The night after the lantern festival had ended, and the sky still carried a lingering glow, Chen Yixuan and Ye Mei found themselves strolling through a quieter street in the heart of the city. The vibrant colors of the lanterns were now dimming in the distance, but the excitement of the festival still hung in the air. People filled the streets, chatting, laughing, and enjoying the afterglow of the evening's festivities.
Ye Mei turned to him with a mischievous smile, her eyes bright from the excitement of the day. "Are you tired yet?"
Yixuan glanced down at her, a small smirk forming at the corner of his lips. "No. I'm good."
But the truth was, Yixuan had never felt more alive. The promise he had made to her earlier echoed in his mind, and for the first time in a long while, he truly felt like he was keeping it. Every moment they spent together, each shared smile and conversation, felt like an opportunity to build something he never thought was possible.
"I was thinking we could try some local food," Ye Mei continued, her eyes sparkling. "The food stalls at the festival were amazing. Have you ever tried the local dumplings? Or the candied hawthorn fruit? They're delicious!"
Yixuan raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't exactly sound like my kind of food."
Ye Mei giggled, her laughter light and free. "You've never tried it before, how would you know?"
He hesitated for a moment, but her infectious enthusiasm was hard to resist. "Fine," he said, surrendering. "Lead the way."
She grabbed his hand, pulling him toward a narrow alleyway filled with food vendors. The smells of grilled meats, fresh dumplings, and sweet treats wafted through the air, mixing with the sound of sizzling pans and the laughter of vendors calling out to passersby. Ye Mei's excitement was contagious, and despite his reservations, Yixuan found himself following her eagerly.
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The first stall they approached was a small, family-run stand selling dumplings. The vendor, an older man with a weathered face and a kind smile, handed them a steaming plate of dumplings filled with pork and vegetables. Ye Mei took a bite and closed her eyes in delight. "These are amazing!" she exclaimed, holding one up to Yixuan. "You have to try one."
Yixuan, ever the cautious one, raised an eyebrow. "I suppose you're not going to let me off the hook now, are you?"
Ye Mei shook her head, a mischievous grin on her face. "Nope. I'm not letting you off that easy."
Reluctantly, Yixuan took a dumpling from her, biting into it. The warm, savory filling and the soft dough melted in his mouth. He was surprised. "Alright, I admit it. This is pretty good."
Ye Mei beamed, delighted by his reaction. "I knew you'd like it."
They continued down the alley, sampling various dishes—fried noodles, skewered meats, candied fruit, and steamed buns. Every time Ye Mei tried something new, she would pull Yixuan along, her laughter ringing out as she made him try it as well. It was a far cry from the formal banquets and gourmet meals he was accustomed to, but the joy in her face, the way she coaxed him into the experience, made it feel right.
At one stall, a vendor sold freshly made spring rolls, and Ye Mei picked one up, handing it to Yixuan with an excited look. "This one is my favorite. It's crispy on the outside and packed with vegetables and shrimp inside. I think you'll really like this one."
Yixuan took a bite, savoring the crunch. His eyes widened slightly. "This is… actually quite good."
"I told you!" Ye Mei said triumphantly, laughing. "I know all the best food spots."
As they continued, more and more people noticed them—many of them staring with wide eyes as the stunning couple walked past. Chen Yixuan, in his perfectly tailored outfit and effortlessly handsome features, turned heads wherever he went. Ye Mei, radiating warmth and beauty, caught the gaze of many as well, her presence making her seem like a rare gem in the crowd. The people who recognized them whispered in awe.
"She's so lucky," one person murmured, looking at Ye Mei with envy. "How did she get someone so beautiful?"
"She must be the most fortunate woman in the world," another voice added.
Yixuan couldn't help but chuckle at the comments, though his heart swelled with pride. He was no stranger to attention, but this time it felt different. This time, the gaze of the crowd didn't feel like an obligation or a burden—it felt like a fleeting moment, something he could share with Ye Mei.
"Are you hearing that?" Ye Mei asked with a teasing grin. "Everyone's talking about how lucky I am."
Yixuan raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly. "You really enjoy making me blush, don't you?"
She giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "Maybe. But it's true. How could anyone not be lucky to have you by their side?"
Yixuan felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words. Despite the chaos of the world around them, in that moment, it was just the two of them. Nothing else seemed to matter.
They stopped at another stall, this one selling skewered meats, and Ye Mei eagerly grabbed a few skewers of grilled chicken. "You have to try this one. It's perfectly seasoned and just the right amount of spicy."
Yixuan hesitated at first, eyeing the skewers suspiciously. Spicy food wasn't exactly his thing. But he saw the eager look in her eyes, the way she was so excited to share these small moments with him. He took a skewer, biting into it cautiously.
The burst of flavor surprised him. The spice wasn't overwhelming, and the tender chicken was perfectly cooked. He blinked, impressed. "I have to admit, this is really good."
Ye Mei's smile was wide and radiant, and she squeezed his hand in excitement. "I knew it! See, I'm right about everything."
Yixuan laughed, shaking his head. "I think I'm starting to believe that."
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter and shared moments, each step a little closer to something that felt like the beginning of a new chapter. Ye Mei's carefree spirit, her infectious joy, had cracked through the walls Yixuan had built around himself. For the first time in years, he felt like he could breathe again, not because the burden of the past had been lifted—but because, for a moment, he didn't have to carry it alone.
They stopped at one last stall, where Ye Mei eagerly picked up a small bowl of candied hawthorn fruit. She handed one to Yixuan, coaxing him to try it. He was hesitant at first, unsure of the sharp tartness that came with the fruit, but when he bit into it, the sweetness from the sugar coating hit him first, followed by the tangy sharpness of the hawthorn.
"Not bad," he said, his mouth curving into a smile. "You were right again."
Ye Mei giggled, clearly pleased with herself. "See, I told you. This is the best festival food in the city."
They walked through the quiet streets toward the edge of the market, the sounds of the festival beginning to fade. The glow of the lanterns that had once filled the sky now appeared as soft, distant lights, casting gentle shadows over the cobblestones. The night air was cool, and the city around them had begun to quiet, leaving just the two of them in their little world.
"I'm glad we did this," Ye Mei said softly, her voice almost lost in the night. "I'm glad I got to share this with you."
Yixuan glanced at her, his heart feeling full in a way it never had before. "I'm glad too."
There were still many challenges ahead of them—he knew that. The dangers of his past, the shadows that threatened Ye Mei's safety, loomed over them. But in this moment, with the sweet taste of the food still lingering on his tongue and Ye Mei's hand gently holding his, Yixuan allowed himself to hope.
This was only the beginning. And no matter what, he would protect her. He would protect their future.
Together.