The festival streets were alive.
Not just crowded… but full.
Lanterns floated above like scattered stars, swaying gently in the night wind, painting the entire street in shades of gold and red. Laughter echoed from every corner. The scent of roasted chestnuts, caramelized sugar, and freshly fried dumplings wrapped around the air, warm and inviting.
People moved freely.
No fear.
No hesitation.
No need to hide from anything.
As if… nothing in this world could touch them tonight.
Qian walked beside Lue, his steps slow… his gaze distant.
Lue, on the other hand, was lost in everything.
His eyes sparkled at every stall, every light, every small detail that others would simply pass by. The flowing sleeves of his hanfu brushed against Qian's arm from time to time, soft… grounding.
Qian glanced at him.
For a moment-
The present blurred.
A memory forced its way in.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unwelcome.
A younger him.
Torn clothes hanging loosely from his thin body. Bare feet against the freezing ground. His small fingers reaching toward a food stall, eyes glowing with hunger… with hope…
"Get lost!"
A harsh shove.
The warmth vanished.
The lights felt distant.
He stumbled back, falling into the dirt, while laughter followed him like shadows.
He didn't cry.
He just stood there… in a corner… staring at the lanterns that refused to shine for him.
And then-
A hand.
Breaking through that darkness.
"Hey kid… want some Hua Sheng Tang?"
Sweet peanut candy, still warm, slightly melted… wrapped in rough paper.
That voice-
Qian blinked.
The memory shattered.
He was back.
Back in the light.
Back beside Lue.
Not in torn clothes.
Not starving.
Not alone.
Lue turned toward him suddenly, holding out a stick of candied hawthorn, its glossy red surface catching the lantern light.
"Qian! Try this!"
Qian didn't respond immediately.
He just looked at him.
At how easily Lue belonged here.
How the world… welcomed him.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Mm."
They moved from stall to stall.
Steaming baskets of dumplings were opened with soft clouds of heat rising into the air. Skewers of grilled meat sizzled over open flames, dripping oil and spices. Sweet rice cakes were being shaped by hand, pressed and dusted with powdered sugar.
Lue tried everything.
And reacted to everything.
"This one is too sweet"
"This one is amazing"
"Qian, try this- no wait, this one first-"
Qian simply followed.
Watched.
Stayed close.
As if this moment… needed to be protected.
Then-
Lue stopped.
His grip tightened around Qian's sleeve.
"I wanna play that."
He pointed ahead.
Touhu.
A simple game… yet not simple at all.
A narrow bronze vase stood at a distance. Players took turns throwing slender sticks, aiming to land them cleanly inside.
Qian glanced at it… then back at Lue.
"It's not your style…" he murmured under his breath.
Lue didn't hear it.
"Let's go."
His excitement was enough.
Qian followed.
Meanwhile--
Far from the warmth of the festival…
At Qianhe Yuan-
The air was different.
Still.
Heavy.
Jun stood frozen for a moment as the message settled in his mind.
Someone… is coming tonight.
Not just anyone.
Someone sent by him.
Jun's expression darkened.
There was no time to waste.
He moved quickly, issuing orders without hesitation. Guards were doubled. Entrances sealed. Shadows watched the shadows.
Piao was kept safe… unaware.
But his thoughts-
They weren't here.
They were with them.
With Qian.
With Lue.
Jun clenched his fist.
No matter how strong Qian was… no matter what he had become-
Lue…
Lue was different.
Not just someone to protect.
Not just someone important.
He was the balance.
The key.
The one piece that could tip everything-
A trump card.
Not meant to be seen.
Not meant to be exposed.
But once revealed-
Nothing would remain the same.
Jun turned sharply.
"Send a message to Qian."
Back to the festival-
Lue threw the stick.
Missed.
Again.
Missed.
"It's too small."
He pouted, folding his arms slightly.
Qian watched quietly.
Then stepped forward.
"Give it to me."
He took the sticks from Lue's hand.
No hesitation.
No adjustment.
Just a single motion-
The stick flew.
And landed perfectly inside the vase.
A clean sound.
Precise.
Effortless.
Lue's eyes widened.
Before he could react-
Another.
And another.
Every throw.
Perfect.
The vendor stared in disbelief.
The crowd murmured.
Lue just stood there, frozen, eyes shining brighter than the lanterns themselves.
The prize was handed over.
A small doll.
Made of dried grass, carefully woven, painted in soft blue. Simple… yet oddly charming.
Lue's gaze locked onto it instantly.
Qian noticed.
A small smirk formed.
"Here."
He placed it in Lue's hands.
Lue blinked.
"Was… was that for me?"
Qian gently patted his head.
"Yes. It's just as cute as me, isn't it?"
Lue looked at the doll.
Then at Qian.
Then back at the doll.
"…Hmmm…"
He was actually trying to compare them.
Qian watched him struggle seriously with that thought-
And burst into laughter.
"Fine. Maybe not me… but what about you?"
Lue froze,
Before he could respond-
A presence cut through the moment.
The messenger.
Silent. Urgent.
Qian's expression changed instantly.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unreadable.
He listened.
Every word sinking deeper than the last.
When it ended-
He turned to Lue.
"You stay here."
His voice was calm… but firm.
"Jun got himself into trouble again. I'll check it out."
His eyes scanned the surroundings quickly.
Crowded.
Noisy.
Chaotic.
Perfect.
"Stay near the Liubo game. Don't leave. It's the safest place right now."
Lue opened his mouth-
But stopped.
Those eyes.
That tone.
He couldn't question it.
Couldn't even think properly.
"…Okay."
Qian nodded once.
And disappeared into the crowd.
Just like that.
Lue stood there for a moment… holding the doll tightly.
Then turned toward the noise.
The Liubo crowd was wild.
Cheers.
Shouts.
Coins clinking.
A boy stood at the center, holding dice, a grin on his face.
"Let's begin?"