Just past midnight that night.

He Zhenzhen's family was still sound asleep.

The three of them had been sleeping since the afternoon, conserving energy to wake up at midnight and cause trouble.

They had even set an alarm for two o'clock for this purpose.

At midnight, according to Daye Village's customs, people would choose this time to find a spacious area and burn paper money.

This was to pay respects to deceased family members.

"Mom, it's been a good year, so I'll burn more for you. Please bless our descendants with safety and, hopefully, great fortune."

"If you and Dad need anything, just let us know in our dreams, and we'll burn it for you."

"Little Zhe, hurry and bow to your grandparents, so they can bless you with academic success and a chance to attend school in the city."

The firelight flickered, carrying the customs of China and the family's wishes.

The night breeze lifted, carrying sparks high into the air.

A little boy cluelessly pointed skyward.

"Mom, look, the fire's in the sky."

The woman patted her son's head.

"That's your grandparents taking the money; they will surely protect our family."

The husband urged, "It's freezing, come on, let's go back home. It's much warmer in bed."

The family walked back, ignoring the burning remnants.

The wind that night was also a bit unusual, surprisingly strong.

A stack of half-burned yellow papers was carried into the air, landing in Wang Daming's yard.

Silently igniting a corner of accumulated firework casings in the yard.

Fireworks of robust quality, sanctioned by national tests, would contain any ignition to a limited area, even under accidental circumstances.

At most, it would just crackle without causing any significant harm.

However, Wang Daming, in his penny-pinching ways, bought homemade fireworks from another village.

Though they looked similar on the outside, any abnormal ignition would result in irreparable damage.

The three of them slept like logs and didn't even awaken to the muffled booms of explosions.

On the bed, Yue Qingqing yawned.

"Tonight, I can get a good sleep."

Yue Xingxing worried and got out of bed to fetch earplugs.

"You'd better wear them, just in case they set off fireworks again tonight."

"Them? I think they'll be busy with other things tonight."

Yue Qingqing smiled without saying more, leaving Yue Xingxing to think her sister was probably sleep-talking from tiredness.

Without a word, she reached to plug the earplugs into her ears.

"Alright, alright, I'll wear them."

Yue Qingqing couldn't refuse further and accepted them.

Yue Xingxing rested assured this time, dozing off onto her pillow.

An alarm clock woke Zhang Caidie.

She was initially engulfed by the familiar fatigue and dizziness since she started using that stuff.

Zhang Caidie often felt abnormally exhausted.

But today, this fatigue was particularly unbearable, making her feel dizzy.

In a daze, Zhang Caidie tried to get out of bed and then noticed black smoke wafting around the room.

She screamed immediately.

This also startled He Zhenzhen, who was sleeping in the same bed.

"Ah? What's happening?"

Zhang Caidie covered her mouth and nose, jumped out of bed, and stumbled outside, even putting on her slippers the wrong way.

He Zhenzhen couldn't ask any more questions and followed suit, escaping outside.

They found the yard engulfed in a sea of flames.

The whole gate was charred, and because of the brick wall structure, the fire couldn't escape, becoming even more intense in the small courtyard.

The flames burned the peach wood boards and couplets on the door.

Zhang Caidie was about to push the door open when a piercing pain made her pull back hurriedly.

Realizing the main door couldn't be opened at all.

If they didn't find a way out soon, they might be burned alive in this house.

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