Lazhen’s hands stopped moving. She looked up at her husband in surprise.
“But last night, A Luo told me that she and Tshering are already together.”
“I know.”
Zhandui sat down beside Lazhen.
“Then why are you asking me this? Did you forget that Dündup said he already has someone he likes?”
Zhandui warmed himself by the fire while gazing through the open doorway at the people outside, illuminated by the bonfire.
“What if the person Dündup likes is A Luo?”
“What?!”
Lazhen shot to her feet in shock, sending the ball of yarn resting on her lap rolling across the floor.
Zhandui sighed as he used the fire poker to stir the flames.
“You didn’t watch the Beiga wrestling match tonight. The way Dündup looked at A Luo—you could tell at a glance that he was serious.”
“Do Tshering and A Luo know?”
Zhandui’s brows furrowed deeply, and his voice dropped.
“No.”
“Then Tshering…”
“There won’t be a problem with Tshering. He grew up here and has always been very accepting of our traditions.”
Zhandui pulled Lazhen back down and picked up the ball of yarn from the ground.
“The important thing is what A Luo thinks. I already brought this up with Dündup once, but A Luo overheard us and rejected the idea.”
“A Luo is a girl with her own mind.”
Lazhen picked up her yarn and continued knitting.
“She already rejected you. Why are you asking me about it again?”
“I’m worried.”
Zhandui let out a long sigh.
“You know what Tshering and Dündup’s biological mother is like. I’m afraid that one day, if she isn’t doing well, she’ll remember that she still has two sons and come looking for them. You and A Luo might not be able to handle her.”
Zhandui paused before continuing.
“And I’m getting old. Lately, I keep thinking… what if one day I’m no longer here, leaving just you and A Luo? If A Luo married Dündup and the others, you could support each other in the future. Maybe life would be easier for you.”
Lazhen took her husband’s hand and said gently but firmly,
“I understand your concern. But if Dündup and Tshering’s biological mother really comes looking for them, A Luo would actually be more likely to be targeted if she were their daughter-in-law.”
Seeing Zhandui fall into thought, Lazhen continued,
“Besides, do you really have so little faith in our sons? Tshering may be straightforward and deeply loyal, while Dündup is steady and dependable. Even without that relationship, would they really refuse to take care of us?”
Zhandui remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he let out a sigh and pulled his wife into his arms.
“You’re right. I was thinking about it the wrong way. Let the children decide their own affairs.”
He gently stroked Lazhen’s long hair, his voice becoming firm.
“Then I need to work harder and build up more savings for you all. That way, no matter what happens in the future, you’ll have enough security to stand on your own.”
“Sang Luo Manba, cheer for Tshering Abou!”
A young woman nudged Sang Luo’s arm.
“If you cheer for him, he’ll definitely win!”
Sang Luo was pushed forward by the crowd for several steps. Seeing the expectant look in Tshering’s eyes from the arena, she finally gathered her courage and shouted,
“Tshering, come on!”
Her clear, sweet voice rang especially brightly through the night sky.
Tshering’s spirits immediately soared. He made a beautiful sidestep and prepared to counterattack.
At that very moment, Dündup turned his head toward Sang Luo and happened to meet her bright, sparkling eyes as she cheered for Tshering.
In that instant, the strength in Dündup’s hands unconsciously loosened.
Tshering seized the opportunity and executed a clean shoulder throw, slamming Dündup onto the ground.
The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
“The winner is Tshering!” the referee announced loudly.
Tshering didn’t even have time to accept the khata awarded to the winner before rushing toward Sang Luo at the edge of the arena and lifting her into his arms, spinning her around several times.
“A Luo! Did you see that? I won!”
Tshering shouted excitedly, his smile brighter than the bonfire.
Sang Luo was dizzy from being spun around, but she couldn’t help laughing too. She patted his shoulder.
“I saw it, I saw it! You were amazing!”
Dündup silently got to his feet and brushed the dust from his clothes.
His gaze lingered on the embracing couple for a moment before he quietly turned and walked away from the crowd.
The moonlight stretched his shadow long across the ground, making him look especially lonely.
“Why did Abou leave?”
Danzeng noticed his older brother walking away and muttered softly.
Sang Luo also looked in the direction Dündup had gone, unconsciously pressing her lips together.
Did his wound reopen?
At that moment, Zhandui and Lazhen also stepped out of the tent and happened to see the scene.
Zhandui gently nudged Lazhen’s arm.
Lazhen’s eyes widened slightly.
She hadn’t expected that Zhandui wasn’t imagining things after all.
Dündup really did have feelings for A Luo.
“Come on.”
Zhandui patted Lazhen’s arm and said to his dazed wife,
“We should go give our victorious son his khata.”
It was only then that Tshering remembered the victory khata he’d completely neglected.
He scratched his head awkwardly and led Sang Luo toward the center of the grounds.
According to tradition, the winner would receive a pure white khata and could present it to the girl he admired.
When Zhandui handed the khata to Tshering, Tshering accepted it solemnly.
Then he turned toward Sang Luo, bowed deeply, and placed the khata around her neck.
“Sang Luo.”
Tshering’s voice trembled slightly with emotion.
“In the name of the snow mountains and the grasslands, I swear that in this life, I will cherish you and protect you forever.”
The surrounding crowd burst into enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Feeling the soft khata around her neck and looking into the sincere eyes of the young man before her, Sang Luo felt a warm current flow through her heart.
Outside the crowd, Dündup stood alone beneath the moonlight, watching the scene from afar.
He was still clutching the box of turquoise jewelry that Sang Luo had refused to accept. His fingertips had gone slightly white from gripping it so tightly, yet he couldn’t tear his gaze away from Sang Luo’s happy smile.
As the night grew deeper, the White Lhamo Festival celebrations gradually came to an end.
The villagers slowly dispersed.
Tshering held Sang Luo’s hand as they strolled along the small path at the edge of the village.
“Did you have fun today?” Tshering asked softly.
“I did.”
Sang Luo smiled.
“This was the most special festival I’ve ever experienced.”
“From now on, I’ll spend every White Lhamo Festival with you.”
Tshering made the promise solemnly.
“Okay.”
Sang Luo raised a hand, intending to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’ll do it.”
Tshering stopped her and reached out himself, gently brushing the loose strand away from her cheek.
Sang Luo felt Tshering gently cup her face.
“Tshering?”
“Don’t move.”
His fingertips softly caressed her cheek.
Tshering’s voice trembled slightly.
“A Luo, I…”
Sang Luo looked up into his eyes.
“Hmm?”
Tshering’s breath was warm.
“Can I kiss you?”
A blush spread across Sang Luo’s cheeks. She lightly gripped the edge of Tshering’s clothes and whispered,
“Did you drink?”
“Just a little.”
The tip of Tshering’s nose gently brushed against hers.
“Barley wine is sweet. Do you want to taste it?”
Sang Luo closed her eyes and nodded slightly, feeling Tshering’s warm lips press against hers.
When they parted, both of them were breathing slightly harder. Tshering continued resting his forehead against hers, grinning foolishly.
When they arrived home, Sang Luo saw the jewelry box Dündup hadn’t given her earlier that day sitting outside her door.
“A Luo, what are you looking at?”
Tshering noticed that Sang Luo hadn’t entered her room yet, so he leaned over to take a look.
When he saw the jewelry box in Sang Luo’s hand, his brows suddenly furrowed.
As though he had thought of something, his expression changed sharply.
“Abou, he…”