The fireworks continued blooming across the night sky.
Red, gold, and silver lights spread like flowers above the quiet lake, reflecting across the water in shimmering waves.
Ling Yue leaned lightly against the wooden railing of the bridge, her eyes sparkling as each firework exploded above them.
For a moment she looked like a child again—free, happy, and filled with wonder.
Beside her, Mo Xuan stood silently.
He watched the fireworks.
But only for a moment.
Soon his gaze shifted.
Instead of the sky—
He watched Ling Yue.
The colorful lights reflected across her face, illuminating her gentle smile. Each burst of light seemed to make her expression shine brighter.
Ling Yue suddenly turned and caught him looking.
"You're not watching the fireworks."
Mo Xuan didn't look away.
"I am."
She followed his gaze.
Then she realized.
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
"You're strange."
Mo Xuan didn't argue.
At that moment, something floating on the lake caught his attention.
Dozens of small lanterns drifted slowly across the water, each glowing with warm golden light.
Ling Yue noticed them too.
"Those lanterns…"
Near the lake shore, families gathered together. Parents helped their children place small lanterns into the water.
Some people wrote wishes on paper slips and tucked them inside the lanterns before releasing them.
The glowing lights floated gently across the lake like tiny stars drifting on water.
Ling Yue watched quietly.
For a brief moment, she didn't speak.
Memories flickered across her mind.
She remembered seeing families like this when she was younger.
Before cultivation.
Before responsibility.
Before expectations.
A warmth filled her chest.
Her eyes glistened slightly, though she quickly blinked the feeling away.
Mo Xuan noticed.
Without saying anything, he reached behind him.
When he brought his hand forward—
A small lantern rested in his palm.
Ling Yue blinked.
"You… bought one?"
Mo Xuan nodded calmly.
Ling Yue looked at it in surprise.
"When did you buy it?"
Mo Xuan shrugged slightly.
"While you were watching the fireworks."
Ling Yue stared at him.
She remembered.
A moment earlier, when the fireworks were at their brightest, Mo Xuan had stepped away briefly.
She thought he had simply moved through the crowd.
Instead—
He had gone to buy the lantern.
Her heart felt warm.
Before she could say anything, Mo Xuan gently reached forward and took her hand.
"Come."
Ling Yue looked down at their hands.
Then back at him.
A smile slowly appeared.
"Okay."
They walked together down from the bridge toward the quiet lake shore.
Around them, families laughed softly while placing lanterns into the water.
Mo Xuan handed the lantern to Ling Yue.
"There's space inside for a wish."
Ling Yue tilted her head.
"You're supposed to write one too."
Mo Xuan nodded.
"Then we both write."
They knelt beside the water.
Inside the lantern was a small sheet of paper and a brush.
Ling Yue held the brush thoughtfully.
For a moment, she didn't move.
Mo Xuan asked quietly,
"Can't decide?"
Ling Yue smiled softly.
"No… I just have many wishes."
She began writing carefully.
After finishing, she folded the paper and placed it inside the lantern.
Then she handed the brush to Mo Xuan.
"Your turn."
Mo Xuan wrote only a few simple words.
When he finished, they both stood again.
Together—
They lowered the lantern onto the lake.
The small light touched the water and began drifting slowly away.
The lantern joined the others, floating gently beneath the fireworks above.
Ling Yue watched it carefully.
Her eyes followed the glowing light as it moved further across the lake.
After a while she spoke.
"What did you wish for?"
Mo Xuan asked calmly,
"You first."
Ling Yue nodded.
"My wishes are simple."
She looked out over the water.
"I want to become strong."
Strong enough to prove myself.
Strong enough that my father will understand me."
Her voice softened slightly.
"And…"
She glanced toward him.
"I want you to recover your memory."
"So you can return to your family."
Mo Xuan froze for a brief moment.
Ling Yue continued quietly.
"And I hope you can be happy."
Mo Xuan looked at her for a long time.
"You have many wishes."
Ling Yue laughed softly.
"Yes."
Then she tilted her head.
"What about you?"
Mo Xuan looked toward the lantern drifting across the lake.
"My wish is simple."
He turned toward her.
"I want you to smile like this."
Ling Yue blinked.
"That's your wish?"
Mo Xuan nodded.
"Yes."
Ling Yue frowned playfully.
"You lived many years before meeting me."
"And we've only known each other for a few months."
"That's really your only wish?"
Mo Xuan answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Ling Yue stared at him.
"Why?"
Mo Xuan's voice was calm.
"Because right now…"
"You are my only family."
For a moment, Ling Yue couldn't speak.
The fireworks above exploded again, lighting the sky in brilliant gold.
The reflection danced across the lake.
Ling Yue slowly smiled.
"Then…"
"We'll stay friends."
Mo Xuan nodded.
"I'll protect you."
Ling Yue laughed softly.
"And I'll protect you too."
They both looked at each other.
Then turned back toward the lake.
Their lantern floated further away, disappearing slowly among the hundreds of lights drifting across the water.
As Ling Yue turned slightly, something caught Mo Xuan's attention.
Around her neck—
A silver necklace rested against her collarbone.
The pendant was shaped like a crescent moon.
Under the fireworks' glow, the necklace shimmered faintly.
Mo Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Something about it felt… familiar.
Ancient.
He watched it quietly.
Ling Yue noticed his gaze.
"What?"
Mo Xuan shook his head.
"Nothing."
But his mind lingered on the crescent moon pendant.
Because somewhere deep within his shattered memories—
He felt as though he had seen it before.
And that necklace…
Carried a story yet to be told.
The fireworks slowly faded.
But the lanterns continued drifting quietly across the dark lake.
End of Chapter 26...