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“Shidi, let’s go! The festivities are about to start!” Shen Qingqiu grabbed Liu Qingge’s wrist.
Liu Qingge let out a huff. “Don’t pull; I’m coming.”
“You can always eat tanghulu1, but you can’t always see tonight’s display.”
“I can’t always eat tanghulu. Just where on Bai Zhan Peak can I find someone selling it?”
Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. “Aiya, you’re a Sect Leader, yeah? You can figure it out. Anyways, let’s go! We won’t make it to the river in time if we don’t leave now.”
Liu Qingge sighed. Nonetheless, he let Shen Qingqiu drag him down the seemingly endless market street, glowing bright with lanterns hanging from the awnings of countless vendors’ stalls. At the end of the street, just before the small, rocky path that led down towards the river, an old man had set up a small pop-up stall selling lanterns.
“Hey, you Lords! Are you lovers?” The old man called as the two walked past, Shen Qingqiu leading Liu Qingge by the hand.
Heat blossomed in Liu Qingge’s cheeks. Before he could speak, Shen Qingqiu nodded. “Yes. We’re husband and wife.”
“Shen Qingqiu—!” Liu Qingge hissed.
Shen Qingqiu pressed the tip of his closed fan against Liu Qingge’s lips. “Shhh, let me handle this, shidi.”
“Don’t say we’re husband and wife so shamelessly!”
Shen Qingqiu turned back to the man and laughed. “Sorry, he’s still embarrassed about being married to me. Anyways, what was it you wanted, gonggong2?”
The old man grinned. “Do you want to buy a lantern to release together? If you wish for your relationship to flourish, your wish will surely come true.”
Shen Qingqiu paused for a moment, glancing over at Liu Qingge, whose arms were folded across his chest, his foot tapping against the ground. “Make your decision, Shen Qingqiu.”
“What do you want, shidi~?”
“I…I don’t care. There are plenty of people releasing lanterns already, so the view is already good.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
The blush in Liu Qingge’s cheeks crept up to his ears. “Fine! Whatever. We can release one if you want, I guess…”
Shen Qingqiu’s mischievous smile widened, glancing back at the man. “Thank you, gonggong. We’ll take one.”
“It’s getting late. The lanterns are about to be released, so go quickly,” the old man said as he thrust the lantern towards Shen Qingqiu.
“Thanks.”
After handing over the money, Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge made their way down the little path towards the river, shimmering like a river of ink under the black maw of the night sky. Above them, countless stars flickered like far-off lanterns. A sizable crowd of people had gathered on the riverbank, most of them holding lanterns. Children weaved between the legs of adults, laughing as they played and ate treats and snacks.
“Shidi.” Shen Qingqiu elbowed Liu Qingge in the arm.
Letting out a hiss of pain, Liu Qingge glared at him. “What?!”
“Won’t it look pretty when everyone here releases their lanterns at once? What will shidi wish for?”
Liu Qingge huffed. “For you to shut up for once.”
Shen Qingqiu laughed. The two of them arrived at the riverbank, mixing into the crowd of softly-glowing orange lanterns.
A few moments passed before a bright red firework shot up into the sky, screeching as it pierced the darkness with its smoky tail. It was as if the entire crowd held their breath while they waited for the firework to explode. A moment later, a crimson flower bloomed in the sky, twinkling as it fluttered down towards the rushing river below.
A single lantern floated up into the dark sky, and several children started cheering. As that solitary lantern drifted away, countless others followed behind, orange boats on the black ocean.
Shen Qingqiu turned to Liu Qingge, his face alight with the lantern’s glow. “Let’s release it together. But first, make a wish.”
Liu Qingge sighed. His eyes fluttered closed, and he placed one hand underneath the lantern, on top of Shen Qingqiu’s. Upon opening his eyes again, Liu Qingge found Shen Qingqiu staring at him.
“What?”
“What was your wish?”
“It’s none of your business. Come on, let’s just release the lantern.”
“Alright. Ready?”
Liu Qingge nodded.
The two of them lifted their arms, and the lantern floated up out of their hands. Shen Qingqiu stared up at it as it rose up into the sky, countless orange lights dancing in the reflection of his eyes. He watched with wide eyes, mouth agape.
“Isn’t it beautiful, shidi?”
Staring at Shen Qingqiu, Liu Qingge gave a hum of approval. “Yeah.”
Shen Qingqiu glanced over at him. “By the way…do you want to know what I wished for?”
“What?”
Leaning in, Shen Qingqiu’s mischievous grin widened. “I wished to get married and have a happy life together with you.”
“Bastard! You’re embarrassing me!” Liu Qingge hissed, his face as red as the firework. Still, he couldn’t say that his wish hadn’t been the same.