Chapter 52 – Celebrating the Qixi Festival Together

When Long Qinghan returned carrying a bowl of noodles, he was met with Feng Xuanyang’s stern expression. By now, Feng Xuanyang had already dressed and was leaning against the headboard with a pillow behind his back, arms crossed, lost in thought about something.

Long Qinghan frowned with displeasure. “Why did you get up? Your wounds haven’t healed yet.” He quickly set down the bowl and went to help Feng Xuanyang, but with a sharp “smack,” Feng Xuanyang actually slapped his hand away and glared at him angrily.

Long Qinghan was slightly stunned. “What’s wrong?”

Feng Xuanyang pursed his lips and turned his head away, ignoring him.

Long Qinghan was even more confused. Everything had been fine just moments ago – why was he suddenly throwing a childish tantrum? He sighed and sat down, holding the noodles up to Feng Xuanyang. “Eat up, it won’t taste good once it gets cold.”

Feng Xuanyang snatched the bowl and turned around to eat with his back to Long Qinghan.

Long Qinghan glanced at him, then walked to the table, poured himself some tea to rinse his mouth, then cupped water to wash his face, moving slowly. By the time he finished, Feng Xuanyang had also finished eating.

Feng Xuanyang ate every bit of the noodles, not leaving a drop of broth. When he finished, he casually tossed the bowl into Long Qinghan’s hands without saying a word.

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“Mblal oyp ds skz kd uswa dssezlp!” Wldt Dwyduydt pdsavle kdektdydvzu.

Nsdt Ckdtbyd oyp pvyavzle, vbld pyke psxlobyv yrszstlvknyzzu, “Slyzzu? R xwpv byhl qsatsvvld.”

Wldt Dwyduydt rswvle ytykd yde vssj vbl vly Nsdt Ckdtbyd bydele bkx, twzrkdt kv esod kd sdl ts.

“Uyalqwz, kv’p bsv…” Gp pssd yp vbl osaep zlqv bkp xswvb, Wldt Dwyduydt pryv swv vbl vly okvb y “rqqv,” tlvvkdt vbl clepbllvp yzz olv.

Nsdt Ckdtbyd oyp yzyaxle yde iwknjzu rswale y csoz sq nsze oyvla qsa Wldt Dwyduydt. “Pakdj psxl nsze oyvla.”

“R osd’v!” Wldt Dwyduydt bydele cynj vbl bsv vly yde pvwccsadzu alqwple vs eakdj, vbasokdt ydsvbla vydvawx.

Mbkp oyp vbl qkapv vkxl Nsdt Ckdtbyd bye plld Wldt Dwyduydt ynv ps pvaydtlzu, cwv bl oypd’v yddsule. Tl xshle nzspla yde blze wr vbl csoz sq nsze oyvla. “Pakdj psxl nsze oyvla, svblaokpl usw’zz tlv czkpvlap kd uswa xswvb yde osd’v cl yczl vs lyv.”

Feng Xuanyang snorted but took the water and drank a few gulps, then angrily handed it back.

After eating and drinking his fill, he threw another tantrum and flopped down on the bed. “I want to sleep. Come up here and sing me to sleep.”

Long Qinghan replied calmly, “Alright.” He immediately removed his shoes and socks, got on the bed, lay down flat, and began to sing softly. But he had barely sung one line when Feng Xuanyang interrupted him.

“That doesn’t sound good. Sing something else,” Feng Xuanyang complained.

“Alright.” Long Qinghan responded mildly and began singing another song.

But Feng Xuanyang interrupted him again, claiming it didn’t sound good. After several attempts, Long Qinghan had changed songs multiple times, but Feng Xuanyang still wasn’t satisfied.

Long Qinghan sighed deeply, thought for a moment, then switched to yet another song and began singing with his eyes closed.

This time, Feng Xuanyang couldn’t hold back anymore. He pouted and turned over, poking Long Qinghan’s arm with his finger and saying pitifully, “Qinghan…”

Long Qinghan slowly opened his eyes and stopped singing. “What’s… mmm…”

The rest of his question was drowned in a fierce, passionate kiss. His mouth was filled with the other’s sandalwood fragrance, their intertwined lips and teeth sharing each other’s essence, wild breath filling his mouth until every corner was saturated with the other’s taste.

Long Qinghan slowly closed his eyes, moving his body closer and gently wrapping his arms around Feng Xuanyang’s solid waist, pressing their bodies closer together to feel each other’s warmth.

This kiss carried unclear emotions – resentment, perhaps, or heartache. Days of hardship could be eased with just one kiss, relieving the oppressive suffering in their hearts.

Finally, neither knew who pulled away first, a thin silver thread still connecting their lips.

Feng Xuanyang covered Long Qinghan’s eyes with heartache, then suddenly hugged him tightly, his arms trembling as he held him. “Why are you so calm? Why aren’t you angry? Why… why…”

Long Qinghan was stunned. He gently embraced Feng Xuanyang back and asked in confusion, “Why should I be angry for no reason?”

“Qinghan,” Feng Xuanyang pulled back slightly, pouting. “I’ve been teasing you like this – aren’t you angry?”

Long Qinghan tilted his head and blinked in confusion. “Why should I be angry?”

“…” Feng Xuanyang sighed deeply. Long Qinghan was still so oblivious – he had tormented himself for nothing.

He smoothed Long Qinghan’s hair and pecked him on the lips. “I’ve been making things difficult for you repeatedly. Why aren’t you angry?”

Long Qinghan blinked blankly. “Why should I be angry?”

Feng Xuanyang sighed again. “Is there nothing in this world that makes you angry?”

“Yes – things that threaten the lives of people I care about.”

Feng Xuanyang was startled, then smiled. Yes, just a few days ago at the Jiuhua Sect, hadn’t Long Qinghan gotten angry for his sake?

“But,” Feng Xuanyang lowered his eyes, “your birthday, I…” He suddenly hugged Long Qinghan tightly, his voice trembling slightly. “I promised to spend all your future birthdays with you, but I broke my word this time. I slept for so many days and missed your birthday. Why aren’t you angry? Why aren’t you angry!”

Long Qinghan was stunned. So this was why Feng Xuanyang had been acting up – because today had already passed his own birthday, hoping he would get angry so Feng Xuanyang would feel better. But forget Feng Xuanyang – with all the close care these past days, even he had forgotten about his birthday. How could he be angry about it? Besides, if Feng Xuanyang hadn’t saved him back then, he might not even have had the chance to celebrate future birthdays.

“Qinghan, if you were angry, I could feel at peace. But why aren’t you angry? I broke my promise, I broke my promise.”

“It’s just a birthday. I didn’t even remember it myself, so it doesn’t matter. You were unconscious for so many days – that wasn’t your choice. Besides, if you hadn’t saved me back then, I would have died long ago, let alone celebrating birthdays.” Long Qinghan held him tighter, speaking calmly.

Feng Xuanyang hugged Long Qinghan tightly, waves of emotion surging in his eyes, condensing into fierce, murderous light. “If I find out who sent those assassins after us, I’ll cut them into a thousand pieces and dismember their corpses!”

Long Qinghan gently patted his back without speaking, but layers of cold ice also formed in his eyes. His thoughts were the same as Feng Xuanyang’s – he would never forgive anyone who dared harm his beloved!

Feng Xuanyang smiled tenderly. “Once my wounds heal, I’ll make up your birthday celebration.”

“Alright.”

“So, Qinghan, you really aren’t angry?” Feng Xuanyang asked tentatively again.

Long Qinghan nodded calmly. His nature was naturally calm – how could he get angry so easily? However, some people took advantage of this and pushed their luck.

“Well, Qinghan, there are actually some things I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time.”

Long Qinghan’s heart sank with a bad feeling, and indeed, Feng Xuanyang’s words made him want to strangle him.

“Actually, you’re too much of a pampered young master, your ten fingers have never touched spring water. When we first met, you didn’t even carry flint with you.”

“…Continue.”

“Actually, your cooking is terrible – either no salt or salty enough to kill someone.”

“…Mm.”

“Actually, you’re too thin, like a skeleton with no meat – not nice to touch!”

“…Mm.”

“Actually, you’re very dense and slow. I hinted at you so many times, but you never responded at all. Fortunately, I was wise and just threw you onto the bed to get things done.”

“…”

“Actually, you’re quite wicked – you bullied me several times, wouldn’t let me kiss you, and even pushed me into the water. Don’t you know I prefer you to lie there obediently and let me take charge?”

“…”

“Actually, you’re very alluring in bed, but unfortunately not proactive. Be good, next time be more active and sit on top, then… OW— Long Qinghan, you just said you wouldn’t get angry! My butt, hey—”

Feng Xuanyang rolled around on the bed for several days until his wounds finally healed completely. The first thing he did upon recovery was jump up and run to the window to breathe fresh air, claiming he had been sleeping so much that his body was growing mold. After Feng Xuanyang recovered, it was Long Qinghan’s turn to catch up on sleep.

So the two of them slept together in bed for more than ten days before finally recovering their strength.

Once Feng Xuanyang regained his energy, it was Long Qinghan’s turn to throw tantrums. He found various ways to torment Feng Xuanyang, making him cook all sorts of food and lazily lying in bed enjoying being fed by Feng Xuanyang, until Feng Xuanyang cried and complained about being bullied.

In the blink of an eye, time flew by, and before they knew it, it was the seventh day of the seventh month – the Qixi Festival.

As evening fell and before the sky darkened, lights were already blazing everywhere. Many people emerged from their homes and flooded the streets, making Luo City instantly lively. Lovers gathered together, sharing their feelings, composing poetry, and singing little songs – it was quite festive.

People guessing riddles, matching couplets, giving flowers – pairs everywhere, everyone’s faces beaming with happy smiles. On this day, talented scholars and beautiful ladies would take to the streets. If they met someone they fancied, they would approach and strike up conversations. If they felt the other was interested, they would chat, drink tea, compose poetry and match couplets together, hoping to arrange a marriage.

That evening, the recovered Feng Xuanyang took Long Qinghan out, saying he wanted to make up for his birthday celebration on this auspicious day. Long Qinghan didn’t refuse and nodded in agreement.

The two held hands as they left the inn, wandering around and looking everywhere.

As they walked along, crowds bustled around them. Feng Xuanyang gripped Long Qinghan’s hand tightly to prevent him from getting lost. He bought many snacks for Long Qinghan, but Long Qinghan didn’t like eating snacks and tried to politely decline. However, seeing Feng Xuanyang’s pitiful expression, he had no choice but to accept and taste them. Feng Xuanyang was delighted and bought snacks whenever he saw them along the street, feeding them to Long Qinghan regardless of whether he wanted them or not.

Strangely, along their way, many young girls would run over and bump into them, then shyly toss flowers or handkerchiefs to them. The two looked at each other in confusion, not understanding what was happening. It was crowded here, so being bumped into wasn’t unusual, but the flower and handkerchief throwing puzzled them.

But since they had received these things, why not make good use of them? So Feng Xuanyang, having received many flowers, began mischievously bringing them close to Long Qinghan’s nose. Seeing Long Qinghan sneeze repeatedly, he burst into delighted laughter. When sneezing, the handkerchiefs they’d received came in handy – Long Qinghan wiped his nose, then angrily channeled his power to strike at Feng Xuanyang. Feng Xuanyang laughed and quickly bounded away. Seeing this, Long Qinghan became even more annoyed and chased after him. At first, they were just chasing each other on the ground, but later, as their play escalated, they leaped onto rooftops to continue their pursuit.

Finally, when Feng Xuanyang didn’t want to run anymore, he suddenly stopped and crashed backward into Long Qinghan’s arms. “Qinghan…”

“What are you doing?” Long Qinghan looked coldly at the person burying his head in his chest.

Feng Xuanyang nuzzled closer, deliberately burying his head in Long Qinghan’s embrace. Seeing the exposed fair skin, he smiled wickedly and stuck out his tongue to lick it. Then, as Long Qinghan was reacting, he brought the flowers close to his nose. Instantly – “Achoo— achoo— damn achoo—”

“Haha, Qinghan, you’re so amusing.” Feng Xuanyang suddenly jumped away, laughing heartily.

Long Qinghan was about to retaliate when a voice caught his attention.

“Everyone, everyone, come and take a look!” A middle-aged man’s voice was particularly loud in the noisy night, attracting the attention of the street wanderers. People gathered around, looking toward the speaker.

Long Qinghan was also drawn by this booming voice. Seeing the growing excitement below, he couldn’t help but slowly stop and look down.

Feng Xuanyang curiously followed Long Qinghan’s gaze and smiled mischievously. He moved close to Long Qinghan’s ear and blew on it – no reaction. He took the opportunity to peck him – still no reaction. His smile grew wider as he slapped Long Qinghan’s bottom and groped it. Finally, a hand reached over and pinched his evil claw, twisting hard until the skin turned red.

“Feng. Xuan. Yang.” Long Qinghan growled viciously.

“Hiss—” Feng Xuanyang sucked in a breath of cold air, shaking his hand. “Qinghan, you’re too harsh.”

Long Qinghan glared at him and pried his claw away, tossing it aside.

Long Qinghan looked back down and saw crowds of people with excited voices. In the center of their attention stood a tower about three stories high, with a beautiful lantern hanging from its peak, glowing brilliantly against the clear night sky.

“What is this?” Long Qinghan asked in confusion.

Feng Xuanyang moved closer intimately. “If you give your husband a kiss, I’ll tell you.”

Long Qinghan swatted his face away, too lazy to deal with him.

Fortunately, the middle-aged man who had been shouting began explaining: “Everyone, tonight is the blessed Qixi Festival, and our Luo City’s traditional tower-climbing lantern festival is about to begin. Everyone, please look – I’ve already had people place this lantern at the tower’s peak. If any brave warrior can be the first to climb the high tower and retrieve it, he may present this lantern to his most beloved and propose marriage, making his beauty smile and receiving everyone’s blessings. Moreover…” The middle-aged man gestured to his assistant, who was holding a tray covered with red silk. The man reached over and lifted the silk, revealing a pair of bracelets adorned with red spirit stones – each stone full and translucent, flowing with faint aurora under the gentle moonlight and bonfire glow. Just seeing those beautiful colors drew people’s gazes.

The middle-aged man continued: “Tomorrow is my son’s wedding day, so I’m in high spirits today. I’ve crafted this pair of lovers’ yearning knots. If any warrior can retrieve this lantern, I’ll present this pair of knots to him and invite the warrior and his companion to attend my son’s wedding.”

At these words, the crowd erupted, everyone shouting about climbing the high tower.

“Who is this person? Why is everyone so excited?” Long Qinghan asked in confusion. His gaze was completely fixed on that pair of beautiful knots, faintly showing longing.

“How would I know if you don’t?” Feng Xuanyang raised an eyebrow, then jumped down from the roof, found a passerby to ask about the situation, and after learning the details, leaped back up. “This is Master Song, the richest man in Luo City. He has a son who’s twenty years old and getting married tomorrow. His wedding banquet will host officials and nobles, serving delicacies that common people rarely get to taste. So when he said this, everyone was naturally delighted.”

“I see.” Long Qinghan responded blankly, his eyes still firmly locked on that pair of lovers’ yearning knots.

Feng Xuanyang followed his gaze and smiled mischievously. He cupped Long Qinghan’s face and kissed him firmly. “Wait for your husband to win them for you.” With that, he suddenly leaped down and squeezed into the crowd.

“Hey…” Long Qinghan reacted and reached out to grab him, but couldn’t even catch a corner of his clothing, only feeling the wind he stirred as he left.

He watched Feng Xuanyang’s figure with concern. Feng Xuanyang’s body had just recovered – what if he got injured again?

He flicked his robes, about to chase down, but then the tower-climbing activity began, and he paused. It was too late now – he couldn’t go down and stop Feng Xuanyang at this point. Feng Xuanyang was proud after all – if he interfered in front of all these people, it would embarrass him terribly. Besides, the medicine Luo Yuchen had given was high quality, so he shouldn’t get injured again.

Cheers and shouts filled his ears as everyone craned their necks to watch, some almost wanting to rush up and climb themselves. The men’s companions also forgot their dignity, clutching handkerchiefs and stamping their feet, hoping their sweethearts could win the prize.

But Long Qinghan’s heart grew calm. A touch of tenderness appeared on his usually cold face, his lips curving slightly upward, his gaze completely captured by that climbing figure in red. Under the bonfire’s glow, that flamboyant red clothing appeared even more vivid and alluring, completely stealing his attention. He gradually became intoxicated by Feng Xuanyang’s graceful form, lost in infatuation. When he came back to his senses, Feng Xuanyang was already standing proudly on the platform, triumphantly holding up the lantern and waving it at him.

Long Qinghan’s smile grew wider as he nodded slightly, their eyes meeting. But suddenly his expression changed, and he quickly tapped his toes and flew toward the high tower.

Because Feng Xuanyang seemed to have waved too enthusiastically and lost his footing, actually falling with an empty step beneath him. In an instant, everyone gasped, and some strong men positioned themselves below to catch him. However, mid-air, a blue figure suddenly swept by, powerful arms embracing and catching him.

Long Qinghan’s face looked somewhat sour because at this moment, Feng Xuanyang was grinning widely, his face clearly written with the words “I did it on purpose.”

Long Qinghan held him as they gracefully landed and steadied themselves, then said coldly, “Get down.”

Feng Xuanyang moved his limbs that were clinging to Long Qinghan’s body and said with a grin, “You put me down.”

Long Qinghan was annoyed and moved his hands to throw him off, but after his palms moved slightly, he stopped again.

Feng Xuanyang knew Long Qinghan wouldn’t dare drop him and let him get hurt, so he hugged Long Qinghan’s neck tighter, publicly kissed his lips, then nestled in his arms rubbing back and forth, completely ignoring the people below who were staring wide-eyed at them both.

“Ahem.” At this point, Master Song couldn’t stand watching anymore and cleared his throat, interrupting them both.

Master Song walked over with his assistant and bowed with clasped hands. “Young master, congratulations on winning the lantern. Please accept this pair of lovers’ yearning knots. Also,” he pulled out a red-gold invitation from his chest and presented it with both hands, “this is my son’s wedding invitation. Tomorrow at noon, please honor us both with your presence at our humble home for my son’s wedding feast.”

“Wonderful, wonderful.” Feng Xuanyang jumped down from Long Qinghan’s arms, smiling as he accepted the invitation, examining it from all sides before tucking it into his chest. Then he carefully took the pair of lovers’ yearning knots and pulled Long Qinghan’s right hand over, quickly putting one on him.

Looking at the bracelet on that fair, pale wrist, Feng Xuanyang nodded with satisfaction. He then handed his own knot to Long Qinghan. “Here, help me… help me put it on.”

Long Qinghan nodded and took his left hand, lowering his eyes tenderly as he gently slipped it on.

A pair of lovers’ yearning knots now adorned the hands of these lovers, as celebratory cheers and congratulatory applause erupted from below. Though many people hadn’t won the lantern, they all offered heartfelt blessings to Feng and Long, and in this bustling night, a warm human touch flowed between people.

Feng Xuanyang took Long Qinghan’s hand and stood tall on the platform, facing the crowd and declaring loudly: “Today, before everyone, I swear that I will never betray my lover’s feelings in this lifetime. Even though we are both men and not accepted by the world, I will never abandon him! I will love and protect him for all eternity! This feeling will never change, this life will never part!”

He smiled and turned his head, but was surprised to see Long Qinghan’s shocked expression and a hot tear sliding down his cheek. This was the second time he had seen this strong man cry – so heartbreaking, making one want to love and protect him. He reached out his hand to catch that tear, watching it roll in his palm, burning his hand. “Qinghan,” his heart was intoxicated, drunk for this person who would cry for him.

He embraced Long Qinghan and pressed his lips to those warm lips, responding to this tear shed for him with the most passionate emotion. “Qinghan, I love you.”

Long Qinghan’s whole body trembled as he moved his lips, finding countless words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. Only the continuously falling tears revealed the joy in his heart. He embraced Feng Xuanyang back, using his own passionate kiss to melt his heart. Finally, after all that fervent emotion, words he had held back for so long slowly emerged: “I love you too.”

In this moment, time stopped for them, and the cheering crowd below grew quiet. Everyone gripped their lover’s hand tightly, with devout blessing hearts wishing that their love could last forever, without end.

This kiss lingered for who knows how long, entwined for who knows how much time. When the crowd awakened and looked back, the two figures were no longer on the platform – only a gentle breeze carried the scent of love.

Feng Xuanyang led Long Qinghan as they walked along. Long Qinghan kept his eyes lowered without speaking, his face still carrying a faint blush. He had originally thought that with Feng Xuanyang’s personality, he would definitely drag him back to the inn and pin him down for three days and nights. But unexpectedly, Feng Xuanyang simply led him away from there, pulling him around to wander and buy food.

He glanced up at Feng Xuanyang slightly, his blush deepening. He hadn’t expected to confess his love on such a night, and he had been a step behind Feng Xuanyang. Thinking about it, he really was – claiming he wanted to beat him at something, but in the end, he still lost to him. Well, since being with him was so happy, why worry about winning or losing?

Feng Xuanyang raised an eyebrow and glanced at Long Qinghan. Meeting his gaze, he made a kissing gesture, making Long Qinghan’s face turn even redder as he turned his head away.

Walking back, they discovered that young girls were still occasionally throwing flirtatious glances while giving them flowers and handkerchiefs.

If all these were for Feng Xuanyang, he wouldn’t mind much. However, he looked at Long Qinghan… Perhaps Long Qinghan was somewhat excited, because he smiled faintly at every girl who gave him something, making those women shyly wave and pat his shoulder.

Now Feng Xuanyang was getting jealous. He pulled Long Qinghan closer and glared at those approaching women, shouting: “Why are you giving him all these things! Don’t give them!”

“Oh my,” a somewhat worldly woman walked over, stuffing her handkerchief into Long Qinghan’s chest and smiling. “This young master must be from out of town. In our Qixi celebration, when women give flowers or handkerchiefs to young men, it expresses admiration. If the gentleman is interested, he can converse with the gift-giving lady. But if the gentleman already has someone he loves, the gifts represent blessings, wishing you two eternal happiness. So giving gifts is good luck – why should you get so angry at us, young master?”

Feng Xuanyang was stunned and somewhat sheepishly glared back. He had always been proud and would never lower his head to admit fault. Seeing him and the woman staring each other down, Long Qinghan sighed deeply and patted Feng Xuanyang. “Forget it, why worry about such things? She’s just a woman after all. Besides, you’ve received plenty of things too, haven’t you…” But the rest of his words were swallowed back into his throat.