The Celestial Veil Sect was alive with warmth and light that evening. Paper lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, each one glimmering with soft spiritual energy, while disciples rushed around preparing food, decorations, and the festival's signature glowing lanterns. Shen Yu took a deep breath, trying to look composed—but it was impossible.
"Wow…" he muttered, eyes wide. "This… this is spectacular."
Xiao Rong nudged him with a grin. "Close your mouth before a stray spirit beast mistakes you for a snack."
Shen Yu snapped it shut. "I'm… appreciating the festival's aesthetics. Not drooling."
"You're drooling," Xiao Rong replied with a laugh. "I can see it in your eyes."
Before Shen Yu could protest, Ling Wei appeared, holding a tray of jade slips imbued with faint spiritual light. He walked with his usual effortless grace, each step measured and calm, his presence cutting through the chaos like a gentle wind. Shen Yu froze, trying not to stare, failing spectacularly.
Ling Wei's calm gaze settled on him. "You arrived early," he said simply, voice calm yet steady.
Shen Yu's cheeks heated. "W-well, I wanted to help!"
"You?" Xiao Rong snorted. "Help? Last time you tried helping, you almost set the entire training hall on fire."
Shen Yu flailed his hands. "That was one time! And it wasn't fire! Just… sparks!"
Ling Wei rolled his eyes, lightly placing a lantern in Shen Yu's hands. "This one goes on the central arch. Hold it carefully."
Shen Yu looked at the delicate lantern as though it were a live creature. "Carefully. Got it. No catastrophic damage today."
Xiao Rong muttered from behind him, "Sounds like a doomed promise."
Yu Zhen, walking silently beside him, gave a quiet laugh. "You two never change."
Shen Yu blinked, noticing for the first time how composed Ling Wei was—even in the middle of chaos. He swallowed hard. Sheer presence.
By the time they moved to the lantern-tying area, the courtyard was awash with glowing colors. Shen Yu and Ling Wei were tasked with the upper lanterns, while Xiao Rong and Yu Zhen worked near the lower ones.
Shen Yu climbed the step stool, holding a lantern like it was a fragile treasure. Ling Wei steadied the ladder beside him.
"Relax," he said softly. "It's just tying a knot. Not a battlefield."
"I know! I'm calm!" Shen Yu declared, tying the first knot—but somehow ended up with a knot that looked like a tangled spider web.
Ling Wei leaned over, brushing his fingers against Shen Yu's as he adjusted the knot. The touch was light, deliberate, but enough to make Shen Yu freeze mid-breath.
"You… you smell like lotus pastries," Shen Yu blurted out.
Ling Wei raised an eyebrow. "…Because I've been carrying them?"
"Oh."
Shen Yu's face turned scarlet, and he almost dropped the lantern.
Below them, Xiao Rong and Yu Zhen were untangling another set of threads. Xiao Rong reached for one end, and their fingers accidentally brushed.
He froze. he didn't pull away.
"Y-you can continue," Yu Zhen murmured softly.
"I—I was just… focusing on the knot," Xiao Rong stammered.
Yu Zhen's lips curved in a subtle smile. "Of course."
Xiao Rong's heartbeat thudded in his chest. Somehow, tying a lantern had become the most dangerous task of his life.
As the lanterns were finally secured, the festival officially began. Shen Yu and Ling Wei walked side by side, holding their lanterns aloft.
"Your knot survived," Ling Wei observed.
Shen Yu puffed his chest. "Of course! Legendary knot-tying is my specialty."
"It leans slightly to the left," Ling Wei noted, calm as ever.
"It leans artistically!" Shen Yu shot back.
Ling Wei's lips twitched, almost a smile. Shen Yu's stomach did somersaults.
Nearby, Xiao Rong and Yu Zhen released their lanterns together. The threads tangled briefly, causing their hands to brush once more. This time, neither pulled away.
Yu Zhen's gaze lingered on Xiao Rong. "Good instincts," he said quietly.
Xiao Rong's ears turned faintly red. "…Thanks," he muttered.
Above them, the lanterns floated and mingled in soft arcs of light. Shen Yu and Ling Wei released theirs simultaneously. Their lights twisted in the wind, drifting together in a gentle dance. Shen Yu's heart felt like it would burst—Ling Wei's calm presence so near, so grounding, yet so stirring.
"Beautiful," Shen Yu whispered.
"Yes," Ling Wei replied.
"But I meant… you," Shen Yu said, fumbling. "Not the lanterns—but also the lanterns."
Ling Wei's small smile was enough. Shen Yu could feel his knees weaken.
And behind them, Xiao Rong and Yu Zhen watched their lanterns' light twist together. A subtle warmth settled between them, unspoken but undeniable.
The festival ended with soft laughter, glowing lanterns, and a sense of closeness that neither couple had expected