Beneath the crimson sky

lowing like a sea of fireflies in the cool night air. The sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional burst of firecrackers filled the streets, while the sw

ways she couldn't yet understand. Tomorrow, her family would leave for Sizhou, and everything she'd known-the streets, the faces, the laughte

on his dark changshan. He was leaning against a pillar, watching the crowds with a quiet intensity that made him stand out. There was an aloofness to him, but also something magnetic-somet

herself. She hesitated for a moment, then steppe

lled out, her voice

e, staring at each other in silence. His gaze was intense-almost too intense-and Chi Yu had the strangest feeling that he

ow and smooth, like the rumbl

us. "I-I just wanted to know," s

forming his serious expression into something warmer. "Huay

wered, her voice

el like she was talking to someone much older, someone who had seen far more of the worl

he lanterns, the crowd moving around them, but

cate bracelet. The metal was fine, the beads a mix of maroon, green, and gold, twisting togeth

ingers brushing hers as he placed the bracelet in he

g of his quiet energy. She looked up at him, her heart suddenly lighter than it had been in days. The

ricate beads. The gift felt strangely significant, as t

of mischief in his eyes. "Neither will I," he said, his words holding

nt feel lighter. Chi Yu could feel the joy of the night coursing through her-the festival, the

rd the food stalls, where the sweet aroma of rice cakes filled the

had always loved the food at New Year's-the crispy dumplings, the sweet pastries. And shar

the night like fireflies. They played games-ring toss, darts at balloons-Chi Yu laughed harder than she had in a long time, feeling free, the wei

sound around them as they sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Chi Yu knew, deep down, that this w

d quietly, her voice tinged with sa

mething else in his eyes-something like understanding, or maybe even regret. He

out, urgent and sharp. "We have to

st time. It was a silent goodbye, one that carried

soft but steady. "Maybe we'll see ea

ve, pulling out the hairpin her uncle had made for her. Without a word, she pressed it into his

ang stood alone under the lanterns, the sounds of the festival fading as she disappeared into the crowd. The bracelet,