Chapter 161, Lantern Festival
During the first month of the lunar year, the provincial capital was very lively, with various acrobatic performances taking place on the streets every day.
These days, Li Xingnian often takes Daohua and the other two and the Li brothers and sisters out for a stroll, or shopping, or drinking tea and listening to books. The kids have a great time every day.
In a blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival is here.
"Cousin Zixuan, do we need to go out so early?" Daohua opened her pocket watch and took a look. It was only 18:00 in the afternoon and it was still light.
Li Zixuan said as she pulled Daohua onto the horse, "It's getting late. You don't know since it's your first time here, but every year during the Lantern Festival, the streets are packed with people. If you leave late, you'll definitely be stuck in traffic."
"If we want to watch the parade, we have to go there early. Otherwise, at night, the whole main street will be packed with people and we won't be able to squeeze in."
Upon hearing this, Daohua said no more and silently followed her cousin Li into the carriage.
Because of concerns about safety, this time, both uncles and two aunts wanted to go. At this moment, they had already sat in the carriage in front. After Daohua and the others sat down, the carriage drove towards the main street.
When they were two blocks away from the main street, Daohua got off the bus with the Li family.
"We have to walk the rest of the way. There are too many people here and the carriage can't pass." Li Zixuan explained to Daohua in a low voice.
Daohua nodded. In fact, she could see it without her cousin explaining it to her.
It was still getting dark, but the streets were already crowded with people.
After Li Xingnian arranged a parking place for the carriage, everyone headed towards the main street.
"Chen Yi, you boys should stop playing by yourselves and take good care of your three younger sisters!" Li Xingnian warned.
Li Chenyi immediately replied: "Don't worry, Second Uncle, we will take good care of the sisters."
Afterwards, Li Chenyi took the lead and walked quickly towards the restaurant with several younger brothers and sisters.
"My cousin is so thoughtful!"
During this time, Yan Wenxiu walked beside Daohua and the other two, and from time to time reached out to block the people rushing towards them.
Hearing Li Zixuan's words, Daohua covered her mouth and smiled: "My eldest brother is naturally a good person. It would be better if he didn't always talk about rules and etiquette."
Li Zixuan saw Daohua's mischievous look and said with a smile, "Just be content. We have always wanted such a gentle, knowledgeable brother, but we still don't have one."
Daohua: "My three cousins are also very good. The eldest cousin is calm, the second cousin is cheerful, and the third cousin is gentle and considerate. He always thinks of you when there are delicious food and fun things. He is really like a brother!"
Li Zixin curled her lips and said, "That's because you're here. Normally, they wouldn't take us out to play."
Daohua smiled and said, "Boys and girls play with different things. I think as long as a brother can protect his sister, he is a good brother."
Suddenly, Li Zixuan started trotting, pulling Daohua along. "Stop talking! We're almost at the restaurant we booked."
On the main street, all the shops are decorated with lights and all the big restaurants are packed with people.
"My little ancestors, slow down and don't get lost." My aunt reminded them from time to time.
Even though Daohua and his group left early, it was already dark when they arrived at the restaurant they had booked.
"Oh my god, we're finally here! I feel like I'm about to be squashed!"
After entering the restaurant's private room, Yan Wenkai said something exaggerated, and the others laughed when they heard it.
Isn’t it? It’s like a war.
It was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and the weather was still quite cold, but after walking for so long, Daohua was sweating all over. After entering the private room, he had to take out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
Sister Li Zixuan pulled Daohua to the window and looked at the densely packed crowd outside.
Li Zixin: "Luckily, Daddy booked the restaurant in advance, otherwise, we would have to squeeze in with others outside."
Li Zixuan looked around and said with some regret, "It would be better if we could book a table upstairs. That way, we could see farther."
The private room Li Xingchang booked was on the first floor, and that was all he had to do to use his connections to get it.
Li Zixin sighed and said, "On the Lantern Festival, it was hard to get a table at the restaurants on Main Street. Daddy booked this private room ten days in advance."
Daohua was speechless after hearing this.
"Hey, isn't this the Li family's sister?"
Suddenly, a sweet female voice was heard from outside the private room.
The private room was open. When Daohua turned around, she saw several young girls dressed in jewels looking at them.
Li Zixuan smiled and nodded in response.
Li Zixin turned her head and curled her lips, whispering to Daohua, "Those are the daughters of the president of the Provincial Government Chamber of Commerce. They usually act arrogantly because of their family background, and they just ignored us when they saw us."
"They took the initiative to greet us today. They must be trying to show off their wealth and connections, and that they can book a good private room."
As expected, the leading girl laughed and asked loudly, "Sister Li, why are you sitting on the first floor and not going upstairs?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the other girls started laughing among themselves.
Li Zixin immediately said: "We like to sit on the first floor."
The young lady from the president's family covered her mouth and smiled: "What can you see on the first floor? A head, or a back?"
Li Zixin angrily said, "We just like looking at people's backs. This restaurant is only on the second floor. You guys can only see a little higher than us. What are you so proud of?"
The president's daughter's smile froze. She glared at Li Zixin, then her gaze suddenly fell on Daohua. She looked her over from head to toe. Seeing that she was dressed so well, she asked with a smile, "I don't think I've seen this girl before. Who is she from?"
Li Zixin: "Of course you haven't seen her. She's my aunt's cousin."
Upon hearing this, the president's daughter's eyes moved. It seemed that Li Zixin's sister's aunt married an official, right?
Thinking of this, he smiled and said, "We have a private room upstairs. If you three sisters sit on the first floor, you probably won't even be able to see the float frame. Why don't you join us?" There was a condescending tone in his voice.
Li Zixuan and Li Zixin did not speak, but looked at Daohua.
Seeing the two people looking at her, Daohua glanced at the uncles and aunts in the private room who seemed to have not noticed the situation here, and smiled: "I think the first floor is good, and I see that this sister has quite a lot of family members, so we won't go over to disturb them."
Li Zixin nodded immediately: "That's right, we won't go over there."
The president's daughter frowned, but quickly covered it up and continued with a smile, "The Lantern Festival only happens once a year. What's the point of you sitting on the first floor and watching the crowds? Well, since we met each other, I'll let my sisters squeeze in, and you can come up with us."
Upon hearing this, Daohua was a little stunned.
The president's daughter seems to be a little bit slow in the head. Didn't she hear them say they couldn't go up?
Li Zixin snorted coldly, "If you want the best view of the floats, it's still on the Chonglou. The second floor of the restaurant is nothing. You can only see the float frame, which is no different from being on the first floor."
The young lady from the president's family was choked, and a trace of anger flashed across her face.
If she hadn't thought about the fact that Li's relatives were officials, she wouldn't bother standing here and wasting her breath.
On the side, the four adults of the Li family did not ask about the children's affairs, and just chatted and laughed among themselves.
Just then, someone else came into the restaurant.
This time, there were adults coming in, who happened to be the Chamber of Commerce President Sun Dadang and some other merchant families.
When Mr. Sun saw Li Xingchang and Li Xingnian, he immediately smiled and said, "Why did you two Mr. Li only book the private room on the first floor? Come on, we have a table on the second floor. Let's go up there and take a look."
Li Xingchang smiled and declined: "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Sun, but it's not convenient to bring the women with you this time. Let's do it next time."
A businessman stepped forward and said with a forced smile, "Boss Li has made a fortune, so he doesn't look down on us?"
Li Xingchang did not respond. Last year, the Li family became famous by selling watermelons, and many of these people were jealous.
The head of the Sun family looked at the people in the room, his eyes focused on the three Yan siblings: "How about we let the younger ones go up?"
Li Xingnian smiled and said, "My kids are too noisy, so I won't bother them anymore."
The head of the Sun family looked at the Li brothers with a smile, and did not say anything more to persuade them. He stood and chatted for a few words, then turned around and left with his daughter and others.
"This Li family is really a bit tactless!"
An ambiguous low laugh entered the private room.
Daohua glanced at her uncle and aunt, and seeing that they had no reaction, she let go.
Afterwards, more people came into the restaurant, many of whom were acquainted with the Li family.
Seeing the Li family sitting on the first floor, they all showed complacent expressions on their faces. They came over to invite them insincerely, satisfying their inner competitive spirit, and then left.
Daohua saw that Li's uncle and aunt were not surprised at all and always had smiles on their faces. She felt admiration in her heart and at the same time, she felt a lot of emotion in her heart.
It is true that where there are people, there are rivers and lakes, and there are opportunities.
The restaurant that the Li family booked was not in the best location on the main street. Most of the restaurants with good locations were reserved by wealthy families and officials.
The float parade starts from the end of the main street to the Chonglou on the main street, and then in front of the Chonglou, lanterns are lit and thousands of lights are lit up.
So, they could only watch the fun.
Before Daohua and the others had to wait long, the streets began to become bustling with activity.
The floats are about to start the parade.
Even though only people's shadows and heads could be seen, Daohua was still in high spirits. It was still very exciting to personally participate in this kind of national fun and feel the cheerful and lively atmosphere.
Just then, a team of guards walked quickly into the restaurant and went straight to the private room where Daohua and his friends were.
"Miss Yan, Mr. Yan, I finally found you."
Seeing Zhao Ergou, Daohua was startled: "Why are you here?"
Zhao Ergou smiled and said, "The master is watching the lanterns in the Chonglou Tower and is waiting for you to come over."
(End of this chapter)
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