Published: February 19, 2025
"Brother, I'm here to find you again."
It was the 28th day of the year, and the festive atmosphere was becoming increasingly thick.
Children in new clothes were playing everywhere in the streets and alleys, while the streets were adorned with festive lights. Zhang Xiaolan had also asked Chen Chu to go buy New Year goods.
Then came the busyness; there were many things to do, such as tidying up the hygiene in front and behind the house. In the flurry of activity, the day passed just like that.
In the evening, the two brothers, Chen Chu and Chen Hu, stood outside their door, and Chen Chu called out to Zhang Xiaolan inside, "Mom, are you really not coming with us?"
"No, you guys go have fun," she replied.
"Alright then."
Tonight, there was a fireworks show by Mist River, so it was quite lively. Even before it was dark, a massive flow of people was gathering towards the riverside, including the Chen brothers.
Because there was a fireworks show every year, the sharp-sensed vendors had already set up their stalls along the street, selling various snacks, toys, and fireworks.
As soon as the two Chen brothers got off the bus, they saw the streets by the river packed with people, dense enough that they couldn't see the end. Chen Hu exclaimed excitedly, "Brother, there are so many people today!"
"Yes, there are a lot." Chen Chu glanced around and soon spotted Luo Fei and the others not far away.
"Let’s go, my classmates are over there."
Saying this, Chen Chu led Chen Hu over, where Luo Fei and Lin Xue, along with Li Wenwen and Shen, were standing in front of a stall selling masks, choosing masks.
Across from them, Xia Youhui, Liu Feng, Bai Mu, Li Meng, Yuan Chenghuang, and Lu Haitao were squatting in front of a candy stall, watching the vendor skillfully blow various mutated beasts.
As Chen Chu approached, he said dryly, "You guys, grown-ups like you still enjoy candy."
Xia Youhui turned around, "A Chu, you're here!"
Liu Feng retorted, "Hey! Chen Chu, you got it wrong. We're all just high school students, just like you."
"Everyone is young; what's wrong with eating candy?"
"Exactly." Li Meng nodded in agreement as he took a bite of the unicorn turtle's candy tail he held.
At that moment, Bai Mu leaned over, "Chen Chu, do you want one? This vendor's gummy candy is made with golden-winged bee honey, and it's really delicious."
The golden-winged bee is an ordinary mutated organism, not even considered a mutated beast, but its honey is very tasty, sweet but not greasy, and contains a natural floral fragrance.
Taking a bite gives a feeling of returning to nature, which is why it is very expensive.
Combined with the vendor's vivid candy-blowing skills, it's no wonder business was so good.
Of course, the blowing was done by themselves, not the vendor; the vendor only used two tools similar to bamboo sticks to shape the candy; otherwise, no one would be able to eat it.
"...Golden-winged bee honey? Forget it; I don’t like candy." To maintain the image he had just portrayed, Chen Chu rejected it.
"You don’t like candy? Forget it; how about this little brother? I'll treat you?"
"Sure." Chen Hu was not polite at all.
At this moment, Chen Chu remembered he hadn't introduced them yet, so he said, "By the way, this is my younger brother Chen Hu, he's in middle school. Ah Hu, this is Bai Mu, Li Meng..."
"Hello, Bai Ge, Li Ge, Xia Ge..." As Chen Chu introduced them, Chen Hu politely greeted each one, and those guys immediately beamed with joy.
Xia Youhui boasted, "Little Hu, your brother and I are good buddies. Today, Xia Ge is treating; feel free to choose anything you want."
Chen Hu's eyes lit up, but he still looked at Chen Chu.
Chen Chu shrugged, "Old Xia's family is rich; since he said so, tonight you can have whatever you want."
"Hehe!! Thank you, Xia Ge. Then I won't be polite."
At this point, Chen Hu hesitated again, "But I invited a few classmates to the fireworks show; it wouldn't be good to split up when eating..."
"Classmates, boys or girls?" Xia Youhui asked curiously.