There is no celebration that a hot pot cannot solve.

If there is, just add a barbecue.

Of course, if the event being celebrated is significant enough, why not combine both?

Lin Wanxing sat on the rooftop terrace.

Even at night, spring carried the feeling of revival. A gentle breeze caressed her face as hot pot steam rose from her left near the water tank and building, while the small vegetable garden area on her right had become barbecue territory.

The students were busy and enjoying themselves immensely.

This two-in-one celebration wasn’t just for defeating Shencheng Haibo—Yongchuan Hengda had also defeated Yuzhou Yinxiang. Though the latter victory seemed obvious to the students.

Regardless, their Hongjing Eighth Middle School had indeed advanced from the Youth Super League group stage, overcoming two professional league reserve teams to finish second in their group with 6 points.

Many things are like this. Before doing something, it seems unreachable; during the process, it’s extraordinarily difficult; but looking back after reaching this point, it doesn’t seem like much.

Although the boys admitted their “not much” attitude contained an element of showing off.

But the accomplishment is an accomplishment.

The students all clamored for a celebration.

Lin Wanxing suggested activities like watching a movie together, playing pool, or going camping—something fresh.

Everyone agreed camping sounded good, but when it came to choosing a specific location and planning activities, they became quite talkative again.

One moment they complained the place was too far with too many things to bring, the next they said the cost was too expensive or that place wasn’t fun—they spent half the day making plans.

Lin Wanxing simply washed her hands of the matter.

Then the students informed her that the camping time would be Wednesday evening.

And the location… they said she’d know when she got there.

So when Lin Wanxing finished work and pushed open the rooftop door, she was greeted by this lively scene of “hot pot on the left, barbecue on the right.”

The sky held that special clear spring evening quality—though without red clouds, the sunset was transparent and soft.

At first, besides the two “dining spots,” Lin Wanxing didn’t notice anything special about the rooftop.

But soon, the students pulled her along, insisting she experience the camping atmosphere they had carefully created.

Then, Lin Wanxing saw the campfire.

Yes, the boys had lit a bonfire on her rooftop. Beneath the blazing flames, one could vaguely see how the wood had been stacked into a pile.

Although the evening setting gave the scene a certain beauty, Lin Wanxing still grabbed Qin Ao’s ear. “You little brat, are you trying to kill yourself by burning wood on the roof?”

“Don’t worry, we laid down fire-resistant materials!”

“We tested it—it won’t spread!”

Qin Ao howled. Lin Wanxing observed for a while, and seeing there might not be a major problem, finally released her grip.

“But what if a strong wind suddenly blows?” she asked.

“We also prepared fire extinguishers!” The boys pointed to the extinguishers placed nearby.

Lin Wanxing was about to speak when they added, “And we learned how to use them and conducted safety drills!”

At this point, Lin Wanxing was completely speechless.

The firewood made light crackling sounds.

Looking around, there was also a prominent tent on the rooftop, where Wang Fa sat drinking tea. Outside the tent was a small folding table fitting the outdoor aesthetic. To better create the atmosphere, an oil lamp was placed on the table.

As the sky darkened, Lin Wanxing was pushed by the students to sit inside the tent and experience the camping feeling.

The evening breeze was gentle, and Wang Fa’s teacup was made of metal.

Lin Wanxing accepted another teacup Wang Fa handed her, filled with warm barley tea, and asked, “Is the cup also specially for camping?”

“Metal is lighter, more durable, and can be heated over fire—it’s the first choice for camping,” Wang Fa explained quite professionally.

“Newly acquired knowledge?” Lin Wanxing asked.

Wang Fa looked at the busy students outside the tent and nodded slightly.

The sky darkened further, the indigo canopy’s red glow fading to pale pink.

Lin Wanxing took a sip of tea.

After the students busied themselves a while longer, a string of colored lights descended along with the night.

They were fairy lights, the kind seen in many camping photos—tiny bulbs on a thin string. The students had probably seen them in camping photos and decided they needed some too.

The string lights twinkled, guarding the rooftop walls, where the faded banner had been replaced with new words.

“Warmly Celebrating Hongjing Eighth Middle School Football Team’s Victory Over [Shencheng Haibo]!!!”

The last four characters of the team name had been replaced, showing clear patch marks. Under the subtle lighting, it had a rustic charm.

Different types of smoke rose from the two food areas—light, soft steam from the hot pot, heavier smoke, and larger flames from the barbecue.

The sky completely darkened, making the background color deeper. Under the rooftop lights, the busy figures of the students became clearer.

Lin Wanxing lowered her head to take a sip from the metal cup of barley tea, feeling somewhat emotional.

Somehow, without her noticing when it started, the students no longer needed her guidance. They could manage their lives smoothly, even thinking comprehensively about fire drills. Their lifestyle might be rustic, but it had an aesthetic taste.

“Feeling like the children have grown up?”

Wang Fa’s voice sounded from beside her.

Lin Wanxing suddenly looked toward him.

The young man’s face was hidden in the tent’s shadows, but because of the light shining in from outside, his forehead and eyes gleamed, highlighting his straight nose and handsome profile.

The words made it sound as if they were already very old.

Lin Wanxing still felt somewhat moved. Outside the tent, the noisy sounds of the students were very clear. She quietly looked at Wang Fa, then smiled and said, “Yes, a little.”

Lin Wanxing moved back slightly, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Wang Fa in the tent.

Outside, the food was almost ready. A plate of barbecue was emptied as soon as it was served, and the pack of hungry wolves rushed to the hot pot station, keeping everyone busy. Student Fu Xinshu was still conscientious enough to say, “Save some for the teacher and coach.”

But soon Qin Ao said, “Say less, mind your own business, you’re already shining brighter than the lights!”

Fu Xinshu immediately went “Oh, oh, oh” before being dragged away.

Lin Wanxing pretended not to hear what they were saying. She looked at Wang Fa, who had a slightly amused expression.

As if she’d been caught in the act.

Raising her barley tea, Lin Wanxing held the metal cup’s handle and clinked it against Wang Fa’s cup. “And does the coach feel the same way?”

It seemed like it was on such an evening—that day’s sunset had almost burned through the sky when Wang Fa decided to leave the field. Then that night, they talked about many things.

Those confusing, disappointing, frustrating stories that weighed heavily on their hearts. Had they been alleviated in the days since?

“Me?” Wang Fa suddenly became quiet. “I should say, everyone finds joy in football differently.”

“What do you mean?” Lin Wanxing asked.

“Some people enjoy physically winning games, some enjoy watching games, and others enjoy giving directions.”

“And you?”

“I’m probably the type who enjoys giving directions.” When Wang Fa spoke, he was very relaxed and leisurely, holding his cup with one leg curled up and the other stretched out to the edge of the tent. “My joy probably isn’t in purely winning games or developing players to sell them. It’s in nurturing players and organizing teams.”

“A simulation game!”

Wang Fa turned to look at her, thoroughly amused and clinked his metal cup against hers. “I always thought that achievements already completed would no longer be challenging if done again, but that’s not entirely true. Interesting things remain interesting.”

“Does ‘our’ Hongjing Eighth Middle School football team also interest you?”

Wang Fa took a sip of barley tea. “At first, I was just completing Teacher Lin’s ‘mission.’ Then I wanted to see—although this is an ordinary high school team, the players have been playing together for a long time. I wondered what would happen if we added scientific physical training and systematic tactical coordination.”

“And then?”

“Then it turned out to be the same old locker room stories—arguing after losing games, losing direction, not being able to win.”

“Did you ever feel disappointed, like you were still walking the same old path?” Lin Wanxing held up her cup to Wang Fa’s mouth, using it as a microphone to interview him.

The next moment, Lin Wanxing felt a weight in her hand as Wang Fa gripped the bottom of the cup and took a sip from the cup she was holding out.

Lin Wanxing: “!!!”

The girl’s eyes widened, a soft hairpin in her hair. Her cheeks quickly reddened, but her gaze remained bright. Although it wasn’t very clear inside the tent, having teased her many times, Wang Fa knew exactly what Lin Wanxing’s next reactions would be.

Sure enough, Lin Wanxing was at a loss for a moment. Then she lowered her head to stare at the rim of the cup as if trying to confirm something.

“Don’t be so formal.”

Lin Wanxing: “???”

“I didn’t touch the part you drank from.”

At this point, the girl’s reaction became even more interesting. After thinking for a long time, she simply turned around with the cup and ran outside the tent, pretending to refill it.

The girl’s flustered silhouette appeared particularly slender against the busy night scene.

He had seriously considered answering that a football is black and white with 32 panels. He had once felt very disappointed with football because he had climbed to a position where he was destined to see the dark side of football. It wasn’t just a football issue; it was also about how he, in his daily routines, had forgotten what that side of football that first made him fall in love with it looked like.

If he had answered that way, Lin Wanxing would probably have asked, “Have you found the side you like now?”

The rooftop, night breeze, stars, and moon, rising barbecue smoke.

Wang Fa had rehearsed this conversation many times, striving for perfection.

But Lin Wanxing didn’t give him the chance to continue.

He thought then that Lin Wanxing might be like a night flower.

Needing the turning of stars, needing sunshine, rain, and lots and lots of time.

But often, opportunities are fleeting, and time is the most precious of all.