Fireworks That Ate a City

My mind kept replaying the nightmare of my past life.

My mother-in-law had been on a public bus, heading to the market for groceries,

when a toxic gas leak suddenly erupted. The police, frantic, reached out to my

wife, Summer Meng, at her lab, desperately hoping her purification materials

could save the day. But Summer had already bought up every last bit of the

citys purification agents. Shed used them to create a romantic fireworks

display for her high school sweetheart, Zayeed.

Id rushed, completely reckless, to reclaim the materials. I managed to save my

mother-in-law, but Zayeeds grand fireworks show was ruined. Heartbroken, Zayeed

accidentally triggered a chemical incident, and was incinerated in the ensuing

explosion. Summer said she didnt blame me, but on the day my mother-in-law was

discharged, she locked me in the lab and detonated a gas bomb.

The fireworks Zayeed never got to see? Youll be their grand finale! shed

shrieked, laughing maniacally, as I was blown to smithereens.

This time around, when the police called, I refused their request to contact

Summer. Zayeed finally got his meticulously planned fireworks spectacle. But

Summer she went completely mad.

The twenty-five desperate screams from the bus passengers echoed through the

intercom in my right ear.

Gas concentration is climbing. Oxygen levels are dropping fast. They wont last

much longer!

Someone shoved me, and as my body tilted, a sudden clarity hit me.

I had been reborn.

Through the phone still pressed to my left ear, Summers impatient voice

crackled.

Haven, are you done yet? Cant you go five minutes without calling?

I told you, its Zayeeds birthday today. Im celebrating with him. I dont have

time for you! Stop bothering me!

The line went dead. I clutched my furiously pounding heart, overhearing someone

nearby.

The gas concentration is too high. Any contact with outside air will cause an

explosion. No one inside will make it out alive.

The only way is to purify the gas inside the vehicle first, then open the

doors!

A police officer, brows furrowed, looked at me. Isnt your wife a renowned

chemist? Contact her for help!

I offered a bitter smile, saying nothing. The moment the need for purification

materials became clear, I had already called her. But shed just erupted in

fury.

Haven, I tolerate your jealousy towards Zayeed normally, but today, to stop me

from celebrating his birthday, youre cursing my mom!

How could there be a gas leak on a bus? Do you just make up lies without

thinking?

What gas? And it specifically needs LumaGlow to purify it? You know its

Zayeeds favorite material! Im using all of it for fireworks to make him the

happiest man in the world!

How utterly ridiculous. My wife of three years, on our wedding anniversary, was

saying she was celebrating another mans birthday. And she wanted to use the

very material that could save my mother-in-law to light a romantic fireworks

show for him!

Ten feet away, inside the bus, everyone was frantically pounding on the windows.

My mother-in-law, dressed in her simple clothes, was struggling to wave at me.

She probably couldnt even imagine that the daughter shed lovingly raised would

abandon her now.

By late afternoon, a gas expert arrived.

After our assessment, the gas component is from an insecticide made by a

biotech company. Heres the directors number.

The call connected.

Mr. Harold, this is a toxic gas expert from the police department. Theres a

gas leak on a bus on Willow Road, traced back to your company.

Purifying the gas requires LumaGlow. Please cooperate and send all your

companys LumaGlow to Willow Road.

A few seconds of silence, then a sniffle, tinged with feigned hurt, came from

the other end.

Summer, your husband is so desperate to stop you from setting off fireworks for

me that hes hired actors pretending to be cops.

It seems he really minds you being nice to me Forget it, I dont need the

fireworks. Just go back to him.

The gas experts words were caught in his throat. Summers infuriated voice cut

through.

Haven, are you out of your mind?! You cant stand to see Zayeed happy?

Im warning you, if you ruin this fireworks spectacle today, Ill never forgive

you!

I bit my lip, looking at my mother-in-law, whose face was already pale inside

the bus. Summer, your mom is on that bus.

They wont last much longer.

Summer swore under her breath. Dont you dare try to manipulate me with my mom!

She worked hard her whole life, I brought her to the city to enjoy herself, not

to be used by you for attention!

Zayeed continued to sniffle. Summer, dont be angry. Your husband didnt mean

it I understand his jealousy.

But honey, you really shouldnt lie to Summer about her mother!

Listen to Zayeed, how thoughtful he is! If you were half as considerate as

Zayeed, I wouldnt have had to bring my mom to live with us and take care of

everything!

Chris

The sounds of passionate kissing came through the phone, and everyone present

exchanged uncomfortable glances. Before the call ended, Summers venomous voice

spat,

Haven, if you dare interrupt me setting off fireworks for Zayeed again, youre

out of our house!

The gas expert, clutching the now-disconnected phone, looked at me with a

complicated expression. Before he could speak, someone guarding the bus yelled,

Another leak!

We rushed over.

Near the drivers seat, there was a large box containing a dozen bottles labeled

Oxygen.

The expert was still cursing, Whos sick enough to fill oxygen tanks with

deadly insecticide? This road is bumpy to begin with, and just a few jolts can

cause leaks. One leak can trigger a chain reaction!

There are twenty-five lives on that bus!

My mother-in-law saw me and desperately pounded on the glass. Faint sounds

reached me.

Haven! I cant breathe! Open the door!

My heart twisted. I tried to rush forward but was pulled back by a police

officer. I could only shout, Mom! Theres toxic gas in the bus! Itll explode

if we open the door, youll all be killed!

On the other side, a woman cradled her baby, sobbing uncontrollably. Please, do

something! My baby is only two months old!

The gas expert finished another call nearby, then came over, his face grim.

Ive asked every colleague I could reach; none of them have LumaGlow.

Not just our city, but the entire state and even neighboring states, all of the

LumaGlow has been bought up by Summer Meng.

She said it was to ignite the most romantic fireworks for the man she loves

most!

And since LumaGlow is her patent, no one else can refuse her!

The distraught families quickly asked, Cant we get it from somewhere else?

The closest LumaGlow we can find would take four hours to transport, but they

His hesitation ignited the crowd of families outside the bus. Four hours! How

could they possibly last four hours?!

The babys father was heartbroken. He had left for work this morning with

everything fine, his wife and child sleeping at home. Now, on his way home,

eager to see them, he received a call saying his wife and child were trapped on

a bus, about to be poisoned to death!

Enough with the excuses! Summer Meng is your wife, isnt she? Make her send the

LumaGlow and save them!

I lowered my head, tears streaming. I contacted her. She refused

The expert clenched his fist in anger. This Summer Meng even received an award

for filial piety! To think her own mother is about to be poisoned to death, and

shes only thinking about celebrating her lovers birthday and setting off

romantic fireworks for him! What kind of damn fireworks are more important than

twenty-five human lives?!

Someone asked, Are there no other materials? Does it have to be LumaGlow?

Yes, the gas on the bus contains components from Zayeed Harold biotech company,

and LumaGlow was co-developed with Summer Mengs lab. Their big marketing pitch

was that one could be developed into a deadly insecticide, and the other could

purify that specific toxin. So, it can only be LumaGlow.

A sudden commotion erupted on the bus.

The young mother, clutching her now lifeless child, let out a heart-wrenching,

hysterical scream.

Baby! Dont scare Mommy! Mommy cant live without you!

If you die, what will Mommy do? Baby baby

We stood outside the bus, watching helplessly as the childs mothers arm fell,

and she, too, stopped breathing alongside her beloved child.

The young father completely lost it. He grabbed my throat, his eyes bloodshot.

I dont care if your wife is with her lover or whatever! My wife and child

are dead, and youll die for your wife!

I stood my ground, letting him choke me, the suffocating sensation making my

vision swim. In my previous life, when I desperately forced the LumaGlow to be

brought, most of the people inside the bus were already dead. Even if my

mother-in-law survived, I became a shell of a man, living every day with

overwhelming guilt for the others.

This time, if my life could save everyone on the bus, I would willingly die

right now.

In my fading consciousness, I heard my mother-in-laws voice.

Haven! Let go of my son-in-law! Haven, run!

I immediately snapped back to reality, breaking free with the help of the

police, coughing violently. Through tear-blurred eyes, my mother-in-law

desperately pounded on the glass, looking at me with urgency. The driver in the

front tried to reach her but suddenly rolled his eyes and collapsed inside the

bus.

No, I have to save them.

I grabbed the megaphone and shouted, Mom! Everyone, sit down, regulate your

breathing! Dont get emotional!

The more agitated you are, the more gas you inhale!

A police officer picked up his phone again. Im sending the closest officers to

persuade her! Where is she now?

The moment he spoke, a deafening sound of fireworks echoed from the southeast.

That direction thats the villa she bought for Zayeed.

Zayeeds company was set up by Summer, and the villa was bought by Summer. The

toxic gas components and LumaGlow were both developed by Summer, yet she gave

him the patent for them. He never had to do anything; he just spent her money

and lived a lavish lifestyle. I, her legitimate husband, had to use my salary to

cover household expenses and take care of my mother-in-law.

Fortunately, my mother-in-law was understanding and treated me wonderfully, like

her own son. But today, she was trapped on that bus, and her own daughter, who

could save her, only cared about another man!

Amidst the explosions of fireworks, police officers, having connected by phone,

rushed to the villa. The call hadnt been hung up, and we could hear the

fireworks growing clearer. An officer introduced himself, then said, The

passengers on the bus are still awaiting rescue. We urgently need the LumaGlow

to purify the gas. Please hand over the materials immediately!

But then, a cry of Oh! erupted.

My brother-in-law is so idle, he even hired actors to come to the door?

The officer, eager to save lives, was about to pull out his ID when he was

punched.

How much did Haven give you? Ill offer ten times that! Just stop bothering

me!

The distraught family members around me roared with anger. Are you insane?! My

son is still on that bus! Bring the materials now!

Summer heard the commotion and snatched the phone.

Who are you, his latest fling?! Haven, how dare you cheat on me?!

Tell me! How long have you two been hooking up?! You even have a son together!

That family member was beyond enraged; if the police hadnt held them back, they

probably would have smashed the phone. I sighed, completely disheartened.

Shes a passengers relative from the bus. Her son is sitting right in front of

your mother

Haven! Youre still making up stories! Id die before I believed theres toxic

gas on a bus!

The gas was in oxygen tanks, and the component is

Are you going to say the component is from Zayeeds company? Youve fabricated

such an elaborate story just to ruin my romantic gesture for Zayeed! I truly

regret marrying you, youre so malicious!

Summers furious voice was interrupted by Zayeed.

Its okay, Summer, your husband is just doing all this because he loves you.

Whats wrong with a man who loses his mind for love?

His comforting words soothed Summer.

Zayeed, youre always so understanding. I must have been out of my mind back

then; I should have crashed your wedding.

Its not too late now, Summer

The sound of passionate kissing came through the phone, then the line went dead.

A few minutes later, the officers called back, their voices bitter and angry.

Summer Meng threw us out and had people barricade the villa complex. No ones

allowed in!

She also told us to pass on a message: if we dare disturb their fireworks

again, shell set all the LumaGlow on fire.

Dozens of furious eyes glared at me, as if they wanted to skin me alive.

Grandma, dont fall asleep, please hold on! a little boy cried out. Youre

all I have, Grandma. What will I do if you leave?! Grandma!

We grew desperate, forgetting our anger, and rushed forward in a frenzy. A man,

wielding a fire extinguisher, tried to smash the glass, but a police officer

grabbed him around the waist and dragged him back. No! The gas concentration in

the bus is at its peak; any misstep will cause an explosion!

I watched my mother-in-law struggling to breathe, yet she kept murmuring my

name.

Haven

I lost my mind, grabbed my phone, and started recording.

Summer Meng! Open your eyes and look! Your mother and everyone on this bus are

about to die because of you!

I sent the video. An exclamation mark appeared, she had blocked me.

The fireworks from the villa continued, each burst a different color and shape.

Some even spelled out Zayeeds initials, a blatant display of affection. Social

media was ablaze with this romantic fireworks spectacle, its trending topic

eclipsing our cries for help. It even drew countless people to the site,

paralyzing traffic, and several reporters who wanted to cover the story were

stuck on the roads.

I watched the collapsing eyes in the bus and my mother-in-laws fading pupils,

before I, too, collapsed onto the ground, unable to bear it any longer.

Suddenly, I remembered Summers business partner. I quickly dialed her for a

video call.

Hey, Haven, why are you calling me?

I turned the camera towards my mother-in-law on the bus. Cassie gasped,

instinctively shouting, Auntie! What happened?!

Cassie, youre the only one who can save them now!

Cassie listened to the gist of it, then immediately located the unused LumaGlow

in the warehouse and sent me photos. Haven, Ill send it over to you right

away!

Hope surged through us. Everyone cheered, continuously encouraging those inside

the bus to hold on.

Mom, look, Cassie says shell bring the LumaGlow! I showed my mother-in-law the

chat messages and pictures, but she simply slumped in her seat and asked, Isnt

LumaGlow my daughters research? Why isnt she bringing it?

My mother-in-laws voice was weak, and the glass further muffled it, yet it

still tore at my heart. I couldnt tell her the truth. I just wiped away my

tears and said, Mom, Summer will come too!

A video call came in. Cassie whispered, Haven, I cant leave. Can you send

someone?

The police immediately said, Dozens of our officers are already on their way.

Just deliver it to the complex gate!

Cassie acknowledged, but then the camera suddenly shook, and Summers grim,

enraged face appeared.

Well, well, Haven, so youve set your sights on my business partner now!

Cassie quickly said, Summer, we need to save Auntie first. Other things can

wait!

I quickly aimed the camera at my mother-in-law in the car. My mother-in-laws

eyes lit up when she saw her daughter.

Summer, save me

I bought your favorite beef. Tonight when I get home Ill braise beef short

ribs for you

A flicker of helplessness crossed Summers eyes. Mom, Ive tolerated you

protecting him all this time, but now youre even going along with his

nonsense?

What Summer, I cant Im so uncomfortable, I cant breathe save me

Ugh, I should have never brought you here. So much trouble. Summer sighed,

then kicked Cassie. Are you blind? Cant you see my moms just acting?

Haven seems pretty close to you these days, doesnt he? What, youre falling

for him?

Cassie was furious. What are you talking about! Saving lives is whats

important!

Saving lives, huh? I think whats most important is for me to get a divorce so

you two adulterers can be together, right? Summers words grew increasingly

nasty. I couldnt help but growl, Summer, you bastard!

What, does it sting? Then you two get married and go comfort him properly in

bed. She said through gritted teeth. From the background, Zayeed called out.

Summer, hurry up, Im so cold!

Summers face flushed as she yelled, Coming! Then, into the phone, she said,

Mom, you guys have fun. Im busy celebrating Zayeeds birthday tonight, so I

wont be home. Well have the braised short ribs tomorrow.

Here, Ill send you two thousand to spend as you please. Is that enough?

Such a hassle. I shouldnt have gotten into this messed-up marriage, and now

Ive even corrupted my mom

The moment the video call ended, my mother-in-laws tears began to fall.

When I proposed, Summer had promised to live a good life with me, and my

mother-in-law had vowed I wouldnt be wronged. But after the wedding, I learned

that Summers heart belonged to Zayeed, and she only married me because he had

married someone else. Every day, she regretted not crashing his wedding.

So, she and Zayeed rekindled their romance, buying him luxuries, even the villa I

had only dreamed of. When I wanted grilled meat, she claimed she was busy, yet

that evening she took Zayeed to a high-end restaurant. When I had a fever, she

impatiently told me to drink more hot water, then rushed Zayeed to the hospital

after he merely sneezed. Even this very fireworks show was something I had

begged her for endlessly and never received.

Have you done the dishes? Washed the clothes? Did you get Moms foot bath

ready? You havent done anything, yet you have time to watch fireworks?

The materials in our lab are precious, and LumaGlow, in particular, is the

fruit of my hard work. Do you think just anyone is worthy of seeing it?

On Zayeeds social media, Summer, with her bare back to the camera, was nestled

in his arms, kissing him passionately. Fireworks, dedicated to him, lit up the

sky.

But the adults and children on the bus, who had already stopped breathing,

wouldnt even see tomorrows sunrise.

Haven, its my fault for not raising my daughter well. Ive harmed you, and so

many other people

My mother-in-law spoke her last words, then her body went limp, collapsing onto

the seat, lifeless.

Mom! Mom, dont go to sleep!

I frantically pounded on the window, but she would never open her eyes again to

call my name, Haven.

In that moment, I wanted to tear Summer and Zayeed limb from limb!

Meanwhile, in the fireworks-lit villa, someone knocked on the bedroom door.

Summer, annoyed by the interruption, refused to release Zayeed, who lay naked in

her arms.

Get lost!

The person outside, panicked, shouted, Ms. Meng! The bus gas leak incident is

on the news!