Chapter 212 (1/2)

Princess Agents Xiaoxiang 56770K 2022-07-22

Chapter 212

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Chu Qiao was completely stunned. In that split second, her mind reconstructed the figure of that certain man. With his sleeves fluttering in the wind, what kind of emotions must he have had to throw out the other half of the jade, before turning back on his horse, leaving this tree to which people prayed peace and serenity to?

Her tear glands started to hurt again, yet no tears dropped down. Standing there silently for a long time, rows of festival lights started to light up, yet she did not realize it. Only when a businessman selling colorful lanterns walked past did she finally return to reality.

The lanterns still had the same designs as in the past, looking exactly like the one she had. Silently looking on, she could not avert her gaze. The seller was impatient, and frowned while asking, ”This Missy, are you done choosing?” Hurriedly, she paid up, and lifting that lantern, she stood on the road. With her lonesome silhouette, she seemed like a lost child.

The crowds gradually closed in, and she was swept along with the torrent of people. She was surrounded by warm laughter and friendly banter, with the sounds of drums and cymbals in the background, adding to the mood. There were some rich landlords shooting fireworks into the sky, and the fragrance of roast meat, wine, and the perfume of the ladies wafted in the air. There were some playing with their lanterns, some guessing lantern riddles, some drinking alcohol, some eating, some watching a play, and some performing various forms of arts. In this night, everything seemed more lively than normal. Happiness seemed to be found in every corner. Looking directly ahead, she walked in a straight line alone. Carefully holding the lantern, it was as though she was worried that someone would knock into it and damage it.

The bright light shone brightly on her face, making her seem ever so lonely. She was so lonesome, as though completely at odds with the hustle and bustle of the surroundings. There were people who saw her, but none paid her any heed. She just kept on walking so silently, passing through the gazes of so many, yet only her shadow walked beside her, and even she knew not of her destination.

Finally, as the candle depleted, there was only a weak flame. Carefully walking to the edge of the lake, she lifted the lantern up as the green water wet the corner of her skirt, yet she was completely unbothered by that. As layers of leaves swept onto her face and caressed her shoulders. It felt itchy, as though those branches were tickling her heart like the layers of fate that intertwined her with the others.

Zhuge Yue, it seems like in this life, I will be indebted to you. If possible, let us meet again earlier in a better time and location.

With her pale fingers pushing very slightly, the lantern floated into the distance. In the undisturbed lake waters, the lantern was like a small boat, creating light ripples, and along with the waves faded into the darkness of the night, as it drifted over the surface of the lake that was filled with reflections of the festival lights.

Standing up, Chu Qiao looked on. With the night breeze blowing onto her face, the chills felt like an arrow that grazed past her heart. With the myriad of colors that illuminated the night sky, her heart felt like the gradually distancing lantern. With the light flickering, it was as though it could be extinguished any time. That was then she made the decision to tear apart her last bit of hopes with her own hands. Her world collapsed by her own hands, as the pillars holding up her beliefs crumbled to dust and the silk curtains bleached to white. Her inner world had long ago lost any signs of life, as the indications of life had long ago disappeared, leaving behind only an endless grey void with no end in sight.

Suddenly, a small wave assaulted the small lantern. A small boat had passed by, with its oars creating a tsunami for the small lantern. With the flickering of the lights, it was apparent that the light almost went out. With the lantern now slanted, it seemed to be sinking. For some reason, the numb heart of Chu Qiao suddenly tensed up. She subconsciously stepped up, frowning, as though worrying for that small light.

It was just then, a bigger lantern floated by. The string atop the lantern had gotten tangled with Chu Qiao's lantern. Spinning on the spot for one round, it so happened that it righted Chu Qiao's lantern as well, while blocking another wave coming from an even bigger ship. With Chu Qiao's smaller lantern, the two lanterns coiled around each other, floating off into the deeper end of the lake. They had the same design of a rabbit; one big, one small. And as they leaned on each other, it seemed particularly heartwarming. With the bigger lantern shielding the waves for the small lantern, the light stopped flickering, and brightened up. The warmth of the two lights shone onto the surrounding water.

Chu Qiao heaved a sigh of relief. Even though she knew that the light would eventually still go out, it would always be better if it could last a bit longer. Loosening up her tightly knitted brows, she casually lifted her eyes up. Yet, on the other end of the lake, a certain figure suddenly appeared! She felt as though she had been struck by lightning, as she stood rooted to the ground, completely dumbfounded. She seemed to have seen him again. In a white overcoat, he stood upright in the wind. His black hair covered part of his eyes as his eyes seemed undisturbed like a frozen lake.

The dragon boats passed by, their silhouettes blocking Chu Qiao's vision, with bright red curtains and jubilant crowds decorating this sky. Staring at her, he was also holding a stick that was used to hold a lantern up. His vision pierced through space and seemed to be stunned as well, with complex feelings filling his face, and finally, he stopped in his tracks.

Suddenly, a multitude of fireworks resounded behind them. The sparkling lights illuminated their crisscrossing gaze. Looking at him, Chu Qiao's gaze was something that he had never seen before. In fact, he barely knew how to describe that. Her gaze was like a child who had been abandoned, looking at her home in a dream, unable to divert her eyes away. There contained the hopes and dreams that had been bottled up for over 600 nights, yet each dawn, she would be betrayed again by her dreams.

Opening her mouth, she seemed as though she wanted to say something, yet no words came out. With her lips trembling, she had not even broken into a smile before two long streaks of tears flowed down on her face. As the dragon boats left, she broke into a sprint. All her life she had been avoiding, backing off, distancing herself, and finding excuses to stay away from him. Yet, after experience life and death, her final resistance in her mind broke down. Did she just see an illusion that would disappear upon her touching?

She ran ever so hurriedly, that the passers-by gave her weird stares. Yet, she could not be bothered. Like a plain lotus fading into the fog, her dress fluttered along as she dashed. Even as her legs buckled, and her ears were filled with the thunderous protests from her heart, she continued on, past the bridge, past the park, past the trees, and finally, out of breath, she felt as though everything was so fleeting, as though it would all just disappear.

Zhuge Yue looked on at her, with his gaze completely calm. Yet, when their eyes met again, one could see a sense of worry.

The crowds closed in and bustled towards them.