Chapter 414: Chapter 414: She is my wife!
Momo shouted, “Stop right there!”
He clenched his fist and chased after Han.
At this moment, it was 11:50 PM.
The riverside was getting more and more crowded.
Many people had gathered here spontaneously to welcome the New Year’s chimes.
Some brought along elders and children, full of excitement; some were young, loving couples; others were groups of three or four friends. Everyone was here for the moment when the New Year chimes would ring, to be with their loved ones and welcome the dazzling fireworks of the new year.
Huo Tingdong checked his watch and looked at the time. As the countdown neared, a hint of anticipation appeared on his handsome face. “Wife, it’s almost midnight.”
Han and Momo, who had been roughhousing together just moments earlier, immediately leaped back to Lin Qi’s side upon hearing Tingdong’s words.
Lin Qi smiled at the comment. “So, who’s going to light the fireworks later?”
Huo Tingdong replied, “Let me light the first firework.”
Han enthusiastically raised his hand. “Me! Let me do it!”
Momo protested, “That’s too dangerous. You’re so clumsy. Be careful not to hurt yourself.”
Han retorted, “Lighting fireworks is easy! You just light the fuse with a lighter, let the fuse burn, and then run away quickly!”
It was just fireworks, after all. He wasn’t scared at all.
In fact, he was really looking forward to lighting them himself.
Because personally lighting fireworks that soared into the night sky would give him a great sense of accomplishment.
Besides, it was only fireworks!
Huo Tingdong said, “If you want to light them, then go ahead. Just be careful.”
The fireworks he bought had long fuses, so he felt reassured letting Han play with them.
Momo argued, “But Han is too young. His reactions are slow. What if something goes wrong and he gets hurt?”
Han huffed, “Why do you always underestimate me? Do you really think I can’t handle lighting a firework? Hmph!”
Momo furrowed his brows. Seeing that Han didn’t appreciate his concern, Momo said with a pout, “Hmph! You ungrateful brat! Later, when you end up screaming for help after burning yourself, don’t expect me to feel sorry for you!”
After saying this, Momo grabbed Lin Qi’s arm and ignored Han completely.
Lin Qi chuckled and glanced at Huo Tingdong. “But haven’t I seen people light fireworks exactly when the clock strikes midnight? How do they time it so precisely?”
Huo Tingdong explained, “The fuse is 15 centimeters long. It burns down to the base in about five seconds, followed by a five-second silent period. Then the first firework will launch into the sky.”
Han stared blankly from the side. He hadn’t expected there to be such precise calculations involved in lighting fireworks.
He muttered, “That sounds so complicated. Daddy, why don’t you light the first one instead!”
11:59 PM.
The final minute.
Everyone had already set up their fireworks.
Huo Tingdong placed his two-million-dollar artistic firework in the most prominent spot at the riverside, the prime central location. Checking the time, he saw that there were only ten seconds left. He immediately lit the fuse.
As soon as the fuse ignited, the crowd began counting down aloud.
“Nine, eight, seven…”
Huo Tingdong returned to Lin Qi’s side, wrapped an arm around her, and held her close.
“Three…”
“Two…”
“One!”
“Whoosh——!”
The first firework shot up right on time, like countless slender golden dragons ascending to the clouds!
The crowd erupted with a unified shout: “Happy New Year!”
“Boom——!”
The firework exploded in the night sky into countless dazzling golden sparks, proudly blooming. In an instant, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet—all the colors lit up the sky, radiant and vivid. At that moment, the entire night sky shone as brightly as daylight.
A colossal starry fountain transformed into countless shining specks across the horizon.
Everyone was utterly awestruck by the breathtakingly beautiful fireworks!
“It’s so beautiful!”
“Who set off that firework? It must be one of those super-expensive artistic fireworks!”
“Yeah, I’ve only ever seen fireworks like that at international opening ceremonies or major fireworks festivals!”
“I heard those kinds of fireworks cost seven figures! Which wealthy person splurged on it?”
“…”
Elsewhere along the riverside, other people’s fireworks also began soaring into the sky.
The sky was adorned with countless colorful blooms, as though the flowers of a grand festival were blossoming all at once, in every shape and hue!
Han and Momo gazed at the night sky in a daze, their eyes lit up by the vibrant fireworks.
Lin Qi couldn’t help but exclaim, “It’s so beautiful…”
As she was completely mesmerized, Huo Tingdong turned to her and, suddenly—
The man tilted his head slightly and softly kissed her forehead. “Wife, Happy New Year!”
Lin Qi’s heartbeat skipped for a moment at this sudden display of tenderness.
She looked up and met Huo Tingdong’s gentle gaze, her cheeks flushing as she smiled. “Mm! Happy New Year!”
Looking at her flawlessly fair face, radiant as jade, Huo Tingdong couldn’t help himself and kissed her lips.
“Mmm…”
Han’s ears perked up at the noise. Sensing something behind him, he glanced sideways and saw his daddy and mommy kissing. His little face turned bright red instantly, and he quickly covered his eyes, telling himself not to look.
See no evil, hear no evil!
But despite repeatedly warning himself, the little guy couldn’t resist his curiosity and peeked through his fingers at the sweet, intimate moment.
Suddenly, he excitedly tugged on Momo’s sleeve. “Momo! Look! Daddy and Mommy are kissing!”
Momo followed Han’s gaze and, noticing the scene, his face turned red with indignation. “How dare you secretly kiss Mommy without me! Do you know how to behave in public? Stop flaunting your love!”
Hearing this, Lin Qi’s face turned beet red all the way down to her neck. She awkwardly turned her head away, clearing her throat and pretending nothing had happened.
But Huo Tingdong confidently retorted, “She’s my wife. It’s perfectly fine for me to kiss her. What’s it to you?”
Momo: “…”
Han burst into laughter, clutching his stomach, unable to stand upright from laughing so hard.
It was the first time he’d seen Daddy roast Momo so mercilessly and leave him completely speechless!
Feeling aggrieved, Momo turned to Lin Qi. “Mommy! Shouldn’t your first kiss of the New Year go to me, your precious son? All you care about is Daddy. What about me? I want a kiss too!”
As he said this, he pointed to his soft, chubby cheek, making his intentions crystal clear.
“Alright, alright…”
Lin Qi naturally indulged him, bending down to plant a kiss on Momo’s cheek.
This time, Han felt wronged. “What about me? Don’t I get one?”
Lin Qi said, “Of course.”
Just as she bent down to kiss Han, Huo Tingdong deliberately stretched out his hand, blocking the kiss between them.
Lin Qi was caught off guard and ended up kissing the palm of his hand instead.
Han protested angrily, “Stupid Daddy, why are you interfering!”
Huo Tingdong declared, “You don’t have a wife, so why is my wife kissing you?”
Han was so angry his nose could’ve gone crooked!
What on earth!
Was Daddy seriously jealous of him?
He hadn’t even gotten around to being jealous of Daddy yet!