Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Festival Of A Thousands Light
The Lu residence glowed softly under the evening sky.
Paper lanterns in hues of gold, red, and pearl white drifted from the beams, their lights flickering like stars trapped in glass.
The air was filled with osmanthus and roasted sugar from the candied fruits slowly turning on a brazier.
It had been a week since the storm had calmed. The directors who had tried to frame Huo Feng were behind bars, though Song Kai still stood untouched, lurking in the shadows.
But tonight... there would be no talk of enemies.
Tonight was the Festival of a Thousand Lights—a night to illuminate darkness, to let go of bad luck and invite blessings.
Lu Ting moved about the courtyard restlessly, directing the maids as they set out porcelain bowls and lighted candles.
"Make sure the lanterns by the pond are steady," she said, glancing up anxiously. "Oh, and the teapot—keep it warm! They’ll be here any moment now."
Lu Jiang watched from a distance, smiling faintly at her energy. "You’d think a royal banquet was happening in our courtyard."
Lu Ting turned, puffing her cheeks. "Can’t I be happy? This is the first festival we’re spending with our daughter after so many years."
Lu Ran chuckled as he arranged the chairs. "More like the first in over twenty years."
Before Lu Ting could retort, the sound of a car rolling to a stop echoed through the courtyard.
"They’re here," she whispered, straightening her dress while plastering a smile on her face.
Moments later, Huo Feng stepped out of the car, calm and composed as ever. He turned to open the door for Yue Ning, who emerged dressed in a simple pale gown that shimmered faintly beneath the lantern light. Beside her, Huo Yan followed, lively and smiling as always.
Lu Ting’s eyes softened instantly. She crossed the courtyard and took Yue Ning’s hands in hers. "You came early! I was worried you might be too tired to join us."
"I wouldn’t miss this for anything," Yue Ning said, her smile gentle, her tone carrying quiet sincerity. "This would be my first festival in so many years with you."
Behind her, Huo Yan greeted brightly, "Auntie Lu, Uncle Lu! You’ve outdone yourselves—the place looks magical!"
Lu Ting laughed softly. "I’m glad you think so, child. Come in, all of you."
Inside, the table was already set with dishes—steamed fish, lotus seed soup, sweet rice dumplings glowing faintly under candlelight.
As they ate, Yue Ning found herself oddly quiet. Even the system had been quiet for some weird reason. But she didn’t want to think too much about it.
The warmth in the room felt foreign yet comforting, like a memory she couldn’t fully recall. Laughter filled the table—Lu Ran teasing Huo Yan, Lu Ting fussing over Yue Ning’s bowl, Huo Feng quietly smiling at the chaos.
For the first time since she woke up in this body, Yue Ning felt something stir deep inside her chest.
This... is what it means to belong.
When dinner ended, the family moved outside. Each person held a lantern, soft light painting their faces gold.
"Make a wish before you let it go," Lu Ting instructed, her voice filled with emotion.
Yue Ning hesitated, fingers tightening around the paper frame. The flame wavered gently, reflecting in her eyes.
Her wish wasn’t long. It was just a quiet prayer for peace, for her family’s safety, for the life she now lived to finally feel real.
As the lantern rose, floating among hundreds of others, she smiled faintly. Beside her, Huo Feng slipped his hand into hers, grounding her in the moment.
"Your first festival here," he said softly, almost teasing. "How does it feel?"
Yue Ning looked up at the glowing sky—thousands of lights drifting toward the stars. A smile appeared on her face, basking in the sight.
"Warm," she murmured. "For the first time in a long while... it feels warm."
The night air carried their laughter, gentle and bright. And under that sky of lanterns, for one fleeting night all was peaceful.
After they had released the lanterns into the air, Lu Jiang called Huo Feng aside.
"Huo Feng, may I have a word with you?" Lu Jiang asked.
Yue Ning subconsciously frowned, but he patted her hands reassuringly. "I will be back soon."
When they arrived at Lu Jiang’s study, he gestured for Huo Feng to have a seat.
"Uncle Lu," he said, his eyes not betraying his thoughts. "What do you want to talk about?"
Lu Jiang chuckled, and walked to a small fridge which was in the study. He brought out a vintage wine, and smiled at Huo Feng.
"Let’s have wine while we discuss, shall we?" He suggested.
Huo Feng said nothing, only nodding to his words.
Lu Jiang’s lips curved faintly as he opened the wine, and poured two glasses. He handed one over to Huo Feng, and kept the other one for himself.
Out of habit, Huo Feng smelt the wine, and his eyes shone with rare acknowledgement.
"Château Lafite Rothschild 1996?" He asked, taking a small sip.
Lu Jiang raised his brows in astonishment. "You know wine?"
"Yes," Huo Feng admitted. "I collect wine. I have a wide range at home. If possible, Uncle Lu can visit my villa to have a taste."
"Haha," Lu Jiang laughed loudly. "That’s good."
"Anyways, that’s not the reason I wanted to speak to you." Lu Jiang continued, his tone filled with seriousness.
The smile in Huo Feng’s eyes dimmed seeing Lu Jiang’s serious face and he wondered what might have happened.
"It is nothing serious, you don’t need to be too serious." Lu Jiang teased, and calmly took a sip out of his glass.
"Xiao Ning’s birthday is in five days," Lu Jiang started, his eyes on him, observing him.
Huo Feng froze in his seat.
"You didn’t know?" Lu Jiang asked, and Huo Feng shook his head. Disappointment was slowly creeping into his heart. He claimed he loved his wife... but he didn’t know when her birthday was.
Lu Jiang was taken aback, but he didn’t criticise him. It was expected that he didn’t know.
"Considering the circumstances you both got married, it is inevitable that you wouldn’t know." Lu Jiang exhaled.
"Anyways, I want to have a big birthday celebration for her. I want to introduce her to the whole world as my daughter—my Xiao Ning." There was a bright smile on his face as he spoke.
Huo Feng listened quietly, while silently preparing the gift he wished to give Yue Ning.
"Will you be able to help me?" Lu Jiang asked, breaking him away from his thought process.
Huo Feng stared at him silently, before nodding.