When Bonds Take Root
Over the next few days, while Bai made sure that Yiyong got enough rest and was taken care of, her mixed feelings of gratitude and guilt prompted her to take the initiative to help out in the Butterfly House.
At first, it was just small things. She would get up early, before the other members of the "Hidden" team could, to gather everyone's spare uniforms and wash them carefully, especially those stained with blood and dust. She would scrub them with extra patience, then hang them out to dry in the sunny courtyard. When she saw the tattered uniform of Wind Pillar Fuzugawa Minami, she quietly took out her needle and thread and meticulously patched up the several larger tears.
She also took the initiative to take on the delivery work. When she learned that Koihashira Kanroji Mitsuri particularly liked sakuramochi and hagi mochi, she asked the chef at Butterfly House to make her a soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet hagi mochi.
"Wow! So delicious! Bai, you're amazing!" Mitsuri's eyes lit up. While eating happily, she enthusiastically took Bai's hand and said, "Can we eat snacks and train together often in the future? Your hair color is so beautiful, just like moonlight!"
Bai was a little overwhelmed by Mitsuri's unreserved enthusiasm and praise, but a warm feeling welled up in her heart. She gently shook her hand and nodded. From then on, she had her first female friend of the same age.
When delivering the washed team uniforms to Shimi, the Wind Pillar, who always had a ferocious expression, just glanced at the neat stitches at the mending area, then looked at Bai's somewhat nervous expression, snorted with an ambiguous meaning, and said stiffly: "...meddling." But every time he saw Bai after that, although he still had a bad face, he was no longer full of scrutiny and rejection like at the beginning. It was like he acknowledged her existence in an extremely awkward way.
Whenever the Flame Pillar Rengoku Kyojuro saw Shiro busy at work, he would give a loud and sincere compliment: "Hmm! Shiro! You are so hardworking and helpful! You have an amazing spirit!" That infectious laughter could always dispel some of the haze in Shiro's heart.
And the Rock Pillar, Gyoumei Hiram, the compassionate strong man who always sheds tears, once, after Bai silently changed the bandage of an injured team member, he put his hands together and said in his deep and low voice: "Amitabha... Be compassionate in your heart and practice it... You have a pure and kind soul... Tomioka is lucky to have you by his side..." These words were heavy and powerful, which moved Bai deeply.
As for Shinobu Kocho, she took Shiro's efforts in stride. She no longer mentioned the "couple" banter that day, nor did she question Shiro's intimate details. However, when Shiro helped her prepare herbs or changed the dressings on the wounded, she would give him a knowing, slightly gratified look, occasionally whispering, "Thank you for your hard work, Shiro." Those eyes and words seemed to say: I understand your feelings, and I accept your presence.
All of this was silently observed by Yiyong, who lay recuperating on his sickbed. He watched Bai, who had always seemed a little uneasy and distant, gradually become busy and fulfilled. He saw the faint smile on her face as she shared a snack with Mitsuri, saw Shiya's awkward but no longer repulsive attitude, saw Rengoku and Xingming's sincere praise for her... He knew that Bai was, in her own way, gradually integrating into this world that had once been full of unknowns and dangers, and gradually establishing new bonds with her.
When night fell, Bai returned to his bedside to rest. Although his face was tired, his dark eyes flashed with an unprecedented bright and soft light.
"Everyone... is a very good person." She whispered to Yiyong, with a hint of relief in her tone.
Yiyong looked at her and nodded slightly, a subtle softness and reassurance flashing across his deep blue eyes. His girl was gradually stepping out of the shadows and into the sunlight. And he would always be here, watching over her every step.
The summer evening breeze brought a rare coolness, dispelling the day's oppressive heat. Thanks to Diewu's meticulous care, Yiyong's injuries had nearly healed. Though the long scar on his chest was still noticeable, at least he was able to move freely. Meanwhile, the annual Summer Festival fireworks display was about to begin, and the town was already festooned with lights and colors, a joyous atmosphere permeating the air.
"Fireworks show?" When Shinobu Kocho heard Bai's suggestion, she skillfully sorted the herbs while showing a slightly apologetic smile, "It's a very tempting invitation, but unfortunately, I still have a lot of things to deal with in the Butterfly House, and I really can't spare the time. You young people should have fun." Her eyes moved between Bai and Giyuu, with a hint of tacit mischief.
Kanroji Mitsuri's eyes immediately lit up, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Fireworks display! That's great! Let's go together, Shiro!" But then she became shy again, twirling her fingers through her pink-green hair, her voice trailing off. "Um... can I... ask Mr. Iguro to come along?"
Finally, with Shinobu Kocho joking, "Have fun, especially Mr. Tomioka, you should seize the opportunity," the two couples set off together. Mitsuri and Iguro Obanai walked together. Iguro, as always, covered the lower half of his face with a bandage and remained silent, but his heterochromatic eyes were always focused on Mitsuri, who was chattering excitedly beside him.
The closer we got to the hillside where the festival was being held, the more crowded the crowds grew. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes hung on both sides of the road. The cries of vendors, the chatter of tourists, and the aroma of various snacks blended together, weaving a vibrant and bustling summer scene. It was Bai's first time experiencing such a lively yet peaceful scene. She nervously followed Giyuu, her dark eyes curiously surveying everything around her.
"Follow me closely." Yiyong whispered, subconsciously turning sideways to block the crowded flow of people for her.
However, there were simply too many people. A surge of people surged in front of a mask stall, instantly separating them from Mitsuri and Iguro. Shiro instinctively grasped the hem of Giyu's haori, and Giyu immediately grabbed her wrist, shielding her against his side.
"They're gone..." Bai looked around worriedly.
"Iguro will take good care of Ganlu Temple." Giyuu's tone was calm, and he didn't seem worried. "Let's go our way."
Without her companions, Bai relaxed a bit. She lost her restraint and began to truly immerse herself in the atmosphere of the festival. She paused at a stall selling wind chimes, her fingers gently brushing against the delicately crafted glass bells, which produced a crisp tinkling sound. She also spent a long time at a goldfish scooping stall, watching the children excitedly holding up torn paper nets and laughing heartily.
Then, her eyes were drawn to a stall selling candy apples. The translucent red icing shimmered enticingly in the lantern light, like giant, sweet rubies. She simply watched, silent, but the longing in her eyes was unmistakable.
Yiyong noticed her gaze. He walked silently to the stall, took out his money and bought the biggest and most beautiful apple candy, then turned around and handed it to Bai.
"for you."
Bai's eyes widened in surprise, and a smile of surprise instantly spread across his face. That smile was brighter than all the lanterns around him. "Thank you, Senior Yiyong!"
She carefully took the candy apple, licking it gently with the tip of her tongue as if it were a treasure. The sweet taste melted in her mouth, causing her to close her eyes in happiness. Seeing her childish appearance, a faint smile flashed in Yiyong's deep blue eyes.
"Let's go over there." Bai pointed to a relatively quiet rooftop not far away with a wide view. It was the rooftop of a small, abandoned shrine on the edge of town, and it took some skill to get up there.
Yiyong nodded. The two of them easily avoided the crowds, and with a few gentle leaps and bounds, they reached the rooftop silently. The view from here was indeed excellent, overlooking the entire illuminated festival grounds. In the distance, floating on the flowing river were tiny prayer lanterns, like a starry sky falling down to earth.
The night breeze rustled their hair. Shiro sat on the rooftop, nibbling on a candy apple, while Giyuu sat quietly beside her. The clamor below seemed cut off, and above the rooftop, there were only the two of them and the tranquil starry sky.
“Swoosh—bang!”
The first firework launched without warning, exploding with a bang in the deep night sky. Giant golden chrysanthemums filled the sky, instantly illuminating the earth and Bai's upturned face. Immediately afterwards, more fireworks rushed into the sky, a dazzling array of colors and shapes, like the most brilliant dream, decorating the night sky with incomparable splendor.
The roar was endless, and the light flickered on Bai's face. Her dark pupils reflected this fleeting beautiful scene, full of amazement and intoxication.
"It's so beautiful..." she murmured, her voice barely audible over the roar of the fireworks, yet clearly reaching Yiyong's ears. There was a subtle hint of sadness in her tone, "I hope... this moment can last forever."
Such a peaceful, warm and happy moment is too precious to her, so precious that she is afraid of losing it.
The moment she finished speaking, a warm and slightly calloused hand firmly and gently covered her hand on the roof tile, completely wrapping her hand.
Bai shuddered and turned sharply to look at Giyu.
Fireworks continued to explode above their heads, the brilliant light softening his usually stern profile. He didn't look at her, still gazing up at the sky, but the strength of his grip on her hand was unmistakable.
Then, he turned his head, his blue eyes, like the deepest lake water, staring at her clearly and intently under the reflection of the fireworks. His voice was steady and low, but with a decisive force that penetrated the roar of the fireworks:
"Every moment together is eternal."
Time seems to stand still at this moment.
Bai's breathing stopped, but her heart was beating wildly, almost bursting out of her chest. She looked at her reflection in Yiyong's eyes, saw him express his emotions so openly, saw him hold her hand tightly... All the noise faded away, and only his words and the warmth of his palm remained in the world.
She did not pull her hand back, but instead carefully turned her palm over and interlocked her fingers with his.
She didn't say anything else, but just leaned her head gently on his shoulder. Yiyong's body stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed, allowing her to lean on him.
They sat side by side on the rooftop, hand in hand, their hearts brimming with emotion, their hearts etched with the feeling of eternal love, etched deeply into their souls.
The clamor of the festival gradually faded, the fireworks finally ended, and the night sky returned to silence, only a starry sky. When Bai and Giyuu returned to the Butterfly House hand in hand, Shinobu Kocho, who was waiting at the door, looked at their clasped hands and the faint blush on their faces that had not faded, and smiled a knowing and relieved smile. This time, she did not make any more jokes.
For some beautiful things, just watching silently is enough.
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