CHAPTER 669: CHAPTER 668: THE MELANCHOLY AND LOST AH JIU

Madam Zhou had barely left when Wufu was greeted by Xiao Li, who had been sent by Ah Jiu.

"Miss, happy Lantern Festival," Xiao Li greeted with a grin and a respectful bow.

Wufu tossed him a piece of Silver casually, "Why have you come to fetch me? Where is your master?" Wasn’t he supposed to accompany me to view the lanterns?

"The master is waiting for miss. If you are ready, please board the carriage, and I will take you to him," Xiao Li said with a smile.

Wufu nodded, gave Manager Zhong instructions for various matters, and decided not to take Liu Jin with her. Instead, he was left to oversee the affairs at the restaurant and was entrusted with the most beautiful Palace Lantern riddle. If someone guessed it, the lantern would naturally be rewarded to them.

With Purple Jade and Hongyu, Wufu boarded the carriage, and Purple Jade busied herself with redoing Wufu’s makeup.

Having had a bit of osmanthus wine during dinner, Wufu’s cheeks were flushed. In the warm and cozy carriage, she felt rather sleepy.

The carriage seemed to travel for a long time before it finally came to a gentle halt in an eerily quiet place.

"Miss, we’ve arrived." Purple Jade gently patted Wufu’s hand, while Hongyu jumped down first to lift the curtain.

Wufu opened her eyes, and a burst of cold air blew in, instantly dispelling her drowsiness, and she climbed out of the carriage.

As soon as she stepped down, Hongyu tiptoed to drape a cloak over her, and warmth immediately enveloped her.

It wasn’t as bustling or as brightly lit as the main axis of the city, and the noisy crowd seemed to be at a distance, with only faint, distant glimmers of light coming through.

"Miss, this way." Xiao Li led the way with a Palace Lantern, holding it to light her path.

Wufu followed him for a few meters, turned around a large apricot tree, and then saw bright lights illuminating a wooden walkway flanked by numerous lit lamps, casting a path that led to a river. At the edge of the river lay a boat docked at the shore, with Ah Jiu standing on the deck.

"He’s here."

He stood with his hands behind his back, surrounded by lit Palace Lanterns, which cast his face in sharp relief, gentle and noble, with his purple clothes appearing particularly distinguished under the lantern light.

There was a plank bridging the gap between the deck and the walkway. Ah Jiu took two steps forward, one foot on the deck, one on the plank, and extended his hand to her.

Wufu walked over without hesitation and placed her hand in his. At that moment, a slight movement of the water caused the boat to sway, and Ah Jiu instinctively tightened his grip, pulling her forcefully toward him.

In this pull and sway, Wufu nearly toppled him over onto the deck, and she crashed directly into his embrace.

Ah Jiu stiffened.

Not for anything else but the softness pressing from her chest into his, a sensation that was indescribable and unfathomable.

His ears turned burning hot. As she stepped back, the warmth and softness retreated as well, leaving him with a sudden sense of longing.

He wanted to keep holding on to that softness.

"Hey, what’s wrong with you?" Wufu waved her hand in front of his eyes and asked.

Ah Jiu came to his senses, glanced at her now-developed chest, then looked away quickly, coughed twice, and said, "It’s nothing."

Wufu felt a bit bewildered.

After looking him over, Ah Jiu forced a smile, took her hand, and said, "Let’s go inside the cabin to talk!"

With a raised eyebrow, Wufu lifted their joined hands, a teasing smile on her face.

Ah Jiu released her hand abruptly and walked ahead into the cabin first.

Wufu watched his flustered retreat, her eyebrows twitched in amusement—what was with him, acting so strange!