No Substitutes for the Bigshots' Dream Girl Anymore!-Chapter 1941: Hayes Edwards Extra (98)
Her cheeks were flushed, though it was unclear whether it was from coughing or for another reason.
The evening sky outside grew dark, with fireworks rising into the air, their tiny sparks blossoming in the night sky, scattered star dust falling to the human world.
The performances on TV were at their most spectacular, with laughter and cheers echoing intermittently. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Father Edwards and Mother Edwards watched with delight, holding a handful of sunflower seeds, occasionally joining in the laughter.
Hayes Edwards sat leaning on one side, glancing down at his phone, which he put away after a few seconds.
At the same time, Grace Winter’s phone buzzed with a message notification.
She glanced down at her phone, then looked over towards Hayes Edwards.
The young man gazed straight ahead, the corner of his mouth just slightly curved, like a mischievous cat that stealthily extends its paw from behind the curtain.
The message read — Lantern Festival, want to go?
Tonight at eleven, the lantern festival in the city center would begin on time, rumored to last until two or three in the morning; many were planning to go.
Grace sat beside Mother Edwards, holding her phone tightly, a bit like the anxiousness of sneaking cream as a child, replying with a "Yes."
Five minutes later, Hayes Edwards led Grace Winter out the door.
Mother Edwards watched them leave the whole time, beaming with joy, advising, "Don’t stay out overnight, come back early."
As soon as the door closed, Mother Edwards and Father Edwards gathered together to chat.
"Can’t you see? Hayes clearly likes Grace."
"I noticed too, and it would be great if that’s the case."
"How could it merely be great? It’s wonderful. I’ve said so since they were children..."
Downstairs, the sound of firecrackers became clearer, as if it were right at their feet.
No, it really was right at their feet.
A few mischievous boys threw firecrackers in the middle of the road, then covered their ears and ran far away; in the night, it was hard to see, and Grace Winter looked around with her head down, unsure of which way to go.
She could only hold tightly to Hayes Edwards’s sleeve and move closer, "Hayes Edwards."
Hayes Edwards reached out, pulled her to his front, and covered her ears, "What’s there to be afraid of with firecrackers?"
She heard his voice coming from above her head, through the palm of his hand, the loud sound of firecrackers flashed by, yet his voice was distinctly clear.
Time seemed to pause for a moment, the wind stopped, leaving only the sound of a heartbeat steadily amplifying.
Moments later, Hayes Edwards, as if discovering something new and interesting, bent down to gently pinch Grace Winter’s cheek and laughed, "Grace Winter, are you blushing?"
In that instant, it was like a balloon being poked by someone, air began to flow again.
Faced with his handsome face so close, Grace Winter tightened her lips, then stomped on his foot rudely, "No, I’m just hot."
Having said that, she turned and dashed away.
Hayes Edwards looked down at the mark on his white shoe, chuckled, then followed her.
The city center tonight was more lively than usual; just approaching the square, you could see various colorful lanterns from afar, brightly illuminating the area like daylight.
At the center of the square, there were still performers doing lion dances, drumbeats echoing thunderously, accompanied by applause and cheers, seemingly at an exciting point in the performance.
Grace Winter stood outside the crowd, tiptoeing to look inside, seeing the beautifully crafted and realistic lion heads, her mouth opening wide in astonishment.
Hayes Edwards watched her, nearly unable to suppress his laughter.
She was still the same as in childhood, amazed by whatever she saw.
Near the square, there were stalls specifically selling lanterns.
