Accompanying Yangyang to a high place, she gazed at the lively scene below and sighed, "I still remember when I was very young, I always looked forward to the Moon-Chasing Festival."
"You could see dazzling fireworks, receive beautiful lanterns, eat Plumpcakes made by family, and the streets were filled with people wearing happy smiles."
"...Though the memories have grown hazy, I've never forgotten the genuine smiles of my family and friends."
"One of the reasons I wanted to join the Midnight Rangers and become an Outrider is... I want to do everything I can to bring back those smiles, even if my strength alone is insignificant..."
Lucian asked curiously, "Are you homesick? But aren't you from Jinzhou?"
Yangyang nodded slightly. "My home is in Jinzhou, but not in Jinzhou City."
Hearing this, Lucian fell into thought. Based on his judgment, Yangyang's family background must be quite distinguished.
After all, her speech and demeanor were refined and elegant, with the poise of a young lady from a noble family—at the very least, it was clear she had been raised with excellent upbringing.
Lucian asked in confusion, "Then how did you end up in Jinzhou as part of the Outriders?"
Yangyang looked up at the full moon. "It's a long story..."
"Even if I can't reunite with my family today, the laughter and joy carried by the wind... already make me feel very happy."
"Looking at this bright moon, I know they are safe and content."
Yangyang turned to Lucian. "Thank you, Lucian. I'm really happy."
"Not just now, but also for everything you've done for Jinzhou and everyone..."
The girl's smiling face reflected in Lucian's eyes, the cold moonlight casting a hazy glow over Yangyang.
Then, Yangyang took a step forward, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, slowly closed her beautiful eyes, and parted her lips slightly...
A melodious chant flowed from her lips, carried by the breeze's accompaniment, sending the sound to distant places...
...
Back at the foot of the mountain, Lucian said in amazement, "I never knew you had perfect pitch, Yangyang?"
Chixia, who had joined them, grinned mischievously. "Hehe, Lucian, let me tell you—Yangyang is the second daughter of a musical noble family! Perfect pitch is nothing to her!"
A musical noble family... As Lucian had guessed, Yangyang truly was a young lady of nobility.
"Tsk tsk, Lucian, you're really lucky. Even I had to beg Yangyang to sing for me—I've never heard her sing voluntarily before..."
Hearing this, Yangyang blushed slightly and quickly explained, "Just because one is skilled doesn't mean they must perform. Being an appreciative listener is also a fine role..."
Chixia sighed. "You... you'll always be the one listening..."
Lucian chuckled. "That actually complements you perfectly, Chixia. No wonder you two are such good friends."
Chixia giggled. "Exactly! Yangyang and I are best friends! As long as she doesn't try to steal you from me."
Lucian: "?"
Just as Yangyang and Lucian were about to respond, Changli's voice came from nearby: "Lucian."
Turning, they saw Changli standing in front of what appeared to be a prize-draw stall.
Chixia grinned. "Yangyang, Sanhua, and I already took our turns today. Have you tried, Lucian?"
Lucian shook his head slightly. "No."
He stepped forward and saw a rotating wheel set up on the stall, its surface painted with different lunar phases. On the right side was a fox-shaped pointer.
"What's this about?"
Changli explained, "This is a lottery stall prepared by the Pioneer Association. Spin the Moonwheel, and depending on which lunar phase the fox pointer stops on, you'll receive a different prize."
The stall attendant, Xianchen, dressed in Pioneer Association uniform, smiled. "Counselor Changli is absolutely correct."
"Most of these prizes are creations from the Pioneer Association's Product Development Department, including some new items set to launch soon in the Huanglong region."
"The Pioneer Association offers one free spin per visitor per day. What you win depends entirely on luck."
"So, Mr. Lucian, would you like to give it a try?"
After hearing this, Lucian understood but couldn't help teasing, "Your Pioneer Association sure has a lot of departments, huh?"
"If I land on the full moon, does that mean the best prize?"
Xianchen shook her head lightly. "Not necessarily! Each phase has different prizes, and the grand prize is randomly hidden under one—it might not be the full moon."
Lucian glanced at the others who had already spun. "What did you all get?"
Chixia pulled out a small Sentinel plushie from her pocket. "I got this..."
Sanhua took out a card from her pocket. "Mm... my luck wasn't great. I got a Pioneer Association commemorative postcard."
Yangyang also produced a card. "I got a voucher to exchange for an issue of Impressions of Huanglong magazine."
Looking at these prizes, Lucian immediately lost interest. "Doesn't seem like there's anything impressive..."
Changli chuckled softly, placing a delicate hand on Lucian's shoulder. "The prize isn't what's important—it's the auspiciousness of the gesture."
Xianchen smiled. "Counselor Changli is right. So, Mr. Lucian, would you like to try?"
Lucian shrugged. "Well, since Changli says so, I'll give it a shot."
Stepping forward, Lucian stood beside the wheel. He glanced at the fox pointer—it looked no different from an ordinary fox. Was this the form of the Sentinel known as 'Hsin'?
More likely, it was just a guess at its appearance...
As the wheel spun, Lucian watched closely. Though he didn't expect much, the thrill of what if? always lingered in such moments.
The wheel gradually slowed, the pointer coming to rest on the new moon—a completely black silhouette.
Lucian blinked. "?"
"What kind of luck is this?"
Chixia burst out laughing. "Lucian, you actually got the new moon? My Sentinel plushie was from the waxing gibbous moon!"
Xianchen quickly reassured, "Don't worry! The prize's value isn't tied to the phase!"
She checked the prize list corresponding to the new moon and gasped. "Mr. Lucian, you've won this year's Moonlit Fair's only grand prize!"
Lucian: "???"
Chixia: "???"
Chixia exclaimed, "How do you always stumble into good fortune like this?"
Lucian frowned. "Only grand prize?"
"Sounds impressive, but what exactly is it?"
Xianchen cleared her throat. "Well, though it's called the grand prize, it's more like... a treasure map? Or a clue to the real prize."
Changli, however, seemed intrigued. "Oh?"
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "So even though it's a grand prize treasure map, the actual reward is still unknown?"
Xianchen smiled awkwardly. "That's correct..."