Chapter 150

Chapter 150

The next afternoon, the two of them caught a ride on an oxcart with an old guy from their village to the county town. The mountain roads were rugged, and after an hour of bumpy riding, they arrived at the county town. Shen Qichi told the old guy not to wait for them on the return trip and said goodbye at the city gate.

Compared to the countryside, the county town was a whole different scene. Gray stone walls and tiled roofs, the roads were paved with flagstones. There were no woods, valleys, fields, or paths, no chickens, dogs, oxen, or sheep. Everywhere you looked, there were only houses of various sizes and people moving among them.

The smell of wine drifted down the main street, and lanterns and decorations were everywhere. Shen Qichi and Su Ying merged into the crowd. Both were good-looking and had an impressive presence, getting a lot of looks. Not noticing the attention, Su Ying followed Shen Qichi, quietly looking around.

"Why are there so many people here?"

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. During festivals, the mortal world is always buzzing," Shen Qichi said. "By evening, it will be even livelier."

"Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"The fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, the night of the full moon."

Su Ying's eyes lingered for a moment on the colorful banners and lanterns in the distance. "Is it always like this in the mortal world? This place is completely different from our village."

"Every place has its own look and customs. Even in the mortal world, sights and traditions can differ vastly, just like you demons—each demon's territory and cave is different."

As he spoke, Shen Qichi entered a tavern, and Su Ying followed. In an instant, a wave of noise and mouthwatering smells hit them.

The main hall was packed. Su Ying paused, and a waiter came up with a big smile. "Oh, two guests, right this way. The main hall is full—want a private room upstairs?"

Shen Qichi nodded, and the waiter led them to a private room on the second floor. Once they were seated, he asked, "What would you like? Today, we've got a special Mid-Autumn feast: crabs shipped in from Jiangnan, newly brewed wine, fresh five-nut mooncakes, and fresh pomegranates, pears, and dates—everything you could ask for. I guarantee no other place in Fengtou County can beat us."

Shen Qichi ordered a full spread and a few extra dishes.

Below the room was the main street, now lined with all kinds of stalls. Vendors were already calling out their goods, and ropes between the buildings held neat rows of lanterns, silk banners, and colored satin. Su Ying's eyes wandered back and forth until a smell pulled him back.

He looked back to see a variety of delicacies laid out on the table. Shen Qichi had his sleeves rolled up and was holding a crab, tapping it with some tool Su Ying didn't recognize.

The crab was steamed bright red, shining with an orange-yellow glow in the daylight. As Shen Qichi cut off the crab legs, he explained gently, "People divide the year into four seasons and twelve solar terms, and make certain days festivals. The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of them. Festivals have their rituals—to celebrate, people do special things and eat special foods to mark the day."

He used a silver pick to lift the white crab meat and scraped it into a small plate. Then he tapped the crab claw with a small hammer. "This is part of that." He used one hand to pick up a mooncake and put it on the plate in front of Su Ying. "This is a mooncake, which means reunion. Try it."

Su Ying picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. A sweet taste burst on his tongue. He paused, then took another big bite, his cheeks puffing out involuntarily, just like when he drank water in his serpent form.

A faint smile curved Shen Qichi's lips as he continued to crack the crab shell. "The crust of the mooncake is also made from wheat."

Su Ying watched his movements. "It tastes different from what you made."

"The method is different." Shen Qichi took a copper spoon and scraped the roe and crab meat into a dish. "Is it much tastier?"

Su Ying thought for a moment, then said, "What you made is good."

Shen Qichi chuckled. When did he learn to say things like that?

He placed the entire plate of crab meat in front of Su Ying. "Try this too. The crabs from Jiangnan won't disappoint."

"Where is Jiangnan? Is it far?"

"East of the Southern Barbarians. On foot, it would take about half a month to get there."

"Oh, I know. A few demons came from the east before, trying to take over my territory. I beat them all."

Shen Qichi poured him some wine and asked casually, "What kind of demons were they?"

"I can't remember clearly. A leopard and a golden roc, I think."

Shen Qichi's hand trembled, spilling some wine. He steadied himself and asked, "When was that?"

"Hmm... by human reckoning, about two hundred years ago." Su Ying stretched out his arm, took the wine cup, and sniffed it. The aroma was enticing. He raised it to his lips.

"Hey!" Shen Qichi couldn't stop him in time and watched helplessly as he downed it in one gulp. After drinking, Su Ying licked the remnants from his lips, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Shen Qichi. "What is this?"

"Grape wine." Shen Qichi let out a breath and refilled his cup. "It's not strong, but since it's your first time drinking, don't gulp it down too fast."

Su Ying paid no attention. The wine was mellow and sweet, and paired with the succulent crab meat, it surpassed even the Xunmu and Langgan fruits from Deer Cliff. Before he knew it, the entire jar of wine was gone.

By the time Shen Qichi finished peeling the pomegranate and looked up again, the man before him was already drunk, his eyes glazed and hazy, and his usually pale cheeks tinged with a faint flush.

Shen Qichi hadn't seen him like this in a long time, and it suddenly brought back memories of their past life.

Su Ying loved wine and often indulged, but he had a low tolerance. Once, he even transformed into his serpent form and soaked himself in a wine jar, nearly being taken away as medicinal wine by the Chinese doctor who came to borrow some. That time, Su Ying was drunk for three days and three nights, the alcohol seeping into his bones, and the smell of wine lingered on him for half a month, making it hard for Shen Qichi to sleep at night.

Su Ying slumped onto the table, gazing dazedly at Shen Qichi. His lips, red and moist, parted slightly. "A Chi..."

"Hmm?"

Su Ying slowly closed his eyes. "You're so good..."

Shen Qichi sat still for a moment, then after a long pause, he stood and walked to Su Ying's side. He stared fixedly at his sharply defined profile, then gently brushed a stray strand of hair from his temple, murmuring, "I'm not good."

...

"Candied hawthorns—sweet and sour candied hawthorns—"

Su Ying opened his eyes. The private room's window was wide open, and in the night sky, a large, jade-like full moon greeted his gaze, vying with the brilliant stars. Clear moonlight spilled like water over the eaves and green tiles, but below, it vanished.

Half-suspended lanterns blazed brightly, illuminating the long street. Beneath the swaying lanterns, a stream of people flowed back and forth, their voices a cacophony mingling with distant music from string and woodwind instruments.

"Awake?"

Su Ying blinked and sat up, looking across the table.

Shen Qichi turned his head to gaze out the window. The shadows of silk banners and colored satin flickered across his face, and the small mole under his eye appeared and disappeared in the interplay of light and shadow. He turned back. "Want to go down and take a look?"

...

"One stick of candied hawthorns."

Su Ying looked at Shen Qichi, then at the candied hawthorns in his hand. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "I don't want any."

Shen Qichi was slightly surprised. "Why?" He remembered that in their past life, Su Ying loved them.

Su Ying pursed his lips. "Only children are eating them."

Shen Qichi paused, then glanced around. Indeed, everyone holding candied hawthorns on the street was a child. He couldn't help but laugh, turned around, and bought another stick. He pressed one into Su Ying's hand. "Not anymore."

Su Ying still hesitated.

Shen Qichi genuinely smiled. A few steps away was a mask stall. He walked over, picked out two silver masks, paid, and then handed the candied hawthorn in his hand to Su Ying. "Lower your head."

Su Ying, holding a candied hawthorn in each hand, lowered his head without understanding why.

Shen Qichi fitted the mask onto his face, reaching around his head to tie the straps. His wide sleeves brushed against Su Ying's cheek. Up close, Su Ying caught the faint scent of grape wine on Shen Qichi, mingled with his own subtle fragrance, drifting from his sleeve to his nose. The mask covered the upper half of his face, leaving only gaps for his eyes. He secretly looked up through the mask at the other man, meeting a pair of clear, focused eyes.

Shen Qichi paused for a moment, then finished tying the mask and withdrew his hands. Su Ying lifted his head, his eyes still fixed on him without wavering.

Shen Qichi turned slightly, avoiding his gaze, and lowered his head to put on his own mask. Then he took the candied hawthorn skewer and said, "Eat up."

Su Ying blinked. "Oh." He then asked, "Did you have some wine too?"

Shen Qichi said vaguely, "Just a little." With that, he walked ahead first, and Su Ying followed him.

The two strolled slowly along the long street. After a while, cheers rang out one after another from up ahead. Following the sound, they saw amidst the crowd, golden sparks exploded in the air, cascading down with long, trailing tails.

A bare-chested man vigorously flung molten iron, wielding a willow branch. As one cluster of sparks fell, another burst of brilliant sparks bloomed. Suddenly, drums and gongs rang out, and a line of fish-shaped lanterns burst through the flames, swaying and bobbing to the beat like moving torches.

Su Ying watched for a moment, then turned to look at Shen Qichi. He was gazing intently ahead, golden and red specks dancing in his eyes, making his eyes look even clearer.

"Oh—watching the molten iron fireworks!" Children laughed as they darted between them, bumping Su Ying's leg. Shen Qichi snapped out of it and glanced sideways.

Su Ying met his eyes, suddenly stepped forward, and without a word, took his hand.

Shen Qichi was startled, then a faint smile curled the corner of his lips. "There are too many people. We need to hold tighter so we don't get separated."

Su Ying suddenly dared not meet his gaze. He gripped the candied hawthorn skewer tightly and hummed a soft "Mm."

Their wide sleeves hid their clasped hands as they continued through the crowd. Turning a street corner, the noise suddenly faded.

The river was calm and still, reflecting the moonlight and candlelight. Flower lanterns drifted gently on the water, drifting off with the current. Beside the river stood a temple, with young men and women streaming in and out.

Su Ying asked, "What's that place?"

Shen Qichi glanced at it. "The Temple of the Moon God."

"What are they holding?"

The young men and women emerging from the temple blushed and laughed while chatting, holding colorful sachets and red threads.

"The Moon God Temple is for praying for love. What they're holding are love charms and red threads obtained from the temple attendant."

Su Ying's gaze lingered a moment on a couple's tightly clasped hands, then looked at their linked hands. "Like you and me?"

Shen Qichi paused, then nodded a moment late. "...Mm."

"Then I want some too."

Shen Qichi hesitated slightly.

Could a demon enter a god's temple?

Meeting Su Ying's hopeful eyes, he thought it over and still took him into the temple.

The temple was thick with incense smoke. The statue of the Moon God sat on a high platform, kind and benevolent, looking down on the men and women before it who were about to fall in love or already had. Shen Qichi glanced at Su Ying, and seeing he was fine, he confidently led him closer.

"Come, follow me and bow."

Su Ying didn't know you were supposed to make a silent wish while bowing to the gods. He just copied Shen Qichi, pressing his palms together, and bowed to the Moon God without really knowing why.

Shen Qichi did the same, honestly.

Though he bowed, he had no wish to make.

After bowing, he went to the temple attendant and bought two red threads, then led Su Ying out of the Temple of the Moon God.

They walked to the riverbank, and Su Ying fiddled with the thread around his fingers. "How is this used?"

Shen Qichi took his hand, wrapped the thread twice around his wrist, and tied a bow. "This makes it count."

Su Ying copied him, tying the other thread around Shen Qichi's wrist. After a moment, he suddenly asked Shen Qichi for money. Shen Qichi was slightly taken aback and asked what he wanted it for, but Su Ying just shook his head. "Just give it to me."

Shen Qichi fished out a small silver coin and handed it to him. Su Ying said "Wait here" and quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Shen Qichi withdrew his gaze, raised his wrist to look at the slender red thread, and after a while, touched it gently, a faint smile escaping his lips. The night breeze was cool, making the flower lanterns on the river sway. Shen Qichi lowered his sleeve, gazing at the distant lanterns, when he suddenly heard a clear voice behind him call out, "Teacher."

At first, he paid no attention, until the voice called again, "Teacher?" He turned around to look.

There stood a tall, refined man accompanied by a beautiful young woman, looking at him with uncertainty.

Though the man's features were not outstanding, they were very proper, with a scholarly air between his brows. Shen Qichi found him familiar and studied him for a long moment before recalling who he was.

"...Zhangting."

Li Zhangting's face lit up with joy. He quickly stepped forward. "Teacher, it really is you."

Shen Qichi nodded slightly. "I haven't yet had the chance to congratulate you on your success in the examinations."

"It's all thanks to your guidance, Teacher." Li Zhangting scratched the back of his head sheepishly, then, as if remembering something, pulled the woman beside him closer. "Oh, Teacher, this is Sun Yumei. She's my..." He paused, smiling shyly, then said to Sun Yumei, "Meimei, this is Master Shen Qichi, whom I often mention. Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Though Shen Qichi wore a mask, his graceful bearing and elegant posture were unmistakable. Sun Yumei had always imagined Li Zhangting's frequently mentioned teacher to be an old man, never expecting a young man of such refined charm. She felt a bit self-conscious and lowered her eyes in a respectful bow.

"Master Shen."

Shen Qichi returned the bow. "Miss Sun, it's a pleasure."

Only then did Li Zhangting remember the formalities between teacher and student. Embarrassed, he added his own bow and asked, "Teacher, why are you here alone?"

Shen Qichi replied, "Waiting for someone."

As soon as he spoke, a voice came from behind: "A Chi."

Shen Qichi turned to see Su Ying waiting for him under a tree not far away. He nodded briefly to Li and Sun. "Excuse me." Then he walked toward Su Ying.

Li Zhangting started to call out, "Hey—" but his arm was nudged.

"Look," Sun Yumei said softly.

"At what?" Li Zhangting asked, confused.

Sun Yumei shot him a glance. "Master Shen's left sleeve."

Li Zhangting looked as directed and saw two strands of bright red thread fluttering among Shen Qichi's robes. He paused, then looked at the man under the tree, spotting a handful of love threads unique to the Temple of the Moon God in his palm.

"Why did you buy so many?" Shen Qichi asked as he reached Su Ying's side, looking at the half-palmful of threads in his hand.

"One isn't enough." Su Ying solemnly divided all the threads in half, took Shen Qichi's left hand, wound them neatly twice, and tied a tight knot. Then he extended his left hand, spread his right palm, and said nothing, just fixed his bright eyes on Shen Qichi.

The bundle of threads on his wrist was as wide as a finger joint. Shen Qichi was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh. "How can you be so greedy?" Though his words were scolding, his hand picked up the remaining half of the threads and wound them around Su Ying's wrist.

Su Ying was satisfied. He took Shen Qichi's right hand, skillfully interlaced their fingers, and led him away into the distance.

Li Zhangting stood with his mouth agape, staring blankly. After a long while, he let out an "Ah" and murmured, "No wonder Teacher never married."