Chapter 142 Kiss, Miss, Don't Leave Me. Don't Go. ...
Zuo Xulin: "It didn't take long."
The two walked side by side into the depths of Qin Street. Yue Yining glanced at the person beside her. Zuo Xulin had a cold face and seemed no different from usual, but upon closer inspection, his lips were straight, his body was stiff, and he even walked with a slight limp, revealing an obvious sense of unease.
Zuo Xulin was indeed flustered. The two walked in silence. He knew he should say something, but couldn't find a topic. Just as he was racking his brains, Yue Yining suddenly spoke up: "Lord Zuo, shall we go and guess some riddles?"
Zuo Xulin paused, turned his head to look at her, and his gaze unexpectedly met her smiling and gentle eyes.
The streets were filled with colorful silk banners and elegant attire, but Yue Yining was dressed only in a blue robe and white gown. She walked amidst the brightly lit streets, exuding a gentle and pure aura that seemed out of place with the bustling crowd.
Zuo Xulin didn't have time to think much before he subconsciously agreed to her suggestion: "Okay."
The shouts, laughter, and music blended into a bustling cacophony, yet a subtle tranquility flowed between the two people walking side by side. The deeper into the market, the brighter the lanterns became. Lanterns of all colors hung like stars, depicting scenes of Chang'e flying to the moon and auspicious beasts, all lifelike, their glow reflecting the festive joy on the faces of the visitors.
As she walked, Yue Yining suddenly stopped in front of a lantern riddle stall that was surrounded by a crowd. Looking at the lotus lanterns hanging all over the ceiling, their buds about to bloom, her eyes shone even brighter under the dazzling lights: "The lotus lanterns here look nice, and the designs are quite unique."
"What does Lord Zuo think?"
Zuo Xulin was already slightly disturbed by the surging crowd and dazzling lights, and her sudden approach and question made him catch his breath. He immediately straightened his already stiff back, tightened his jaw, and stared straight at the riddle in front of him, not daring to look away for a moment: "...Not bad."
The stall owner, a capable-looking middle-aged man, noticed their distinguished bearing and greeted them warmly: "Esteemed gentlemen, guess the riddles for a prize! Each lantern costs ten coins, and each lantern has a different riddle. If you guess correctly, the lotus lantern is yours!"
Yue Yining nodded and pointed to a red lotus lantern hanging in the corner. "Excuse me, boss, I'd like to take a look at this one."
"Okay!"
The stall owner brought out the lotus lantern, and Yue Yining leaned closer to look at it. Her gaze swept over the hanging riddle, and she read it aloud softly: "Neither above nor below, neither above nor below, it is better to be below than above. Guess the Chinese character."
Zuo Xulin also stared intently at the text. His brows furrowed slightly as usual, his eyes focused, with only the line of ink characters in front of him. His fingers unconsciously tapped at his side, as if calculating the strokes.
Yue Yining only glanced at it for a few breaths before withdrawing her gaze.
She had already guessed the answer. If you remove the top horizontal stroke from the character “上” and the bottom horizontal stroke from the character “下”, then you get the character “一”. “不可在上” means that you cannot add strokes at the top, while “且宜在下” means that you can add strokes at the bottom, which also fits the characteristic of “一” as a basic stroke.
She stopped looking at the riddle and instead focused her gaze on Zuo Xulin's profile. The lamplight outlined his sharply defined features and clearly reflected his slightly furrowed brow and thoughtful gaze.
Yue Yining paused, intending to reveal the answer, but then swallowed the words back.
Even someone as composed as Zuo Xulin felt a slight tension while solving the riddle. Fortunately, the riddle wasn't too difficult, and after a while, the confusing lines in his mind finally came together. He found the answer and almost blurted it out: "The answer to this riddle is 'one'."
As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to realize that his response had been too hasty. He immediately tightened his face and resumed his usual cold and stern demeanor. However, the blush that had crept up from his ears to his cheekbones under the light was no longer concealed.
The stall owner's surprised and loud voice rang out: "Wow! This young man solves the riddles so quickly! His mind is so sharp, truly remarkable!"
Zuo Xulin gave a reluctant reply, then turned to look at Yue Yining, only to see her looking at him with bright eyes: "Lord Zuo is truly quick-witted."
Zuo Xulin was flustered by her praise, and the small joy he had just felt from solving the mystery was instantly replaced by immense embarrassment.
He felt his face getting even hotter, and his neck felt hot as well.
He cleared his throat, trying to hide his unease. He glanced quickly at Yue Yining and then looked away, his gaze landing on the lamp beside him. His voice was low and slightly stuttering: "...You flatter me, Lord Yue."
Yue Yining took in his forced composure, her smile deepening, but she didn't point out his embarrassment.
The stall owner chuckled and handed the red lotus lantern to Zuo Xulin, "Here you go! Young man, take this!"
Yue Yining saw him take the lantern and was about to say, "Let's walk a little further," when she saw Zuo Xulin turn around, face her, and hand her the red lotus lantern.
Yue Yining was taken aback and looked up at him: "What does this mean?"
Zuo Xulin said in a low voice, "This is for you."
"But Lord Zuo paid for this lantern, and he also solved the riddle. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to take it?"
Zuo Xulin shook his head: "It's alright."
"You prefer this one. Take it."
Yue Yining looked at him: "Does this mean it's for me?"
Zuo Xulin's earlobes turned bright red, and he dared not look directly at her. "...Hmm."
Behind him was a sea of lights and a vast expanse of shimmering water.
Yue Yining's smile deepened. She reached out and took the red lotus lantern, then smiled at Zuo Xulin who was looking over, "Then I thank Lord Zuo for his generosity."
The two continued walking forward, unaware that a silver figure had blended into the crowd of pedestrians and was closely following them.
On the rooftop restaurant, a handsome young man in a black brocade robe stood by the railing, his eyelashes drooping, quietly gazing at the bustling scene and the talented men and beautiful women below.
Huang Qiu stood guard beside Xie Qingyu, more nervous than usual. Yin Yi was not there, and it had been a long time since he had escorted Xie Qingyu out alone; this was the first time this year.
Moreover, Xie Qingyu's complexion had been terrible these past two days, and he exuded a heavy, dangerous aura. Huang Qiu couldn't help but wonder what had happened; he hadn't seen him like this even when his father died.
This was a small restaurant with few customers. The waiter noticed that the two men had been looking at the scenery without ordering any food or drinks after going upstairs, and he began to wonder. Finally, he couldn't stand it any longer and approached them with a smile, saying, "Gentlemen, would you like to order some food first? The kitchen takes a long time to prepare dishes, so if you order now, you can eat after you finish enjoying the view. Don't go hungry."
Huang Qiu glared at him, his face instantly darkening. Had this waiter gone mad? Didn't he have any sense of propriety? How dare he come over at this time!
The waiter, oblivious to their lack of interest, continued his rambling: "If you two gentlemen aren't hungry, you can order a couple of jars of wine. If you haven't decided what to drink, I'll shamelessly recommend our homemade 'Wenxiangyu,' a famous brand you can't find anywhere else! The preparation is meticulous, using glutinous rice, osmanthus, and a few mountain fruits in a secret brewing method. It's incredibly smooth and sweet, like honey water, and everyone who's tried it raves about it!"
Huang Qiu was already screaming in his mind. He was about to glare at the person and drive them away when he heard Xie Qingyu speak up, her voice calm: "This one will do. Three jars, please."
Huang Qiu's eyes widened. Didn't his eldest son dislike drinking?
The waiter immediately beamed and bowed, saying, "Understood, I'll bring you wine right away!"
Huang Qiu was completely baffled, but he didn't dare to ask. He could only stand there obediently, glancing occasionally at Xie Qingyu's silhouette as she looked at the streetlights.
Yue Yining and Zuo Xulin browsed through several more lantern riddle stalls, venturing deeper and deeper into the area, eventually reaching the Hundred Arts Street by following the flow of people. This street connected the various lantern districts, with acrobatic performances, puppet shows, and illusion shows on both sides, complete with flower-adorned trees, exorcism parades, and cheers.
Realizing the crowd was getting denser and more crowded, Zuo Xulin tensed up, keeping an eye on Yue Yining beside him, ready to reach out and shield her from oncoming people at any moment.
Unexpectedly, his sleeve was suddenly tugged gently.
Zuo Xulin paused for a moment, then looked down and saw Yue Yining staring at him intently. “Lord Zuo, there are too many people here. Let’s go somewhere less crowded.”
“Walking side by side is a bit tiring, so why don’t I go ahead and you follow me?” Yue Yining said, having already taken a few steps forward. When she turned around, she looked at him with a smile, handing him the bright red lotus lantern in her hand, its tail swaying with red tassels. “Hold onto my lantern, and we won’t get separated.”
Zuo Xulin was dazzled by her smile. When he came to his senses, he realized that he had already done as she said, his large hand hooking the end of Zhu Sui's hair, while Yue Yining was facing away from him, leading him forward.
She was like a sharp knife; the surging crowd that met her would automatically cut in two and flow past her. Her figure was slender, with soft features, yet possessed an overwhelming power, and she didn't need anyone's protection.
The red lotus lantern between the two people swayed gently as it sailed along the vast and turbulent river, never overturning.
Zuo Xulin clenched his other hand into a fist inside his sleeve, as if that could ward off the inexplicable palpitation rising in his heart. He didn't understand what was wrong, only that this inexplicable anxiety seemed to have been haunting him all the way, ever since he saw Yue Yining alighting from his carriage at the market entrance.
"Master Zuo."
Before they knew it, the two had left the crowded area and arrived at a sparsely populated street.
Yue Yining looked at Zuo Xulin and blinked: "Are you tired? Why don't we find a place to rest and have a bowl of tea before we go?"
Zuo Xulin didn't feel tired, but he still agreed: "Okay."
The tea stall's oilcloth awning was set up on the street corner, with a few simple square tables and benches. A few passersby sat scattered around, and the air was filled with the slightly astringent aroma of coarse tea and the smell of charcoal fire.
Yue Yining led Zuo Xulin to sit down at a slightly secluded table.
She casually brushed the dust off the stool with the corner of her sleeve and gestured for Zuo Xulin to sit down. Zuo Xulin sat down, and he carefully placed the exquisite red lotus lamp on the corner of the table, its vermilion tassels dangling down.
"Two bowls of hot tea, please." Yue Yining said gently to the stall owner.
The tea was served quickly, the rough porcelain bowl filled with dark brown tea, steaming gently. Yue Yining picked up the bowl, feeling the warmth on her fingertips. She blew on it lightly, then looked up at Zuo Xulin, who sat opposite her as upright as a stone statue, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"To be honest, Lord Zuo, tonight is my first time visiting the Lantern Festival in Yanjing." Her voice was soft, breaking the silence. "I never knew that festivals in the capital were so lively."
“My hometown is in the south, far from Beijing. I had never seen such a bustling street when I was a child.”
Zuo Xulin paused slightly, only then remembering that Yue Yining was not from Yanjing and had only entered the capital as an official last year.
Thinking back on what I just said, I felt there was a hint of loneliness and envy in it.
Zuo Xulin hesitated for a moment, then stammered, "...Actually, this is only my second time here."
"I used to think that there were too many people and it wouldn't be fun to join in the fun."
Yue Yining's gaze fell on Zuo Xulin's face, and she said with a smile, "I think so too."
"Then, Lord Zuo, who did you come with when you first attended the Lantern Festival?"
“It’s with my family, my eldest brother, second sister and third sister.” When talking about his family, Zuo Xulin visibly relaxed and became more talkative. “That time, I was dragged here by my eldest brother. I didn’t like going out at that time.”
Yue Yining tapped the side of her cup, her smile faint, revealing nothing of her thoughts. She said softly, "The eldest brother of Lord Zuo is the Left Grand Secretary, isn't he? It seems you two brothers have had a very good relationship since childhood."
Zuo Xulin held the bowl, the tea slightly hot, soothing his palms and seemingly melting away some of his usual cold and hard exterior.
"……Um."
My gaze fell upon the deep darkness outside the shed, where lights outlined blurry silhouettes in the distance.
After a moment of silence, Zuo Xulin spoke, his voice low: "My father passed away early, and my mother was chronically ill and frail. My eldest brother took care of most of the household affairs. He is exactly ten years older than me. I was raised and disciplined by him since I was a child."
When Zuo Yingfeng was mentioned, Zuo Xulin's eyes revealed a respect that bordered on filial piety.
"My eldest brother was an upright and prudent man, selfless and devoted to public service. Because he came from a poor family, he was well aware of the hardships of the people. After entering officialdom, he worked tirelessly day and night, always thinking of the country and the people. When we were young, our family was poor. Every year on the Lantern Festival, my eldest brother would make a few simple lanterns for us brothers and take us to the street corner to watch the festivities. He always said that where the lights are bright, it is a sign of peace and prosperity on earth."
His words remained concise, yet they carried a warmth that spoke volumes, painting a picture of an honest, diligent, and caring elder brother.
As Yue Yining listened, she lowered her eyes to look at the tea leaves floating in the bowl. Her long eyelashes cast a light shadow under her eyes, concealing the complex light that flashed across them.
The Zuo Yingfeng described by Zuo Xulin was a pillar of the poor and a model of incorruptibility, completely different from the powerful minister she had secretly investigated who formed cliques, used the faction of poor families to suppress dissent, and even colluded with others to embezzle military funds and benefits.
If Zuo Xulin knew that his elder brother had long since changed beyond recognition, how would he feel?
She raised her eyes, her gaze still gentle and tender: "It seems that Lord Zuo and your brother have a deep friendship, which is truly enviable."
"The Grand Secretary is upright and virtuous, setting a good example for his family and the hope of the court and the people."
Zuo Xulin nodded: "You flatter me, Your Excellency."
Immediately afterwards, Yue Yining's tone shifted seemingly casually, carrying a hint of感慨 about the world, as if she were casually discussing her observations in the marketplace: "Talking about this matter with Lord Zuo reminded me of the old files and cases I went through a few days ago, and I couldn't help but feel a little sad. The officialdom is full of ups and downs, and people's hearts are fickle, which is truly lamentable, especially when relatives make mistakes. The choices that family members have to make are the most agonizing."
“Previously, the son of a prefect in the south seized farmland by force, which resulted in a death. After the incident, the prefect knew that his son was guilty, but because of his deep love for his son, he used his power to cover it up in every way, and even framed the victim... In the end, the father and son were both guilty and disgraced.”
Yue Yining paused, her tone tinged with regret, "Even earlier, there was a Minister Li who was known for his integrity. His younger brother used his name to extort bribes in the local area. Minister Li may not have known at first, but when the matter came to light, he was reluctant to stop it because of his brotherly affection and took a chance. He failed to investigate in time and was eventually implicated, ruining his reputation."
She listed these examples that seemed to have nothing to do with the Zuo family, but her gaze, like delicate spider silk, quietly lingered on Zuo Xulin's face.
On that usually aloof and stern face, the brows had unconsciously furrowed, and the lips were pressed tightly together, revealing a deep-seated disgust and contempt.
Yue Yining's eyes held a barely concealed probing look: "Lord Zuo, what do you think of what I've said?"
Zuo Xulin offered his answer: "The law cannot be wronged. If a close relative commits a crime, protecting him is condoning evil and harming one's own family. Only by upholding justice and fairness, making him realize his mistakes, and accepting punishment according to the law, can we truly protect him."
Yue Yining felt relieved, and a smile appeared in her eyes. "So that's what Lord Zuo was thinking. I understand."
The two chatted for a while, finished their tea, and left the tea stall, slowly walking towards the river.
The river was brightly lit, with lights flowing like a tapestry. People had gathered along the riverbank, releasing lanterns into the water. Countless lights flowed into the river, resembling a dazzling ribbon of light descending from the sky, or a fairyland on earth, or a Milky Way on the ground.
Yue Yining also bought a water lantern. It was her first time releasing one, so she wasn't very familiar with it. Her slender figure stood on the bank, glancing at the other children releasing their lanterns from time to time. When Zuo Xulin saw her looking around hesitantly, he slowly approached her and gently explained and guided her.
"This spot is suitable because the current is still slow. If the current were too strong, the lantern might be overturned and sink to the bottom, unable to float far. You must find a calm spot on the water, and do not throw it straight down or too close to the water."
"Slowly lower it until it touches the water, then gently push it forward."
Following his instructions, Yue Yining placed the water lantern into the river. As soon as she let go, the current pushed the tiny, bright light into the vast, boundless river of light, where they became one.
“It’s drifted far away.” Yue Yining’s voice carried a light and pure joy. She turned her head and smiled at Zuo Xulin, who was still standing stiffly to the side. The lamplight danced in her clear eyes. “Thank you for helping me, Lord Zuo. Otherwise, I’m afraid my first lamp would have sunk on the shore.”
Zuo Xulin's face suddenly flushed, and a blush instantly spread from his ears to his entire face, even tinging his eyes with a touch of crimson.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but found his throat was blocked, and he could only utter a short and indistinct syllable: "...Hmm."
What's wrong with him?
Zuo Xulin's heartbeat quickened uncontrollably, each beat more rapid than the last.
Under the bright lights and moonlight, with a beautiful woman beside him, he found himself somewhat afraid to look up at Yue Yining's expression.
He struggled internally for a while before mustering his courage and turning his head slightly to look at her.
Zuo Xulin was taken aback.
Yue Yining wasn't looking at him, nor at anyone around her.
She leaned against the wooden railing of the bridge, gazing at the end of the riverbank, the scattered lights reflecting in her eyes like shimmering water. At this moment, she was unusually quiet, not like someone admiring the moon by the railing, but more like a willow tree.
A myriad of strange and vibrant colors flickered in her eyes, indescribable and inexplicable. He tried to discern them and found that they resembled a lingering reluctance to part, or an endless longing.
But what is she reluctant to part with, and what is she longing for?
Zuo Xulin realized he couldn't understand. All he could do was stand aside, gazing at her profile in a daze.
On another bridge not far from the two, a familiar red figure was shouting on the shore; it was Xie Yunying.
Beside her sat Yuan Nanjie in a wheelchair, a young man as thin and gentle as moonlight. He looked at her with a helpless smile, and listened attentively as Xie Yunying turned her head to chatter happily with him.
As the night deepens in Jincheng, the jade-like waters reflect the colorful moon. Every year, joyous occasions unfold, lanterns gleam, and people gather under the full moon.
At this moment, the city of Yanjing was filled with joy and laughter, and everyone was enjoying the bustling night scene. However, in a carriage by the street, someone was drunk and sorrowful, his heart breaking.
Outside the car, the noise was deafening; inside, the atmosphere was heavy and still.
Huang Qiu sat at the front of the carriage, where a strong, heavy aroma of wine wafted faintly. He dared not make a sound, gripping the reins with one hand, while the crisp, clattering sounds of porcelain bowls and jade cups colliding filled his ears.
He seemed to have drunk too quickly; his breathing suddenly became louder, and the occasional noises subsided into silence.
The horse beneath him snorted and its mane whipped around.
Huang Qiu quickly tightened the rope, inwardly lamenting his predicament.
Yin Yi just returned and reported to Xie Qingyu what he had seen of the two of them traveling together. After listening, Xie Qingyu started drinking without saying a word and hasn't stopped since. He hasn't said anything about leaving or whether he wants anyone to continue following them; he's just staying here.
Fortunately, he was outside the car... I can't imagine how uncomfortable Brother Yin must have felt inside the car.
Yin Yi inside the car was indeed feeling extremely uncomfortable.
He wanted to leave after his report, but Xie Qingyu remained silent for a long time. He would only gesture for Yin Yi to pour him wine, then drink it slowly, one cup after another, as if it were water, seemingly lost in thought.
After an unknown amount of time, Yin Yi finally heard Xie Qingyu say something that seemed ambiguous.
His voice was extremely soft, like a wisp of smoke dissipating in the night: "...You tell me, if I am truly of noble character, gentle and kind..."
"Would that mean she wouldn't abandon me?"
Yin Yi didn't say anything, but he really wanted to say that you, old man, have also gained a lot of benefits from the people of Yue through your scheming, step-by-step, cunning and treacherous ways. Can you stop playing the victim here?
But just as he finished cursing his master in his heart, he heard a low, hoarse sob.
Yin Yi was stunned.
The once ruthless, decisive, and treacherous Xie Qingyu is now crying. His suppressed sobs seem to indicate that he knows he has no right to cry, but the sorrow in his heart is overwhelming, and his love is overflowing, so a raging flood comes and cannot be stopped from engulfing him.
Yin Yi dared not raise his head; his neck was stiff.
For the first time, he felt a strange stirring within his heart.
Before this, he had witnessed Yue Yining and Xie Qingyu together many times, delivered letters and gifts for Xie Qingyu, followed and monitored her, and even overheard Xie Qingyu's incoherent ramblings when no one was around, but he remained unmoved. Precisely because he knew that his master was a wicked and ruthless person, he never believed that Xie Qingyu truly loved Yue Yining.
For powerful scions like them, the tenderness and warmth they show to their lovers is merely a facade. Deep down, they can only be obedient and can never be disobeyed; they will never learn what respect is. If they ultimately fail to obtain what they desire, they will completely change their tune, forcibly taking the person and making them their own.
That's how it should be.
But this time, Xie Qingyu didn't fly into a rage, nor did he break off all pretense of civility. He didn't even smash things to vent his anger as he used to, nor did he ask him to plot against the other party, and he didn't dare to act pitiful in front of Yue Yining again.
He did that before because he knew it would work; it was a kind of arrogance born of favor. But now that favor has been clearly lost. Not only that, continuing to act willfully might only provoke her complete disgust and hatred.
Therefore, he dared not be presumptuous again, nor did he dare to take any chances.
Its loveliness remains undiminished, growing and spreading until it reaches the sky.
Not only could they not give up, they were completely devoted to each other.
Looking at Xie Qingyu, who was clearly in excruciating pain yet remained steadfast in his principles and suppressed his suffering, Yin Yi began to believe that Xie Qingyu truly loved the Yue Lord.
On the riverbank, Yue Yining and Zuo Xulin had finished releasing the water lanterns and were slowly walking back.
Yue Yining looked up at him and said, "I am very happy today, and I would like to thank Lord Zuo for inviting me out."
Looking into her gentle yet all-seeing gaze, Zuo Xulin felt his selfish desires were about to be exposed, so he looked away in a panic.
"……Um."
The two stood at the entrance of the market. Yue Yining looked at him and smiled, "Then I'll head back to my residence first."
"Master Zuo, see you tomorrow."
Zuo Xulin nodded and watched her get into the carriage.
Yue Yining returned to the carriage, sat down and closed her eyes to rest for a while. Just as she was about to tell the driver to get going, she noticed that the maid Nonghe, who was guarding the carriage, was looking at her with a hesitant expression.
Yue Yining paused, "What's wrong?"
“…Lord Yue, a silver-clad guard just came by, claiming to be from the Xie family. He said… said he wanted to see you.” Nonghe looked conflicted. “I told him you went to the lantern market and didn’t know when you would be back, so he left.”
Yue Yining, who was initially a little tired, suddenly became fully awake.
She sat up. "When did this happen?"
"Just now, you came back not long after he left. If I had known, I would have stopped him and made him wait here a little longer..."
Yue Yining listened with a slight frown. At the same time, a deep voice suddenly came from outside the curtain: "Lord Yue."
She looked up abruptly, and the voice immediately followed, "This humble servant, Yin Yi, requests an audience with the Lord of Yue."
Yue Yining lifted the carriage curtain, and standing outside was a man dressed in silver with an ordinary face—it was indeed Yin Yi. She had seen this man many times before; at the Xie residence, she remembered him as Xie Qingyu's personal bodyguard.
Yue Yining had a bad feeling. "Why is the Silver Guard here? Has something happened?"
Yin Yi lowered his head and said, "Yes. The eldest young master has gone missing, and the guards accompanying the Xie family are searching for him everywhere."
Yue Yining was stunned and exclaimed, "Missing?!"
"How could he suddenly disappear? Did he also come to the lantern festival today?"
“Yes. The young master was in a bad mood today and came out alone to clear his mind, but he has been drinking in the carriage the whole time. Just now he told the servant that he was going to get out of the carriage to get some fresh air, but the servant was not paying attention and he disappeared. I don’t know where he went.” Yin Yi said, “I wasn’t there at the time. I came after hearing the news and searched the vicinity, but I couldn’t find him.”
"I meant no harm to disturb your enjoyment, Your Excellency. I merely wish to ask if Your Excellency has encountered the eldest son on the road?"
Yue Yining was stunned: "...No. I haven't seen him today."
"Understood." Yin Yi nodded. "I apologize for disturbing you, sir. I shall take my leave."
"etc!"
Yue Yining called out to him, stepped off the carriage, and frowned.
"Tell me where he left from, and what color and style of clothes he was wearing. I will have my maids and guards help you find him."
The lights shimmered overhead, like an ever-flowing river.
Yue Yining stepped into the bustling streets again, but her mood was completely different.
She didn't know why she was so anxious at that moment.
Is it worry? Judging from Yin Yi's description, he must be drunk. A drunkard wandering around in the freezing cold, what if he collapses in some corner and can't be found for a long time? He might freeze to death.
Is she angry? Is she angry that he never cherishes himself, disregards his own safety, and acts recklessly without any sense of propriety, making her worry about him so much? Or is she angry that she herself can't hold back her temper and can't help but feel heartache and anxiety whenever she hears him behaving himself?
Her pace quickened, the wind whistled past her ears, lifting the long hair at her temples, leaving the myriad streetlights behind.
After searching for an unknown amount of time, Yue Yining ran into Yin Yi again at a street corner. She quickly ran over to him, asking, "Have you found him?"
Yin Yi frowned and gently shook his head: "No."
Yue Yining's heart clenched again.
Where exactly did they go?
If he's still drunk when she finds him, she'll pinch his face to wake him up, then give him a good scolding. She will never forgive him easily.
As Yue Yining turned into an alley, a group of children ran out, laughing and joking, holding colorful paper windmills and red lanterns, their laughter echoing all around.
"Slow down, I'm scared!"
"The person who falls to the back is a complete fool!"
"A grown adult squatting by the wall crying, how shameless!"
Their hurried steps came to an abrupt halt because of those words spoken as they brushed past each other.
As Yue Yining and the other children ran past them, she immediately ran over and looked into the alley.
The man in the black brocade robe, his clothes slightly disheveled, was squatting by the wall, his face obscured. But Yue Yining recognized him from just that silhouette hidden in the darkness.
My heart, which had been pounding in my chest, suddenly returned to its normal position, and all the anger I felt found an outlet.
She strode over, her eyes blazing with anger.
"Xie Qingyu!"
"Are you crazy?! Do you know what you're doing?! Do you only feel satisfied when everyone is worried about you?!"
Yue Yining truly didn't care about etiquette at all. She reached out and grabbed his collar, trying to make him look up at her. "Don't stand there like an idiot, snap out of it! You..."
As the darkness lifted from his pale face, Yue Yining finally saw his face clearly, and the words she was about to say instantly stopped on her lips.
Xie Qingyu's face was covered in tears; she had cried countless times, and the corners of her eyes were red.
Sensing the unfamiliar presence and gaze, Xie Qingyu, whose mind was in a daze, seemed to realize something. Her long eyelashes, wet with water, opened, and her misty eyes looked at her.
In an instant, the chaotic clouds in his eyes dispersed, and a ray of light dispelled the gloom.
Yue Yining had already let go of her hand and taken a few steps back, but he stood up unsteadily, chased after her, and grabbed her wrists with both hands.
He looked at her, and the tears that had been welling up in his eyes began to fall again.
"Miss...Miss..." He grasped her hand, his fingers trembling as he touched his face, sobbing softly, "I'm sorry, I was wrong..."
"sorry……"
"But please... don't abandon me, okay..."
Yue Yining stared blankly at the person in front of her, her throat trembling unconsciously, but she couldn't make a sound for a moment.
Suddenly, Xie Qingyu reached out and grabbed her shoulder. As tears streamed down his face, he lowered his head.
Salty, fishy tears dripped onto her face, but were replaced by warm lips.
Yue Yining opened her eyes wide.
Bang.
Huge fireworks burst forth in the boundless sky overhead, like fiery trees and silver flowers, a magnificent spectacle. Children's exclamations of surprise echoed through the streets and alleys, and countless people looked up at the bright, boundless night sky, their eyes reflecting its dazzling brilliance.
A few stars fall like rain, and after the light of the moon falls, heavenly flowers fall.
In the dim light, two figures overlapped and embraced, their lips intertwined.
Yue Yining leaned against the wall, completely forgetting to push him away, until the person's lips left her and she gradually came back to her senses.
A very light, shallow kiss. The faint scent of alcohol mingled with the cool pine resin, and her nose was filled with his aroma.
After Xie Qingyu kissed her, he reached out and hugged her waist, almost pressing his whole body against her. Yue Yining, with her back against the wall, instinctively reached out and caught him when she saw him fall towards her.
The touch was hot, like hugging a heater as tall as a person.
Xie Qingyu leaned on her shoulder, her moist eyelashes trembling slightly, murmuring repeatedly, "...Miss."
"Miss...Miss..."
"Don't go."
The fireworks have faded, and the dark alley has returned to its tranquility.
Ke Yueyining looked up, holding the person in her arms, her expression blank, her heart churning with turmoil, unable to calm down for a long time.
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The author says: —Actually, I was tempted, but I was in a hurry to get on my way; I had more important things to do.
This is Ningning's mindset. She knows she has no future and doesn't want to be swayed, so she keeps avoiding thinking about Xie Qingyu. It's also a form of self-absorption and protection.
But the headstrong Yu Yu will pull her to confront her feelings.
More details will follow later. They won't be together so soon; the confession chapter will have to go through several more plot points.
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