"Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp!"

As Ye Shu recited a poem titled "Shui Diao Ge Tou," the insects in the bowl kept chirping incessantly, as if they were in the throes of spring, falling into a frenzied state.

"This..." The old man, holding a lantern, hadn't yet grasped what was happening.

Before he could react, Ye Shu unceremoniously snatched the lantern from him: "Give it here!"

"Young man, you're amazing!" The old man, drenched in sweat, gave a thumbs-up and praised him.

He had no idea who this young man before him was, but every poem he recited was brimming with poetic charm. Each word seemed to swirl in the air, creating an enchanting illusion, as if one were transported into the intricate world of his verses.

Having lived for over seventy years, the old man had encountered countless scholars and poets—perhaps not ten thousand, but certainly over a thousand. Yet, none of them could match the poetic flair of the young man before him.

A single poem from him could shake the literary world, and yet he recited it so effortlessly, as if it were second nature.

The old man couldn't help but be impressed.

"Young man, keep going! I'll have more lanterns made right away! Recite as many poems as you want tonight, and I'll give you as many lanterns as you can carry!"

The lanterns behind him were already running low.

But the old man was so captivated by Ye Shu's poetry that he wished the young man could keep reciting endlessly. Even if it meant having to rush to make more lanterns, he was willing.

Ye Shu exchanged a glance with Luo Jiuyan, and on her proud face, he saw a faint smile.

"That's enough."

Ye Shu decided not to continue. His memory of ancient poems was limited, and if he kept going, he might expose his secret.

"What a shame!" The old man had already started jotting down notes, but his mind wasn't sharp enough to capture more than a few useful lines.

"Let's go, let's go release the lanterns."

Ye Shu carried a full load of lanterns on his back, held a bunch in one hand, and even tied some to his feet.

He was completely surrounded by lanterns, like a man made of light.

"Why don't you just store them in your Qiankun Bag?" Luo Jiuyan, holding a few lanterns herself, looked at him with exasperation.

Ye Shu put a finger to his lips and pointed behind him. "Listen!"

Luo Jiuyan frowned.

She could hear the murmurs of the crowd behind them.

"Wow! This guy is incredible! He won so many lanterns!"

"Did he make them himself? How could anyone win that many?"

"No, I saw him win them from the lantern vendor. It's true!"

"Goodness, where did this literary genius come from?"

"I have to say, the woman by his side is so lucky. To have a man like him winning lanterns for her—it's so romantic."

"Ugh... Where can I find a man who's this handsome, talented, and romantic?"

"Hmph." Luo Jiuyan let out a soft snort upon hearing these envious comments, feeling an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

She turned to look at Ye Shu, who was now buried in lanterns, looking rather silly, and suddenly found him much more endearing.

As they walked, she found herself drawing closer to him.

At one point, their arms brushed against each other, and the soft, tingling sensation almost made Ye Shu yelp.

"Hmm, I guess this was the right move."

Ye Shu thought to himself—why bother storing the lanterns? There was nothing to hide.

He had earned them through his own efforts (albeit by borrowing from ancient poets), so why be shy? Let them see! Let them envy!

Wasn't this just perfect?

After a winding journey that should have been a straight path, Ye Shu finally stopped wandering aimlessly under the admiring gazes and envious whispers of the crowd.

"Time to release the lanterns!"

Looking at the scattered lanterns floating in the sky, Ye Shu found them rather unimpressive—nothing grand or spectacular.

But his lanterns, once released, would surely outshine them all.

"Do we need to write wishes on the lanterns?"

Ye Shu noticed the words written on the floating lanterns and seemed to understand something.

Writing wishes on lanterns was a crucial tradition.

When the lanterns rose into the sky, it was believed that celestial beings would pick them up, read the prayers and praises written on them, and in their delight, bestow blessings upon the writers.

Whether this was true or not, whether the celestial beings could actually see them, this tradition had persisted for thousands of years.

"What should I write?"

Ye Shu picked up a brush and looked at Luo Jiuyan.

Luo Jiuyan leaned in and asked, "Do we need to write something?"

Ye Shu smiled.

Celestial beings? In their eyes, Luo Jiuyan might as well be a celestial being herself. If writing wishes could really bring blessings, why would she refuse?

"Let's just pray for a good tomorrow."

Ye Shu decided to write, not for any so-called celestial beings, but for himself.

With a flourish of his brush, he wrote a line of characters.

"May my master and I share a bed soon!"

Luo Jiuyan read the words and immediately blushed, shooting him an annoyed glare. "What nonsense are you writing?"

She lifted her foot, ready to kick the lantern.

"Master, just let me keep this wish!"

Ye Shu hurriedly shielded the lantern behind him, pleading.

"It's the Lantern Festival, such a special day. Master, you must be magnanimous!"

Hearing his words, Luo Jiuyan's murderous intent gradually subsided. She let out a cold snort. "Fine, I'll let it go this time, but next time—"

"I want to have eight chubby babies with my master!"

Before she could finish, Ye Shu had already written another line on a lantern. Luo Jiuyan's expression froze, and her eyes burned with fury, as if she wanted to incinerate him on the spot.

"Last time! This is the last time!"

Ye Shu patted his chest, promising earnestly.

"You rebellious disciple!"

Luo Jiuyan's chest heaved, her ample bosom swaying precariously in front of Ye Shu, who nearly drooled at the sight.

Wow, one hand probably couldn't even hold all of that. Had his master been particularly stressed lately?

"Master, look!"

Ye Shu wrote another wish on a lantern and presented it to Luo Jiuyan, as if seeking praise.

"I will love my master for a lifetime!"

Luo Jiuyan read the words aloud, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Seeing Ye Shu's sincere gaze, she snorted. "What nonsense are you spouting? This is just an act to help you overcome your inner demons. Once that's done, we'll return to our normal relationship."

Though she said this, Ye Shu noticed the blush on her face and couldn't help but feel delighted.

He really wanted to say: Girl, words can lie, but your body won't.

"Master, I mean it," Ye Shu said with deep affection. Then, he lit the lantern inscribed with "I will love my master for a lifetime" and released it into the sky.

It soared upward, like a warm light illuminating the hearts of those below.