Chapter Fifty-Five: The Lantern Festival

“Let’s go.”
Soon, Uncle Zhang stopped in front of the lantern festival grounds.
“It’s very lively here, and there’s hardly any parking. Mr. Fu, Miss Pei, I’ll come back to pick you up later.”
“Thank you, Uncle Zhang.”
Pei Susu took the initiative to hold Fu Zhichen’s hand. After all, in such a crowd, it was unlikely anyone would recognize them.

Tonight’s lantern festival was bustling; it had been ages since the city had hosted such a grand indoor event. The entire venue was adorned with lanterns and streamers, creating the illusion of stepping back in time.
“It’s lucky we passed by here today, otherwise we would have missed it.”
At first, Pei Susu hadn’t been particularly interested in the festival. But as she watched the lanterns and saw the lively crowd, her mood gradually lifted.
“Do you like it, sister?”
Fu Zhichen followed closely behind her. Despite his striking height, which drew attention in any crowd, right now he resembled an obedient child.

Seeing him like this, Pei Susu felt her heart soften instantly.
“I do.”
“I like the lanterns, and I like the person walking beside me even more.”
A smile curved her lips, and her eyes reflected the shimmering lights of the festival. Just then, fireworks exploded in the sky, blooming in a brilliant flower in Fu Zhichen’s eyes.
“As long as you’re happy, sister.”
He gazed at her intently, unwilling to let her out of his sight even for a moment.
Pei Susu knew this, but let him look as much as he wished, holding his warm, dry hand as they strolled through the lantern-lit streets.

Besides the lanterns and fireworks, there were all kinds of stalls reminiscent of ancient times, much like scenes from a historical drama, their owners calling out to passersby.
The most popular was a small stall selling hairpins. Most of tonight’s visitors were young people out to join the fun, many of them couples. The stall was run by two elderly people, who were demonstrating how to wear a hairpin for a young couple nearby.

With trembling hands, the old man fastened a hairpin into his wife’s hair with practiced ease, as if he’d done it for decades.
“Grandpa, Grandma, your relationship is wonderful!”
The young couple next to them succeeded as well; the boy paid with a smile and left with his girlfriend.
Suddenly, Pei Susu sensed an intense gaze at her side. She turned and met Fu Zhichen’s eyes. He said nothing, but she immediately understood his meaning.

These hairpins weren’t anything rare—probably wholesale goods from the market. On any other day, Mr. Fu would hardly spare them a glance.
“You two must be a young couple out for the lantern festival?”
The old lady approached them, and when she saw their faces, a flash of admiration appeared in her eyes.
“What a pretty girl, and your husband, too—you look perfect together.”
The compliment was heartfelt. Pei Susu exchanged a glance with Fu Zhichen, knowing they would have to buy a hairpin tonight, so she simply pulled him over.
“Thank you, Grandma, but we’re not married yet.”
Pei Susu picked out a simple silver hairpin from the stall. It was understated but unique, and the only one of its kind there, matching her outfit perfectly.

She held the hairpin and turned to hand it to Fu Zhichen, her eyes brightening.
“Zhichen, would you like to try?”
“It’s easy enough—let my husband here show you how,” the old lady said, smiling as she tugged at her husband. “This girl has good taste. Isn’t that the hairpin you made a few years ago? Why did you put it out tonight?”
No wonder there was only one—it was handmade by the stall owner himself.

Fu Zhichen took the hairpin. Pei Susu, quick to follow the moment, sat on the chair beside them, let down her hair, and looked up at him, amusement shining in her eyes.
Though they’d done more intimate things, this was surely the first time Mr. Fu had styled a girl’s hair.
The old man deliberately slowed his movements, but Fu Zhichen learned quickly. With just one demonstration, he deftly twisted her hair into a delicate knot, securing it perfectly.
“This young man learns fast!”
Pei Susu and Fu Zhichen looked like a perfect couple, drawing even more people to the already busy stall. Pei Susu gently shook her head, surprised at how firmly the hairpin held. She met Fu Zhichen’s gaze in wonder.
“That’s it?”
Crowds surrounded them, and though Pei Susu wasn’t shy under scrutiny, their identities were special. If someone took photos or videos, it could spell trouble. So she quickly grabbed Fu Zhichen’s hand and turned away.
“Zhichen, pay the lady, and let’s look around some more.”
Fu Zhichen obediently paid before they slipped away from the crowd.
…

With only a day to prepare, Pei Susu didn’t allow herself to wallow in separation. After returning home from the festival, she busied herself collecting information about Haihe Corporation.
Under the warm glow of a lamp, Fu Zhichen packed her luggage beside her.
Seeing how considerate he was, Pei Susu put down her paperwork with a sigh and hugged him from behind.
His waist was solid and dependable, carrying a faint scent of laundry detergent different from hers, yet inexplicably comforting—just like Fu Zhichen himself.
“I checked the weather forecast. It’ll rain all week in Wanjiang City. Be sure to take an umbrella.”
Fu Zhichen lowered his gaze. “Sister, don’t neglect your health for work when you’re there. I’ll message you often to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”
Pei Susu’s heart softened. She couldn’t help but laugh. “You worry about everything. Should I just sneak you along and hide you in my hotel room?”
It was clearly a joke, but she saw that Fu Zhichen actually began to consider it.
“Give me a place to work and I wouldn’t even need to go out,” he said, reaching for his waist, probably to pull out his phone and check his schedule. Pei Susu quickly grabbed his wrist.

She felt a pang of guilt.
“I was only joking, Zhichen. If you came with me, there’d be too many inconveniences. Better for you to stay here this time.”
The spark in Fu Zhichen’s eyes faded a little at those words. Pei Susu hadn’t expected him to take it so seriously, so she hugged him tighter.
“I’ll miss you, too. But there are more important things right now…”
“I can’t be glued to you forever, can I?”
She smiled, but then heard his muffled voice.
“You could. I could take care of you all my life.”
But a lifetime is a long time.
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Pei Susu was stunned. After a moment, she pressed her lips together, turning to meet his gaze.
Just as she was about to speak, Fu Zhichen lowered his head and pressed his gentle lips into the hollow of her neck.
“Don’t worry, sister. Go and do your work. If you need me, call—anytime. I’ll fly to Wanjiang right away.”