Qixi Festival (2)

Yan Dan would occasionally think back to the time when she first encountered Ying Yuanjun, and she disliked him from the very beginning. This was probably similar to the dislike she felt when she met him again as the mortal Tang Zhou, the reincarnation of Ying Yuanjun. But over time, this dislike transformed into an inexplicable feeling.

She broke the heavenly rules by entering the celestial pool and even ripped out half of her own heart, all for this inexplicable feeling.

It wasn't exactly a dramatic affair, but it was certainly a life-or-death commitment.

Yu Mo's treatment of her, however, was gentle and unwavering, always tinged with a quiet tenderness. There was none of the excruciating pain of being struck by lightning on the Heavenly Execution Platform, nor the resolute determination to leap into the cycle of seven reincarnations. When he saw her, he always seemed to be unable to suppress a slight smile.

As Yan Dan pondered this, she felt Yu Mo gently playing with her hair, quietly staying by her side without sleeping. She looked up at Yu Mo, and when she saw the thoughtful expression on his face, her heart stirred again: "I just want... to be with you every moment from now on."

Yu Mo's hand trembled, and a strand of hair fell back onto the pillow. After a long while, he said, "What did you say?"

Yan Dan thought for a moment. There was nothing wrong with what she said, but it was difficult to do. If they were together all the time, they would inevitably get tired of each other over time. "But we still have a long time ahead of us. Maybe we'll still be alive and well when the world ends. Actually, we can stay together like before. Those were the happiest days of my life. I just don't know what you think."

Yu Mo remained silent for a long while, then suddenly sat up and leaned down beside her, saying, "Look at me, and say it again." His dark hair fell down, intertwining with hers, and Yan Dan inexplicably thought of the mortal saying "tying the knot." She had been mischievous and playful since childhood, and although she possessed celestial roots, her actions were far from those of a fairy. What was more troublesome was that she was also incredibly stubborn. Back then, she and Ying Yuanjun should have severed ties long ago, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Later, she did break off the relationship, but a trace of her initial obsession and first thought would still linger in her heart.

She had considered what would happen if she returned to Ying Yuan's side. But what about all those days she and Yu Mo spent traveling all over the country? What about their clumsy and silly interactions? What about their intimate moments of jokingly calling each other "Lord Lianqing"? Were they really so insignificant?

How could she be so foolish as to simply fall in love with the past?

Those things that flow gently and steadily, those moments that, even when you try hard to recall them, only leave a faint shadow—who says they aren't love?

Yan Dan looked at him and spoke earnestly, word by word: "The days I spent with you were the happiest of my life, and we'll stay together forever. What do you say?" She paused, then, suppressing a sore throat, resolutely uttered a cheesy line: "Yu Mo, I like you. I love you."

Yu Mo looked at her calmly, and after a long while, he suddenly leaned down and pressed down on her, his passionate kiss lingering on her temple: "Okay, let's be together." The moment she said she liked her, it was as if a million dazzling fireworks exploded before her eyes, making her slightly dazzled and at a loss.

Yan Dan pouted slightly: "But how could you go to propose marriage without my knowledge? At least you should have taken me with you, so that others would know that I either don't marry or I marry the best."

Yu Mo hummed in agreement, then paused before saying, "If you change your mind... do you want a way out?" His lips lightly touched hers, tentatively deepening the kiss before he gently bit her, tracing her neck with his tongue, his breath ragged again: "Even if you want to, I won't let you..."

Yan Dan raised her hand and stroked his back, where strands of hair clung to her skin, damp with a thin layer of sweat. The other's warm, naked body pressed against hers, his heartbeat clear as a drum, and the light touch on her skin sent a tingling, indescribable tingling sensation through her, like a hundred claws scratching at her heart.

Yan Dan let out a slight breath and complained softly, "Yu Mo, be gentle, it hurts..."

Nine-finned creatures are inherently intelligent aquatic beings. In order to arrange a flawless formation, they must be free from distractions and desires. How did it change when it came to Yu Mo? However, she could only think about it briefly before sinking into tender intimacy.

I only vaguely remember that the moonlight that night was exceptionally beautiful, casting dappled patterns of carved sandalwood window lattices on the ground.

Yelan Mountain is a place where rumors spread like wildfire at the slightest sign of trouble.

Yan Dan spent a night in Yu Mo's room, and rumors outside were already rampant. Two of them were the most popular: First, Yan Dan had cast an illusion spell on Yu Mo, the mountain lord, who then unusually allowed her to stay overnight. Second, Yu Mo had forced Yan Dan, the reason being that he carried her away on his shoulder.

Yan Dan listened to gossip all day, then calmly sat in front of her dressing table, slowly combing her hair. The first type of gossip praised her for her superb sorcery when it wasn't actually true, while the second type washed away the shame of being considered an unwanted and unmarriageable person. From today onward, she had to muster the courage to confront Yu Mo.

As she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard the door creak open, and Yu Mo stepped in, then turned and closed the door.

Yan Dan looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror and asked calmly, "Yu Mo, what was your first impression of me?"

Yu Mo paused for a moment, walked to the dressing table, bent down and took the comb from her hand: "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Yan Dan's voice carried a hint of smugness and her usual cleverness: "This is the first time in Heaven. Yu Mo, you've never been able to pretend to be indifferent to the end." As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Mo's hand holding the comb trembled slightly in the bronze mirror.

Yu Mo was silent for a moment, then asked in a very calm tone, "Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"Of course it's the truth. What would I listen to if it were a lie?" Yan Dan guessed that he probably wouldn't say anything nice next, but she really didn't have anything remarkable to say during their first meeting. "Go ahead and tell me. I won't be discouraged by you."

"Yeah, an idiot."

Yan Dan was immediately devastated. She had expected Yu Mo to say that she lacked figure and grace, was unruly, or even rude, but he actually called her stupid? "You're talking nonsense! How am I stupid? What I am is clearly called wise but foolish, okay?" Yan Dan said indignantly. "Dan Shu is the one who's stupid."

"Is Dan Shu considered stupid?" Yu Mo lowered his body further and slowly combed through her hair. His fingers carried a cool scent, and his movements were gentle, making Yan Dan feel very comfortable. "And what happened later? Things must have changed, right?"

"Later," Yu Mo paused, then said in a low voice, "that idiot who would smile at me."

The hairpin in Yan Dan's hand snapped with a crack, and she turned her head sharply: "Yu Mo, you've gone too far!"

"...Don't turn your head so suddenly." Yu Mo quickly released the strands of hair he was holding, but a few broken strands remained in his hand.

Yan Dan stood up and pointed to the door with an imposing air: "You'll sleep in the study tonight!" Although she felt that Lin Lang had gone too far, men all need to be taught a lesson, so she decided to establish her authority first.

Yu Mo leaned against the dressing table, unmoved, and said indifferently, "You think I'll just go to the study to sleep because you tell me to? What do you take me for?"

Yan Dan was defeated again.

Men are all asking for a beating; they need a good whipping followed by some soothing, and eventually, a Zi Lin will appear. Linlang's target, Yan Dan, was completely unusable. In less than a month, she decided to give up.

If she wanted Yu Mo to peel apples and grapes for her, he would do it without hesitation. However, every time she saw Yu Mo peeling fruit, she would break out in a cold sweat. He didn't seem used to doing this kind of thing, but he did it very seriously, and she felt embarrassed to let him peel a rabbit-shaped fruit.

But if it involves making him turn back into his original form so she can take care of him for a day or sending him to sleep in the study, then even if she gets angry and jumps up and down, it's no use; Yu Mo simply ignores her.

Yan Dan tried for a long time but made no progress and finally had to give up.

But apart from Yu Mo, no one else in this world would tolerate her to this extent, which she should be grateful for.

In fact, the days that followed were not much different from before; the days were filled with bickering and noise.

The peaches in Dan Shu grew large, each one with thin skin, thick flesh, and a rosy color, looking exceptionally beautiful hanging on the tree. He began to guard the tree, driving away countless demons who were trying to steal the peaches.

Yan Dan watched the little wolf demon happily squatting by the tree, gazing up at it. She scooped up some cool lake water and splashed it on her face, finally relieving some of the summer heat.

Dan Shu suddenly stopped looking at the peach tree and turned to ask Yan Dan, "Sister Yan Dan, what do you think Sister Linlang and the Lord of Zilin Mountain's baby will look like? I asked Father, but he told me to think about it myself. If I could figure it out, would I still be asking him...?"

Yan Dan paused, her hand still holding the water, and thought seriously for a moment before saying, "Dan Shu, the story I told you before about the mortal realm, long ago, a founding emperor dreamed of an auspicious beast. He eventually changed dynasties and ascended the throne, and erected a statue of that beast. The four-legged beast resembled a tortoise, but its shell was multicolored, with vibrant hues, and it had a large, bushy tail. The emperor thought it was a Qilin, but the real Qilin doesn't look like that. I think Zi Lin and Lin Lang's child will probably look like that."

Dan Shu let out a disappointed "Oh": "I thought it would be a snow-white fox like Zi Yan, with a shell on its back that it could crawl into when exposed to wind and sun, how wonderful that would be."

Yan Dan guessed that he was currently guarding under the tree and also wanted such a shell that could be used at any time.

Dan Shu stared intently at her and asked, "Sister Yan Dan, you and Lord Yu Mo will be having a baby soon, right?"

Yan Dan suddenly realized an extremely important question: if she and Yu Mo had a child, what kind of monster would it be? She only imagined it for a moment before she immediately shuddered.

The sun was blazing overhead, its light so bright it was almost translucent. Yet, even in such bright sunlight, she felt a chilly breeze blowing all around her, a constant, icy gust...

Qixi Festival (3)

Unfortunately, before she could discuss with Yu Mo the question of what their future children would be like, Yu Mo and Zi Lin had to go out. Lin Lang pressed her hand to her lower abdomen, her temper unabated, and lashed out at Zi Lin in front of everyone: "Fine, you can go out this time, but if you don't come back before Qixi Festival, I'll find the child a new father!"

Yan Dan chuckled, and immediately two cold gazes pierced her. However, she was already indifferent to the many troubles she had, and besides, Yu Mo was protecting her.

"Qixi Festival is just around the corner..." After Linlang mentioned it, she remembered that Qixi Festival was just around the corner. It was the day when the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl met on the Magpie Bridge, and it was also a day when lovers all over the world would reunite.

"Yes, what do you want?" Yu Mo asked with a smile.

Yan Dan grasped his hand in return, overjoyed. "Really, anything is fine? Actually, I don't really want anything. How about you turn back into your original form and let me take care of you for a day?" Yu Mo's smile froze. Yan Dan carefully observed his expression and said cautiously, "If a day isn't enough, then... half a day will do."

Yu Mo withdrew his hand, expressionless: "Anything but this is fine."

Yan Dan pouted slightly: "Oh, then come back soon."

In fact, Yu Mo had only been gone for five or six days. They didn't see each other every day before, so Yan Dan thought that the days should be the same as usual.

Yan Dan stayed with Dan Shu for a while, guarding his peach tree. Then she groomed the little fox's fur. After circling around the area, she noticed that a group of little demons had unknowingly gathered around Liu Weiyang, and he was preaching to them. Emperor Zixu was indeed worthy of his name; he was too lazy to say much, yet he still had the ability to drink and teach the demons.

Yan Dan walked around and came back, feeling increasingly suffocated, so she could only go to take a nap.

It seems... things are a little different from before. At least, I miss it when I can't see it.

Yan Dan clung to the blankets, feeling wronged, but in her heart she thought, "He won't even turn back into his original form for a day to please me. It's infuriating!"

Yan Dan idly dragged on until the third day, feeling extremely suffocated. Fortunately, a downpour came in the evening, driving away the heat and making it easier to fall asleep with the sound of rain. Just as she was starting to drift off, she heard the door creak open and jumped up with a start.

Yu Mo's clothes were soaked through. He walked to the cabinet, took out some clean clothes, and said in a low voice, "You go to sleep first. I'll go wash up and come back later."

Yan Dan was very surprised. She had thought it would take at least five days, but she didn't expect to return on the evening of the third day.

When Yu Mo returned to his room, he had already changed into clean clothes and casually placed his hand on Yan Dan's waist: "Are you asleep?"

Yan Dan opened her eyes and saw his expression in the darkness; he seemed very tired: "No, you should go to sleep if you're tired."

Yu Mo gave a muffled "hmm," leaned closer, and soon fell into a deep sleep. Yan Dan listened to his even breathing and, after a while, also drifted off to sleep peacefully.

Because I sleep well at night, I wake up early in the morning.

Yan Dan looked at Yu Mo, who was lying on his side. Perhaps it was because of his tired appearance, but his demeanor seemed much weaker than before. She even dared to reach out and pinch his face, something she had always wanted to do but never dared to before.

Yu Mo just unconsciously frowned and mumbled a "hmm" in a daze.

Yan Dan propped her chin on her hand, gazing at his sleeping face. She couldn't help but think, "He really looks exhausted. Could Yu Mo have cheated on me without my noticing?" She lowered her head and sniffed his neck; there was no other scent. Then she pulled open his shirt to check, but there were no marks. Yan Dan gently pulled his shirt back up, then suddenly looked up to see Yu Mo had opened his eyes and was staring at her.

Yan Dan jolted awake and awkwardly asked, "You're awake?"

Yu Mo propped himself up on one side, smiling slightly: "From the moment you started undressing me." He leaned over, resting his head above Yan Dan, and looked down at her: "Have you missed me these past few days?"

This was the first time Yan Dan had heard him say such cheesy things, and she immediately felt that her aura had finally overwhelmed him: "No way. It's only been three days, I'm not that pathetic."

Yu Mo lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "Is that so? But I missed you."

Yan Dan was stunned. Had Yu Mo been bewitched during his trip? Just as she hesitated, she saw Yu Mo slowly cover her, his body warm and supple. She saw her reflection in his eyes and sensed his arousal. She couldn't help but say, "Yu Mo, Yu Mo, you were so tired last night that you fell asleep immediately. I think you should stay in bed today; it'll be better that way..."

Yu Mo didn't say anything, took off his shirt and threw it aside, then pressed down on him.

Yan Dan felt a buzzing in her ears as she watched his actions, and desperately tried to move back: "I admit I lied just now. I missed you so much when you weren't here. Don't stick so close to me!"

“I know, you’ve never been able to fool me when you lie.” His tone and expression were remarkably calm, a realization that only made Yan Dan more distraught: “Yu Mo, you’ll catch a cold like this. Here, put on a coat…”

"It's already past the summer solstice."

Yan Dan took a deep breath and finally managed to say everything she wanted to say in one breath: "Yu Mo, have you ever thought about how I am a lotus and you are a nine-finned creature? What kind of monster will emerge if this continues?"

Yu Mo paused only for a moment, then continued nonchalantly: "What does it matter? At worst, you'll be like me, I won't mind."

Yan Dan suddenly realized that her thoughts and Yu Mo's were so, so different...

As he bent down, Yan Dan angrily grabbed his shoulder, leaving a red mark. Yu Mo grunted, his brows furrowing slightly. His dark, deep eyes gazed at her, clear as glass, reflecting her image, and only her image.

As evening approached, Zi Lin returned.

Yan Dan felt that Zi Lin had finally lived up to his true form, as he was actually a whole day slower than Yu Mo.

Perhaps because of Yu Mo, Zi Lin noticed that she didn't show the same disgust as before, and even casually asked, "Yu Mo is back first, right?"

Yan Dan casually replied, "Yes, I came back last night."

Zi Lin was taken aback: "Last night?" He paused, then suddenly realized: "Yes, if it was last night, he could have flown back using magic without stopping for a moment. Is he paralyzed there and unable to get up now?"

Yan Dan couldn't help but wonder if he was in such a hurry to come back because of her casual remark, "Come back soon"? Their demonic arts are greatly restricted and cannot be used for extended periods of time, otherwise it will damage their cultivation.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Zi Lin said earnestly, "Although I don't know what Yu Mo likes about you, he is sincere. You will know in time."

Yan Dan hummed in agreement and smiled, "Zilin, how about I teach you a way to win Linlang's heart? If there are fireworks on Qixi Festival, Linlang will definitely like them."

Zi Lin walked away happily.

Yan Dan calculated the days; the day after tomorrow was Qixi Festival. Although it was an annual festival in the mortal world, it seemed to have become very important these days.

Yu Mo is such a gentle and refined man. Although he appears calm and indifferent on the surface, he also gets upset and thinks a lot inside. He handles everything with meticulous care and attention. A man like this would be perfect to bring home.

On the day of Qixi Festival, it was a bright and sunny day. It wasn't until nightfall that the night breeze gradually became cool.

Yan Dan stood in the courtyard, holding a bowl of chilled white fungus and red date soup with raisins in her hands. It tasted sweet and sour.

The sky suddenly brightened, and large plumes of fireworks rose one after another into the air, leaving long tails in the night, dazzling and beautiful, almost making the night as bright as day.

Standing beneath the fireworks, Yu Mo suddenly whispered, "Yan Dan."

Yan Dan turned her head and looked at his face, which was slightly illuminated by the fireworks, his dark and deep eyes quietly watching her. Actually, Yu Mo's appearance was very gentle; when he smiled, he only seemed tender, but on ordinary days, he also looked very handsome.

"I still owe you an answer: I like you," he said.

Yan Dan smiled at him. No matter how beautiful the fireworks were, everyone could watch them together. But only she heard these words.

Their fingers were intertwined. Yan Dan stood side by side with him, looking up at the bright fireworks filling the sky, so magnificent, so dazzling, like a radiant glow spread out with life itself.

“Now that it’s getting warmer, you’ll probably need it.” Yu Mo turned his head to look at her.

Yan Dan took the item he handed her. It was a round fan with lotus flowers and fish painted on its surface. The brushstrokes were lively and lifelike.

Zi Lin and Lin Lang were standing hand in hand on the mountain. Dan Shu was still guarding his precious peach tree. The little fox felt that Dan Shu was ignoring it and got jealous. The little tiger secretly stole a peach that had fallen to the ground, curled up into a ball of fur, hugged the peach, and rolled away.

A large firework burst open in the sky with a bang, suddenly brightening the sky.

Yan Dan glanced at the painting on the fan and noticed a line of small characters written next to it. She had seen Yu Mo's writing before and recognized that these characters were written by him: "The painting reflects your feelings, as if we were meeting."

The painting reflects your image as if we were meeting in person.

Yan Dan brushed the fan across her face, turned to him and smiled: "It's so hot this summer, of course we'll need it."