" Um, about the Lantern Rite Festival... maybe we could change the subject. "
Lin Mo forced himself to stay calm, smiling as he explained to everyone: " Look, there are so many fun activities about the Lantern Rite Festival we could discuss. "
" For example, after we finish the New Year's Eve dinner later. "
" We could go stroll through the Night Market~"
As Lin Mo said this,
he pointed toward the harbor, toward the bustling Night Market street, and continued with a smile:
" We could taste Inazuman sweets together at the Night Market. "
" Or we could release wish lanterns onto the sea at the harbor. "
" Or we could go up to Mount Tianheng and send our wish lanterns into the sky. "
" We could also light the small fireworks and firecrackers that are only sold during the Liyue Lantern Rite Festival. "
" We could even... "
As Lin Mo spoke,
a glimmer of anticipation flickered in everyone's eyes.
In Rhinedottir's eyes, the anticipation was of walking hand in hand with Lin Mo, their children in tow, through the bustling market.
In Ei's eyes, it was naturally all those countless varieties of sweet treats at the Night Market.
Pfft.
In Klee and Alice's eyes, the anticipation was of setting off Inazuman fireworks with Lin Mo, illuminated by the countless lanterns filling the sky.
And just then,
standing beside Guizhong, Kun Jun raised his right arm high.
The moment he raised his arm,
the entire Sea of Clouds and the whole Mount Tianheng range shimmered with brilliant starlight.
" What is this... "
Shen He's gaze trembled.
The entire Liyue Harbor was now completely bathed in the radiant glow of the lanterns, bright as day.
A joyful smile couldn't help but spread across the lips of the Liyue group.
This was the special gift they had prepared together for Liyue.
Back then, they had spent several days in the Serenitea Pot, filling every corner with lanterns.
And at this moment,
with the appearance of thousands of Geovishaps,
with the sky full of fireworks illuminating Liyue's night,
Liyue Harbor had finally arrived at the most thrilling moment of the Lantern Rite Festival.
Just then,
Paimon suddenly took the Kamera from Lumine's waist, flew up into the air, and said to everyone: " Hey, everyone, let's take a group photo for memories~"
" Oh, right~"
Lin Mo's eyes lit up.
How could they not take a group photo to commemorate this moment of reunion?
Just then, Ganyu spoke with a worried look: " But... the person taking the photo won't be able to be in the picture with everyone... "
" Leave it to me. "
Shen He stepped forward.
The next moment, with a flick of the talisman in her hand,
a humanoid energy body radiating icy cold appeared before everyone.
" It's Shen He's clone~! "
Paimon said happily.
At the same time, she quickly handed the Kamera to Shen He's ice clone.
Lin Mo smiled and turned back to wave at everyone: " Come on, come on, everyone find your spots, get ready to take the picture~"
Just then, Yae Miko was the first to walk up beside Lin Mo, linking her arm through his, and said with a charming smile: " Lord Sasayuri, the spot by your side must be reserved just for me, right~"
" As Lin Mo, the deity of Liyue, I naturally should stand beside the Geo Archon, the one who rules over the land of contracts. "
Ningguang clearly wasn't about to back down.
" Since we are both Archons... "
Ei spoke calmly: " As a deity invited to the Lantern Rite Festival, it should be most proper for me to stand beside Sasayuri. "
" No, no~"
Guizhong quickly stepped in front of Lin Mo: " At the Lantern Rite Festival, of course, it's us Liyue deities who should take the main spot~" As she spoke, Guizhong turned back and smiled playfully at Lin Mo: "
Don't you agree, dear husband? "
" Ahem... "
This complicated situation gave Lin Mo another headache.
He could only smile wryly and say:
" Everyone, how about we just take it like this? "
" Anyway, we're definitely not just taking one photo, so there's no need to stress too much over the group shot. "
" Later, I'll take individual photos with each of you, alright? "
Lin Mo's suggestion immediately calmed the group of women who had been refusing to give in to each other.
But with so many companions,
just taking the photos alone took nearly an hour.
The fireworks display had already ended.
After the photos were taken,
each companion, satisfied with their pictures, went together to the platform of the Jade Chamber to enjoy the New Year's Eve dinner.
The entertainment after dinner had also been planned long ago.
Everyone strolled through the Night Market together, lit fireworks along the coast of Liyue Harbor.
They also went together to the audience seats by the main stage.
They enjoyed the new opera Yun Jin had prepared for the Lantern Rite Festival, the Inazuman dance Xinyan had learned on short notice, and Barbara's heartfelt singing.
Everything about this night
made Lin Mo feel that this year's Lantern Rite Festival was the most unforgettable one he had ever experienced.
If he had the chance,
in the future, for the Lantern Rite Festival, the Ludi Harpastum, the Windblume Festival...
for every festival, he would invite everyone to join him, to experience the festive atmosphere together, and to let everyone who was usually busy with work take a break too.
But...
during the Lantern Rite Festival, Liyue Harbor was practically a city that never slept.
Even though it was already past eleven at night, the Night Market was still bustling with activity.
Everyone was still full of energy, dragging Lin Mo through the streets of Liyue again and again.
Finally, Lin Mo got a chance to catch his breath.
Using the excuse of going to the restroom, he sat down under a tree by the wooden bridge, quietly enjoying the twinkling lights of Liyue Harbor on his own.
After all...
Lin Mo was a man with the common flaw of most men—he found accompanying women on shopping trips exhausting!
" Lord Sasayuri~"
Just then,
the voice of Yae Miko came from behind him, immediately making Lin Mo jolt.
" Don't be scared~"
Yae Miko chuckled softly: " Your little fox is very considerate, you know. I won't make you accompany me on a stroll through the Night Market~"
" Ah~ That's a relief~"
Lin Mo breathed a sigh of relief.
Right, Yae Miko understood him so well.
Being considerate in the simplest way was something she could easily do.
So Lin Mo looked up and asked Yae Miko curiously: " So, did you come looking for me? "
" In all of Liyue, who else could be more important to me than Lord Sasayuri~"
Yae Miko's non-answer was answer enough.
At the same time, she sat down beside Lin Mo and gently took his right hand.
Feeling the soft object she placed in his palm, Lin Mo's eyes flickered with a trace of confusion.
" Yae... what is this? "
The next moment,
Yae Miko suddenly leaned close to Lin Mo's ear, her breath like orchid fragrance: " This is the gift I prepared for you for the Lantern Rite Festival, my lord~"
" A gift? "
With the warmth by his ear,
Lin Mo's heartbeat couldn't help but quicken slightly.
This fox, being so mysterious—what kind of gift was she planning to give him?
As he thought,
Lin Mo slowly opened his palm.
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T/N:
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