Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

Yan Xi's breathing gradually became long and even.

Li Chen didn't let go of her hand, and just lay there on his side, looking at her silhouette in the darkness.

The sound of the river outside the window was very soft, with the occasional sound of oars from a covered boat passing by.

Her words kept echoing in his mind.

Every year, I can release a river lantern with you.

I don't want a diamond ring, I don't want a mansion.

Every year, he and I come here and release a lamp.

Li Chen's Adam's apple bobbed.

He lowered his head and placed another kiss on the top of her head, then closed his eyes.

He slept exceptionally well that night.

The morning light streamed in through the cracks in the carved wooden window, casting fine streaks of light on the bed.

Li Chen woke up first.

The first thing that catches the eye is Yan Xi's face.

She lay on her side, one hand under the pillow, her black hair scattered across the white surface. Her eyelashes were long, and the curve of her nose extended from her forehead.

Breathing was steady, and lips were slightly parted.

The phoenix hairpin in her hair cast a small streak of silver light in the morning glow.

Li Chen did not move.

He just stared at her, his mind blank, not thinking about anything.

There's no need to think about it.

Three minutes later, Yan Xi's eyelashes trembled.

She opened her eyes and met Li Chen's gaze.

"...How long have you been watching?"

His voice was hoarse from just waking up.

"Not long after."

Li Chen's voice was also hoarse.

"That's a lie."

Yan Xi turned over and buried her face in the blanket.

"You didn't even blink."

Li Chen smiled and sat up. He reached for his phone on the bedside table and glanced at the time—7:15.

"Get up, the innkeeper said breakfast starts at 7:30."

There was no movement from under the covers.

"Xi Xi?"

"Lie down for another five minutes."

A muffled sound came from under the blanket.

Li Chen stared at the bulging blanket, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

This woman, who can silence the entire student council when she's out in public, has the same temper as a child when she wakes up.

He didn't urge him.

I got out of bed, went to the bathroom to wash up quickly, and then returned to the bedside.

Five minutes later.

"Time is up."

The blanket was lifted a crack, revealing half of Yan Xi's face and one eye.

That eye was staring at him.

"Did you time it?"

"Accurate to the second."

Yan Xi threw off the blanket and sat up. Her hair was a mess, and her phoenix hairpin was askew.

She reached out to touch the hairpin, her movements somewhat cautious.

"I'll get it done for you."

Li Chen sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to remove the crooked phoenix hairpin.

Yan Xi's hair slid through his fingers; it was soft and carried the lingering fragrance of shampoo.

He gathered her disheveled hair to one side and re-inserted the phoenix hairpin.

The entire process takes no more than ten seconds.

Yan Xi turned her head to look at him.

"How can your hands be so steady?"

"I've styled your hair so many times, practice makes perfect."

"..."

Yan Xi didn't say anything more and got up to go to the restroom.

The moment the door closed, Li Chen saw that her ears had turned red.

Breakfast was prepared by the innkeeper himself.

A bowl of plain porridge, two baskets of steamed dumplings, and a few side dishes.

The ingredients are simple, but the taste is excellent.

The porridge was simmered in a clay pot over low heat until the rice grains were fully opened and had a smooth, creamy texture. The steamed dumplings had skins as thin as cicada wings and were filled with locally grown shepherd's purse mixed with fresh meat, making them very juicy.

Yan Xi drank half a bowl of porridge and put down the spoon.

"tasty."

"You've only eaten this little?" Li Chen frowned and pushed a basket of steamed dumplings in front of her.

I can't eat much in the morning.

Li Chen picked up a steamed dumpling, dipped it in vinegar, and brought it to her lips.

Yan Xi glanced at him, then opened her mouth and bit down.

A middle-aged couple at the next table glanced at them. The woman nudged the man's arm and whispered something.

The man lowered his head and continued drinking his porridge, pretending not to hear.

After breakfast, the two left the inn.

The ancient town in the morning was completely different from what I saw yesterday afternoon.

Tourists hadn't arrived yet, and only a few local residents were on the streets. Some elderly people were sitting on their doorsteps picking vegetables, while women were carrying wooden basins to the river to wash clothes.

The stone path was damp with morning mist, and there was a slight sloshing sound when you stepped on it.

"Where can I buy river lanterns?" Yan Xi asked.

"I won't buy it."

Yan Xi turned to look at him.

Li Chen took out two folded pieces of colored paper and a small candle from his down jacket pocket.

"Do it yourself."

Yan Xi's gaze fell on the two pieces of paper.

One is red, and the other is gold.

"When did you prepare this?"

"Yesterday at the teahouse, when you went to the restroom, I asked the owner for it."

Li Chen found a stone step overlooking the river and sat down.

He laid the red paper on his knees and folded it deftly with his fingers.

After a few moments, a lotus-shaped base was formed.

Yan Xi sat down next to him and took the golden paper.

"How do I fold it?"

"Follow me."

Li Chen slowed down and demonstrated step by step.

Yan Xi carefully imitated his movements. Her fingers were long and slender, but she clearly lacked experience in folding paper.

The first fold was crooked, so I took it apart and started over.

It went astray again on the second try.

"This corner needs to be aligned with this line." Li Chen reached out, covered her hand, and pressed out a crease for her.

Yan Xi's fingers twitched slightly under his palm.

"Don't move," Li Chen said in a low voice.

Yan Xi didn't move again.

The two people put their hands together and folded the paper into the shape of flower petals, once or twice.

A cold wind swept across the river, and Yan Xi shrank her neck.

Li Chen released her hand, took off his scarf, wrapped it around her neck, and tied a knot.

"continue."

Yan Xi looked down at the dark gray scarf that had been added to her neck, still warm from his body.

She didn't say anything and continued folding.

Ten minutes later, the two river lanterns were ready.

Li Chen's cup was a standard lotus shape, neat and symmetrical.

Yan Xi's lamp... its shape is somewhere between a lotus flower and a flying saucer.

"What are you laughing at?" Yan Xi asked in a dangerous tone.

"I didn't laugh." Li Chen broke the candle in two and fixed each piece in the center of the two lamps.

"That's good, it has personality."

"Li Chen".

"Um?"

Try saying "having personality" again.

Li Chen wisely shut up, took out a lighter from his pocket, and lit the two candles.

The faint flames flickered in the morning breeze.

"Would you like to make a wish?" He handed her the golden river lantern.

Yan Xi took it and held it in her hands.

The firelight reflected in her eyes, flickering.

"I've already made the promise," she said.

"last night."

Li Chen was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

The two squatted on the bottom step of the stone steps, the river water overflowing the moss at their feet.

"Together?"

Yan Xi nodded.

With both hands pushing forward simultaneously, two river lanterns were gently placed on the water.

The red and gold ones, one after the other, drifted away into the distance with the slow current.

The flames left two thin, long streaks of light on the water's surface.

Yan Xi watched them drift further and further away until they turned a corner and disappeared into the morning mist.

"Let's go." She stood up.