Fu Sheng led me through the quiet path beside the river, away from the fading sounds of celebration behind us.
The lantern light from the festival reflected faintly on the water, making the surface shimmer like scattered gold.
Soon, we reached the riverside dock.
A small wooden boat was already waiting there, gently rocking against the current. A lantern hung at its front, swaying softly in the night breeze.
Fu Sheng stepped forward first and steadied it.
Then he turned to me.
"Careful," he said quietly.
I looked at him for a brief moment before stepping onto the boat.
The wood shifted slightly under my weight, and I instinctively reached out.
Fu Sheng caught my hand immediately.
His grip was firm, warm, and steady.
Once I was inside, I sat down carefully near the middle of the boat, adjusting my robe slightly so it wouldn't get caught.
Fu Sheng followed after me, stepping in with ease. The moment he sat down, he picked up the oar and pushed gently away from the dock.
