Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Midnight Knock on the Door

Huangfu Jingchen was holding so many lanterns that he immediately attracted everyone’s attention when he arrived.

The young men and women looked at him in surprise, their eyes filled with confusion.

However, at a glance, he looked like an out-of-towner, with delicate features and graceful manners, suggesting he was not an ordinary person, so they all watched him.

But Da Niu, being straightforward, laughed and said, “Young man, how many girls do you like to have so many lanterns!”

Huangfu Jingchen was puzzled, “Not a single one!”

Everyone became curious; Da Niu scratched his head and said, “Not a single one, and you prepared so many lanterns. Are you interested in many girls but don’t know which one you like yet?”

Huangfu Jingchen: “…”

Xia Wenjin couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Realizing he probably made a fool of himself, Huangfu Jingchen said amiably, “I’m from out of town. I heard the river lantern festival was lively, so I came to join the fun. Isn’t it better to release more lanterns? Or is there another rule?”

Da Niu said, “You don’t know, do you? If you like a girl, you should only release one lantern, which means being wholehearted, one for a lifetime, representing being constant and faithful. If you don’t like anyone yet, also release only one; it means love at first sight, the girl will fall for you instantly, and the right one will come along and be in sync with you! Too many is bad luck!”

Huangfu Jingchen: “…”

Blushing, he said, “Well, I didn’t know, I thought the more, the better. I bought too many! Anyone wants some, I’ll give you a few!”

The young men and women laughed; they all brought their river lanterns here.

Xia Wenjin chuckled, “You only need to release one, the rest you can take back for Hong’er to play with. He’ll be thrilled with so many at once.”

Huangfu Jingchen thought it was true, indeed only one could be released.

After this amusing episode, the process of releasing the river lanterns was still very joyful. Huangfu Jingchen released one, and Xia Wenjin released one, too.

The two of them stood side by side on the platform, attracting many gazes, with young girls blushing as they handed them lanterns.

Although you could only release one lantern, you could also gift them.

Da Niu either teasingly or due to a local custom, said that you must accept lanterns gifted to you; declining would affect both party’s fortunes, potentially making marriage prospects challenging. While you could pass them along, you couldn’t discard or mistreat them.

Huangfu Jingchen, already holding a bunch of river lanterns, ended up with even more.

Xia Wenjin soon had a bunch in her hands too.

Seeing that all those giving her lanterns were young girls, she found it a little amusing but couldn’t refuse and had to hold them all.

It was like becoming a mobile lantern stand.

They couldn’t be placed in the river.

Nonetheless, the entire experience was joyful.

They felt the purest forms of happiness and joy within the village, alongside sincere and beautiful emotions from the youth—the sort of budding affection comparable to the glow of lanterns adorning riverside trees and the stars in the sky, beautiful and dreamy.

Xia Wenjin couldn’t resist glancing at Huangfu Jingchen.

The young man’s features were like a painting, graceful and standing tall, with clear and poised elegance. Wearing moon-white robes, gently fluttering in the night breeze, he resembled an Immortal descending to the mortal world.

This night was truly beautiful!

They didn’t stay long, as the girls were overly enthusiastic, gifting more and more lanterns.

It wasn’t that they coveted the pairs’ handsome looks or wanted to be with them but simply a pure admiration and joy for beautiful people and things. River lanterns weren’t expensive, and chatting with someone who looked like a figure from a painting by gifting a lantern was delightful in itself.

As a result, Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin dared not continue wandering.

Because with all the lanterns they held, not only could Hong’er enjoy a different one every time, they could fill his small house with them.

They couldn’t discard or release them; continuing their stroll would turn into a lantern transport mission, rather than sightseeing.

The pair returned with a mountain of lanterns, only to find Hong’er, still awake, eagerly waiting. Upon seeing so many diverse lanterns, he cheered and excitedly did flips.

Hong’er’s happiness brought joy to Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin but also led to another awkward situation.

The elderly couple assigned them to the west room usually occupied by their son and daughter-in-law.

The room wasn’t big, with the bed taking up most of the space, apart from a chair, there wasn’t anything else.

How were they supposed to sleep?

Even if she saw herself as a man, sharing a bed with another young man was not possible.

Huangfu Jingchen offered, “You take the bed, I’ll make do with the chair for the night!”

Sharing the dormitory at Shian Temple, he knew Xia Wenjin, like him, wasn’t accustomed to sleeping with others.

Xia Wenjin didn’t refuse, but she glanced at Huangfu Jingchen, who was indeed considerate, the young man, knowing to respect the elderly and cherish children!

However, as she looked over, their gazes met. His eyes were calm, and he stood tall, a head taller than her, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, with steadiness and composure, possessing a dignified grace—a man of flesh and bone, dependable, exuding strength.

She put away the elder’s look she’d given him, also putting aside that mindset.

She could no longer treat him like a younger person.

Xia Wenjin lay on the bed, and Huangfu Jingchen sat on the chair.

Their plan was to get through the night like this, setting out to travel early the next morning. Given their pace, they’d likely spend the night in the mountains, just the two of them, only needing to guard against mosquitoes and insects, which was more straightforward and peaceful.

Huangfu Jingchen couldn’t sleep, wanting to check on the horse, but knowing stepping out would wake Xia Wenjin, he had to continue resting with eyes closed.

In a muddle, not knowing how long it had been, he was awakened by a hurried knock on the door.

It wasn’t their room’s door but the front door being knocked on.

Someone was loudly calling, “Third Uncle, Third Aunt, please open the door!”

The old man and woman opened the door, and the old man asked, “Zhuzi, what’s the matter?”

“My mother suddenly fell ill again, needs to see the doctor in town; can we borrow your guest’s horse?”

During the day, when Huangfu Jingchen and Xia Wenjin entered the village, their robust horse already attracted a lot of attention from children.

The old man said, “It’s the guest’s horse, I need to ask them!”

“Your mother felt better after taking medicine, didn’t she? It happened again? Is she alright?” The old woman said urgently, “I’ll go ask!”

When Huangfu Jingchen got up, this noise also awakened Xia Wenjin. Huangfu Jingchen opened the room door.

At this moment, the old woman said somewhat embarrassedly, “Young man, um, your horse…”

Seeing her hesitation, Huangfu Jingchen quickly said, “Life is precious, saving a life is important, just go ahead and take the horse!”

“Wait!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep