On the eve of the Lantern Rite Festival, Shenhe received a package delivered by someone on Alan's behalf. Upon opening it, she found a dress with a deep sea-blue base. The fabric was soft, the cut elegant, and the collar was adorned with intricate dark patterns that shimmered faintly under the light.
She recognized the style of the clothing immediately. When her fingertips brushed over the cool fabric, her movements faltered slightly. The accompanying note contained only a few words: "Tomorrow at the hour of the Rooster, meet me at Feiyun Slope."
Shenhe hesitated for a long time but eventually changed into the outfit before the mirror. The person in the reflection seemed tinged with another's aura; her adeptus-like coldness was somewhat restrained, while the lines of the sleeves and waist traced a softness she had never revealed. She looked at herself in the mirror—both familiar and strange—and smoothed the collar somewhat uneasily, as if trying to soothe the unfamiliar flutter in her heart.
The following evening, she went to Feiyun Slope as agreed. From a distance, she saw Alan waiting on a high point. However, that person had shed her usual deep blue attire and changed into a set of celestial robes. The wide sleeves fluttered in the wind, a stark contrast to her usual mysterious and unpredictable self, taking on a bit of Shenhe's own usual temperament.
"You..." Shenhe approached, looking at the clothes the other was wearing, momentarily unsure of what to say.
The other turned around, her sleeves swaying gently in the evening breeze, her eyes filled with a smile like stars falling into a deep pool.
Alan's gaze meticulously traced every contour of Shenhe, from her slightly messy silver hair to her somewhat tense shoulder line.
"It seems my color suits you well." She smiled, reaching out to gently brush a lock of silver hair from Shenhe's shoulder. Her fingertips grazed the side of Shenhe's neck as if by accident, and feeling the other's slight shiver, the smile in Alan's eyes deepened. "And today, I also wish to experience the mortal world through your eyes."
The two walked side by side on the bustling street—one dressed in blue but with cautious steps, the other in ethereal robes but with a composed demeanor—drawing the attention of many pedestrians. Alan was calm and at ease, occasionally nodding to familiar merchants, while Shenhe was slightly ill at ease.
The night breeze blew past, carrying the aroma of snack stalls and the laughter of children, as well as the low, shallow breathing of the person beside her. At this moment, it felt as if they had truly stepped into each other's worlds.
"Unaccustomed to being watched by so many?" Alan asked softly, her arm naturally circling Shenhe's waist, pulling her a bit closer to her side.
"Usually, no one notices me." Shenhe nodded. The sudden touch at her waist made her breath hitch; the warmth seeping through the fabric actually made her forget to push her away.
"That's because you're usually always in a hurry, like a cool breeze in the mountains that people dare not disturb." Alan said, then naturally released the arm around the other's waist as if nothing had happened. "But today, you are like a fairy stepped out of a painting, finally willing to linger a while in the human world."
These words made the tips of Shenhe's ears heat up. She suddenly realized that she had actually begun to crave that moment of closeness.
Arriving at Chihu Rock, the streets became even more crowded. Alan took Shenhe's hand: "Be careful not to get separated."
The moment their palms touched, Shenhe felt a warm current spread from the point of contact. This time, she didn't hesitate at all; instead, she gently gripped back, allowing this intimacy to grow quietly between their interlaced fingers.
The two browsed the roadside stalls along the way. Alan introduced various Lantern Rite Festival customs to Shenhe and occasionally bought snacks to share with her. Upon reaching Wanmin Restaurant, the Storyteller was telling a tale—specifically, the story of Cloud Retainer. The two stopped to listen. When she heard the book describe the Perfected One as having "ethereal beauty, untainted by the dust of the world," Shenhe pursed her lips slightly.
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