CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: FACING XIAO CHENGYU’S UTTERLY PURE GENTLENESS

"Sir didn’t assign me any homework today, he said I could relax for a day," Fu Changqin hurriedly explained.

Truly unfortunate.

Studying at the Marquis’s residence, the pressure was considerably greater than it had been at the academy.

"Where are you headed?" Xiao Chengyu inquired.

Fu Changqin, seeing Xiao Chengyu change the topic, sighed in relief and hoped Xiao Chengyu wouldn’t ask him about studies on such a joyful day.

Fu Changqin quickly replied, "We’re on our way to Taste Building. Little General Gu has reserved a room for moon-watching."

Gu Yunze immediately followed up, "If the Marquis and Miss Xiao are free, why not join us? The more, the merrier."

However, although Gu Yunze said this, he didn’t really expect Xiao Chengyu to agree.

Xiao Chengyu had never been fond of such lively gatherings, not because of his health, but everyone in the capital knew he had a cold demeanor, making him hard to approach.

His willingness to speak now already surprised Gu Yunze.

Unexpectedly, the Fu siblings had quite a good relationship with the Marquis Changping’s residence.

There had indeed been some rumors in the capital recently.

Initially, Fu Changqin had been going to the Marquis’s residence every day to study with Mr. Changshan.

Later, Fu Shinian also frequently visited the Marquis’s residence.

Then Fu Mingzhu got engaged to Xiao Fengxing.

Everyone speculated that the Fu family had thoroughly ingratiated themselves with the Marquis Changping’s residence.

Xiao Yingyue quickly looked at Xiao Chengyu, not daring to act coy, only gazing at him imploringly, "Brother."

Just agree, alright?

Xiao Chengyu glanced at Fu Shinian, nodded, and said, "Okay."

Xiao Yingyue joyfully embraced Fu Shinian’s arm, incidentally pushing away Gu Lingyi, who was trying to come over to grab a spot.

Gu Lingyi: "!!!"

Xiao Yingyue is so annoying!

Gu Lingyi hesitated and glanced at Fu Shinian’s other side.

But if she went to Fu Shinian’s other side, it would separate Fu Shinian from Gu Yunze.

Her mother had specifically instructed her before leaving the house to create opportunities for Gu Yunze to interact with Fu Shinian as much as possible.

Gu Lingyi didn’t expect that just as she hesitated for two moments, Xiao Chengyu had already walked to Fu Shinian’s other side.

The siblings from the Marquis Changping residence, one on the left and one on the right, completely occupied Fu Shinian!

Gu Lingyi: "!!!"

Meanwhile, Gu Yunze was still chatting with Fu Changqin!

Gu Lingyi was so angry she grit her teeth. How could her brother be so oblivious!

"Kongming lanterns!" Fu Shinian spotted many Kongming lanterns floating up in the sky ahead, slowly ascending, blending with the stars in the night sky.

"They seem to be released by the riverside," Xiao Yingyue said.

"Do you want to release some?" Xiao Chengyu asked Fu Shinian.

Fu Shinian nodded, "Yes."

She had wishes, hoping they could reach the heavens.

"Then let’s buy some," Xiao Yingyue said as she pulled Fu Shinian towards a stall selling Kongming lanterns right in front of them.

"I want one." Xiao Yingyue asked Fu Shinian, "Niannian, how many do you want?"

Fu Shinian held out her hand, "Six."

"You have so many wishes?" Xiao Yingyue’s eyes widened.

Fu Shinian nodded, "One wish per lantern, it seems more sincere."

"Marquis, how about you?" Fu Shinian turned to ask Xiao Chengyu, who had followed them.

Xiao Chengyu was about to say none, but seeing Fu Shinian, he suddenly changed his mind, "One."

Xiao Chengyu took out some silver and told the vendor, "Eight Kongming lanterns."

"Wait!" Fu Mingzhu, rushing over, stopped Xiao Chengyu and took out her own purse, "Marquis, I’ll cover my younger sister’s lanterns."

Why let the Marquis Changping pay?

There’s no relation with the Marquis Changping’s family.

Xiao Chengyu: "..."

Fu Mingzhu also ordered one for herself and Fu Changqin, "Vendor, eight!"

The vendor was delighted to have such a large group of customers.

Gu Yunze and his sister joined the fun as well, ordering one each.

Then everyone headed to the riverside upfront.

Fu Shinian attached her wishes to each lantern.

May my father’s career be bright.

May my mother have peace and health.

Hope my aunt fares well in everything.

May my elder sister Fu Mingzhu find a good match and avoid scoundrels.

Xiao Chengyu paused upon seeing this sentence.

Did Fu Shinian mean something had changed between Fu Mingzhu and Xiao Fengxing?

But he hadn’t heard anything about it from Xiao Fengxing or Aunt Liu.

Then, Xiao Chengyu saw Fu Shinian write, "May my brother Fu Changqin be safe and find a good marriage."

She didn’t wish for Fu Changqin to pass the exams.

Xiao Chengyu chuckled, waiting for Fu Shinian’s last wish.

Xiao Chengyu thought this lantern should be for Fu Shinian’s own wish.

But he saw Fu Shinian write on the last lantern, "May Xiao Chengyu’s health recover soon."

Xiao Chengyu stood beside Fu Shinian, stunned.

He never expected Fu Shinian would use her last wish for him.

She didn’t even wish for herself.

She wished for her family’s health and well-being. Did she consider him as important as her family?

After Fu Shinian finished writing, she turned and saw Xiao Chengyu was watching, "Marquis, how can you peek at my wish?"

"My apologies," Xiao Chengyu said embarrassedly, "Didn’t you wish for yourself?"

"Everything is going well for me, all I want is for my family to be well, if they are well, so am I." In her dreams, she was the one being well protected.

So now, it’s her turn to protect them.

"Why did you make a wish for me?" Xiao Chengyu couldn’t help but ask.

"Marquis, you can’t say it out loud, or it won’t come true," Fu Shinian immediately said.

Xiao Chengyu chuckled, "I didn’t specify, it should be fine."

Fu Shinian then said, "I also hope the Marquis will be well."

"What wish did the Marquis make?" Fu Shinian asked again.

Xiao Chengyu took Fu Shinian’s pen and wrote, "May Fu Shinian’s wishes all come true."

"You haven’t made a wish for yourself," Xiao Chengyu said, "So I’ll make one for you."

Fu Shinian was stunned, suddenly feeling a bit guilty.

Especially faced with Xiao Chengyu’s pure kindness, she lowered her head with some guilt.

She wished for Xiao Chengyu’s health because she hoped he would continue to serve as Marquis Changping, not wanting the title to fall to Xiao Fengxing.

But she had nothing to offer that Xiao Chengyu could seek.

He genuinely wanted the best for her.

This was inherently unequal.

Fu Shinian’s heart clenched slightly.

From now on, she also would sincerely wish Xiao Chengyu well, not just because of Xiao Fengxing but because Xiao Chengyu was genuinely a good person.

Having made her decision, Fu Shinian’s guilt eased a little, and she looked up, her gaze clear towards Xiao Chengyu, "Marquis, let’s release the lanterns."

Xiao Chengyu paused, unsure of what the young girl had just thought while lowering her head.

But now, her gaze was frank and pure, shining so brightly he almost couldn’t bear to look straight at her.

"Okay." Xiao Chengyu nodded.

They lit the Kongming lanterns one by one and released them into the sky.

After that, everyone proceeded to Taste Building together.

Gu Yunze had pre-arranged the Taste Building’s special Mid-Autumn banquet.

Fu Shinian sat by the window, from where not only the moon was visible but also the distant Kongming lanterns in the sky.

Just as she withdrew her gaze, she suddenly spotted Xiao Fengxing among the bustling crowd on the street below, holding a woman’s hand.