I gently took Chu Ci’s slender, warm hand in mine and leisurely led him toward the antique pavilion.
Along the way, a soft breeze brushed past, teasing my hair and stirring the sweet emotions in my heart.
Hehe. So what if my complexion was a little darker now and my figure had become somewhat rounder?
With all the domineering-CEO-style romantic gestures I had up my sleeve, I was certain I could easily capture his innocent young heart.
At the thought, the corners of my lips curved upward, revealing a confident and mischievous smile.
At last, we reached the center of the pavilion. I took a deep breath, secretly looking forward to the ultimate romantic scene that was about to unfold.
I turned slightly toward Chu Ci and said softly, “Cousin, look up at the sky.”
A trace of confusion flashed through Chu Ci’s clear, bright eyes. Nevertheless, following my words, he slowly raised his head and gazed up at the deep night sky.
“Boom~ Boom~ Boom~”
In an instant, it was as if the night sky had been set ablaze. Brilliant fireworks burst into bloom all around the Song Residence.
They were like enormous flowers blossoming in the heavens, dazzling in color and varied in form. The red ones were like flames, passionate and unrestrained; the pink ones resembled rosy clouds, delicate and radiant; the purple ones were like dreams, mysterious and profound. They bloomed freely across the night sky, transforming it into something dreamy and surreal.
Chu Ci was completely captivated by the unexpected spectacle. He gazed upward, his eyes filled with wonder and delight. Meanwhile, I quietly admired him as he admired the fireworks.
At that moment, the multicolored fireworks had become the perfect backdrop for his breathtaking face, which shimmered with different hues beneath their light.
Each color was like a mischievous little sprite. It would lightly sweep across his features, then vanish in an instant, replaced by another shade of dancing light.
He looked utterly happy. The corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously, revealing a neat row of pearly white teeth. The breadth of his smile seemed capable of holding all the happiness in the world.
“Cousin, these fireworks are beautiful!”
After quite some time, Chu Ci finally lowered his head and said this to me with a beaming smile. Then he eagerly looked back up, watching the fireworks in the sky without blinking, as though afraid of missing even one spectacular moment.
Baby, don’t be too moved. This is only the beginning!
Since I had decided to make you my man, naturally I had to shower you with plenty of domineering-CEO-style affection!
I thought this to myself, the smile on my lips growing even deeper.
I turned around and lightly clapped my hands toward the servants hidden in the darkness. The crisp sound rang out with exceptional clarity in the silent night.
Before long, the fireworks gradually came to an end, like a grand performance drawing its curtain.
Immediately afterward, sky lanterns began to rise one after another. Like scattered stars, they carried warm lights as they drifted toward the depths of the night sky.
Looking closely, one would discover that every lantern bore a large character—“Ci”—on its covering. It swayed gently in the night breeze, as if telling of my deep feelings for Chu Ci.
In an instant, the countless sky lanterns shimmered like stars across the pitch-black sky, illuminating it brightly. It was as though the entire world had been enveloped in their warm glow.
Chu Ci could naturally see the character “Ci” on the lanterns clearly.
He lowered his head in disbelief, his gaze filled with astonishment and emotion as he stared straight at me.
At that moment, I pretended not to notice him watching me. I interlaced my fingers in front of myself, slowly closed my eyes, and silently made a wish.
I murmured, “May my Cousin Chu Ci chase the light and encounter it, bathe in its radiance, and walk beneath its glow. May every year bring him lasting joy, and may each year bring him success in all he does. May his future shine as brilliantly as these sky lanterns, free from worry and full of ease.”
After finishing my wish and blessing, I slowly opened my eyes. Sure enough, Chu Ci was gazing at me with a deeply moved expression. His eyes seemed to hold a thousand words, yet he did not know where to begin.
“Cousin, I heard that if you make a wish upon a sky lantern, the immortals in heaven will hear it, and the wish is very likely to come true. So tonight, I released 999 sky lanterns for you. That way, the wish I made can receive the gods’ blessings for a long, long time.”
“Cousin, thank you! Today is the most special day of my life. I’m truly happy!”
Chu Ci’s voice trembled slightly. Clearly, my actions had touched him deeply.
“As long as Cousin is happy, I’m satisfied. If I can exchange it for a smile from you, that’s enough for me.”
I tilted my head slightly and gazed at him with eyes full of affection.
My “devoted” expression made Chu Ci’s ears turn red, like the brilliant afterglow on the horizon.
Seeing his bashful appearance, the little devil in my heart began to stir. The time was about right. It was time to collect a little “interest”!
I rose onto my toes like a light butterfly and quickly kissed Chu Ci on the cheek. The soft sensation was like a flower petal brushing against his skin.
Afterward, I turned and ran, darting out of the pavilion like a startled fawn.
Once outside, I couldn’t help turning back to look at Chu Ci, who was still standing there in a daze. With a shy yet sweet smile on my face, I called out loudly, “Cousin, good night! See you tomorrow!”
Without hesitation, I jogged away. Behind me came Chu Ci’s somewhat flustered yet gentle voice.
“Cousin, see you tomorrow!”
When I returned to the courtyard, my mood was as cheerful as a happy little bird. I began humming a tune without even realizing it:
“Mandarin ducks roost in pairs, butterflies fly together;
The garden’s springtime beauty leaves one drunk with delight.
I quietly ask the Holy Monk, is your daughter beautiful?
Is your daughter beautiful?…”
Luzhu and Taohong, following behind me, listened to my humming with curious expressions, like two inquisitive little kittens.
“Miss, what kind of opera are you singing? We’ve never heard it before!”
Luzhu tilted her head and asked with a puzzled look.
“It’s a song, not an opera. Your Miss made it up herself because she was bored. It sounds nice, doesn’t it?”
I raised my chin proudly and looked at them with a bright smile.
“It sounds wonderful. The melody is graceful and easy to sing along with!”
Taohong quickly nodded in praise.
“Hehe, your Miss is talented in many ways. You’ll stop being surprised once you get to know me better!”
I finished speaking with a laugh and walked lightly into the room.
“Luzhu, just bring some water for me to wash up and leave it in the room. I can wash up by myself. You two can come back to tidy up tomorrow.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Luzhu and Taohong answered in unison before withdrawing.
I shut the door, fastened the bolt, and eagerly entered the spirit realm with a thought.
Even then, my mind was still replaying every moment of my evening with Chu Ci, and the corners of my lips rose unconsciously.
“Baibao, let me tell you—Chu Ci is so innocent! I kissed him on the cheek, and he just stood there in a daze, completely at a loss. He’s so cute!”
As I undressed, I animatedly recounted what had just happened to Baibao.
“Master, Chu Ci is only seventeen. He has never had such an intimate interaction with a woman before, so naturally he would be rather shy.”
Baibao’s childish voice rang out.
“That’s true. I lived until almost thirty in my previous life, while Chu Ci is only at the age when he should be in high school—a boy experiencing love for the first time! This young grass really is fragrant!”
I laughed smugly, then gently lifted one leg and slowly stepped into the spirit spring.
The warm spring water instantly surrounded me. I closed my eyes and savored this moment of comfort and sweetness to the fullest.