Chapter 57: Firecrackers Scare Yaoyao

Yaoyao was greedy for food—everyone at the table knew that.

Normally, indulging her with an extra piece or two of pastry was no big deal. But now, under Xie Yixing’s watchful eye, no one dared to speak up on her behalf.

Yaoyao blinked her bright, sparkling eyes and stared at Xie Yixing. In the end, he relented, softening, “Just this once.”

Yaoyao smiled and hooked her finger around his, then pointed outside the door. “Uncle Wei said we can set off fireworks. Persimmon-gege is coming with me.”

She had been dying to go out, but in her mind, eating was the most important thing—she had to fill her little tummy before thinking about playing.

Xie Yixing nodded, bent down to pick her up into his arms, and walked toward the door.

As his gaze swept past Wei Dalan to land on Wei Jun, he could tell that Wei Jun didn’t look well.

Because of the New Year, he had been forced to get out of bed to join everyone for the reunion dinner.

Wei Jun hunched his shoulders and looked gloomily at the departing pair.

He knew perfectly well how he had fainted that day.

It was from being scared by that little flower snake on Yaoyao’s shoulder!

The snake had been brought into the residence by them, so they must’ve instructed it to frighten him!

But when he complained to his father, his father didn’t believe him. Instead, he said Wei Jun was petty and intolerant, and punished him with copying texts!

Even though he wasn’t feeling well, he refused to return to his room and insisted on being taken to the rear garden to watch the fireworks.

Because it was New Year’s, Wei Dalan didn’t deny his request but gave one instruction: keep away from Xie Yixing and Miss Yaoyao, don’t cause trouble, and return to rest after the fireworks.

Though it was customary to stay up all night for the New Year, the children were too young to endure that, so the rule wasn’t enforced.

The fireworks had been purchased by Wei Dalan from several Western merchants—affordable and with many varieties.

Since the children were the ones setting them off, he had specifically chosen visually pleasing but low-risk types.

Wei Jun held several firecracker-shaped fireworks in his hands but showed no intention of lighting them.

A servant beside him whispered, “Young Master Jun, shall I light them for you?”

Wei Jun shook his head but took a firm step forward.

His deeply sunken, lifeless eyes were wide open, staring straight at Yaoyao’s back.

He caught sight of the little flower snake on her shoulder, and the naked resentment in his eyes could no longer be hidden.

It was because of them that he couldn’t have a proper family reunion.

Just as Wei Jun was about to cross the boundary toward Xie Yixing’s side, the servant quickly stepped in to stop him. “Young Master Jun, Master told you not to bother the Young Lord and Miss Yaoyao.”

Wei Dalan clearly didn’t trust his son and had sent someone to keep an eye on him.

Stopped in his tracks, Wei Jun’s face darkened. “This is the Wei residence. I am a son of the Wei family. Do I need your permission for what I do?”

Frightened by the reprimand, the servant feared the boy might act recklessly and quickly stepped aside, ready to report to Wei Dalan.

Wei Jun clenched the firecracker tightly and looked toward the pond behind Yaoyao. A thought flashed through his mind.

If he threw the firecracker at that annoying girl, would it scare her into falling into the water?

The pond held several koi fish raised by Old Master Wei. The surface wasn’t frozen since servants chipped the ice daily.

A gust of cold wind blew down the back of his neck, making Wei Jun shiver.

But his mind remained clear and his determination firm.

He wanted them to pay the price.

Even if his father and grandfather scolded him afterward.

Outside the Wei residence, the street filled with the sounds of firecrackers. Yaoyao instinctively turned her head toward the noise, giving Xie Yixing the chance to step aside and fetch the New Year’s gift he had prepared for her in advance, tucked under the corridor.

He had planned this gift for a long time and had selected it with great care. He was certain Yaoyao would love it.

Just as he turned away, Wei Jun suddenly emerged from a corner.

In one hand, he held a fire-starting tube; in the other, a firecracker.

Quickly, he lit the fuse with the fire-starting tube and was about to hurl it at Yaoyao’s back—she was playing with her sparkler, unaware—when the little flower snake on her shoulder suddenly raised its head.

Hiss hiss—Danger!

Just as he was about to turn around, a flash of bright flame shot past his eyes.

Yaoyao hadn’t yet realized why her little flower snake suddenly became so alert. When she heard the sound behind her, she instinctively looked to her side where Xie Yixing should have been—but he wasn’t there.

Realizing he was gone, Yaoyao panicked.

She was just about to cry out, “Persimmon-gege!” when a red firecracker exploded by her feet.

Bang bang bang—the sound startled her, and she instinctively stepped backward.

Just as Wei Jun was gleefully thinking his plan would succeed, the flower snake on Yaoyao’s shoulder leapt to the ground and, without hesitation, bit off the fuse.

The explosion stopped instantly.

Yaoyao also froze in her steps.

The little flower snake stood on the red firecracker, flicking its tongue, its face full of displeasure.

Hiss hiss—disgusting taste.
Hiss hiss—can’t spit it out.
Hiss hiss—are you looking to die?!

Xie Yixing had turned around as soon as he heard the commotion. He hadn’t even had time to pick up the basket he had placed in the corridor before sprinting toward Yaoyao.

But he was still a second too late—he hadn’t stopped the first explosion.

Seeing the tears still clinging to the corners of Yaoyao’s eyes, his expression immediately merged with the darkness of the night.

A firework burst in the sky, illuminating half of his face in an eerie glow.

Wei Jun met Xie Yixing’s eyes and was instantly overwhelmed by the chilling cold in his gaze. His guilt surged, and he instinctively took a step back.

The flower snake finally spat out the blackened fuse and slithered along Yaoyao’s side toward Xie Yixing.

Hiss hiss—It was him! I saw it with my own eyes! He tried to hurt the little girl!

With the flower snake’s confirmation, Xie Yixing took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the tear at the corner of Yaoyao’s eye. Then he looked at the remaining fireworks in the basket, eyes full of pain. “Go back?”

Startled by the firecracker tossed at her feet, Yaoyao no longer felt like playing. She obediently nodded.

Xie Yixing called over Nanny Wu and instructed her to take Yaoyao back to the room first.

Nanny Wu had just been stationed nearby by Xie Yixing and hadn’t seen what Wei Jun had done.

She rushed over after hearing the commotion and was relieved to see that Yaoyao wasn’t hurt.

However, the red firecracker by Yaoyao’s feet was clearly out of place—clearly thrown on purpose.

Noticing the fierce look on the young lord’s face, Nanny Wu followed his gaze forward and caught only a glimpse of a figure disappearing down the corridor. But from that alone, she could guess the culprit’s identity.

There weren’t many children in the household, and only one of them could run and jump like that.

Sigh…

Though Nanny Wu favored her little young lord and Yaoyao, she was still worried about the Wei family’s standing. After all, the young lord had only recently dealt with Wei-shi’s elder sister-in-law. If he were to deal with Wei Dalan’s son now, it would put Wei-shi in a very awkward position.

But she was only a servant. She had no right—or ability—to stop the young lord. So she quickly carried Yaoyao away from the scene.

In Nanny Wu’s arms, Yaoyao clutched the little flower snake and tilted her head toward Xie Yixing, who was still standing in place. She looked a little reluctant.

“Persimmon-gege, aren’t you coming back with Yaoyao?”