Chapter 257: Chapter 256: Bonfire Feast
Turning around, Jiang Yan and Zhao Lang found their heads had been enthusiastically adorned with a plethora of fresh flowers by the local aunties.
Both n were already tall and imposing figures, and dressed in brightly colored attire, they were a sight to behold, embellished with an array of blooms.
Jiang Li couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Jiang Yan crossed his arms discontentedly and said, “What’s so funny? Have you never seen your brother looking this handso?”
Jiang Li stopped laughing, seriously examining the wreath of flowers on his head.
“Now you look even more like a flower peacock.”
Jiang Yan: “…….”
Zhao Lang also chuckled, then walked over to Jiang Li.
“This is for you.”
Only then did Jiang Li notice the ivory-colored flower he held in his hand.
The petals were oval-shaped, with the pistil a light purple hue, simple and elegant.
Jiang Li was sowhat surprised. “Is this… Snow Cutting Grass?”
Snow Cutting Grass was a plant that favored the cold, especially the white variety, which typically only blood on snowy days.
How could it appear during the height of sumr?
Zhao Lang noticed her puzzlent and explained,
“I found this in the mountains and thought it suited you, so I picked it carefully, thinking it would wilt. Surprisingly, it’s blood so well; it seems it really is fated for Miss Jiang.”
As he spoke, he tucked the flower behind Jiang Li’s ear.
Jiang Li heard the Buddha Beads at his wrist chi softly against her ear.
For a brief mont, her heart, too, settled into tranquillity.
After Zhao Lang placed the flower, he respectfully stepped back, without overstepping any social boundaries.
Jiang Li adjusted the flower with her hand.
“Thank you.”
[Ah, my ship is finally back in the sa fra!!!]
[I’m so swooned!! My friend was just explaining to that giving flowers during the Daton Festival signals love, and then I turned around to see Daniu put a flower on Lili. I’m crying.]
[And they’re both wearing red clothes!!! Might as well get married on the spot!!!]
[No kidding, you’re not even kidding, it really does look like a wedding ceremony here.]
As dusk fell, the sky gradually filled with twinkling stars.
At the foot of the mountain, the festivities grew even livelier, as if out of nowhere, the drum and gong ensemble arrived, their music rging with the sounds of flutes and zithers in exuberant harmony.
Soone shouted, “The village chief is here,” and everyone imdiately stood up, turning their gazes toward the entrance.
Then, the village chief, dressed very formally, ca surrounded by a crowd of people.
He first greeted each household before standing in the middle of the square to begin his speech.
Jiang Li listened intently.
This was her firsthand experience of the rich culture of a minority community.
Zhao Lang sat by her side, patiently explaining the procedures.
Before long, a wine-scented Jiang Yan squeezed through the crowd.
“Why hasn’t it started yet? I can’t wait to eat.”
Jiang Li gave him a look. “Haven’t you been drinking until now?”
Jiang Yan chuckled and said, “You know, this Drunken Rosy Clouds is really sothing else, better than any of those expensive bottles I’ve had in the high-end clubs in the Capital.”
By then, Director Sun’s live broadcast had started, and the group was once again all together.
Seeing the joyful Jiang Yan, Wen Jiaojiao instantly felt a sting of unfairness.
“Why did Chixia Village beco so lively the mont we left? That’s too unfair!”
“Exactly.” Shu Yan echoed, “Their clothes look so nice. I want to wear them too. I was dazzled seeing Jiang Li trending today.”
Next door, Su Yinwan let out an awkward laugh while tightly clenching her hands.
Qi Tianyu, unusually silent, sat earnestly in front of the screen, reading a book.
Ever since he had been provoked by Jiang Li last ti, he now took out a book to read as soon as the live broadcast started, as a form of self-discipline.
On the screen, the village chief had finished his speech.
“…And now I declare, the bonfire party officially begins!”
“Next, let’s have this year’s village representative—Zhao Lang, to light the bonfire!”
In an instant, everyone’s gaze shifted in that direction.
Amidst the applause, Zhao Lang stood up and took the torch passed over by the villagers.
In the flickering flas, the man’s face was cast in an even more handso and ethereal light.
As Jiang Li also clapped and looked forward in anticipation, another torch was handed to her.
Jiang Li looked at the village chief in mild surprise.
The village chief explained with a smile, “Miss Jiang, go ahead.”
“You all have helped our village a great deal. The markets were very poor this year, and many of our crops were unsold, but your publicity and the live broadcast allowed us to sell out everything.”
“Not only that, our tourism projects are all fully booked now. You’ve helped so many families in our village, even saving my Hu Zi’s life, so there’s no mistake in entrusting you with the honor of lighting the bonfire.”
“Yes, yes, the village chief is right!”
“That’s right, Miss Jiang, don’t decline, go ahead.”
Other villagers also echoed the sentint.
Jiang Li didn’t refuse and graciously accepted the torch.
“Alright, then I accept this honor.”
She took the torch and slowly approached Zhao Lang’s side.
Their figures were beautifully frad in the light of the fire.
The live broadcast viewers frantically captured screenshots.
Wen Jiaojiao wore a look of heartache.
“Why can’t all n stay away from my Li Li, let do it?!”
Lu Xingchao, also among the audience, nodded in agreent.
Yes, why can’t n keep their distance from his goddess?!
Zhao Lang glanced to the girl by his side.
“Just light the kindling next to the wood, that’s the fire starter for the bonfire.”
Jiang Li nodded, and as she was about to extend her arm, her shoulder was suddenly jostled, throwing her off balance.
Looking up, she saw Jiang Yan’s dark face.
Jiang Li frowned, “What are you doing?”
Jiang Yan snorted coldly, “What does it look like, with a man and woman squeezed together like that? It’s just lighting a bonfire, is it really necessary? I want to join too!”
Jiang Li: “….”
Zhao Lang, quite helpless, could only share half of his torch with him.
Jiang Yan then bead with joy.
After the three of them ignited the kindling, they simultaneously threw their torches into the center of the bonfire.
Instantly, with a “boom”, the large pile of wood caught fire, lighting up half the sky.
The villagers surged forward, singing and dancing around the bonfire, starting to revel in song and dance.
The grand scene imdiately topped the Weibo trending list.
Director Sun was full of emotion, continually introducing the various customs of Chixia Village and urging the live broadcast viewers to learn more about this impoverished little mountain village.
However, on the other end of this festive and joyful scene, a sinister conspiracy was quietly brewing.
Bearded Man was observing the situation at the foot of the mountain with a telescope.
“Boss, they’ve started dancing. My brothers and I have already checked beforehand, everyone in the village is gathered at the foot of the mountain now, even the mountain guard has been invited over.”
“Good,” Scar Face chuckled, “With the right ti, place, and people, let’s quickly pack up and leave this damned place through the small path on the other side!”
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