Reborn To Be The Imperial Consort [BL]
Chapter 154: Dancing Yellow Chrysanthemum — V

Chapter 154: Dancing Yellow Chrysanthemum — V

"Ah, Lijing, Huiqi, you’ve returned." Li Xinyuan turned towards the two foxes sensing their Qi nearby. "I feared you would miss this dance."

Cheon WuHui’s eyes narrowed, the cheer in the surgeon’s voice stinging his ears. The two of them had been watching the dancers perform in the middle of the street moments earlier.

"How sudden." He smirked wryly. And from the twitch in Li Xinyuan’s face, his remark did not go unnoticed.

"Dare I ask what you are referring to?"

"We perceived you plenty capable of knowing that, Doctor Li."

"..." This insufferable—

With a huff, Li Xinyuan turned to look at the two spirit foxes instead. They were worth more of his time than some fledging bastard.

Smiling softly, he beckoned them closer. As he stood by Hu Lijing, he leaned in to whisper in a low voice, eyes following Bai Huiqi.

"Have you two put aside your differences?" Li Xinyuan inquired in a careful manner, though it quickly morphed into distaste when he saw the younger fox spirit standing beside Cheon WuHui. "Or..?"

Hu Lijing cast him a long, unimpressed sidelong glance. His face betrayed nothing as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Am I such a stubborn individual in your eyes?"

"... Would you be partial to the truth, Lijing?"

"Pray tell."

"Well, then," the surgeon slowly coughed into his fist. "You are indeed a stubborn man."

The fox spirit did not give an immediate retort to the half-teasing admission. His eyes followed the graceful movements of the dancers holding the burning lanterns.

Hu Lijing’s amber gaze drank the flowing hands and feet, every twirl, every twist, an emulation of restrained yet bright flames.

Then, with a gentle curl of his lips, he wrapped an arm around himself. "I suppose I cannot deny that."

Li Xinyuan looked at him, slightly narrowed eyes, studying the man he knew since he was a small child, and knew him far better than anyone else in this world.

As he gazed at the side of the fox spirit’s face, illuminated under the soft glow of lanterns, Li Xinyuan could see the subtle shift of his emotions.

After a long time, he turned away, a wry smile of his own dancing on his face. "So you did, huh? Commendable."

Hu Lijing’s smile widened as he kept his eyes on the dancers twirling and leaping around in rhythm with the music.

"I have been immature enough. It was time I assumed that heavy mantle."

Then, beside him, Hu Lijing felt the surgeon shift slightly closer, hand tightening on his upper arm as the young man lightly pressed against his side in a show of comfort.

"It isn’t easy to move forward from an age-old resentment... Still, your willingness to do so is enough. Both of you have an eternity ahead."

Hu Lijing said nothing. Raising his head to face the sky inked in stars scattered across its splendid fabric, he closed his eyes, swallowing inaudibly.

"We do, don’t we?"

Beside them, Cheon WuHui focused his attention on Bai Huiqi, willfully ignoring the two.

"Did your conversation go well?"

Bai Huiqi gave a nod, sapphire eyes trained on the elaborate dance with the distinct awe of someone watching it for the first time. "You could say that."

Cheon WuHui watched as the four-tailed fox’s gaze followed the unseen trail of the dance movements. Despite himself, a strange affection bloomed in his chest, curling loosely within him.

This time, it was one devoid of any need for possession or any obsession at all.

"You find this fascinating," he observed, very slowly leaning closer to the shorter man. "Is this your first time watching a dance?"

"Yes." Bai Huiqi breathed out, the awe unmistakable in his voice.

Before Cheon WuHui could say anything else, the four-tailed fox’s head snapped to his direction. The latter’s hand trembled imperceptibly as he pointed to the performance. When he spoke, his words, too, trembled under an invisible weight.

"Does it take place every year?"

"... Yes. Yes, it does."

"Always?"

"Always."

"... Beautiful." The four-tailed fox spirit dropped his hand by his side. "Do people everywhere dance like this?"

Cheon WuHui watched him, scarlet eyes soft with fondness. A measured but true smile painted itself on his lips as he whispered into the wind, words clear even through the music.

"Not like this."

Bai Huiqi turned to face him again, sapphire eyes widened a fraction in curious wonderment. "Not like this?"

"Every place will possess its own uniqueness." Tentatively, the Heavenly Demon reached to tuck a strand behind Bai Huiqi’s ear, his calloused fingers lingering on his earlobe. "Which means you are bound to see a different tradition, a different performance, there."

Bai Huiqi froze at the warmth of Cheon WuHui’s fingers against his cold skin. Steadily, a healthy flush climbed up his face and ears as he looked up at the man in daze.

"O-oh." He choked out in a thin voice.

...

"Jing’ge!" Long ZhenHai called out to him with eagerness in his voice. It was a strange thing Hu Lijing was used to hearing. "Let me show you something!"

It felt good to see the dragon enjoy himself.

Hu Lijing turned around to see Long ZhenHai sprint towards him as the sea rumbled behind. Putting a curious smile on his face, the fox spirit raised his hand to wave.

"ZhenHai, what is it?" Feigning curiosity, he went astride to meet the dragon half-way. "Show me."

The dragon stopped short of colliding with him. He had a wide smile on his face, eyes narrowed with the magnitude of his grin.

What a joy.

A burning warmth swelled in the middle of his chest as Hu Lijing looked up at him whilst the sea breeze blew his long amber locks in the wind.

"What is it?" He asked again. This time, however, the curiosity was truthful seeing the way Long ZhenHai hid his hands behind his back.

He must be hiding something.

"You said you would show me." Hu Lijing huffed, leaning to the side to catch a glimpse. Long ZhenHai mirrored his move, still hiding something behind himself.

When the fox spirit frowned slightly to express his displeasure, the dragon simply shook his head, smiling brightly.

"Ask me nicely."

Hu Lijing’s lips twitched at the cheek in his voice. "Must you make me?"

"Why not?"

"Very well. ZhenHai, dearest of my heart, show me what it is that you hide."

Long ZhenHai laughed loudly. It was a deep, reverberating sound lost in the echoes of vast seas. The dragon threw his head back, evidently pleased with himself. All the while his fiery counterpart stared, unimpressed.

"I cannot deny you anything if you ask so pleasantly, Jing’ge."

Hu Lijing couldn’t help but notice just how giddy the younger spirit seemed. Whatever this thing was, Long ZhenHai was so clearly proud of it.

Then, under Hu Lijing’s expectant gaze, the dragon spirit brought his hands in front of himself, gingerly holding an object that looked rather fragile. It was cylindrical, but not quite, and seemed flimsy.

"What... is this?" Curious, Hu Lijing could not help but lean forward to get a better look.

"I wish to call it a Sky Lantern."

"A Sky Lantern?"

"Yes," Long ZhenHai nodded eagerly. "Light a small flame under it, Jing’ge. It will fly into the sky."

"And then?"

"And then," Long ZhenHai smiled tenderly, grasping Hu Lijing’s hand with his free one. "We shall make a wish."