian's heart melted completely: "Shi'an, look here."
She turned around, and Jian Changnian just raised his phone and snapped a picture.
The girl in the photo is wearing a yukata and kimono, holding sparklers in her hand. She has delicate features and a gentle, captivating smile. The light of the setting sun is scattered on the sea, making even the sky and earth pale in comparison.
As the last rays of the setting sun disappeared below the horizon, the beach was already packed with people.
Xie Shi'an and Jian Changnian also found a place to sit down.
Bang bang.
A bright beam of light instantly illuminated the entire night sky, and colorful stars floated in everyone's pupils.
There were people laughing, praying, taking photos, and couples kissing passionately around me.
Xie Shi'an looked up at the fireworks.
"It's so beautiful, even more beautiful than what we saw in Yokohama."
Jian Changnian was looking at her.
"Yeah, but speaking of which, why did you get a firework tattoo on your wrist? Why didn't you get something else?"
Xie Shi'an smiled slightly.
"I like fireworks, shooting stars, badminton, and all things that are dazzling but fleeting, but sometimes I also want to preserve these beautiful things."
Do you remember what I said to you when I was drunk in Yokohama that year?
Xie Shi'an certainly remembered everything she said. She remembered every single word she said. There were many difficult times in America, and they got through them by relying on their beautiful memories of the past.
Back then, she was young and impetuous, and as time passed quickly, she witnessed too much change in circumstances and no longer dared to easily believe promises. In this respect, she was just like Kim Nam-ji.
The fireworks overhead were still in full bloom.
The waves crashed against the beach.
"I remember, you were drunk..."
Looking at her like that, Xie Shi'an felt as if he might drown in her dark, gentle vortex at any moment.
Her ears were getting hotter and hotter, and she awkwardly looked away, unsure of what to say.
Jian Changnian had been hiding the velvet box in her sleeve for a whole day. She was a little nervous, her palms were sweaty, but she still wanted to give her all the most beautiful things in the world.
"Look, summer ends but there's next year. The fireworks in Yokohama have ended, but I'll take you to see another one. So many years have passed, and I still haven't... left you."
"These words have been buried in my heart for a long time, and I've always wanted to find an opportunity to tell you. I don't know when it started, but I realized that I like you more than I like badminton."
“I know you want to win championships, you want a Grand Slam, so I've been training like crazy, hoping that one day I can fulfill your and Coach Yan's wishes, and then stand proudly in front of you and say—”
"The gold medal is yours, and you are mine."
When she uttered her first words, Xie Shi'an's eyes filled with tears, and when she took out the ring, the stars in the sky seemed to fall.
Xie Shi'an covered his lips with his hand.
“Shi’an, we used to be friends, partners, and confidants. Now, could you… give me a chance to be your family and spend the rest of my life with you?”
Jian Changnian's eyes also reddened slightly. He handed the ring to her and was about to kneel down on one knee when Xie Shi'an rushed over. The two of them bumped into each other and embraced.
"Okay, stop kneeling, I...I'm willing."
Jian Changnian was overjoyed and burst into tears. She choked back sobs, as if in disbelief, and asked again, "What did you say?"
"I said, I do! I love you!"
Jian Changnian picked the person up and spun them around.
"I love you too! Jian Changnian will always love Xie Shian!!"
The moment the ring was slipped onto her ring finger, a thousand fireworks burst forth, illuminating the night sky as if it were daytime.
The lights shone brightly, reflecting in their eyes.
The two people nestled together.
Jian Changnian looked at her lips and slowly leaned closer. This time, Xie Shi'an did not dodge and gently closed her eyes.
***
Another Spring Festival has arrived.
The two of them went home for the Chinese New Year as usual.
After returning from sweeping her grandmother's grave in the countryside, it was already dusk when Cheng Zhen called to invite them to the restaurant for New Year's Eve dinner.
When the two drove into the city, night had already fallen, snowflakes were falling outside, and there were still quite a few customers in the shop.
Jian Changnian entered through the door carrying gifts, with Xie Shi'an following behind her, folding his umbrella.
"Wow, it's New Year's Eve today, and there are still so many people. Your business must be booming."
After Cheng Zhen was released from prison, he wanted to find a job, but he was repeatedly rejected because he had no education and a criminal record. When he was feeling disheartened, they lent him some money, which enabled him to open his barbecue restaurant.
He happened to have experience working in the canteen, so he was skilled in frying, stir-frying, and cooking, and quickly made the business a great success.
It was New Year's Eve, and they were short-handed, so the boss put on an apron and acted as both cook and shop assistant. When they arrived, he quickly welcomed them in.
"Shi'an, Chang Nian, we've been waiting for you for ages! You've finally arrived! Please sit down, the food will be ready soon!"
"Make less food. There are only a few of us. It would be a waste if we made too much."
Before Jian Changnian could finish speaking, the old man sitting at the table in front of him turned around and said, "Who said it was just a few of you?"
Xie Shi'an was also greatly surprised.
"Coach Wan, what brings you here?"
"I came to visit my senior brother. It's snowing heavily. I'll rest for a day and go back tomorrow."
Jian Changnian is always smiling and never does anything serious.
"Could they be here to follow us?"
Wan Jing picked up his chopsticks, making a gesture as if to strike.
"What are you talking about? I arrived even earlier than you. I think you're getting more and more disrespectful. Shi'an, you really need to keep an eye on her. This is outrageous! She's even riding on the coach's head."
"Oh, she's in charge of training and competitions, but when it comes to life, I have to listen to her."
Xie Shi'an blushed at these words, as if she had recalled some embarrassing memories. Seeing that she was about to pour wine for Wan Jing, she also poured herself a full glass, and her brows furrowed slightly.
"It's one thing for you to drink it yourself, but didn't you know that Coach Wan now has fatty liver and the doctor said he should drink less alcohol?"
"I know, I know, I was wrong..." Not to mention frowning, just one look from her was enough to make Jian Changnian want to surrender, looking aggrieved and muttering softly.
But the wind chimes at the door rang again.
"Oh, everyone's here."
They looked up and saw that Coach Liang had also arrived. His health had deteriorated over the years; years of coaching had taken their toll, and he had started using crutches at a young age.
Xie Shi'an stood up and quickly helped the person sit down.
"Coach Liang, what brings you here?"
"Not only me."
Jian Changnian turned around and saw Zhang Chun, Yang Li, and several old friends from the Binhai Provincial Team lifting the curtain and walking in.
"They won't not welcome us, will they?"
She skipped and jumped over to them, hugging them tightly: "Long time no see! I've missed you all so much!"
"Yeah, it's been a long time! In the blink of an eye, the little bean sprout has become a world champion!"
When they started talking about the old days, everyone burst into laughter again.
Qiao Yuchu was the last to enter, and she looked slightly embarrassed.
"I happened to be going home with my mom to pay respects to our ancestors this year, and Coach Liang told me that our Binhai provincial team was having a gathering, so..."
No matter when or where, even after so many years, everyone who mentions the Binhai Provincial Team will always add "we" or "us" before it.
In the hearts of these young people, the Binhai Provincial Team will always be their home, and Coach Yan will always be their teacher.
Xie Shi'an moved a chair for someone.
"You're here! Please have a seat."
Almost everyone had arrived, and Cheng Zhen busied herself, quickly bringing the dishes out from the kitchen.
"You guys grill some meat first, and there are a few more dishes that will be ready soon. If you need anything, just let the waiter know."
"No, no, no, stop fussing around, sit down and eat with us. By the way, where's Mumu?" Jian Changnian said.
Cheng Zhen wiped her hands on her apron.
“Hey, I’m busy. I’m still filming on New Year’s Eve. You guys eat first, don’t wait for her. I’ll give her a call.”
Xie Shi'an also put down his chopsticks.