Chapter 48: Lanterns, Laughter, and a Lingering Gaze
The Qinghe Spring Festival had arrived, and the whole village buzzed with excitement. Bright red lanterns hung from every rooftop, and colorful banners flapped in the breeze. Stalls lined the main road, brimming with sweet snacks, handwoven toys, and fragrant teas.
It was the first festival Su Yanyue had attended in this world, and she felt a flutter of unfamiliar anticipation in her chest.
She had set up a stall of her own under a cherry blossom tree near the square. A simple wooden sign read:
Phoenix Bloom Buns – Limited Spring Edition!
Su Lin carefully placed the last tray on the counter. "Ready, Auntie!"
Su Rui straightened his collar. "We added edible flowers this time. Very artistic."
Su Zhi held a hand-painted price list. "Also expensive. For style."
Yanyue smiled and patted their heads. "Behave. No scaring customers."
"Only slightly," they chorused innocently.
Just then, Yu Shiming arrived, dressed in simple but well-fitted robes of dark blue. He looked even taller today—perhaps it was the way the crowd parted subtly around him.
"You look… festive," he said with a half-smile, eyes resting on Yanyue a second longer than usual.
Yanyue raised a brow. "Was that a compliment, General?"
"I'm not a general," he replied smoothly.
"Not officially," she muttered under her breath.
He glanced at the children. "Have they caused trouble yet?"
"Give it an hour," she sighed.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the square grew livelier. Children chased lantern-shaped balloons, musicians struck up flutes and drums, and the aroma of spices and sweets filled the air.
A village official approached Yanyue's stall, bowing slightly. "Miss Su, would you be willing to participate in the Festival Delicacy Showcase? The villagers insisted."
Yanyue blinked. "Me?"
"The Phoenix Bloom has become a local pride," he smiled. "It would mean a lot."
As whispers of "That's her!" and "The bun lady!" circled around, she nodded.
"I'll try."
A long table was set up in the center, with other local cooks setting their dishes. Master Feng was there too—looking somewhat humbled, but still puffed up like a pastry himself.
Yanyue's tray of delicately glazed phoenix-tail buns earned gasps as she set them down. A few curious children stood on tiptoe just to peek.
When the judges finally tasted them, one exclaimed, "Fragrant! Crisp yet soft! Is that... orange blossom?"
Another nodded. "This is the taste of spring!"
Yanyue smiled graciously. Beside her, Feng muttered something about "underdog bias" and nearly choked on his own ginger biscuit.
Later that evening, after lanterns were released into the night sky, Yanyue stood at the edge of the riverbank, watching the reflections ripple like dancing fireflies.
Yu Shiming joined her silently, hands behind his back.
"You're quiet tonight," she said softly.
"I was watching," he said, voice low. "You looked... content."
She turned to him, her expression unreadable. "And that surprises you?"
"No," he admitted, glancing down at her. "But it's nice to see."
Their eyes met. The flickering light of floating lanterns cast warm shadows between them. For a moment, the festival noise faded.
The triplets' voices broke the spell.
"Auntie! Auntie! We won a basket of candy!"
Su Lin waved a massive red paper bag over his head.
"We also lost it!" Su Rui added.
"But found half of it again!" Su Zhi beamed.
Yanyue turned, laughing. "Let's go rescue whatever's left."
Yu Shiming remained a step behind, watching her silhouette illuminated by the lanterns.
In this little village, amidst buns, laughter, and chaos—something was changing.
And perhaps, just perhaps, it was the beginning of something far more lasting.