A Young Woman's Heart

Although she passed by Wang Jiale's residence, Mo Xueyao did not make a special detour to find her.

Because she knew the other person would most likely take a taxi there.

Besides, I don't think I've ever seen her ride a bicycle before.

The weather was fairly cool, and a gentle breeze lifted Mo Xueyao and Li Wanyan's long hair.

Although the journey was somewhat long, neither of them felt it was a long one.

The street scenes changed along the way, from deserted to bustling, and then back through the bustling city to deserted again.

The Qiantang River is actually located on the edge of Hangzhou, surrounded by highways and lush roadside trees, while in front of us is the river embankment where a lot of people have gathered.

The waves crashed against the embankment again and again. Mo Xueyao pressed the brakes on both sides and came to a stop with a screech.

Despite its high elevation, the high tide can still soak pedestrians standing nearby from head to toe.

We arrived a little late, and all the best spots were already taken.

"Look ahead."

"Well, we're already this close, so watching the fireworks from a slightly off-center spot should be fine..." Mo Xueyao muttered, pushing the cart forward with Li Wanyan. "At times like this, Yinyin's voice usually rings out, right? She might have already gotten a good spot...?"

"Little Haruka!"

"No way?" Mo Xueyao covered her mouth, her eyes darting around. "Is it really that effective...?"

"I saw her." Li Wanyan pursed her lips and looked at Hua Yinyin, who had already secured a good spot.

She spread a picnic blanket on the ground, and there were many other people around her who had spread out plastic sheets or picnic blankets.

There were families of three who came together, couples sitting together, and of course, many who came with their same-sex friends. For example, there were five men sitting not far away, drinking and chatting loudly as if no one else was around, their hearty laughter carrying far.

"Isn't my position pretty good?"

What time did you arrive?

"Three o'clock!"

"...You must have gone through a lot of trouble."

……

Chapter 282 Fireworks Display (Part 2)

(One)

The sun was setting.

The river water looked like it was boiling.

It was as if a red-hot stone had been thrown in.

The area around us was already full of people.

Those who couldn't get in stood further back and squeezed together.

In an era with limited entertainment options, an annual fireworks display is enough to attract hundreds or even thousands of people to watch together.

The noise from the crowd was exceptionally loud.

The most prominent sound was the crying of infants, followed by the constant questioning of why it hadn't started yet.

Some people were making loud phone calls, while others were taking photos and videos with professional equipment.

Wang Jiale brought his handheld DV camera with him and was filming randomly around with it. You didn't even need to look to know that the footage would be terribly shaky.

Hua Yinyin sat holding her pipa, but the noisy crowd prevented the sound of the pipa from being heard, which made her somewhat frustrated.

At times like these, the only thing that can still produce a clear sound is probably Mr. Xue's suona.

The key point is that he actually brought it.

"It's so noisy... Why hasn't it started yet?" Hua Yinyin sullenly put her pipa back into her bag, hugged her knees, and swayed from side to side.

"Good morning, it's not dark yet." Mo Xueyao looked at Yu Shu, who had come all the way from the city center and was carrying a schoolbag, clearly having just finished class. "Yu Shu, why are you bringing an electronic synthesizer to your tutoring class?"

"Mmm...yesterday..."

"Oh, well, it was me who said it." Wang Jiale raised her hand and waved it. She was the one who called Yu Shu yesterday to inform her. "It's a rare fireworks festival, and her synthesizer isn't heavy, so I thought it might come in handy if I brought it. Look, I brought my bass too!"

"Damn it, you're bullying me because I play the drum!" Mo Zhuyou shouted indignantly.

Mo Xueyao comforted her, "It's alright, it's alright. Look, I didn't bring any either."

"Yes, Xiaoyao's electronic keyboard is also quite troublesome."

"Yu Shu—can I borrow the synthesizer to play with for a bit?"

"Huh? Hmm..." Yu Shu was stunned for a moment, then obediently took off the shoulder strap and handed over the electronic synthesizer.

Mo Xueyao rummaged through her instrument case and pulled out her earphones, plugging them into the still-advanced 3.5mm headphone jack.

Otherwise, you probably won't even be able to hear the music clearly.

One of the great advantages of electronic musical instruments is that you can enjoy music all to yourself.

She adjusted the buttons and exclaimed in surprise, "Is that a pipa?"

"Yes! Xiaoxue helped with it..."

"I recorded the original audio using a pipa," Hua Yinyin patted her chest and said proudly.

"Playing the pipa with a keyboard is kind of weird..." Mo Xueyao muttered softly, "but it's quite interesting, isn't it? I feel like I can play the pipa all of a sudden!"

"Tch, there are a lot of notes that can't be recorded. You can only play a few notes step by step, which is even worse than an analog guitar."

Do you have a suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument)?

“Yes,” Mr. Xue replied. “Press this button, then press this one, and you can switch to the suona mode.”

"Oh! No, it doesn't sound like Xiaoxue's blowing?"

“It’s normal. It can’t compare to a real suona.” Hua Yinyin pressed her cheek against her knees, and one of the buttons on her shirt popped open. “Electronic keyboards are only good at simulating the sound of pianos and organs. After all, each key press produces one note. It’s very difficult to simulate stringed instruments and wind instruments.”

"When will we have an electric pipa? That way, Yinyin, you can connect the pipa to the speakers for output."

"I'd love to have one! But I've never seen any music store that sells them." Hua Yinyin sighed, clenching her fist and waving it. "If they ever release one, I'll definitely be the first to buy it!"

“That kind of thing doesn’t exist…” Mo Zhuyou rested her chin on her hand. “I have an electric drum kit, so I can plug in headphones and listen to it myself.”

"Ugh, that's even more unrealistic than an electric pipa!" Hua Yinyin pouted. "We already have electric guitars, so why can't we have an electric pipa?"

"Electronic drums?" Mr. Xue's eyes lit up. "I can try that next time."

No one knew how to look at him.

But since these words came from Mr. Xue, I always felt there was a slight possibility... that it might actually succeed.

……

(two)

The fiery sunset ignited the river, and twilight gradually pressed it down until the last spark of light disappeared on the horizon.

The moisture from the waves seemed to thicken, and the bright moon, which had just quietly risen from the horizon, was shrouded in a thin veil of clouds.

The noisy crowd seemed to quiet down considerably, and everyone couldn't help but look up at the sky.

Darkness is the signal that the fireworks display is about to begin.

At that moment, melodious music began to play.

Different types of fireworks will play different music.

However, perhaps because there weren't enough playback devices, it sounded somewhat hazy and indistinct, as if it were coming from underwater.

"Why are you still..." Before Mo Xueyao could finish speaking, the first firework shot into the sky with a whoosh.

It suddenly exploded in the sky, as if adorning the dark night sky with countless stars.

Then, the scattered fireworks began to fall softly.

But this was just the beginning, not the end. Soon after, fireworks shot into the sky everywhere on the river, and the river breeze carried the smell of heat and gunpowder, making people truly feel the arrival of summer.

For a moment, Mo Xueyao and the others even held their breath and didn't speak, because the fireworks blooming in the sky were just too beautiful and too dazzling.

The melodious music began to become more exciting, and the fireworks were launched at a faster frequency. Although the area covered was no longer as large as before, there were still enough fireworks, and the colors were vibrant and colorful.

"Bang! Smash!"

At the moment the fireworks burst open, it seems that even time slows down.

"So beautiful..." Mo Zhuyou blinked gently and silently took her sister's hand.

"Wow—it's been so long since I've seen a fireworks display. I think the last time was when I was in junior high."

"Was it also the year you were about to graduate?"

"Ah."

"Time flies so fast."

"Our three years of high school were like fireworks..."

"Splendid and beautiful?"

"perhaps."

……

(three)

Even the most spectacular and longest fireworks display must eventually come to an end.

Even during the fireworks display, you might feel that it will continue indefinitely and never end.

But all good things must come to an end.

At the height of the final fireworks display, Mr. Xue picked up his suona and played a tune.

It sounds exceptionally festive.

Hua Yinyin was naturally unwilling to let him steal the spotlight, but unfortunately the sound of the pipa was no match for the suona.