Chu Wanning asks Mo Ran to watch the fireworks with him, only for Mo Ran to ask after Shi Mei at the same time. Feeling humiliated, Chu Wanning tells him to find Shi Mei and returns to Red Lotus Pavilion.
[Narrator] Leaning against the flowering tree, Chu Wanning closed his eyes, a little tired.
Some indeterminate time later, he sensed someone intruding on the barrier.
His heart stirred ever so lightly, but he didn't dare open his eyes
Until he heard breathing, slight panting.
And those familiar footsteps started up
And stopped not far from him.
The youthful voice carried a thread of hesitation.
[Mo Ran] Shizun…
[Narrator] Chu Wanning didn't answer.
[Mo Ran] I'm leaving tomorrow. For a long time.
I was thinking
I don't have to do anything tonight, actually,
And I have to get up early tomorrow.
Shi Mei — he should be asleep already. He won't stay up for the new year.
[Narrator] The footsteps sounded again, this time coming even nearer,
Stopping very close to him.
[Mo Ran] So
If you're still willing,
I —
[Narrator] He opened his mouth,
His final words drowned out by a cluster of huge, lively fireworks.
Chu Wanning opened his eyes
And raised his gaze to see the Milky Way suspended brilliantly in the night sky,
Specks of silver frost scattering and falling like blossoms.
And that handsome youth stood in front of him,
Seven parts compassionate, three parts embarrassed.
Chu Wanning had always been proud,
Always disdaining company given out of sympathy.
But right now, he looked at Mo Ran,
And he suddenly couldn't speak a word of refusal.
[Chu Wanning VO] It has to be
That the wine has beguiled away my good sense, too.
[Narrator] Right now,
Chu Wanning felt his chest held both ache and warmth.
[Chu Wanning] Since you're here anyway,
You can sit down.
He spoke at last, mildly.
[Chu Wanning] I'll watch with you.
[Narrator] He tilted his head, gazing at the sky,
His expression seeming cool and indifferent.
But his fingers in his sleeve curled anxiously into a fist.
He didn't dare look too closely at the person beside him,
Just watched the fireworks bloom on the horizon.
Just a long, long night,
With the leaves falling in riotous profusion.
