Beside her, her mother’s even snoring filled the air, while outside, the sporadic bursts of firecrackers echoed. In the darkness, Lin Fang lay wide awake, unable to fall back asleep. She had just had a dream—a dream so vivid it felt as though she had truly lived it. Every face and expression in the dream was crystal clear, and she even seemed to know the thoughts of each person. It was utterly unbelievable.
Recalling everything from the dream, Lin Fang felt deeply conflicted. Shi Binhua was dead. Part of her wished it were true—had it not been for him, she wouldn’t have been trapped in that massive trench. Yet, another part of her hoped the dream wasn’t real because she didn’t want her loved ones to suffer.
In the dream, a family of five, along with Qi Biao’s attendants, had entered the same trench that had trapped her. The path they took felt eerily familiar, as if she had walked it herself before. Upon reflection, she realized it was the same route she and Nanny Liu had taken. Wei Zhongqi had once explained that only those with night vision could discern the entrance and exit points in the dark.
That night, in their frantic escape, she and Nanny Liu had stumbled upon the trench purely by chance. Her night vision must have subconsciously guided her to the spot, while she had used her flying needles to eliminate all pursuers, leaving no trace behind. Qi Biao and his men had also wandered in by mistake at night.
Both she and Qi Biao’s group had searched for an exit during the day, which was why they had failed for months.
Nanny Liu seemed to have aged considerably. When she stumbled and fell, Lin Fang’s heart clenched. This woman, who had accompanied her for fifteen years, was second only to her own mother in her heart. The thought of Nanny Liu mentioning that the young mistress was gravely ill made Lin Fang’s heart ache. *Poor Nanny Liu, how are you faring now? We are separated by lifetimes—please take care of yourself.*
Li Yinwei. Her fifth cousin, two years her senior—the quiet but strong-willed girl—how had she become like this? Her skin was rough and dark, her expression icy, and her face marred by over a dozen scars. What kind of suffering had she endured to end up this way? And her hand—was it injured? Why did writing seem so difficult for her?
Tan Yi mentioned that Brother Yi had fallen ill. What had happened to him? In all her years, she had never seen him sick—he had always been the picture of robust health. Could it be that her departure had left him heartbroken and unwilling to face the world? *Brother Yi, don’t grieve. Fang’er was never truly part of your world. My thoughts are too different from the women there. You should marry a local woman—life will be much simpler for you.*
*None of this is real. It was just a dream. Nanny Liu didn’t fall. Li Yinwei must be living happily somewhere. Brother Yi couldn’t be sick—he’s been independent since childhood, supporting himself all these years. He wouldn’t fall ill so easily. No, he wouldn’t.*
Her heart ached, twisting into a tight knot.
Closing her eyes, the dream replayed in her mind. Opening them, she stared at the rafters above, yet the dream still lingered. Lin Fang endured the torment in the darkness.
From outside came the rustling sound of someone dressing. Lin Fang called out, “Dad, it’s still dark outside. Why are you up so early?”
“It’s not early. Haven’t you heard all the firecrackers going off already?” Lin Yuanmin slipped on his shoes and stepped out.
Lin Fang sat up and began dressing as well. “Dad, let me set off the firecrackers this year.”
She felt guilty that her father, at his age, had to get up so early to perform the ritual of “welcoming the gods.”
“Don’t get up. Go back to sleep. Your Uncle Cheng and the others are coming today—the house will be crowded, and you won’t have time or space to nap later.” Last night, when her daughter had been carried out by Er Linzi, she had been full of excitement. But when she returned, she had been fast asleep on his back. She had never played so wildly before—she must be exhausted.
“It’s fine, Dad. I can’t sleep anyway. I’ve never set off firecrackers before—let me do it this year.” During the fireworks last night, neither her eldest nor second brother had let her light any. Even the harmless “rocket” toys meant for children had been supervised, with endless warnings. It hadn’t been satisfying at all.
Lin Yuanmin hesitated. “Aren’t you afraid of firecrackers? Maybe it’s better if I do it.”
“Dad, just let me try. If I fail to light the fuse, you can step in and help.”
“Failing to light the fuse” meant either not igniting it at all or having it fizzle out before the firecrackers could go off. As a child, Lin Fang had been terrified of firecrackers. Sometimes, when provoked by Rou Qiu, she would stubbornly insist on lighting them to prove herself, but her hands would shake so badly she could never manage it.
Of course, Rou Qiu always ended up getting a beating from his mother afterward. The memory of his pitiful, teary-eyed chubby face made Lin Fang chuckle. He had actually been quite adorable.
“Alright, but be careful. If you can’t do it, just stop,” Lin Yuanmin relented. He had never been able to resist his daughter’s pleading.
“Welcoming the gods” was a tradition where families set off firecrackers to invite celestial beings to visit their homes. The earlier and louder the firecrackers, the sooner the gods would arrive, ensuring the family’s good fortune for the year. Some households even stayed up past midnight to set them off immediately after the New Year began.
Lin Yuanmin picked up the prepared firecrackers, and he and Lin Fang stepped outside. The courtyard light flickered on as Lin Yong emerged from his room. He had been in a fight the previous afternoon and stayed up late playing with fireworks—he must have been exhausted. Though they had divided the household, Lin Yong still lived in the same courtyard, so they didn’t need separate rituals. Lin Yuanmin had assumed he’d still be asleep, while Lin Tuo had spent the night at the shop and would return for breakfast. To his surprise, Lin Yong was already up.
“Little sis, why are you awake? Go back to sleep after using the bathroom. The house will be packed today—you won’t get a chance to rest later.”
Before Lin Fang could reply, Lin Yong had already started talking. He assumed she had gotten up to relieve herself. His sister usually slept until she woke naturally—if she didn’t get enough rest, she’d be in poor spirits.
Lin Fang chuckled. “Big bro, why are you up so early too?” She changed the subject. Her brother was usually quiet, but around her, he turned into a nagging old woman, endlessly cautioning her about this and that. Sometimes, she found it a bit overwhelming.
Lin Yong sighed. “I couldn’t sleep. The thought of getting married, having kids, and then going back to school feels… strange.”
Lin Fang laughed. “Big bro, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Even if you do go back, it won’t be until September.” So much had happened yesterday—probably only their mother, who fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, had slept soundly. The others were likely tossing and turning in bed, including her second brother.
As she spoke, Lin Fang took the firecrackers from her father and began unwrapping them. Lin Yong reached out to take them, but she dodged behind her father. “This year, I’m lighting them.”
“What? You’ll get hurt. Give them to me.” Lin Yong grew anxious and tried to grab them.
“No! I want to do it myself.” She continued unwrapping, and the two siblings began circling their father in a playful game of keep-away.
Lin Yuanmin stopped Lin Yong. “Let her do it this year. She’s been healthier lately—it’s good luck for her to light them herself. We’ll just watch over her.”
Though still uneasy, Lin Yong relented at his father’s words. But he couldn’t resist a stream of warnings: *Be careful, light the fuse and run away, don’t look back even if it seems like it didn’t catch, in case it reignites and explodes suddenly…*
Lin Yuanmin chimed in with additional advice. Lin Fang felt a bit embarrassed—in their eyes, she would always be a fragile, glass child who needed constant protection.
Amid her brother and father’s incessant reminders, Lin Fang hung the firecrackers on a tree branch. She then took the lit cigarette from her father and walked toward the tree. Lin Yuanmin and Lin Yong flanked her, barely breathing as they watched her every move, ready to shield her if the fuse failed.
Lin Fang calmly lit the fuse, covered her ears, and ran back. Her father and brother exhaled in relief and followed her, silently vowing to stop her if she tried to relight it.
*Crackle-pop-pop-pop!* The firecrackers exploded behind her. Her first attempt had succeeded, and Lin Fang laughed joyfully. Lin Yong relaxed, and Lin Yuanmin took the cigarette from her, finishing it before finally calming down. The tension had been unbearable.
After the three-hundred-round firecracker string finished, none of them felt like going back to sleep. Lin Fang pulled out a few boxes of snap-poppers to play with.
*Father, Mother, Fang’er is living well. Don’t worry about me. I wish you both good health and less hardship.*
*Second Brother, don’t spend all your time strategizing—have a child with Second Sister-in-law soon. Our family’s legacy rests on you.*
*Fifth Brother, how’s your business? Director Chen survived against all odds, crossing time to become your fiancée. Cherish her. May you both be happy.*
*Nanny Liu, don’t grieve. Your Sixth Young Miss is doing well. You have children and grandchildren now—enjoy your golden years.*
*Second Grandmother, may you stay forever young. Second Grandfather, stop bullying Fourth Brother-in-law—Fourth Sister’s heart aches for him.*
*Second Uncle, blacksmithing is your passion, but you’re not young anymore. Remember to rest.*
*Aunt Hong, have you invented any new dishes? Pity Fang’er can’t taste them.*
*Grandfather, Grandmother, have fun but don’t overdo it—take care of your health.*
*May Second Uncle’s career flourish. May Little Uncle find Cousin Yinwei soon.*
*May Eldest Brother, Sister-in-law, and my little nephew live joyfully. May Third Sister and Fourth Sister find happiness.*
*May Sixth Uncle, Sixth Aunt, and little Lin Yan be full of laughter.*
*Little Aunt, as the eldest sister-in-law, you’re like a mother to me. Now that I’m not around to compete for Mother’s affection, you must be content.*
*Old Monk, though you often teased me, you didn’t gain much from it. May you always smile and enjoy your meals.*
*Master Shen, though you’re already old, Qi Shi is still young. May you be blessed with a child in your later years and find peace in all things.*
*Qian’er, Xian’er, you two grew up with me. Thank you for your companionship. May you both live free of worries.*
…
With each snap-popper she threw, Lin Fang silently blessed someone in her heart—everyone she remembered, even the lowliest maids, as long as she didn’t dislike them. Before she knew it, she had emptied several boxes. Unseen by her, a faint, chubby face in the sky watched her with amusement.
By now, the sky was lightening. Voices drifted from neighboring homes as families prepared for early dumpling meals before heading out to visit relatives and friends, exchanging New Year’s greetings.
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