Chapter 41 A One-Day Date with Danheng

In the following days, you and Danheng resumed your previous way of getting along. Apart from not formally confessing your feelings, your behavior was no different from that of an ordinary young couple.

Just in time for the Lunar New Year in Luofu, Jingyuan sent an invitation, hoping you would return to Luofu to celebrate the New Year.

Taking this opportunity, you and Danheng returned to Luofu, a place you hadn't seen in a long time.

After the Star Core incident subsided, Jing Yuan, as a general, rescinded the exile order against Dan Heng, and now he can return to his hometown with dignity.

Bai Lu has moved back to the Dan Ding Division, and Jing Yuan's injuries have almost healed.

As usual, you brought large and small bags and went with Danheng to visit Xiaolongnu.

"Brother Danheng, Sister Youxia." Little Dragon Girl was overjoyed and ran over wagging her tail. "You've finally come. I've missed you so much."

"Sorry to keep you waiting." You squatted down to talk to Xiaolongnu, and Danheng imitated you to make her happy.

You spent some time with her, inquired about her current situation, and learned that she was doing well. Master Long was relieved that he didn't make things difficult for her anymore.

Although we can't give her complete freedom, it's not bad to be able to secure some freedom for her.

The Little Dragon Girl chatters on and on about her mundane daily life, clearly treating you as a confidante.

Danheng watched your interaction with tenderness and suddenly felt that this scene was very beautiful.

...

After bidding farewell to Bailu, you went to Jinren Lane. The once desolate and dilapidated street has been completely transformed, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, exuding a New Year atmosphere.

"It's so lively!" The colorful holiday decorations are dazzling.

"It's really lively." Danheng took it upon himself to hold your hand and accompany you shopping, citing the fear of getting separated in the crowd.

"Boss, I'd like a skewer of quail." You stopped at a dessert shop and bought a skewer of quail.

You hold the bird skewers to Danheng's mouth and ask him if he wants to try some.

Dan Heng obediently took a bite, and the hawthorn and sugar coating created a wonderful spark in his mouth, leaving him wanting more.

"It's delicious," he commented.

"If you like it, you can have it." You smiled slyly, stuffed the bird skewers into his hand, and then looked around at the other trinkets.

Danheng walked beside you, holding a string of birds, his gaze falling on the stall selling love knots.

You followed his gaze and instantly understood his hidden thoughts.

"Shall we go take a look?" You decide to give him a push.

"...No, I'd rather not," Dan Heng hesitated.

Having known each other for so long, you already know that this dragon is a typical hypocrite.

Without saying a word, you dragged him to the shop and excitedly picked out a love knot.

"You two are such a perfect match, a handsome man and a beautiful woman." The shopkeeper, a eloquent fox-woman, greeted you with auspicious words, making you feel overjoyed.

Dan Heng coughed awkwardly, then lowered his head to carefully select items.

The shop owner enthusiastically recommended items to you, and after much deliberation, you finally chose the love knot with a lotus pendant.

After the purchase, you pulled him to a quiet riverbank and confidently asked him to put it on you.

Danheng blushed and obediently did as she was told, carefully tying the love knot around your wrist.

In return, you grabbed his hand as he tried to pull it away, untied the knot, and tied the love knot around his wrist.

You deliberately slowed down, your fingers restlessly poking and prodding at his wrist, making Danheng incredibly itchy.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see his face growing increasingly red; his handsome appearance instantly arouses your lust.

After tying the love knot, you swiftly tiptoed and kissed his cheek, feeling his body instantly stiffen.

Having successfully stolen a kiss, you finally saw the nearly ripe little dragon. He stared wide-eyed in disbelief, looking at you, who was beaming with pride, completely bewildered.

"You...I..."

The dragon's language system is disordered, and it cannot piece together complete sentences.

"A reward." You shook the love knot on your wrist, making it clear that this was a reward for him helping you put on the love knot.

"..."

I have to say, teasing the innocent Longlong is really fun.

Dan Heng took a while to recover from his lapse in judgment and stammered out a lame excuse to cover up his embarrassment.

You didn't expose his lie and continued to take him shopping.

Danheng let you lead him, still savoring that kiss.

Is this a dream coming true?

...

After wandering around for a while, you finally found a stage to sit down and watch the movie. On stage, two young and lively girls were performing a lion dance.

Danheng has now returned to normal and is watching the performance with you.

He recognized one of the performers as Su Chang, a member of the Cloud Cavalry who had been sent to Luofu to provide support. The person next to her must be her good friend.

Two girls, each holding a headgear, performed energetically while the storyteller narrated.

"So energetic! It's so good to be young." You rarely utter this exclamation.

Hundreds of years ago, you were just as brave and lively as them. You resolutely signed up for the dance competition for the sake of the Emperor Bow Master figurine, daring to show yourself in front of everyone.

Centuries have passed, and the years have worn away your edges, leaving you with no courage to step onto that stage again.

The relentless passage of time becomes tangible at this moment; you are indeed an old man now.

You don't know when you will fall into the demonic body; perhaps in another hundred years you will bid farewell to this world forever.

Danheng is in his prime and has plenty of time to experience things.

Perhaps this is the destiny of immortal beings.

Meeting the right person at the wrong time means that growing old together is just a beautiful wish.

"What's wrong? You seem a little unhappy." Danheng, who was beside you, keenly noticed your change in mood.

"It's nothing, I just remembered something, it's alright." You smiled casually, then turned your attention back to the two people performing on stage.

The orange-haired girl and the girl in yellow worked closely together, but accidentally missed a step while stepping on the stakes.

At the critical moment, Dan Heng used a Cloud Chant Technique to conjure a water lily that steadily supported her, preventing a stage accident.

The girl who regained her balance continued the performance calmly, and together with the girl in yellow, they completed a wonderful performance, which was met with applause from the audience.

People were unaware of the impending performance mishap, attributing it all to the show's entertainment value.

But the white-haired general, sitting in the audience, saw the fleeting water lily clearly and recognized its owner.

After the show ended, he quickly spotted you and Danheng in the audience and naturally went up to greet you.

"Hey you two, it's been a long time." Big Cat skillfully reminisced with you, pretending not to notice the matching love knots on your and Danheng's wrists.

As expected, it still can't compare.

"What a coincidence, you're here too." You casually sized up the big cat in front of you; he seemed to be recovering quite well.

"Since it's a festive occasion and we happen to meet here, why don't we get together?" Big Cat extended an invitation.

"Thank you for your trouble, General." Dan Heng naturally took over the conversation.

"How about the hot pot place in Jinren Alley, your favorite one from before?"

"It's still here after all this time?"

"How could a century-old brand be so easily defeated by war? Please."

You and Jingyuan chatted back and forth, reminiscing about their past hot pot meals, leaving Danheng standing aside.

This scene seems familiar.

Back then, Danfeng was the same way. She watched as Jingyuan, taking advantage of their childhood friendship, naturally struck up a conversation with you, and the shopkeeper even mistook them for a couple. The taciturn Danfeng could only watch your interactions with Jingyuan with resentment, her jealousy overflowing.

A similar scene unfolded once again, and alarm bells rang in Dan Heng's mind.

Beware of thieves stealing your house; never let your wife be taken away by someone else.

The dragon secretly made up his mind.

...

Jingyuan, as the host, invited you to eat hot pot and warmly welcomed you after you sat down.

"The general has brought guests." The proprietress greeted you naturally when she saw familiar faces.

"Aunt Li, do you still remember me? I used to come to your house for meals when I was little." You were overjoyed to see an old acquaintance.

Your reminder reminded the proprietress of Zhu Ming, the sweet girl who always greeted her sweetly.

"Good girl, you've grown so much, Auntie almost didn't recognize you."

"This guy next to me looks familiar," the proprietress murmured to herself as she looked at Dan Heng.

Jingyuan then took over the conversation and asked if there were any specialty dishes to recommend.

"These, and these, are all specialties of our family."

Jingyuan asked about your dietary restrictions while ordering food, and also ordered a pot of tea to drink while waiting for the dishes to be served.

You chatted casually with Jingyuan, inquiring about each other's current situations.

Danheng would occasionally chime in, replying with a few words here and there, trying to make his presence known to you.

She's better at pretending than Danfeng.

Jing Yuan silently compared the two in his mind. If it were Dan Feng back then, he would have already warned him with a dark face.

You sensed Danheng's emotions and took a middle ground, trying to please both sides.

When the delicious food is served, you should fully utilize the principle of moderation, occasionally offering a little treat while watching them compete and fight amongst themselves.

We had a good show while eating, so this trip was worthwhile.

Fortunately, both parties were decent people, and all they did was compete to serve each other tea and water, so it didn't cause much of a commotion.

As night falls, dazzling fireworks explode in the sky, announcing the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year.

You toasted and drank amidst the fireworks, as if you had returned to the carefree days of the past.

...

After you had eaten and drunk your fill, Jingyuan escorted you back to the train stop.

"Happy New Year, old friends, come visit often in the future." Big Cat said goodbye to you naturally.

"I definitely will, and you take care too." You smiled as you accepted his blessing, then turned and walked onto the train with Danheng.

If we can't spend the rest of our lives together, it's not bad to support you silently from behind.

The big cat chuckled self-deprecatingly and turned to merge into the crowd.

"Train conductor, this is a gift for you. Happy New Year." You gave Pam the souvenirs you had bought, and also brought some local delicacies from Luofu.

"Thank you, passenger. Pam is so touched."

The little train conductor is beaming with joy as he holds the gifts; his adorable expression instantly melts your heart.

That evening, you had a video call with Himeko and the others in the observation car. You learned that they were doing well in Pinocchio and even said they would come back to the train to visit you in a few days.

"Happy New Year, Mom! I hope you and Teacher Danheng will be happy!" The little raccoon squeezed in front of the camera and loudly wished you and Danheng a happy new year.

Dan Heng, unusually, did not deny it, but simply gave a soft "hmm".

On March 7th, everyone immediately started making a fuss, and Himeko and □□ also showed relieved smiles.

What a lively family!