Xu Cheng didn’t keep the secret from Aunt Pang any longer.
"Our daughter might be entering the next stage."
Aunt Pang was puzzled, "What next stage? Hasn’t she graduated yet?"
Aunt Pang thought Xu Cheng was talking about Xu Ru’an’s job situation.
Xu Cheng said, "Can’t you see sothing’s off between our daughter and that so-called classmate?"
Aunt Pang looked at Xu Cheng in surprise, "You an to say?"
Xu Cheng nodded.
Actually, Xu Cheng didn’t just appear out of nowhere. He had witnessed the entire process of Lu Yuan escorting Xu Ru’an ho.
During this process, Xu Cheng paid extra attention to Lu Yuan’s deanor. Thankfully, Lu Yuan seed to be a gentleman.
There was nothing inappropriate observed.
So after Xu Ru’an entered the house, Xu Cheng pretended he had just returned and bumped into Lu Yuan.
It was also a way to test Lu Yuan’s reaction, which was pretty good.
At the mont, Xu Cheng felt quite positive about Lu Yuan.
Xu Cheng wouldn’t involve himself too much in this matter, as only the two involved know the situation best.
Aunt Pang said, excitedly, "Really? How co I didn’t notice anything?"
"If you had noticed, then their secret would have had no aning."
Aunt Pang didn’t dwell on it much: "So what should we do now?"
Xu Cheng: "What do you an? It’s between the two of them, we should just pretend we don’t know. When Ru’an wants to tell us, we’ll naturally find out."
Aunt Pang thought for a mont and agreed, "Alright, then I’ll pretend I know nothing."
No wonder Xu Ru’an hasn’t been ho often during the holidays, it was because of this matter.
"Did your parents notice anything?" Lu Yuan asked.
Xu Ru’an shook her head, "Probably not."
Lu Yuan hesitated for a mont and said, "Actually, even if they found out, it wouldn’t be a big deal."
Xu Ru’an shook her head, "No, I’m not ready yet. Let’s wait a little longer."
Lu Yuan didn’t insist, "No rush, tell when you want to say it. Then I’ll formally visit."
Xu Ru’an replied, "Okay, let’s wait a bit."
After sending Lu Yuan off, Xu Ru’an returned nervously to the living room.
To see Aunt Pang and Xu Cheng sitting together.
"He’s gone?" Aunt Pang asked calmly.
Xu Ru’an nodded, feeling guilty, "Mm."
"Then let’s get ready for dinner."
"Okay."
After seeing that Aunt Pang didn’t press further, Xu Ru’an finally let out a sigh of relief.
She indeed wasn’t prepared to tell the family, mainly because she herself felt it was strange.
Clearly, she and Lu Yuan used to be arch-enemies, quarreling every ti they t, but now they were dating.
It felt sowhat surreal, like a dream.
So she needed so ti to process it, and then tell her family once she was ready.
At the dinner table, Aunt Pang and Xu Cheng exchanged glances but said nothing.
...
On the Lantern Festival night, the lights were dazzling, and the stars dotted the sky. The entire city seed to be shrouded in a mysterious veil, filled with warmth and harmony everywhere.
Lanterns were hung high along the streets like a fiery dragon swirling in the night sky. The streets and alleys were bustling with joyous crowds.
"It’s so lively. As expected, the Lantern Festival is more festive in our country," Wei Lai couldn’t help but exclaim.
"Is there a Lantern Festival abroad?" Liu Qinghuan asked, puzzled.
Wei Lai paused and smiled sheepishly, "No."
"It’s a pity that Sang Yu didn’t co," Jiang Ning said with regret.
Since it was the Lantern Festival and crowded, Jiang Jingming and his colleagues had to be on duty. Jiang Jingming wasn’t comfortable with letting Sang Yu out alone, so she didn’t go out.
Sang Yu also felt it was too cold outside, so she stayed ho.
So it was just a few of them left.
"It’s such a pity not to co out. The Lantern Festival is so fun. Let’s go release sky lanterns later," Wei Lai suggested.
"Sure, sure, I love releasing sky lanterns," Liu Qinghuan enthusiastically responded.
Jiang Ning nodded, "I think it’s a good idea."
"Where should we go now?"
Lu Yuan: "We can go anywhere, everywhere is so lively, strolling around is fine."
After saying that, he looked at Xu Ru’an, "Where do you want to go?"
Xu Ru’an: "Just strolling around is fine."
"Then let’s just walk around first, look around, and we’ll release sky lanterns when it’s ti."
"Sounds good, let’s go."
The group headed towards the busiest area of the crowd.
Wei Qing looked at the bustling street with a hint of lancholy in her eyes.
"What are you thinking?" Jiang Ning noticed Wei Qing had fallen behind.
Wei Qing shook her head, "Nothing, nothing."
Jiang Ning: "Then keep up, there are too many people here, it wouldn’t be good if we got separated."
Wei Qing nodded, "Okay, I got it."
They first watched an acrobatics show, then went to solve lantern riddles.
Originally, they were all together, but as they walked, they got separated.
"No worries, didn’t we agree to release sky lanterns by the river at ten?" Lu Yuan comforted.
Being separated was fine too, Xu Ru’an always felt a bit self-conscious in a group.
Upon hearing Lu Yuan’s words, Xu Ru’an thought about it and agreed. They had ntioned during the riddle-solving that they would watch fireworks by the river at ten.
And with so many people around, nothing should happen.
On the other side, Wei Lai also realized they got separated.
"Where’s Xiao Qing?" Wei Lai noticed only Liu Qinghuan and Jiang Ning were with him, but Wei Qing was nowhere to be seen.
Jiang Ning shook her head, "Not sure, we might have gotten separated, but Wei Qing should be with Lu Yuan and the others."
Liu Qinghuan: "Should we go back and look for her?"
Jiang Ning nodded, about to turn back when she suddenly asked, "Do you guys rember which direction we ca from?"
Jiang Ning had a terrible sense of direction. Even though she loved traveling, she often got lost because she couldn’t find her way.
"Was it this way?" Liu Qinghuan also had a fairly average sense of direction, especially now with the crowds, and none of the landmarks could be seen.
Wei Lai: "Just follow , keep close, it’s not safe with so many people."
Liu Qinghuan and Jiang Ning nodded simultaneously, "Okay."
Thus, Wei Lai led Liu Qinghuan and Jiang Ning back to find Wei Qing.
Wei Qing, being alone, felt a bit bored,
She wandered aimlessly down the street, already realizing she had separated from the group.
But it didn’t matter, they’d et by the river at ten anyway.
Moreover, she wasn’t in much of a mood.
As she walked, she suddenly felt soone constantly brushing against her.
Initially, Wei Qing didn’t pay attention, as with so many people, bumps were inevitable.
But with repeated instances, Wei Qing finally sensed sothing was off.
She surreptitiously glanced sideways and discovered it was a man, a tall man at that.
Her heart instantly leapt into her throat, eyes anxious and fearful.
She could only try to head towards the center of the crowd.
But the man behind remained persistent and his behavior beca increasingly inappropriate.
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