The aunt sitting across from Munni glanced up at Yuan Chengmo, who was standing behind Munni, and teased, "Girl, is this your boyfriend? He's really handsome!"
Munni chuckled lightly and shook her head in denial, "No, we're just good friends."
"Young man, do you have a partner?"
"I have a niece who's also single. I can introduce her to you."
"Haha, thank you for your kind offer, Auntie, but I'm not looking for a partner at the moment."
Feeling bad for making Yuan Chengmo wait too long, Munni decided to leave after another round, and she apologized to the other three aunts.
Yuan Chengmo and Munni bade farewell to Wang Xuejun and left the mahjong parlor together.
The winter night descended more swiftly than in other seasons, and though it was only a little past five, the sky was already darkening.
The streetlights stretched their shadows long as they walked side by side. Munni looked at the silhouettes on the ground and couldn't help but chuckle, remembering how Wang Xuejun attempted to play matchmaker between her and Yuan Chengmo at lunchtime. She found Wang Xuejun's idea amusingly odd.
Yuan Chengmo glanced at Munni, who seemed amused by something, and his lips formed an uncontrollable slight smile as he teased, "I've never seen anyone lose money and still be this happy."
His comment made Munni laugh even more. Her charming eyes curved into crescent shapes, and the soft yellow streetlight shone into her eyes, as if stars were flickering within, radiating an enchanting brilliance.
"Senior, it's so nice to have you around."
"Tsk tsk, Senior has too many admirers. If you fancy him, you might as well take a number and stand in line."
"Aiya, we know each other so well already. How about a backdoor pass for me?" she said, playfully ingratiating herself closer to Yuan Chengmo.
Feigning disdain, Yuan Chengmo gave her a sidelong glance and quickened his pace, leaving her behind.
Munni, running after him, didn't see the clear spring-like pool in his eyes, tinged with a fondness that made one's heart skip a beat.
After walking for a while, they finally saw a tricycle, and they waved it down eagerly.
"Driver, please take us to Changle River."
Munni turned her head, "Are we going to set river lanterns?"
"The last time we set lanterns together was four years ago. Time flies."
"Yes, look at you, you're getting old."
Munni rolled her eyes and scornfully uttered, "Shameless!"
"Alright, in my eyes, you're still a goddess as beautiful as ever."
Feigning arrogance, Munni gave him a sidelong glance with a soft "Hmmph."
Her adorable stance made Yuan Chengmo unable to hold back his laughter.
The tricycle didn't take long to arrive at Changle River.
Being Christmas Eve, many couples gathered by the river to set river lanterns, and on the grass by the riverbank, many were selling them.
Munni and Yuan Chengmo bought river lanterns, sat on the grass to write their wishes on them, then lit them and walked to the river's edge, letting the lanterns drift along with the current.
Munni nodded, "A little."
Yuan Chengmo slipped one hand into the pocket of his coat while affectionately placing the other on Munni's shoulder, "Come on, Senior will treat you to something delicious."
The night's breeze was a bit chilly, lifting Munni's long hair off her shoulders. She gazed at the busy street ahead, chuckling softly, "Senior, sometimes I really feel like I'm getting old, without the energy I used to have."
"That's called maturity, not aging. You're still young. If anyone's going to age first, it would be me."
"Hahaha, that's true."