The m sun spilled over Red Moon City, casting warm golden light upon the cobbled streets. Despite the early hour, the festival tinued in full force, the lively hum of voices blending with the occasional burst of ughter and the distant tunes of street performers.Feiyin, walkiween his parents, felt a bubbliement different from yesterday’s revetions. Today was a day for fun, for expl, for losing himself in the unfamiliar world beyond their quiet vilge. Even his father, usually posed and strict, seemed more rexed, though he still carried himself with a quiet dignity. Mei Liao, oher hand, had been in an especially pyful mood since m, humming a cheerful tune as she g lightly to Feiyin’s arm.“Look at all the games!” Feiyin’s eyes widened as they reached an open square packed with colorful stalls aed festival-goers. The st of fried sweets and grilled skewers filled the air, mingling with the st of polished wooden prizes stacked behind each booth.Cai Feng crossed his arms, surveying the lively booths with an unreadable expression. “Hmph. I never had time for these things when I was younger.”Mei Liao gave him a knowing gnce. “And look where that got you—now you’re being dragged around by your wife and son, forced to enjoy yourself.”Cai Feng exhaled sharply through his nose, but Feiyin caught the faiwitch of a smirk at the er of his lips.Feiyin’s eyes darted between the various game booths before nding ohat caught his attention. A target-shooting game using small wooden bows.The old man running the stall gestured with a weathered hand. “Want to give it a shot, little one?”Feiyin nodded enthusiastically, stepping forward to pick up the tiny bow. He ran his fingers along the polished wood before testing the draw, feeling the slight tension iring. His father, watg closely, nodded in approval.“Hold the bow steady. Don’t just pull the string—guide the arrow,” Cai Feng instructed, his voice firm but encing.Feiyin narrowed his gaze, aligning his stance just as he had learned from training. He exhaled slowly and released the arrow.It struck the edge of the wooden bird target with a soft thud.“Not bad for a first try!” the game master chuckled.Feiyin took another arrow, adjusting his grip slightly. This time, his hands were steadier. The arrow flew, nding closer to the ter.Mei Liao cpped her hands. “Oh! My little warrior is gettier already!”Feiyin’s chest swelled with pride as he shot one more arrow—this time hitting the ter of the target. The old man handed him a small jade token as a prize, ruffling his hair.Grinning, Feiyin rushed to the game, eyes lighting up at the sight of a shallow water tub filled with darting golden fish. Each partit was given a fragile paper spoon, which they had to use to scoop a fish without tearing it.“This looks fun!” Feiyin said excitedly.“You have to be careful,” Mei Liao said with a knowing smile. “If you scoop too fast, the water will break the paper.”Feiyin nodded seriously, his fiightening around the handle of the fragile spoon. He dipped it carefully into the water, watg the tiny ripples as the fish darted away. His osciltion seirred, letting him see the faint tremors ier.‘If I follow their movements, I —’Rip.The paper tore immediately, sending his fish darting away.“Ah—!” Feiyin bli the ruined spoon.Cai Feng chuckled deeply, while Mei Liao k beside him, plug up a spoon of her own. “Let me show you how it’s done.”Instead of rushing, she let the spoon glide over the water, tilting it just slightly. The fish, unaware, drifted right into the scoop—and with a swift motion, she lifted it up.Feiyin’s eyes widened in awe.“You’re not just using the spoon,” Mei Liao expiapping his nose. “Yuiding the water to help you.”Feiyin stared at her, then at the fish in her hands, feeling a newfound respect for his mother’s trol.They moved on to several more stalls—ring toss, guessing games, small tests of speed and bance. Feiyin tried everything, sometimes winning, sometimes failing, but always ughing.Even Cai Feng joined in at one booth, effortlessly knog down a stack of wooden blocks with a single flick of his fingers. The game master stared in disbelief before quickly handing over several prizes, muei Liao’s amusement.Just as they were preparing to grab some food, the sound of cheers and appuse caught Feiyin’s attention.A rge crowd had gathered around a tral stage, where several young women stood dressed i robes embroidered with the colors of autumn.Mei Liao smiled. “Ah, it’s the Harvest Festival’s Beauty test.”Feiyin tilted his head. “A test?”“Yes. Young women from all over pete for the title of Moonlit Beauty.”Feiyin didn’t think much of it—until his gaze nded on one particur testant.A Fox Beastkin woman stood oage, her long crimson and gold robes flowing around her like woven fire. Her soft fox ears twitched slightly, awo golden tails swayed behind her. But it was her face that captured his attention the most—her sharp, amber eyes glowed softly uhe festival nterns, her delicate features possessing an otherworldly charm.Feiyin froze, pletely entranced.She was far more beautiful than any illustration in the books at home.Mei Liao, watg her son’s expression closely, suppressed a knowing smile.“My, my…” She leaned down, whispering in his ear. “Feiyin, dear… do you have a crush?”Feiyin’s face turned bright red.“I-I don’t—! I was just—!” His words jumbled together, his mind uo form a proper response.His father smirked. “Hah. You’re young, but you already reize beauty.”Feiyin desperately tried to turuation around, puffing out his chest as he crossed his arms.“Hmph! Mother is more beautiful anyway. She would’ve won if she entered.”Mei Liao blihen grinned widely before scooping him into her arms.“Oh, my sweet boy! You always know what to say!” She nuzzled his cheek, making him squirm in embarrassment. “Maybe year I’ll enter, just to see if I make you blush even more!”Feiyin groaned. “ we just watch the test now?”His parents ughed, and Feiyin buried his fa his mother’s shoulder, feeling both flustered and warm inside.—--The festival carried on into the evening, the streets aglow with ntern light, their flickering warmth casting a golden sheehe ughiival-goers. The air buzzed with the sounds of merriment—drunken cheers from celebratory toasts, the ringing ks of cups meeting together, and the ever-present melody of musis pying uhe starlit sky.Feiyi exhirated and slightly exhausted from all the excitement, but his parents showed no signs of slowing down. If anything, Mei Liao seemed more energized, pulling both Feiyin and Cai Feng along as she eagerly dragged them toward o round of festivities before retiring for the night.They stopped by a lively street stall where a row of men sat around a table, their cheeks flushed as they engaged in a petitive drinking game. Wooden cups filled with a fragrant amber liquid ked against the table as each testant dowheir drink in a siion, smming the empty cups bato the surface with a victorious grin.Mei Liao smirked as she turo Cai Feng, amusement dang in her violet eyes. “Husband, how about a drink?”Cai Feng raised an eyebrow, his arms still crossed. “You know I don’t drink often.”“Oh, e now,” she teased, nudging his side. “It’s a festival! Even you should loosen up just a little.”Feiyin watched with wide eyes, surprised to see his mother trying to vince his father to do something out of the ordinary.Cai Feng sighed, but before he could refuse again, the stall owner—a burly man with a grizzled beard—ughed heartily. “e, friend! A single cup won’t hurt! It’s the best brew iy.”Mei Liao tilted her head, watg her husband with a knowing smirk. “See? It’s rude to refuse hospitality.”Cai Feng closed his eyes briefly before finally relenting, taking a seat at the table. “Fine. Just ohe stall owner quickly poured a small cup of the golden liquor, setting it before him. Cai Feng picked up the wooden cup, gave it a sniff, then dow in one go, pg it ba the table with a quiet k.Mei Liao grinned victoriously.Feiyin leaned forward, curious. “How was it, Dad?”Cai Feng cleared his throat, his expression as posed as ever, though a faint hint of warmth colored his usually cool gaze. “It’s… strong.”The stall owner roared with ughter. “That’s the spirit! Another?”Cai Feng shook his head immediately, standing before his wife could trick him into drinking more. “One is enough.”Mei Liao pouted dramatically, linking her arm through his. “Hmph. You’re no fun. But at least you humored me.”Feiyin couldn’t stop grinning. It was rare to see his father go along with his mother’s teasing, and it made him feel warm inside, like he was witnessing something special—somethi just for them.As they made their way through the final stretch of the festival, they indulged i round of treats—a set of steamed buns filled with sweet lotus paste, their delicate, fluffy texture melting on Feiyin’s tohe air had grown cooler, a gentle evening breeze swaying the festival banners as the final performances came to a close.At the very ter of the city, the fi of the festival took pce—the Lantern Release Ceremony.Hundreds of festival-gathered in the square, holding carefully crafted nterns, their delicate paper shells painted with wishes and blessings for the future. Feiyin held onto his own, a small, golden ntern with soft swirling patterns decorating its edges. His mother had bought it for him earlier, telling him he could make a wish before setting it free.“What should I wish for?” he murmured, staring into the soft glow of the ntern’s light.His father stood behind him, arms folded, his expression thoughtful. “That’s up to you.”Mei Liao k beside him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. “Whatever your heart desires, Feiyin.”Feiyin nodded slowly, thinking for a moment. Then, closing his eyes, he held his wish close to his heart.‘I want to grow strong enough to protect the people I love.’Taking a deep breath, he released the ntern, watg as it floated upward, joining the tless others drifting into the starry sky.For a long moment, they simply stood together, watg the sky fill with golden lights, eae carrying the hopes and dreams of the people below.Tomorrow, they would leave the city behind. But for now, this moment beloo them.

  By the time they returo the cozy inn, Feiyin could feel the weight of exhaustion finally catg up to him. His legs ached from walking all day, and his eyelids drooped as they eheir room.Mei Liao pulled back the covers of the bed, gesturing for him to climb in. “e now, little one. You need your rest.”Feiyin nodded sleepily, crawling into the soft bedding. His muscles still hummed with the lingeriement of the day, but as soon as his head touched the pillow, his body gave in pletely.Before sleep fully took him, he felt a warm haly brushing his hair.His mother’s voice, soft and affeate. “Goodnight, my love.”Then his father’s steady, grounding presenearby. “Rest well.”A tented smile stretched across Feiyin’s face as he drifted into sleep, his mind filled with images of festival lights, ughter, and warmth.This… was a memory he would cherish forever.