After Tang Jiuge woke up, there was no reason for Xue Ran and the others to stay any longer. As they were preparing to leave, Guan Yueyue insisted on staying to see the lanterns, having overheard Jin Lu mention that the Lantern Festival was approaching.
What lanterns? It was just an excuse, Feng Guang saw right through Guan Yueyue’s thoughts. She didn’t want to return to Old Friend Valley, instead wanting to stay with Nangong Li. Guan Yueyue tugged Qing Yu to stand by her side. With no other option, Xue Ran agreed to stay a few more days at the Tang Sect. Feng Guang noticed the curiosity hidden in Qing Yu’s eyes and decided to stop opposing Guan Yueyue’s wishes.
On the day of the Lantern Festival, the streets were packed with people. The crowds of onlookers kept coming, and the colorful lanterns hung above, sparkling like stars in the sky, illuminated the streets as brightly as daylight, casting a magnificent glow.
Feng Guang stood under a willow tree, holding a lifelike lotus lantern, waiting for the others. Many men and women were out enjoying the lanterns, their glances full of affection. She rolled her eyes at the sight, annoyed by the overwhelming smell of romance in the air, which made her teeth itch.
Before long, Xue Ran made his way through the crowd and approached her, handing her a candied hawthorn skewer. “Feng Guang, your candied hawthorn.”
He had noticed her sudden craving for it on the way and, seeing how crowded it was, asked her to wait while he got it.
Feng Guang took it with satisfaction, biting into it as she asked, “Where’s Qing Yu?”
“She ran into Yueyue and went with her.”
“With so many people, they could still find each other…” Feng Guang mumbled. Guan Yueyue had originally been walking with Nangong Li, not with the three of them. Given the crowds, it was remarkable that Qing Yu would encounter her. Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she asked, “Is Nangong Li… Yi Wushang with her too?”
“Yes, why?”
“Nothing…” She told herself to relax. With Guan Yueyue around, Nangong Li probably wouldn’t do anything to Qing Yu, and he still didn’t know that Qing Yu was the one who had survived the massacre of his clan. “By the way, Xue Ran, does Guan Yueyue know about Qing Yu’s background?”
“She does.” Xue Ran raised his hand, brushing the sugar from the corner of her mouth with his finger. “I brought Qing Yu back when Yueyue was seven. Because she knew about Qing Yu’s background, Yueyue treated her very well back then.”
“What? She knew and still…” Feng Guang stopped herself mid-sentence.
Xue Ran looked at her in confusion. “Hmm?”
“It’s nothing…” She regained her composure but couldn’t help but feel sorry for Qing Yu. Her favorite senior sister knew that Nangong Li was her enemy, yet she had fallen for him. What would Qing Yu do if she found out?
Not understanding her sudden sadness, Xue Ran unconsciously took her hand. “The fireworks by the river are about to start, want to go watch?”
“Sure…” Feng Guang muttered, no longer interested in the candied hawthorn. With a slightly upset expression, she followed him toward the river.
Along the way, the streets were crowded with people, but Xue Ran carefully kept her close, ensuring that no one bumped into her. Feng Guang felt her mood lighten as they walked together. “Xue Ran, do you know you’re quite the boyfriend material?”
“Boyfriend material?” Xue Ran asked when they reached a quiet spot by the river, where there were no people, and the noise from the crowd faded away.
Feng Guang stood on tiptoe and leaned into his ear. “It means you’re very charming.”
Her breath warmed his ear, and at that moment, fireworks exploded across the sky, bright colors illuminating the dark heavens and the faces of the onlookers below.
The dazzling light reflected off her delicate features, making her face glow like a jewel. Her eyes, sparkling like autumn water, captivated him effortlessly as if they could draw anyone into a trance.
He had always known her eyes were beautiful, especially when they were focused entirely on him.
Xue Ran swallowed, then suddenly leaned down and kissed her lips.
Lucien On ABRWF Chapter 34.1