Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Ding Heng joked, "Still want to grow taller?"

"What's wrong with that?"

Bai Ma stood on tiptoe and gestured to Ding Heng's ear: "If I ramp up my power later, it will at least grow this long!"

The little girl is dressed especially festively today.

The white velvet long sleeves accentuated the softness of her shoulders and neck, while the burgundy ruffled skirt layered upon layered, revealing fluffy white trousers underneath – it was sickeningly sweet.

The white stockings are embroidered with delicate red decorative buttons that wind their way up from the ankle, echoing the bow on the burgundy Mary Jane shoes.

The red ribbon hanging from her hair swayed gently with her movements, transforming the sweetness of the red and white color-blocked outfit into a lively and charming look.

Ding Heng then asked, "Why are you up so early today?"

Baima picked up another piece of rice cake and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling, "I can't sleep. It's too noisy by the river. Someone even set off firecrackers last night..."

"Aren't fireworks prohibited in urban areas?"

"How would I know."

Pema chewed on a rice cake, her eyes darting around: "Brother, can we set off fireworks tonight?"

"Didn't I just say that fireworks are prohibited in the city?"

"Eh..."

Baima pouted, looking disappointed: "I haven't set off fireworks in a long time. They don't allow it in Chengdu. They can set them off in Tibet, but it's freezing cold every time I go back, so I don't feel like having fun."

Seeing her dejected appearance, Ding Heng chuckled: "Want to let go?"

"I do! Brother, do you have a plan?"

"Yes, there are..."

"Brother~ Good brother~ Just take me out once~ I promise I'll be good!"

"Alright, let's go shopping first, then I'll take you out tonight."

Ding Heng instructed, "The regulations aren't as strict in the suburbs. Just find an open space and be careful, and you'll be fine."

"real?!"

Baima jumped up from her chair: "I want to go shopping too! I want to pick out the fireworks myself!"

"This might be inconvenient..."

"It's settled then!"

Bai Ma didn't give Ding Heng a chance to refuse, and turned to run upstairs: "I'm going to get my coat!"

Sister Jiang came out of the kitchen carrying a bag of milk and was almost bumped into by Bai Ma: "Hey, slow down, slow down! Your milk..."

"Let's drink it later!"

Baima had already run upstairs.

A moment later, footsteps could be heard again on the stairs.

This time it was Qu Zhen, her hair casually tied up, her face showing the weariness of just waking up.

"Xiao Ding, up so early?"

Good morning, Auntie.

Qu Zhen sat down, and Sister Jiang served her a bowl of porridge.

She took the bowl and asked, "What is Baima doing?"

Ding Heng replied, "He went upstairs to put on his coat, saying he wanted to go out with me to buy fireworks."

"Since you're idle during the day anyway, it's good for you siblings to go out for a stroll, but don't go too far."

While drinking her porridge, Qu Zhen gently instructed, "Xiao Ding, Bai Ma is a naughty child, so keep a close eye on her."

Ding Heng nodded: "Don't worry, Auntie."

Baima quickly ran down again, wearing a white fluffy coat, her bare legs under her skirt were now covered with thick white tights, and a red scarf was wrapped around her neck, making her look round and plump.

"Let's go!"

She grabbed Ding Heng and quickly walked to the garage.

Ding Heng opened the back door of the Mercedes and gestured with his chin towards Bai Ma: "Sit in the back."

Bai Ma asked in bewilderment, "Why? Isn't the passenger seat empty?"

"Just sit in the back when I tell you to. Why are you making such a fuss?"

Ding Heng didn't explain, opened the driver's side door, and got in.

Bai Ma pouted and reluctantly climbed into the back seat.

Ding Heng drove out of the villa area and turned onto the main road.

Baima peered out the car window: "Brother, where are we going?"

"To pick someone up."

"Who?"

Ding Heng did not answer, and the car eventually stopped in front of the Chujiang Hotel.

"Wait a minute."

Ding Heng got out of the car, and Bai Ma sat obediently inside waiting.

A few minutes later, Baima saw Ding Heng lead a girl out of the hotel lobby.

She wasn't very tall, had her hair tied in a ponytail, and wore a light pink down jacket, making her look adorable and cute.

Ding Heng opened the passenger door and let Wen Jing get in.

Bai Ma's eyes widened, and her brain began to work at lightning speed.

Wenjing fastened her seatbelt and turned around to see Baima in the back seat.

Ding Heng got into the car and first gestured to Bai Ma with his chin.

"Bai Ma, my sister."

Then she turned to Wenjing.

"Wenjing, you..."

"Hello, sister-in-law!"

Before Ding Heng could finish speaking, Bai Ma sweetly called out.

Wenjing looked a little embarrassed and stammered, "Y-hello..."

Baima approached with a grin: "Sister-in-law, what's your name?"

"Wen, Wenjing..."

"Hello, Sister Wenjing! My full name is Pema Yangjin, and I am Tibetan!"

Baima introduced herself generously, adding, "Sister-in-law, you are so beautiful, the most beautiful sister-in-law I have ever seen."

"Thank you."

Wenjing was overwhelmed by the praise and began to have some doubts.

What does "most beautiful" mean?

Has Baima already met other "sisters-in-law"?

Ding Heng started the car, his face expressionless: "Sit still, don't mess around."

Pema stuck out her tongue and shrank back into the back seat.

The car drove onto the main road and headed towards the suburbs.

Pema leaned against the back of the seat in front of her and asked curiously, "Brother, where are we going to buy fireworks?"

Ding Heng looked ahead: "There's a fireworks wholesale store over there on the old street; it's been open for over ten years."

"Wholesale point? Do they sell all kinds of fireworks?"

"Pretty much, it has most of what you need."

"I want to buy a Gatling gun! And a rocket launcher! And one that spins around on the ground!"

Bai Ma was so excited that she danced around, but Ding Heng ignored her.

Nearly an hour later, the car stopped on an old street in the suburbs, and Ding Heng led the two girls into the alley.

The wholesale storefront was small, made of corrugated iron sheets, with several boxes of samples piled up at the entrance.

The owner was a man in his fifties who was squatting on the ground organizing goods. He looked up when he saw someone coming.

"Oh, this is... Xiao Ding?"

He stood up, dusted off his hands, and said, "I haven't seen you in years! You've grown so much!"

"Uncle Liu, Happy New Year."

Ding Heng stepped forward and shook hands: "It's still open this year?"

"We keep driving it, year after year, but business is a little worse because it's banned in the city."

Uncle Liu responded with a smile, his gaze falling on the two girls behind Ding Heng: "These two are..."

"This is my sister, and this is my girlfriend."

"You've brought your girlfriend home for the New Year already?"

Uncle Liu gave Ding Heng a thumbs up: "Good job, kid."

Ding Heng smiled but didn't reply: "Uncle Liu, what good stuff do you have this year?"

"There are tons!"

Uncle Liu turned and walked inside, beginning his introduction: "Gatling guns, jellyfish toys, peacock-shaped toys, and those kids' toys like firecrackers and sparklers..."

The shed was filled with all kinds of fireworks, big and small, red and green, piled up to the brim.