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During the meal, Lin Suzhen continuously served Su Yudie dishes, treating her even better than Zhuang Zi’ang.
Zhuang Jianguo poured a glass of white liquor, sipping it slowly while casually asking about their situation at school.
Su Yudie was quick-witted and charming, making the two elders laugh heartily.
“Xiao Yudie, my grandpa used to be a blacksmith in the village. He has a special skill that he doesn’t show off often, but when he does, it’s truly breathtaking,” Zhuang Zi’ang said with a smile.
“What kind of special skill?” Xiao Yudie asked curiously.
“Fireworks from iron,” Zhuang Zi’ang replied.
A proud expression appeared on Zhuang Jianguo’s face.
Fireworks from iron is an art performance that has been passed down for thousands of years. It involves heating molten iron to 1600 degrees Celsius and using a special technique to shoot the molten iron high into the air.
Golden sparks burst into the night sky, streaking across like shooting stars, creating a spectacular scene that is incredibly impressive.
The visual impact of iron fireworks is even stronger than that of regular fireworks, representing a form of extreme romance that has been cherished for millennia.
However, this performance is very dangerous, and fewer and fewer young people are learning it nowadays.
Zhuang Jianguo had only performed it during village ceremonies for blessings when he was younger.
Now that he was older, he hadn’t touched it in a long time.
“Wow, just thinking about it is beautiful,” Su Yudie said with a look of longing.
The molten iron sparkling in the night sky resembles a glorious golden rain.
Seeing it once is enough to be remembered for a lifetime.
“Xiao Yudie, if you want to see it, I can do it for you tonight,” Zhuang Jianguo said enthusiastically.
“I’m sorry, Grandpa, but I have to go back before dark,” Xiao Yudie replied apologetically.
“Why are you in such a hurry? Stay over for the night and go back tomorrow!” Lin Suzhen urged.
Su Yudie showed a hesitant expression, wanting to say something but holding back.
She had her reasons for needing to leave.
Zhuang Zi’ang quickly tried to ease the situation, “It’s fine; you can always watch it another time!”
Zhuang Jianguo added, “Yes, you can come back again; there will be plenty of opportunities.”
A look of regret flashed in Su Yudie’s eyes.
Zhuang Zi’ang suppressed his sadness.
Will there really be a next time?
Will there still be an opportunity to share that ancient, extreme romance with you?
“Big silly, why are you getting all teary-eyed?” Su Yudie noticed something was off with Zhuang Zi’ang.
“It’s nothing; just some oil splashed into my eyes,” Zhuang Zi’ang made up an excuse.
“Let me see; I’ll help you wipe it,” Su Yudie said, leaning in with concern.
Seeing their affectionate gestures, Lin Suzhen laughed, “Xiao Yudie, so you call our Zi’ang ‘Big Silly’.”
Upon hearing this, Su Yudie felt a bit embarrassed.
She had let it slip in a moment of urgency.
Calling someone’s grandson “Big Silly” in front of the elders didn’t seem quite appropriate.
Zhuang Jianguo said to Lin Suzhen, “Young people love to call each other that; just like how you call me ‘old geezer,’ it’s the same principle.”
His words sent everyone into peals of laughter.
The atmosphere at the dining table became particularly joyful.
Once they gathered their spirits, Zhuang Zi’ang forced a smile and joined in the conversation and laughter.
With his two most beloved family members, there was little else he could do.
After the meal, Su Yudie insisted on helping Lin Suzhen wash the dishes.
Lin Suzhen wouldn’t allow it, telling her to just sit and enjoy herself.
But she refused to comply, running off to wipe the table, sweep the floor, and then help in the kitchen.
Her obedient and diligent demeanor was something Zhuang Zi’ang had never seen before.
There is no elder who wouldn’t love a granddaughter-in-law like this.
In the courtyard, Zhuang Jianguo sat in a rocking chair, his cheeks slightly flushed from drinking, and smoked a cigarette.
Zhuang Zi’ang helped massage his legs, advising, “Grandpa, at your age, you should smoke less!”
“I’m happy today; I’ll smoke less in the future,” Zhuang Jianguo replied softly. “Zi’ang, this is truly a good girl; you need to seize the opportunity and not let her down.”
Zhuang Zi’ang’s face turned red, “Grandpa, we’re just friends.”
Zhuang Jianguo chuckled, “You’ve always been honest since you were a child; your thoughts are all written on your face. Just look at the way Xiao Yudie looks at you; it’s exactly how I used to look at your grandma!”
“Grandpa, I…” Zhuang Zi’ang was at a loss for words.
He understood his own feelings all too well, but there were reasons he could not express.
If only he were a healthy, normal person, how wonderful that would be.
“Xiao Yudie is willing to come here; she’s thinking about you too.”
“You mustn’t be like your dad, fickle-hearted; you need to treat that girl well and with sincerity.”
“I won’t have many years left, and my only hope is to see you start a family.”
…
Zhuang Jianguo continued to ramble on, offering advice.
Yet every word felt like a needle piercing Zhuang Zi’ang’s heart.
He bit his lip tightly until he tasted a hint of blood, realizing he had broken the skin.
The three people in this small courtyard were his greatest concern.
He couldn’t understand what he had done wrong to be so cruelly toyed with by fate.
In the kitchen, Lin Suzhen was also sharing quiet words with Su Yudie.
“Zi’ang was chased all over the mountain by the neighbor’s mutt when he was four years old.”
“When he was seven, he tried to ride the fat pig I raised. He was teething at the time and fell off, losing two front teeth.”
“When he was nine, he brought a bunch of dung beetles into bed, having collected them from the cow manure. I was so furious I almost hit him!”
…
Su Yudie laughed until her stomach hurt.
She never imagined that Zhuang Zi’ang, the model student, had been so mischievous as a child.
She also shared some of Zhuang Zi’ang’s silly antics with Lin Suzhen.
Laughter echoed continuously in the small kitchen.
In the rocking chair, Zhuang Jianguo gradually dozed off, aided by the alcohol.
Zhuang Zi’ang stood up and walked into the kitchen, “You two are laughing so hard; what bad things are you saying about me?”
“Classmate Zhuang Zi’ang, may I ask how you collected dung beetles?” Su Yudie giggled, covering her mouth.
“Grandma, why are you telling her everything?” Zhuang Zi’ang’s muscles twitched in discomfort.
This was bad; from the looks on their faces, his embarrassing history had likely been fully exposed.
On the way back, he would undoubtedly be mercilessly teased by Xiao Yudie.
His carefully maintained image was ruined in an instant.
Lin Suzhen laughed, “Xiao Yudie, if Zi’ang bullies you at school, just come back and tell me, and I’ll help you give him a spanking.”
Su Yudie pretended to pout, “Mm, Grandma, he often scolds me.”
“That’s nonsense; when have I ever scolded you?” Zhuang Zi’ang retorted defiantly.
“You called me a little fool, and you shouted it so loudly that you even wrote it on the kite,” Su Yudie said, now emboldened with someone backing her up.
“You were the one who called me ‘Big Silly’ first!” Zhuang Zi’ang turned to Lin Suzhen, “Grandma, you need to judge this!”
Lin Suzhen put on a serious face, “Xiao Yudie can call you whatever she wants; you mustn’t insult her.”
Zhuang Zi’ang made a face of despair, “Grandma, you’re so biased!”
“I am biased! I just like Xiao Yudie; what can you do about it?” Lin Suzhen said confidently.
“I wouldn’t dare; as long as you’re happy, that’s what matters,” Zhuang Zi’ang conceded.
Yudie beamed with pride and stuck her tongue out at Zhuang Zi’ang.
“You’re so nice, Grandma! Come on, let me peel some fruit for you.”
“Okay, okay! Xiao Yudie, you’re so thoughtful!”
The two stepped out of the kitchen, leaving behind a trail of laughter.
Zhuang Zi’ang stood still, watching their backs, finally feeling he didn’t have to pretend anymore.
Tears quietly slid down his cheeks.