On the day of the Lantern Rite, Qin Yu woke up early on her own.
This was quite unusual for her, as she typically loved to linger in bed. Without an alarm clock or Shenhe to rouse her, she rarely managed to wake up on time.
The reason for her spontaneous awakening was simple.
Because today is the Lantern Rite! Qin Yu thought excitedly.
This was the festival she had been looking forward to the most.
"Shenhe, we're off today! After breakfast, let's go out and have some fun on the streets!" Qin Yu said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Evaluation: D
Seeing Qin Yu's enthusiasm, Shenhe also began to feel a sense of anticipation.
My first Lantern Rite with Qin Yu... As she thought of this, a warmth rose in her heart, and she nodded.
"Alright."
After breakfast, Qin Yu pulled Shenhe over to the dressing table.
"Hehe, today Shenhe will get all dolled up too!" Qin Yu said, grinning at Shenhe's reflection in the mirror.
"Do I need to dress up?"
"Of course! Looking good will naturally put you in a much better mood."
Shenhe pondered for a moment before replying softly, "Then I'll leave it to you. I'm... not very good at these things."
"Even if you insisted on doing it yourself, I wouldn't allow it," Qin Yu said, her smile undiminished.
Shenhe suited delicate, elegant makeup best. With this in mind, Qin Yu carefully and meticulously applied makeup to Shenhe.
After a few glances at Shenhe's reflection, Qin Yu noticed how the lipstick enhanced her lips and how her eyes seemed even more ethereal. Satisfied, she said,
"Alright, Shenhe, what do you think?"
"It's... fascinating."
What kind of evaluation is that? Qin Yu sighed inwardly. "I'm not asking about the process of applying makeup, but rather how you feel about yourself after the makeover."
"Hmm..."
Why does she look like she can't think of anything?
Shenhe turned to Qin Yu. "I don't have any particular thoughts, but I'm curious about your opinion, Qin Yu."
"Me? Well, uh..."
Shenhe was already exceptionally beautiful, and the makeup merely enhanced her natural beauty. Now, she looked undeniably stunning, making Qin Yu's cheeks flush involuntarily.
Evaluation: C-
Qin Yu casually averted her gaze. "You look stunning."
Shenhe frowned slightly. "Why did you look away?"
"That's because..." Qin Yu stammered, flustered by the direct question.
When Qin Yu's gaze returned to Shenhe's face, she couldn't resist leaning in for a kiss.
"That's why," Qin Yu mumbled.
"I still don't quite understand."
Still not getting it? Qin Yu flushed crimson and explained further, her voice muffled against Shenhe's lips. "Because I wanted to kiss you, Shenhe, but I don't want to be the kind of person who kisses as casually and frequently as breathing."
I already feel like I am.
Still, I need to restrain myself a bit.
Only then did Shenhe understand why Qin Yu had reacted the way she did. But she said nothing, simply pulled Qin Yu's face closer.
Evaluation: C+
"I don't mind. In fact, I'm actually quite happy that you would do this to me."
Evaluation: B
Qin Yu muttered, "There you go again, saying things like that."
Whenever Qin Yu tried to rein herself in, Shenhe would always say things like, "I don't mind," or "I like it too," conveying an attitude of complete acceptance that easily derailed Qin Yu's newly formed resolve.
But if Shenhe weren't like this, she probably wouldn't have been able to enter my heart in the first place, Qin Yu thought absently.
Still...
Qin Yu leaned in closer to Shenhe again, murmuring, "You're partly to blame for me becoming like this."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
So take responsibility.
Evaluation: A-
After their excessively long "morning greeting," Qin Yu sat down at her vanity to do her makeup and dress up.
Once dressed and fully prepared, she took Shenhe by the hand and left the house.
As expected, Liyue Harbor was bustling with festive activity.
"They're selling fireworks too, Shenhe! Do you want to set some off?" Qin Yu asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.
"Yes," Shenhe replied immediately.
She answered so quickly, she must really want to.
"Then let's set them off together later. It's been ages since I've played with fireworks."
"And Xiao Lanterns too," Shenhe added.
"Xiao Lanterns... hmm, we should definitely release some tonight. But we'll have to wait until nightfall. For now, let's wander around, grab some food and drinks, and see if there's anything else fun to do."
As she spoke, Qin Yu took Shenhe's hand.
"Ready to go?" Qin Yu asked with a warm smile.
Perhaps it was the festive atmosphere, but Qin Yu's smile seemed brighter than usual. Shenhe was caught up in her cheerful mood, and a soft smile unconsciously graced her face.
"Mm-hm."
Evaluation: A+
As night fell, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
Posters announcing the Iridescence Tour's performance had been up for weeks. Though most Liyue citizens had no idea what the Iridescence Tour was, the promise of a grand musical celebration had filled them with anticipation and excitement.
By the time the show was about to begin, countless people had already gathered, craning their necks in eager anticipation.
Qin Yu and Shenhe climbed the stairs.
"Ah, Qin Yu, Shenhe, you're finally here! The show's about to start," Ganyu said, relief washing over her face as she saw them arrive. She'd been worried they would be late.
"Why were you two so slow?" Keqing asked, her hands on her hips.
"The streets were packed," Shenhe replied.
"Absolutely jammed! You could barely squeeze through," Qin Yu added with a shrug.
Qin Yu glanced around.
"Where are Ningguang and Yanfei?"
"We're up here!" Ningguang's voice called from above. Qin Yu looked up and met Ningguang's gaze as she leaned over the railing, Yanfei standing beside her.
Ningguang smiled. "The view's much better up here. Come join us!"
"Yeah, Grandma and Yaoyao are here too!" Yanfei waved.
Just as Qin Yu was about to reply, a voice boomed from below.
"It's an honor to perform on the Iridescence Tour stage! Please enjoy the show Hu Tao and I have prepared for you!"
Keqing startled. "Quick! The performance is starting!" She grabbed Qin Yu's hand and hurried her up the stairs.
"Wait, don't pull so hard!"
Ganyu and Shenhe followed close behind.
Reaching the new level, Qin Yu spotted Yaoyao and Madame Ping sitting in chairs, sipping tea.
Before they could exchange greetings, the performance below began.
Xinyan's rock music immediately grabbed Qin Yu's attention. Leaning over the railing, she watched Hu Tao sing and bounce around, her energy infectious and her enjoyment palpable.
At least the lyrics are normal.
Hu Tao's gaze swept across the crowd before glancing up. Spotting Qin Yu, she playfully winked.
Qin Yu waved her hand dismissively, muttering, "Sharp eyes, indeed."
"This music... it's quite novel," Shenhe remarked.
Qin Yu shrugged. Novel? But considering rock 'n' roll was indeed something entirely new to Liyue, she supposed it was.
"If it were death metal, now that would really be something," Qin Yu mused to herself.
Keqing chuckled. "Novelty aside, I feel it could still be done better."
"Mm, but it's excellent enough to set the mood from the start. What comes next is what truly matters," Ningguang said with a smile, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.
"You're certainly in high spirits," Keqing noted.
"Aren't you?"
Keqing glanced at Qin Yu, who was completely immersed in the festive atmosphere, her gaze softening. "Of course I am too."
"Wow, the Xiao Lanterns are here!" Yaoyao's shout drew everyone's attention as countless star-like lanterns gently floated upward, drifting into the night.
Shenhe immediately pointed at the scene. "Qin Yu, Xiao Lanterns."
"I know," Qin Yu replied.
Honestly, she's acting like a child.
Qin Yu thought to herself, even as her own heart fluttered with excitement. Just then, Ganyu and Yanfei approached.
"The Xiao Lanterns are over here!" Yanfei called out with a smile.
Qin Yu accepted the Xiao Lantern, gazing at the flickering light that filtered through its paper. A wave of nostalgia washed over her.
How long has it been since I last released a Xiao Lantern with others like this?Never mind, it doesn't matter anymore.
Just as Shenhe reached for the lantern, a familiar voice rang out alongside a sudden appearance.
"Hold!" Cloud Retainer declared.
Cloud Retainer? Qin Yu and the others exchanged astonished glances, none of them expecting her to appear at this moment.
I was just wondering where she'd gone.
Only Madame Ping seemed to have anticipated this, a mysterious smile playing on her lips as she remarked, "Cloud Retainer, you're here again."
Cloud Retainer huffed, "What do you mean 'again'? It's not every day this Adeptus takes an interest in something! Shenhe, come here. You won't need that Xiao Lantern."
She raised her head haughtily.
"Your master has prepared a grand one for you!"
With that, Cloud Retainer conjured an enormous Xiao Lantern out of thin air.
Whoa, that's huge!
Qin Yu recoiled in surprise, as did most of the others. Ganyu, however, reacted even more dramatically, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Why must Retainer meddle in something like this..." Ganyu sighed.
Cloud Retainer tilted her head in confusion. "What's wrong? Is it not allowed?"
"That's not it exactly," Ganyu stammered, "it's just... this is going to be very..."
Ganyu didn't say it outright, but Qin Yu understood her meaning perfectly.
It's going to be so awkward.
"Hehe, what's wrong with a little fun?" Madame Ping chuckled. "It's a rare festive occasion. Doing something like this once in a while is harmless."
Keqing couldn't resist retorting, "More like doing it again would be a disaster."
"May I?" Shenhe asked, turning to Qin Yu.
"Eh? Ah... Of course."
Why are you even asking me?
"Then let's release it together."
Ha?
Release such a massive and conspicuous Xiao Lantern together? Qin Yu was still stunned when Shenhe lifted the giant lantern and brought it before her.
"Qin Yu."
...Ah, whatever! Forget it!
Sensing Shenhe's anticipation, Qin Yu abandoned all thought. She handed her standard-sized Xiao Lantern back to Yanfei, then joined Shenhe in lifting the "special edition" lantern and gently pushing it upward.
The colossal Xiao Lantern suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes.
"That Xiao Lantern is huge!"
"Who launched it?"
Just as I feared! Qin Yu thought miserably.
Ningguang, Ganyu, and the others quietly retreated a few steps, avoiding being noticed by the crowd.
"This is a bit awkward, isn't it?" Yanfei whispered.
"I told you so..." Ganyu sighed helplessly.
"So this is what Adepti are like..." Keqing muttered, momentarily at a loss for words.
Ningguang sighed.
Shenhe, however, showed no such hesitation. Gazing at the receding Xiao Lantern, her heart filled with a profound sense of joy and contentment, she murmured, "Thank you, Master."
Cloud Retainer beamed with satisfaction. "As long as you enjoyed it, all my efforts weren't wasted. Next time, I'll prepare one for each of you!"
Absolutely not.
Keqing tactfully replied, "Thank you for your kindness, but that won't be necessary."
"I... I don't need one either!" Yanfei blurted out hastily.
Ganyu shook her head repeatedly, looking distinctly reluctant.
"An Adeptus's Xiao Lantern... not bad," Ningguang mused, her interest piqued. Qin Yu, however, suspected that Ningguang would likely delegate the actual releasing to her.
Cloud Retainer bristled slightly. "Why is everyone reacting like this? Fine, if you don't want them, then so be it."
"I want one! Yaoyao wants a Xiao Lantern like that!" Yaoyao exclaimed excitedly.
"Alright, I'll make one for you later, ha ha."
Just then, another figure rushed up the stairs.
"Fishy Treasure, what did you think of our performance?" Hu Tao asked eagerly.
Ah, right, Hu Tao's performance had already ended. It's only natural for her to return now.
With everyone finally assembled, Qin Yu felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
"I think it's wonderful," she said.
"Hehe, I knew you'd love it!" Hu Tao beamed.
"Oh? The Iridescence Tour performance is about to begin," Ningguang remarked, drawing Qin Yu back to the railing. Together with Shenhe and the others, they looked down.
The orchestra was in position, and Dvorak, the conductor, slowly approached the podium. With a gentle wave of his baton, a kaleidoscope of musical notes danced through the air, weaving an invisible iridescent curtain that mingled with the fireworks soaring into the night sky, enveloping the sea of Xiao Lanterns and the crowd gathered beneath them.
Qin Yu found herself completely immersed in the music.
Suddenly, a melodious zither joined the music. Startled, she turned to see Madame Ping's fingers dancing across the strings.
She hasn't lost her touch after all, Qin Yu thought, refraining from speaking so as not to disturb the exquisite music. Instead, she looked at the people gathered around her.
Shenhe, Ganyu, Keqing, Ningguang, Yanfei, and Hu Tao... the most important people in her life were all here, right by her side, and she knew they would stay together forever.
As the fireworks burst into even more dazzling displays, Qin Yu smiled.