Fireworks Permit

Old Wang was an honest and law-abiding retired worker who had always followed the rules. Before this year's Spring Festival, the city suddenly announced that fireworks would be allowed in designated areas, but a "firework permit" was required. This news was like a drop of oil falling into a boiling pot, causing a huge stir.

When Old Wang was young, he loved watching fireworks. The dazzling colors and deafening sounds were the strongest flavors of the New Year. But now, in his sixties, he didn't even bother with firecrackers. The only reason he went to apply for this "firework permit" was for his wife. His wife had been a "firecracker enthusiast" when she was young. Every year during the New Year, the family would prepare a full box of fireworks. Since the ban on fireworks, his wife's New Year spirit had faded, and she was always depressed. Old Wang saw it and felt sorry for her.

The line for applying for a permit was incredibly long, stretching from the entrance of the city hall all the way to the alleyway at the corner. Old Wang stood in line for a whole day, his legs numb, before finally reaching the counter. The young woman in charge of processing the applications, wearing thick black-rimmed glasses, mechanically asked various questions. Old Wang answered them one by one, like a primary school student answering a teacher's questions.

"What type of fireworks do you plan to set off?"

"You know, those common ones that go 'whoosh' and fly into the sky," Old Wang tried his best to recall the typical fireworks from the past.

"Please select a specific model and fill out the application form."

Old Wang stared blankly at the application form, which was filled with dense rows of firework models, such as "Starry Sky," "Sky Rocket," "Big Red Firecracker"... He didn't understand any of it. He had no choice but to look at the staff for help.

The young woman impatiently pointed to a promotional poster on the wall. "Look for yourself, there are pictures."

Old Wang carefully studied it for a long time and finally chose the cheapest one, "Little Bee." After filling out the form, submitting his ID card, household registration book, retirement certificate, and even his wife's health certificate, Old Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Please pay a handling fee of fifty yuan per permit."

Old Wang took out fifty crumpled yuan from his pocket and handed it to the young woman. She stamped it and handed Old Wang a thin piece of paper. This was the "firework permit."

Holding the piece of paper, Old Wang felt it was weightless and insubstantial. But he was still happy. His wife would be happy now, right?

Back home, Old Wang handed the permit to his wife. She took it, looked at it carefully, but instead of the expected smile, her face turned serious. She asked, "Are you an idiot? This permit only allows fireworks to be set off in designated areas. Do you know where those areas are?"

Old Wang was stunned. He hadn't paid any attention to the fine print on the permit.

His wife sighed and opened her phone to check the information. "Look, the designated area is actually at that abandoned chemical factory in the suburbs."

Old Wang was speechless. An abandoned chemical factory, desolate and eerie, who would go there to set off fireworks? This wasn't celebrating the New Year, it was more like an adventure!

"But," his wife's tone shifted, a mischievous smile appearing on her face, "I suddenly have a great idea."

On New Year's Eve, Old Wang and his wife didn't go to the abandoned chemical factory. Instead, they sat at home, eating hot dumplings. The Spring Festival Gala was on TV, and the city was lit up with thousands of lights outside the window. Suddenly, his wife opened the window and pointed to the distant sky. "Look, fireworks!"

Old Wang followed his wife's gaze and saw that in the distance, someone was setting off fireworks, colorful and dazzling. But soon, they were blocked from view by the tall buildings in the distance.

"Wife, those fireworks aren't ours," Old Wang said, confused.

His wife smiled and took something from under the table, handing it to Old Wang. He opened it and saw a bag of candy, with "Little Bee" printed on the packaging.

"I bought this, it's sweet and better than fireworks," his wife said with a smile.

Old Wang picked up a piece of candy and put it in his mouth. The sweetness spread across his tongue. He looked at his wife and suddenly understood.

It turned out that this permit was just a coupon for candy.

And the real fireworks were still exploding haphazardly.