Even Zhang Nu hadn’t expected Lin Xiao and Ling Xi to eat with such grace and refinement.
By the time they finally finished their meal, Liu Hai and the others had already been waiting off to the side. The moment they set down their bowls and chopsticks, Liu Hai immediately perked up with excitement.
He had just overheard some locals talking about a grand lantern festival happening that night—and as someone who loved joining in on lively events, Liu Hai naturally wouldn’t pass up the chance. Plus, he had the perfect excuse: Zhao Yang. Since it was his first time here, he deserved to see the local customs and celebrations.
“Let’s go to the lantern festival tonight!” Liu Hai suggested eagerly. “I heard it’s going to be a big one!”
Zhang Nu shot him a look, seeing right through his motives. “Liu Hai, if you want to go out and have fun, just say so.”
Liu Hai lit up at that response—does this mean Zhang Nu might agree?
“I do want to go out. I’ve never been to a lantern festival before,” he admitted. “This city looks so lively… I bet the festival will be amazing.”
But Zhang Nu shook his head. After all the traveling, sleeping rough, and enduring the elements, tonight was a rare chance to get real rest. Besides, it wasn’t guaranteed that the others would want to go either.
“Did it ever occur to you that no one else might want to go?” Zhang Nu said. “Stop trying to drag us into it.”
Liu Hai pouted in disappointment. He hadn’t expected Zhang Nu to shut him down so bluntly. And from the looks on everyone else’s faces, they silently agreed. After days of hardship, they weren’t about to give up the comfort of a proper bed for a crowded night out.
But Liu Hai wasn’t one to give up so easily. He began lobbying the others with a charming grin.
“Come on, don’t you want to go check it out?” he said. “Lantern festivals are super fun. There’s street food, too. Zhao Yang, you haven’t tried most of it yet, right?”
“And Ling Xi,” he turned to her. “Look at what you’re wearing. Don’t you think it’s time to treat yourself to something new? You’re a girl—you should be dressing a bit more fashionably. I’ve heard there are all kinds of pretty things at these festivals. Let’s go take a look together!”
It had to be said, Liu Hai really did have a way with persuasion. Zhao Yang and Ling Xi were quickly swayed.
With their alliance formed, Zhao Yang and Liu Hai teamed up to pressure Zhang Nu, while Ling Xi focused on convincing Lin Xiao.
“Let’s go to the festival later,” Ling Xi said sweetly. “Liu Hai said it’ll be really exciting.”
“I’ve never been to one before. Back when I was still cultivating on the mountain, they never let me go down to town.”
Lin Xiao could see right through her innocent act, but somehow, he still found himself wanting to indulge her. He turned to look at Zhang Nu, clearly pushing the decision onto him.
“If Zhang Nu says yes, we’ll go.”
Ling Xi’s eyes lit up instantly and turned expectantly to Zhang Nu.
Now under the gaze of three hopeful pairs of eyes, Zhang Nu let out a long sigh and glared playfully at Lin Xiao. He couldn't believe Lin Xiao had dumped the responsibility on him like that.
“Well, since you’re all so keen on going, I’ll take you,” Zhang Nu relented. “You’re right—Zhao Yang’s just come out into the world. He should enjoy it a little.”
Lin Xiao hadn’t expected Zhang Nu to agree, thinking he’d find a way to talk them out of it. But since he’d said yes, there was nothing more to argue.
Soon, the group arrived at the lantern festival, and just like Liu Hai had promised, it was packed with people and glowing with red lanterns. The streets were alive with celebration.
Zhao Yang and Ling Xi dashed about excitedly, making it far too easy to get separated from the group. Lin Xiao quickly reached out and grabbed Ling Xi by the wrist.
“Can you stop running around like that?” he said sternly. “You’ll get lost in this crowd.”
But Ling Xi clearly wasn’t taking him seriously. “Alright, alright, I get it,” she said, brushing him off. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m not a child. I won’t get lost.”
She tried to slip away again, but Lin Xiao was already holding her firmly. If Ling Xi thought escaping him was going to be easy, she had another thing coming.