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After an unknown amount of time, Dai Chengfeng reluctantly released Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong's cheeks were flushed, her breathing slightly uneven. She buried her head deeply in his chest, the blush spreading to her earlobes.
Dai Chengfeng contentedly held her, feeling the slight trembling of her delicate body in his arms. His chin gently rubbed against her soft, fragrant hair…
"Teacher, shall we go?"
"Mmm~"
Bibi Dong nodded lightly, allowing Dai Chengfeng to hold her slender waist as they continued their date.
Time passed.
When the two of them walked hand-in-hand out of the quiet alley, the sun was setting, and the horizon was adorned with a tapestry of dazzling twilight clouds.
The interplay of orange-red and purple-gold hues draped a hazy veil over the magnificent Spirit City.
The clamor of the day gradually faded, replaced by a warm tranquility.
In the following hours, they resembled an ordinary couple more than ever.
Dai Chengfeng expertly guided Bibi Dong through the crisscrossing streets and alleys of Spirit City, seeking out those hidden stalls that offered unique local delicacies.
The shops were small, even somewhat noisy, with the greasy aroma of cooking mingling with the scent of food amidst the bustling voices. But this was precisely the authenticity that Bibi Dong, as the Pope, had rarely experienced.
She was accustomed to grand feasts from on high, where every dish was as exquisite as a work of art but also cold and distant.
Here, Dai Chengfeng smiled as he wiped the oil from the bamboo skewers and handed her the steaming, fragrant snacks, his eyes full of encouragement and anticipation.
After a moment of hesitation, Bibi Dong ultimately set aside all the dignity and nobility befitting the Supreme Pontiff.
Following Dai Chengfeng's example, she took small bites at first, then gradually let herself go, even accidentally getting some sauce on the corner of her mouth.
On any other day, such a breach of etiquette would have been unimaginable.
But now, seeing the mischievous yet tender smile in Dai Chengfeng's eyes, she felt no embarrassment. Instead, there was a secret thrill in breaking free of constraints.
The taste of the food might not have been top-tier, but the warmth and authenticity of being immersed in the hustle and bustle of everyday life…
Left an indelible impression on Bibi Dong.
Until, night quietly fell, and the city of Spirit Hall lit up with its first lanterns. One by one, the lights of ten thousand households flickered on, echoing the sparse stars beginning to appear in the sky.
Dai Chengfeng led Bibi Dong to the banks of a shimmering river that flowed through the city.
By this time, crowds had already gathered—mostly young couples embracing each other, or parents enjoying family time with their children.
Smiles of relaxation and joy adorned every face…
And upstream, several people, following Dai Chengfeng's instructions, carefully placed various exquisitely crafted water lanterns into the river—lotus-shaped, boat-shaped, animal-shaped…
They drifted slowly downstream, their gentle glow forming a continuous line of light.
"What is this?"
Bibi Dong found it intriguing since Spirit City didn't seem to have such things…
But soon, she noticed that Dai Chengfeng wasn't surprised at all. A faint realization dawned on her, and a smile once again flashed in her eyes.
Liar…
He said he hadn't prepared anything, just wandering wherever they went…
Just as Bibi Dong was pondering, Dai Chengfeng's voice pulled her back from her reverie.
"Teacher, shall we release one too?"
Dai Chengfeng spoke as he took out two extremely delicate water lanterns—one shaped like an elegant bird in flight, the other like a budding violet.
He gently handed the violet-shaped lantern to Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong accepted the small, warm water lantern. Her cool fingertips touched the slightly warm lamp wall, and the candlelight cast dancing shadows on her pale palm…
She had once thought that all her wishes in this life were tightly bound to the grand ambitions of the Spirit Hall and the vengeful obsession spawned by her painful past, leaving no room for anything else.
Power, strength, conquest…
These cold, heavy words constituted her entire world.
But now, holding this faint yet resilient flower-shaped lantern in her palm, a simple, almost mundane thought unrelated to ambition or revenge quietly surfaced in her mind…
May this moment of peace…
Last long.
For a moment, Bibi Dong couldn't help but raise her eyes to glance at Dai Chengfeng beside her.
Dai Chengfeng was focused on the bird-shaped water lantern in his hands, his profile rendered especially gentle by the candlelight.
Bibi Dong quickly lowered her gaze, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, concealing the swirling emotions in her eyes.
Following Dai Chengfeng's example, she crouched down and carefully placed the water lantern into the river.
After entering the water, the two lanterns did not drift away immediately but spun gently on the surface, nestling against each other before slowly floating downstream with the current.
Their light might not have been striking among the numerous lanterns, but in Bibi Dong's eyes, they shone brighter than any star.
She watched the two points of light drifting together, her heart filled with a rare sense of peace and tenderness.
At that moment, a sharp, crisp sound echoed in the night sky!
"Shh—Bang!"
Bibi Dong instinctively looked up to see the black night sky pierced as if by an invisible giant brush. An enormous, dazzling golden firework burst forth!
Its form was like the most magnificent blooming chrysanthemum, resplendent with flowing colors. Golden rain scattered in all directions, instantly illuminating half the sky.
The river below, the buildings, and the faces looking up were all bathed in a dreamlike golden glow.
The crowd erupted in the first wave of amazement and cheers.
But this was only the beginning.
Then came the second, third…
Flames red as fire, deep blue as the sea, green as jade…
Countless fireworks streaked across the night sky, climbing to their highest point before bursting into the most brilliant displays.
Bibi Dong tilted her head back, staring in awe at the dazzling spectacle, momentarily forgetting to breathe.
She had seen larger, more meticulously designed celebratory fireworks, but those belonged to the Spirit Hall, to the majesty of the Supreme Pontiff, and had nothing to do with her personally.
But now, though this brilliance might seem like mere festive decoration to others, she knew it was undoubtedly another gesture Dai Chengfeng had prepared for her.
This brilliance bloomed because she stood here now, solely to bring her a moment of joy.
An indescribable feeling of gratitude and excitement welled up in her heart.
Just then, Dai Chengfeng quietly tightened his grip on her hand, his warm temperature transmitted through their touching palms. He
leaned slightly closer, bringing his lips to her ear. His low voice carried a hint of barely detectable anticipation, rising above the roar of the fireworks and the crowd, clearly reaching her ears:
"Do you like it?"
Bibi Dong didn't answer, unable to respond with words.
As another massive, multicolored firework exploded overhead, illuminating the entire world like daylight, and while everyone's attention was drawn to the fireworks…
Bibi Dong made a move even she found unbelievable.
She suddenly turned her head slightly, rose on her tiptoes, and against the backdrop of the dazzling fireworks, amidst the faint gasps and stares around them, she actively kissed Dai Chengfeng on the lips!
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