Chapter 343: The Last One, It’s Candied Haws
Spring goes and autumn comes, cold and heat alternate, and it is another Lantern Festival.
The wide Suzaku Street was bustling with people, laughing and talking.
The air is filled with the sweet and sticky aroma of Yuanxiao, mixed with the burnt aroma of sugar-roasted chestnuts and barbecued meat.
"Dad, Mom, let's go over there and guess the lantern riddles."
Not far ahead, Xingyue was waving at them excitedly.
She was holding a lifelike rabbit lantern, and the light from the lantern reflected her purple eyes, making her look like an elf walking out of a painting.
Nian An, who was following beside her, was a head taller than her sister, with an upright posture, and the calm features between his eyebrows and eyes were very similar to Xiao Yu when he was young.
He looked at his lively sister helplessly and warned her, "Run slower and be careful not to bump into anyone."
Having said that, he always followed closely to ensure that his sister was always within his protection.
"I know, I know, you nagging brother." Xingyue made a playful face, took Nian'an's hand and instantly merged into the lively crowd filled with lantern riddles.
Ajiu looked in the direction where the children disappeared, and the smile on the corner of her mouth was so gentle that it could melt a pool of spring water. "Nian'an is becoming more and more like you now." She whispered to Xiao Yu beside her.
"That girl is becoming more and more like you," Xiao Yu's gaze followed the children, his voice filled with doting, "especially her fearlessness and curiosity about all new things."
"I'm not afraid of anything," Ah Jiu retorted softly, "I used to be most afraid of thunder and the dark."
"Really?" Xiao Yu looked down at her, the smile in his eyes deepening. "But I remember there was a little girl who even dared to break into the base camp of the evil demons from outer space."
Jiu was speechless after hearing his words and could only gently scratch his palm as a protest.
The two walked aimlessly with the crowd.
Passing by a candy-blowing stall, Ajiu pulled Xiao Yu to stop and looked at the master with great interest as he blew out a crystal clear butterfly in one breath.
She looked at a little girl next to her who was holding a candy butterfly, her face full of happiness and satisfaction, and she started laughing too.
They came to a stone bridge.
The bridge is hung with countless love locks and red silk prayer ribbons, and under the bridge is a slowly flowing moat.
Countless people put lotus lanterns carrying their wishes into the river, and the candlelight gathered together and slowly floated away into the distance.
"It's so beautiful." Jiu leaned on the bridge railing and sighed sincerely.
"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Yu walked to her side and gently draped a coat over her shoulders.
"I was thinking," Ah Jiu turned around, his eyes reflecting the myriad lights on the river, "how wonderful it would be if our first meeting was also on a festival like this."
"That way," she tilted her head, imagining the scene, "we might end up like those people on the bridge. I'll be carrying a lantern and accidentally bump into you, and then will you help me win the biggest and most beautiful lantern?"
Xiao Yu listened to her fantasy quietly, his eyes more gentle than ever before.
He reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair from her temples behind her ear, then answered her in an extremely serious tone: "Yes."
"Not only will I help you win the biggest lantern," he said, looking into her eyes, "I'll also buy you a whole street of candied haws."
Ajiu's eyes suddenly curved into two beautiful crescents.
Just then, a familiar and somewhat teasing voice came from the side.
"Oh, I heard it right, didn't I? When did our regent prince, who is so detached from the mundane world, learn to speak such sweet words? It's really strange."
When they heard the sound, they looked and saw Chu Xuanyi leaning against a willow tree at the end of the bridge, holding a string of bright red candied haws in his hand.
He was still dressed in a free and unrestrained blue robe. His experience of traveling around the world over the years had made his eyebrows and eyes more weathered, but also made them more transparent and open-minded.
"Why are you here?" Xiao Yu raised his eyebrows, his tone full of disgust.
"What? You built this bridge, and you don't allow me to stand on it." Chu Xuanyi walked over leisurely, first replied to Xiao Yu in a bad mood, and then handed the string of candied haws to Ajiu like offering a treasure.
"Here, I brought this especially for you. It's from that old shop in the east of the city. I just passed by and had to wait in a long line before I could buy it."
"Thank you, sir." Jiu happily took it and took a big bite without hesitation. The sweet and sour taste immediately spread in his mouth.
Chu Xuanyi also laughed at her satisfied look, then looked at Xiao Yu and teased, "How is it? Are you used to the days of being an idle prince after retirement? Do you find it boring to deal with the daily necessities?"
"It's boring, but it's better than wandering around like this without even a home." Xiao Yu fought back bluntly.
"Who says I have no home?" Chu Xuanyi spread his hands. "The whole world is my home, the whole world is my abode, I have such a carefree life that you can't even envy."
Ajiu tasted one herself. The hawthorn coated with crystal sugar was sweet and sour. She squinted her eyes and brought the candied haws to Xiao Yu's lips.
Xiao Yu smiled and bit off one from her hand.
The three of them stood side by side on the bridge, watching the crowds of people surging before them and the dim lights, which were reflected in the flowing water under their feet and shattered into a floating golden light.
They chatted about trivial matters and let time flow quietly.
Unconsciously, the crowd on the bridge gradually dispersed and the noise subsided.
Ajiu raised his head and looked at the dark night sky.
The brilliant fireworks had ended, revealing the boundless universe that had once made her tremble and lost.
The stars are twinkling quietly in the distant sky.
At this moment, they are no longer cold symbols that bring destruction and the unknown, but gentle embellishments that weave this grand world.
An unprecedented sense of peace and fulfillment enveloped her like a warm current.
She gently rested her head on Xiao Yu's shoulder and let out a contented sigh, like a cat that had finally found its home.
"Brother Xiong Xiong, that's so nice."
This "It's so good" means that it is good that the world is peaceful, it is good that lovers are together, it is good that children are healthy, and it is good that close friends are reunited.
Thousands of words are integrated into these peaceful years, and this life is worth it.
Xiao Yu slowly closed his arms and held her deeper into his embrace, as if he wanted to embed her into his bones and blood.
He lowered his head and whispered gently in her ear:
"Well, it's great to have you here."
"I love you, Jiu."
"I love you too, Brother Xiongxiong."
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