Their mother sighed, the ache in her chest deeper than any wound. She rose, tugging them toward the water's edge, where a crowd pressed close.
Above them, fireworks erupted, blossoms of crimson and jade unfurling in the black sky. The river shimmered with drifting lanterns, carrying the whispered dreams of villagers away on the current.
Hours passed. The twins grew restless, yawning but unwilling to admit they were tired. The festival's noise dulled into a soft murmur of voices and crackle of torches.
And then—
A horn.
Low, mournful, echoing across the valley. Heads turned. Conversations broke off.
On the far road, lantern light revealed a small procession descending toward the village. Soldiers, their armor dulled by dust, carried torches. At their center moved a horse, rider slumped forward.
Mei's breath caught.
The twins blinked, confused.
"Is that—?" Lian whispered.
Wei squinted. "Why is he riding like that?"
As the procession neared, Mei's legs buckled. She pressed a hand to her lips, stifling a sob.
The rider was her husband, Jian.
The father of her children.
But his body was limp, tied to the saddle so he would not fall. His once-proud banner was draped in black.
The villagers gasped, whispers spreading like wildfire. Some knelt, others covered their mouths.
Mei collapsed to her knees. Her lantern slipped from her hand, toppling into the river.
The twins stood frozen.
"That's not—" Wei's voice cracked. "He's sleeping."
Lian's hand clutched her brother's tightly, nails digging into his skin. Her eyes, wide and glassy, fixed on the lifeless figure.
"No," she whispered. "No, no, no…"
The soldiers stopped at the square. Their captain dismounted, bowing to the villagers. His voice was grave, heavy as stone.
"General Jian has fallen in battle. We bring him home."
A silence so complete it rang louder than fireworks filled the night.
The twins stared.
Wei's fists balled up. "I told you I hated him!" he shouted suddenly, voice shrill, tears stinging his eyes. "I told you—"
But his words crumbled. He buried his face in Lian's shoulder, sobbing.
Lian's lips trembled. "Papa… Papa, I didn't mean it…"
Their cries pierced the square, small voices breaking through the heavy hush. Villagers turned away, some wiping their eyes.
Mei dragged herself across the stones to her children. She gathered them into her arms, their sobs shaking against her. Her own tears poured silently down her cheeks.
Above them, lanterns drifted higher, their soft light brushing against the stars, carrying unspoken wishes that could no longer be answered.
Later, the square emptied. The soldiers had carried Jian's body into the ancestral hall, torches flickering against carved beams. Incense thickened the air, drowning the scent of river mist.
The twins sat huddled beside their mother, eyes raw and swollen.
"Why didn't he come back before?" Wei whispered hoarsely.
"He promised," Lian added, her voice cracking.
Mei stroked their hair, her touch unsteady. "He wanted to. More than anything. But the war—" Her words faltered. "The war took him away."
Wei pulled away, fists trembling. "I hate the war. I hate the soldiers. I hate—" He bit down hard, choking back a sob.
Lian pressed her face into her mother's lap. "Can we… Can we tell him we're sorry?"
The question shattered Mei's resolve. She bent low, clutching them. "Yes. You can. Tomorrow, we will write him letters, and burn them. The smoke will carry your words to where his spirit waits."
The children nodded weakly, though their eyes flicked toward the altar where soldiers were arranging their father's armor, his sword laid across it.
The silence in the hall thickened, punctuated only by the faint crackle of oil lamps.
Outside, the festival still glittered, though its joy had dimmed. The river was crowded with drifting lanterns, each one a fragile prayer.
And on the horizon, beyond the village's reach, thunder rumbled. Not of storms—but of drums.
Another army was marching closer.
The twins, curled in their mother's embrace, did not yet hear.
But by dawn, they would.
As the narrative ended, the screen went black and The video has ended was written on the screen. Rayan, who was involved in the plot, was stunned.
Wait, that's it? What about the army that is about to come?
What happens to the kids later?
Hey hey, hey, this can't be the end!!
Director, you Demon!! You played with me!!
But it was so good.
Rayan opened his friend list and shared this short movie with his friends and even to his relatives. This movie was great. It makes one yearn for more. This better not be the end. Rayan looked at the time, it was still 11:10 am, He had quite some time. So he opened the short movie again and watched it again. This time he noticed that the scene was quite historical and even big hit movies never had such details in historical setting.
While in the academy of History, A young girl name Sharla was about to sleep when she heard a notification from her friend and also a crush who was in Military Academy and quickly looked at the message.
It was a link to a short movie.
She was excited, he actually invited to watch movies.
She sat up striaght and opened the link and prepared to have some common discussion point with her crush.
After half an hour, when screen went blank, she was crying.
Those two cute little kids...
The lady whose husband died...
And there might be more trouble...
Wuwuw, Her crush actually hit her in the heart...
No, no. This is the fault of the director.
As she calmed down and rewatched it for the love of those kids, she was stunned huh? Lantern festival, huh, those houses, those dressings!! Huh!!!
She wiped her tears and sat up and looked at the details, Omg, this is too much information. She sent the movie link to her professor who was also studying ancient chinese history of Past Earth planet.
That night, the short movie rose up in ranking and by dawn it was already at 45th place. When Ji Liyue woke up from hunger he saw his light brain buzzing, he opened the platform and looked at the data...huh?
2 Million views already? And he also have 10,000 star coins from the gifts of his viewers.
Well, Atleast they won't go hungry.