Human World (IV)
The streets of Shenyue Town were in an uproar.
The lights on both sides of the long street are as bright as day, with lotus and hibiscus colored lanterns hanging high, and there are also towering mountains of lights with glittering lights, which make people's faces shine.
The loud shouts of the hawkers echoed one after another, and the aroma of snacks and melon flowers mixed with the sweet scent of cosmetics, steaming out the hot smell of the market.
He Shu was just about to excitedly plunge into the crowded crowd when someone gently grabbed his sleeve from behind.
"There are a lot of people on the street, be careful not to get lost."
Qingshan's gentle voice came from behind him. Before he could respond, another clear young voice sounded first:
"Sister Sang, has the world always been this lively?"
He Shu turned around when he heard the voice and saw Cang Jue trying hard to open his light gray eyes, looking around without any focus.
He clutched Sang Libing's purple sleeves tightly. The strange and lively atmosphere around him made him curious, but he couldn't help feeling panic.
"no."
Sang Li's face was as cold as ice, and he exuded an aura that kept strangers away, which invisibly separated the people who kept approaching from him.
She patted the back of Cangjue's hand soothingly:
"Because today is Qiqiao Festival."
Her tone still sounded cold, but with a hint of concern:
"If you don't adapt, I'll go back with you."
"Oh, who was it that insisted on coming out to see the world in the first place? Why are you scared now that you've only just arrived?"
He Shu couldn't help but move closer to Cang Jue who was huddled beside Sang Li, and made teasing remarks with his eyes curved.
Seeing the tips of the boy's fair ears suddenly turn red, the sly smile on his face could not be concealed.
"you!"
"alright."
Sang Li took a step forward to separate the two, turned to He Shu and Qing Shan, and suggested:
"You guys go shopping on your own. I'll take him to a restaurant to rest and have some refreshments."
Her eyes swept back and forth between the two people in front of her, and suddenly a faint smile with an ambiguous meaning appeared on the corner of her mouth.
"I wish you two...have a great time."
He Shu was frightened by this gaze, and felt uncomfortable all over. He subconsciously grabbed Qingshan's sleeve, turned around and squeezed into the crowd around him, muttering to himself:
"Tsk, you act like no one wants to be with you guys... I don't know how comfortable it is to just hang out with Qingshan!"
He was muttering to himself all the way, and when he came back to his senses, Sang Li and Cang Jue were no longer there.
"He's really gone..."
He scratched his head and looked away awkwardly.
"Master Cang has just arrived and is quiet, so it would be best if he could go to the restaurant to get used to it first."
Qingshan, who had been silent for a long time, spoke at the right time. He held Heshu's hand, which was still pulling his sleeve, and gently brought him closer.
"What do you want to see? I see..."
Before he could finish his words, he was stunned for a moment when the other person's long black braid brushed across his cheek when he turned around.
Today He Shu was wearing a snow-white suit, with his black hair tied up high, leaving only the back of his head facing the green mountains.
He twisted his body slightly, trying to break free from those strong hands, and stammered in an embarrassment:
"Let go..."
The low voice sounded like a threat, and also like a coquettish tone. Qingshan couldn't help but curl his lips. Instead of letting go, he held the hand that was wrapped in his palm even tighter, triggering a burst of exasperated accusations:
"How can you be so disrespectful and pushy in public?"
He Shu didn't expect him to be so bold. He widened his eyes in disbelief and turned around suddenly.
Just at this moment, a large ball of brilliant fire was sprayed out from the circus troupe nearby, accompanied by even louder cheers. The crowd surged and pushed him tighter into Qingshan's arms.
Forced to look up, I ran straight into a pair of smiling eyes with gentle features.
Suddenly someone tapped his forehead, and He Shu came back to his senses. He heard Qingshan say helplessly:
"Who almost knocked over someone's candy figurine stall just now? If we hadn't followed closely, who knows what kind of trouble we would have gotten into."
"No way! It's obvious that someone—"
He Shu subconsciously retorted, but before he could open his mouth to defend himself, Qingshan quickly stuffed a candied fruit into his mouth, blocking his way back.
"Yes, I was afraid of getting lost, so I asked Wuming to let me follow you closely..."
Qingshan readily took out the oil-paper bag from his arms, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
"If they really get lost, I'll have to trouble you to go back and look for them."
"...Xi, I'm tired now."
He Shu responded vaguely, took the bag of tangerine peel and bayberry, picked up another piece and put it in his mouth.
The bayberry flesh is dense and covered with a thin layer of icing sugar. The moment it is broken open, the spicy fragrance of the tangerine peel cleverly neutralizes the sour and sweet taste of the bayberry, and the taste is wonderful. He squinted his eyes in satisfaction.
"Hey, this is quite delicious, you should try it too."
He Shu picked up a piece of preserved plum covered with icing sugar with his fingertips and naturally handed it to Qingshan's lips.
When he saw that the other person's eyes were slightly deep and he didn't speak immediately, he realized that this was beyond the limit. He suddenly withdrew his hand, hurriedly threw the candied fruit back into the oil paper bag, and stuffed it back into Qingshan's arms.
His face flushed with anger, and his eyes deliberately wandered away, randomly pointing at the clay figurine stall opposite:
"Hurry, look at that! What a unique design!"
His voice was tense, and he was secretly annoyed with himself for being too impatient, but out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but glance at Qingshan.
He calmly picked up the piece of preserved plum, took a slow bite, and chewed it carefully. Noticing his gaze, he raised the corner of his lips and smiled.
"Yeah, it's very sweet."
He Shu turned his head abruptly, and almost walked to the clay figurine stall at the same time. He picked up a cute little figurine holding a koi fish, held it in front of his eyes, and deliberately commented loudly:
"Qingshan, look at the guy carrying the fish, his smile is so silly."
He changed the subject abruptly, but his eyes kept drifting back.
"I think this little guy has a lot of spirit with his curved eyebrows and eyes."
Qingshan followed slowly and stood beside him.
"No way, he's obviously stupid."
Heshu put down the fish-carrying doll and scanned the various clay figurines on the stall. Suddenly, his eyes stopped on a clay figurine in the corner that looked like it was holding a book.
"This one is also stupid..."
He expressed disgust, but his fingertips unconsciously touched the open clay book.
Qingshan looked over, a smile spreading across his eyes:
"So, in your eyes, there are no clever little clay dolls?"
He Shu's ears felt hot when he heard this, and he turned away:
"Just saying..."
Qingshan chuckled, picked up the two little clay dolls, and said to the cheerful stall owner:
"Uncle, I want this pair."
"Oh, okay!"
The stall owner responded and bandaged it up neatly. He Shu saw it and couldn't help but mutter:
"Why buy two..."
"One for you and one for me, naturally."
Qingshan handed the clay doll of the boy holding a book to Heshu, and put away the one holding the fish.
He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against hers:
"One reads, the other enjoys fishing. They make a perfect pair, don't they?"
He Shu held the cool, firm little clay doll in his palm, and the words he wanted to say in rebuttal rolled around on his tongue, but he swallowed them back in the end.
His heart felt like it was filled to the brim with something, and the sweetness of the candied fruit fermented together to create a richer flavor. He quietly tightened his fingers, holding the little clay doll firmly in his palm.
The crowd was getting bigger and bigger, so the two of them had to avoid the noisiest places and strolled to the riverside.
Here, the water gurgles, the lights flicker, and it is relatively quiet.
The surface of the river reflects countless lights and the brilliant starry sky, and the breeze blows, shattering them into sparkling golden light.
They sat down side by side on the stone steps beside the willow tree, enjoying a moment of tranquility.
"Qingshan, is that the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl?"
He Shu suddenly pointed to the sky, breaking the silence.
Qingshan looked in the direction of his finger. The Tianhe River was clearly visible, but he shook his head.
"My knowledge of the stars is limited."
"Hey, I heard they only meet once a year... that's so boring."
He Shu sighed softly, his eyelashes drooping, and there was a hint of imperceptible melancholy in his tone.
Suddenly he felt his shoulder sink, and he turned his head in surprise, only to see Qingshan leaning towards him without saying a word, resting most of his body weight on him.
"What's wrong with that..."
Qingshan turned his head, his eyes so gentle that they seemed to melt the night, and he looked deeply into Heshu's eyes.
“Even if there are countless difficulties and dangers, at least we will meet again year after year.”
He Shu was startled suddenly, his heart was slightly struck by these words, and then he murmured in a low voice:
"Yes...it's a blessing that we can still meet."
He thought of Chun Fei and Huai Guang who were trapped in love, and even more so of Chi Yu and Qing Le who had caused tragedy because of their obsession.
The consequences of being too greedy are ultimately very tragic, and he does not have the courage to endure such pain.
While he was still immersed in this slightly sad mood, a long and clear "gurgling" sound came out from his stomach at an inopportune time.
In an instant, all the sadness and beauty disappeared.
He Shu's face flushed red and he suddenly jumped up:
"I, it's not me... I..."
He was incoherent and almost smoking with embarrassment.
Qingshan was stunned at first, then he chuckled. Seeing that Heshu was embarrassed and at a loss, he quickly stopped smiling and stood up.
He did not speak immediately, but with a smile in his eyes, he gently brushed off a willow leaf that had floated onto the shoulder of the person next to him, his movements as skillful as usual.
"Let's go find them at the restaurant."
Qingshan finally spoke, a smile still lingering in his voice.
He paused, his eyes passing over He Shu's crimson ears, looking towards the still bustling and bustling street not far away, filled with the hustle and bustle of life, and whispered:
"Let's go, Wuming."
He took a step forward and extended his hand toward the person behind him, his palm facing upwards. In the dim light, he looked warm and resolute.
"We're together."
He Shu looked at the hand, then looked towards the dim lights, and Qingshan looked back into his eyes.
Without any hesitation, he placed his hand firmly into the broad and warm palm.
"good."
He nodded, his voice clear and firm.
"We're together."
Ten fingers quietly clasped together.
They no longer looked at the distant galaxy, but walked hand in hand, step by step towards the warm, real and vibrant world of lights and people ahead.
The figures of the two people gradually merged into the glittering and colorful long street, and were no longer distinguishable in the happiness and hustle and bustle of the vast crowd.
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