Jinhsi leaned against the Wishing Tree, her arms weakly draped over Lucian's shoulders…
Beside them, Chixia's cheerful voice rang out: "Over here!"
"That's strange, Counselor Changli, where did Lucian go? I can't find him anywhere."
Changli smiled gently, her eyes curving like crescents. "Lucian has other matters to attend to."
Rover eyed her suspiciously. "But it's the Moon-Chasing Festival—everyone's enjoying the festivities at the Moonlit Fair. What could he possibly be busy with?"
"And I'm pretty sure he was just accompanying Yangyang on a stroll earlier."
Yangyang quickly waved her hands in denial. "After that, I went with Chixia and the others to check out other stalls. Lucian should've left with Counselor Changli in the end."
Rover shot Changli a doubtful look, only to see the latter unfazed, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "Since almost everyone has already gathered here, aside from Lucian, who else is missing?"
"Whoever hasn't arrived yet is probably with Lucian."
Behind the Wishing Tree, Lucian stiffened, glancing down at the dazed Jinhsi in his arms. "You really have one hell of a mentor, huh!"
Rover scanned the group and realized everyone was present—it didn't seem like anyone was missing…
Wait, no!
Rover quickly asked, "Was Jinhsi supposed to join us for the group photo too?"
Chixia nodded slightly. "Yeah! I ran into the Magistrate earlier while wandering around the Moonlit Fair."
"I made sure to invite her, and she agreed. Could she still be busy with official duties?"
Rover fell silent for a moment. She suspected Lucian was with Jinhsi right now but had no proof.
Just then, however, Yangyang caught a strange frequency in the wind.
She hesitated before turning toward the dark shadows behind the Wishing Tree. "There's… something behind the Wishing Tree."
Rover's expression darkened, her instincts screaming. She strode forward.
Peering ahead, she saw a man and a woman standing side by side with their backs to her at the cliff's edge.
The young woman wore a pink dress, while the man was clad in white robes. Together, they looked like an ethereal couple straight out of a fairy tale.
At a glance, they seemed to be simply admiring the scenery, nothing out of the ordinary.
Rover took a deep breath and unleashed a roar worthy of a lioness: "LUCIAN!"
Lucian turned his head leisurely, as if completely oblivious to Rover's fury.
He chuckled. "Ah, if it isn't my dear friend, Rover."
"Come, Rover, take a look at the surprise I've prepared just for you."
Rover's anger subsided slightly as she stepped forward, puzzled. "What surprise?"
Lucian snapped his folding fan shut and pointed toward the breathtaking view ahead. "What do you see?"
Rover followed his gesture. Their vantage point overlooked Jinzhou's rivers and mountains, the vast landscape unfolding before her like a painted scroll.
Still, she was confused. "I see… Jinzhou?"
Lucian shook his head with a smile, gently swaying his fan before spreading his arms grandly. "This is the kingdom I've conquered for you!"
Rover fell silent, glancing between the majestic scenery and Lucian's triumphant expression—before promptly kicking him square in the rear. "DIE!"
As Lucian plummeted freely toward the Moonlit Fair below, he calmly struck a dashing mid-air pose, whipped out his terminal, and snapped a selfie—posting it directly to the forums.
[Title: Just achieved a face-first landing during freefall—you should try it too!]
[Content: As stated. Photo.jpg]
[Edited by: Rover's Dog]
...
[Jade Coral Appraiser: Hope you're okay.]
[Rover's Dog replies: Thanks, I hate it.]
...
[Autumn Water Without Ripples: Any chance of recovery?]
[Rover replies: Zero recovery risk.]
...
[Vermilion Blossom: If fake, I wish it were real. If real—even better!]
[Rover's Dog replies: It's as real as it gets.]
...
Just as Lucian prepared to execute a stylish mid-air flip for a graceful landing, he suddenly found himself immobilized. A quick glance revealed mechanical puppet strings tightly binding him.
Before he could react, he was yanked straight toward a puppet show stall—where Yinlin stood, smirking as she manipulated the strings.
Feeling the restraints loosen, Lucian shifted mid-air into a diving eagle stance and bellowed, "Taste this—Crow Sits on Airplane!"
Yinlin: "?"
Watching Lucian hurtle toward her, Yinlin was briefly reminded of the day they first met.
But now, with Lucian mere inches away, she had no time to dodge—and was promptly knocked flat on her back.
Their lips met. Gazing into Yinlin's violet eyes up close, Lucian gently parted her soft lips with his own…
The children watching the puppet show nearby erupted in excitement: "Way better than the puppets!"
"What was that move called? Crow Sits on Airplane? I wanna learn it too!"
Horrified parents quickly covered their kids' eyes and dragged them away, muttering, "Such disgraceful behavior… utterly indecent…"
A moment later, Yinlin shoved Lucian off and stood up, dusting herself off with a scowl. "You've been flirting with all those women at the Moonlit Fair, yet couldn't spare a moment to visit me?"
Lucian scratched his head sheepishly. "I didn't know you'd be performing puppet shows here…"
Yinlin snorted. "Whatever. You got your kiss. Now scram back to your sweethearts."
Lucian glanced around—the audience had dispersed, and the children were long gone.
He grinned and extended a hand. "Wanna come up and take a group photo with us?"
Yinlin raised an eyebrow. "Group photo? Hard pass. My reputation isn't exactly… fitting."
"But I wouldn't mind a picture with you."
With that, she pulled out her terminal, yanked Lucian's head onto her shoulder—
—only for him to plant a kiss on her cheek right as the shutter clicked.
Yinlin: "..."
Lucian laughed, tugging her arm. "C'mon, everyone knows you anyway. Who cares?"
Unable to resist his pull, Yinlin reluctantly followed him back to the Wishing Tree.
Rover took one look at the new addition and smirked coldly. "Color me surprised. Classic you."
"Wherever you go, women just flock to you, huh?"
Lucian coughed awkwardly. "Pure coincidence! Since we're all friends here, it'd be rude not to invite her."
Just then, Jiao-Jiao and Xiangli Yao approached from behind.
Lucian quickly asked, "Everything settled?"
Jiao-Jiao shot him a sidelong glance. "All handled. Some people really know how to dump their responsibilities on others."