Chapter 15: The Festival Begins – A Homecoming
The sound of laughter and chatter echoed through the village as the annual festival drew near. It was the time of year when villagers who had moved to the city for work returned to their homes, bringing with them stories of the world beyond the village. The air was filled with excitement, and even Yue's usually mischievous gang couldn't help but get caught up in the anticipation.
Yue stood by the village square, her sky-blue hair tied into a neat ponytail. She stood a little taller than most of the children her age, her alluring gem-blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. Beside her, her friends stood ready, just as eager as she was to see the faces of the adults who returned year after year.
"It's finally happening!" Yue's best friend, Lian, grinned, her eyes flickering toward the dusty road that led into the village. "The festival's going to be awesome this year."
Yue nodded, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She had heard whispers all morning from the villagers, and the one thing that stuck in her mind was how many of the men were talking about her father.
"I heard he's more handsome than before!" one of the older women said earlier. "That blue hair and those eyes of his—he's the talk of the town!"
Yue rolled her eyes. The attention her father received was always a bit too much for her. She didn't know if it was because of his beauty or his strange, almost ethereal presence, but it irked her how every woman in the village seemed to swoon over him. She didn't get it—he was just her dad.
As the afternoon sun began to dip, the first few villagers returned. Their wagons rumbled along the dusty road, and children rushed to meet them, shouting greetings and offering help with their luggage. Yue's father, Bai Heng, stepped out from their house with a warm smile, his long, sky-blue hair catching the sunlight. He was a striking figure, his flawless features making him seem almost out of place in a world where men weren't often the ones admired for their looks.
"Father, are we really going to do this?" Yue asked, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow as she watched him interact with the returning villagers.
Bai Heng chuckled, his voice smooth and comforting. "Of course. It's tradition. We've missed seeing the old faces."
Yue's mother, Mei Ling, stood by his side, as strong and poised as ever. While she wasn't as stunning as Bai Heng, she had an undeniable presence—her athletic physique and confident posture turned heads. Mei Ling's strength and athleticism were a source of pride for the village, as she was the epitome of what every man hoped for in a partner: beautiful, capable, and strong.
Many of the men would openly talk about how lucky Bai Heng was to have such a wife. Yue always found it amusing. It was as if they thought Mei Ling's strength was a rare treasure—yet for Yue, it was simply the norm. To her, her mother was the backbone of the family, the one who made sure everything ran smoothly.
"We should go meet them," Mei Ling said, her voice low and warm as she motioned to Yue and her gang of friends. "Let's see who's come back this year."
Yue and her friends eagerly followed Mei Ling as they made their way to the gathering spot where the returning villagers were unloading their carts. It wasn't long before they spotted familiar faces—old friends of Yue's parents, people who had helped raise her and her siblings, people who always had interesting stories from the city.
But it wasn't long before the gossip started.
"Did you see Bai Heng today?" one of the women asked loudly. "He's still so handsome, it's almost unfair."
Yue could feel her cheeks redden. She knew this was coming. Her father, with his flawless blue eyes and silky hair, was the subject of countless whispers. Yue didn't really mind it, but she couldn't help feeling a little annoyed by the attention.
Her mother's name was mentioned soon after. "Mei Ling looks like she could still take on any challenge. How does she do it?" another woman asked in awe. "I heard she was sparring just yesterday—she still hasn't lost a single fight."
Yue couldn't stop the grin that spread across her face. "Yep, that's my mom. Stronger than any of you."
As her friends laughed, Yue thought about how different her family was from the rest of the village. Most men were content to stay at home and care for the children, while women worked in the fields or handled more intense physical labor. And yet, it was her mother who was the true powerhouse of the family.
As the evening wore on, the village filled with laughter and chatter, with everyone catching up on the year that had passed. Some were eager to show off new things they had learned, while others simply enjoyed being back with their loved ones.
Yue could feel the excitement building as the night drew nearer, knowing that the festival would bring even more fun, more pranks, and of course, more gossip about her beautiful parents.
"Let's get ready!" Lian exclaimed, tugging Yue toward the village square. "The night is still young, and the festival is just beginning."
Yue smiled mischievously. "Let's make this year one to remember."