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Yao Nian finally mustered some spirit and recounted everything she knew to Shen Du. He listened intently, and with the information he had gathered from Ou Yi'an, he had a fairly clear understanding of the entire situation.
"Does my dad have a chance for a not guilty plea?"
Shen Du pondered for a moment. "There are still a few questions I need to ask him in person. When is the next meeting?"
"At least after the seventh day of the Lunar New Year."
The young girl’s eyes glistened with unease. Shen Du's voice was calm, carrying a soothing magic that could ease her worries. "Don't worry too much; we'll take it step by step."
"Can we hurry?" He glanced at the clock on the wall. "Are you tired?"
Yao Nian shook her head.
"Then go change into something warmer. I’m taking you somewhere."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll find out when we get there."
Outside, the snow had stopped, leaving a thick layer of white on either side of the road, while the black asphalt peeked through the gaps in the snow. Yao Nian sat in the passenger seat, turning her head to look out the window as he drove slowly, trees laden with snow gliding past them.
After about twenty minutes, Shen Du parked by Beihai Highway. The winter night at Beihai was eerily quiet; even the sound of waves crashing against the rocks was softened by the night. Underneath the starry sky, grains of sand sparkled faintly.
As soon as she got out of the car, Yao Nian felt the cold, salty sea breeze hit her face, laced with a hint of frost. Shen Du opened the trunk, revealing several boxes of fireworks.
She shrank her neck against the chill, watching white mist escape her mouth and freeze into delicate clouds. "Why are there so many fireworks?"
"I bought them in Shanghai. I originally intended to show them to my little nephew."
Shen Du bent down to lift the boxes out of the trunk. "Although it's a bit late, we need to complete this process."
The beach was deserted at dawn as they lined up several boxes of fireworks along the coastline. Shen Du rubbed his hands together and pulled out a lighter from his coat pocket. "Are you ready?"
Yao Nian nodded eagerly, "Mm!"
As she lit the fuse, sparks flickered, and a firework shot up into the sky like an arrow. After a brief silence, a loud bang echoed, and countless brilliant points of light scattered across the sky like stars, illuminating the entire surface of the sea and her face.
Yao Nian tilted her head back, tears shimmering in the colorful display as golden dots blurred before her eyes. Shen Du turned his head slightly; the girl was bundled in a thick white down jacket, with a circle of snow-white fur around her collar brushing against her cheek. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with the reflected light of the fireworks.
His throat moved slightly as he spoke slowly, "Happy New Year, little girl."
As soon as Yao Nian looked up, she was drawn into those gentle, captivating eyes, her previously unfocused gaze gradually coming into clarity. Just before the last trace of smoke vanished into the night sky, she raised her hand and shouted towards the sea, "Uncle Shen, Happy New Year!"
The world was unruly and unreasonable; he was like the moon rising over a dark sea, quietly nurturing her amidst the chaos and embarrassment. After the last glimmer of light faded from the sky, it felt as if the world had been muted. The earlier thunderous sounds were replaced by only wisps of faint blue smoke.
Yao Nian gazed at the man's warm profile, moisture welling up in her eyes. "Uncle Shen, thank you."
Shen Du sighed softly, "Why do you always say thank you?"
Her voice began to tremble. "Thank you for coming all this way to spend New Year with me. Thank you for being willing to defend my dad. Thank you for bringing me such delicious pies and dumplings. Thank you for letting me see such beautiful fireworks."
"Alright," Shen Du said helplessly as he patted her back. "Don't cry anymore, okay?"
But her tears flowed uncontrollably like a faucet, falling in large drops as she sniffled and said, "I feel like every time I need you, you're always there. You stayed with me when I was hospitalized; you carried me to the hospital when I sprained my ankle. Why are you so good to me?"
Shen Du's fingers brushed away the moisture at the corner of her eye as he swallowed hard. "I want to be good to you."
At that moment, it seemed like a dam had burst within her; her cries grew louder. "I didn't mean to hide things from you! I was afraid you'd think I was a burden. I've already troubled you too much and delayed your time with your family for New Year... I really..."
Whether it was because the fireworks had been too dazzling or because her cries were too heart-wrenching, Shen Du's already dwindling rationality was completely overwhelmed at that moment.
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