Chapter 46: Cowardice

Time flies so fast, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is almost here.

The entire Ping'an Town attaches great importance to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Many people here come from other places.

I miss my family more during the holidays!

Over time, the Mid-Autumn Festival here is celebrated more grandly than the Spring Festival.

I heard there will be a lantern show at night.

"Ah Luo, I will make bamboo lamps and you can help me write on paper. When we sell the lamps, I will split the profits with you 50-50, okay?"

Pei Luoshu raised the corners of his mouth.

"I'll just write it for you, why do you have to give me 50%?"

"Of course I have to pay for it. Ink is expensive, and your handwriting is even more expensive. I'm still getting the better deal with five cents."

Pei Luoshu was very happy to hear Chen Shiyi's praise.

She has been very busy recently. During the day, she sells cakes on Changning Street. At night, she goes back to make bamboo lanterns, and Wen Zhiyuan is there to help.

"Are these lanterns for sale during the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"Well, make about thirty of them. Hang them in five rows, with six in each row. Paste them with different colored papers and have someone write words on them. They will be exquisite and beautiful. People with money should be able to appreciate them."

Wen Zhiyuan nodded in agreement.

"Aren't you going to be back very late tonight?"

Chen Shiyi thought about it.

"Will Fengming Mine be closed on Mid-Autumn Festival?"

Wen Zhiyuan shook his head to indicate that he was not sure.

"If you take a day off, let's go to see the lanterns together on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. I heard that the town is very lively and everyone around will come."

"Then let's go together!"

Behind him was Wen Zhiheng, who had been elusive recently.

Even though Wen Zhiheng promised Chen Shiyi that night to return her bond, she still felt uneasy, as she always felt that this young master would not give her freedom so easily.

Therefore, she has been very careful recently, not daring to provoke him, and afraid to provoke him again. If he really forces himself on her, then...

"hiss…"

Chen Shiyi was distracted and accidentally cut his hand, and blood came out.

"Stop it."

Wen Zhiheng grabbed Chen Shiyi's hand, looked at it carefully, and hurried to his room to get medicine and a towel.

He wrapped it very attentively, meticulously, as if the pain would become more severe if he wasn't careful.

Wen Zhiyuan, who was standing nearby, saw this and slipped away quietly.

Wen Zhiheng said softly.

"Eleven, you have so many ropes in your hands. You are suffering."

"It's good to have more coils, so you don't get hurt easily when working, and you don't get pain from the wear."

Wen Zhiheng recalled that in the various banquets in the past, the ladies of various families would compete with each other to see whose nails were painted better and whose hands were more beautifully maintained. No one did not like her hands to be moist and smooth.

But she said that the hand with the rope was better.

After bandaging the wound, he raised his eyes and looked at Chen Shiyi, which made Chen Shiyi feel at a loss.

Her eyes are so beautiful, watery, bright and sparkling.

"Which street are you on?"

"Changning Street."

"Okay, then you wait for us at Changning Street."

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Ping'an Town is really very lively. There are crowds of people everywhere, the lights are as bright as day, and the shops on the street are open to greet customers. There are all kinds of entertainment, such as juggling, singing, and pot throwing...

Chen Shiyi hung a few ropes between two camphor trees and hung all the finished bamboo lanterns on them.

Pei Luoshu helped from the side.

He looked at the various bamboo lanterns and was amazed at how many things Chen Shiyi had.

Chen Shiyi said with a smile.

“I loved knitting when I was a kid, but this was made by my second youngest grandfather and I. He loves to tinker with these crafts and he does them really well.”

Pei Luoshu pointed at the bamboo lamp and asked.

“Which is your favorite?”

Chen Shiyi pointed at the round light.

"I like this one. It's round and looks like a copper coin."

Pei Luoshu couldn't help laughing.

"You really are a money-lover."

After saying this, he took down the round bamboo lantern.

Chen Shiyi looked at him puzzled.

"I'm your first customer, and I want to buy this lamp."

After saying this, Pei Luoshu was about to give the copper money to Chen Shiyi.

Chen Shiyi quickly stopped him.

"If you want it, just keep it. Why pay me?"

Pei Luoshu did not answer, but insisted on giving it.

"This is a gift for someone else. You have to pay for it yourself."

Pei Luoshu's handwriting was particularly beautiful. The bamboo lamps emitted a dim yellow light, which was set off by the colorful paper. Adding to the powerful atmosphere of the text, the bamboo lamps suddenly seemed expensive.

The night market was getting more and more lively. After Chen Shiyi sold a few lamps, the talents from the Marquis' Mansion arrived late.

"elder sister…"

Rui'er rushed straight towards Chen Shiyi.

Behind them, Madam Wen was supported by Wen Zhirou, the Second Young Master's wife and Wen Zhiyuan walked together, and Wen Zhiheng walked alone to the side, carefully examining the hanging bamboo lanterns.

Chen Shiyi picked up Rui'er and gave him a bamboo lantern in the shape of a little rabbit.

"Do you like it?"

Ruier kissed Chen Shiyi on the face.

“I like bunnies very much.”

Wen Zhirou saw that it was very lively in front, so she quickly asked everyone to go and play together.

Everyone stayed in the courtyard the whole time and never went out, and they were very much attracted by the unique bustle here.

Chen Shiyi hurriedly advised.

"Go play now."

Wen Zhiheng stayed and watched Chen Shiyi greet the guests with a smile on his face.

He took a chair and sat in an empty place, looking around sharply. When he saw Pei Luoshu, his gaze paused.

He approached Chen Shiyi with a gentle expression.

"Eleven, who wrote the words on your bamboo lamp?"

Chen Shiyi replied hurriedly.

"It's Mr. Pei. His handwriting is very good."

Wen Zhiheng pursed his lips, feeling a little depressed.

"My handwriting is also good, why didn't you let me write?"

Chen Shiyi said impatiently.

"You are busy all day and you are nowhere to be seen. How can you have the time to write this for me? Go and have fun and don't disturb me from selling bamboo lanterns."

Wen Zhiheng felt very unhappy when he heard Chen Shiyi's words of disapproval.

Wen Zhirou came back somehow and pulled Wen Zhiheng's sleeve.

"Brother, come on, come with us. There are too many people ahead and we're afraid we'll get separated."

Wen Zhiheng staggered a few steps and turned around to speak to Chen Shiyi.

"Wait for us to go back together."

Pei Luoshu watched quietly from the side.

When Wen Zhiheng appeared beside Chen Shiyi, his dignified demeanor made people dare not ignore him. With his tall stature and handsome face, he was one of the most talented people in Daye.

He looked at himself: he was poor, ugly, and thin. He was nothing like the young master that Chen Shiyi described.

Just based on these external factors, he has already lost.

Moreover, the way he looked at Chen Shiyi was so tender, so deep, so determined, and the hostility, dominance, and possessiveness that stayed on himself while he sharply scanned the surroundings were really hard to ignore.

With a person like this falling for Chen Shiyi, is there still hope for her to be redeemed?

He sighed deeply, and a feeling of cowardice suddenly rose in his heart.