CH 87

After leaving the shrine, the sky outside had already turned dark.

Lanterns were lit along the streets, and the main venue of the festival was bustling with people. Young men and women in yukatas were holding flower branches and taking the stage one by one, starting the pre-show activities for the folk performance.

Jiang Heng watched the stage for a while from a distance. After weighing his options between rushing to see the performance or leisurely wandering, he ultimately chose the latter.

He bought two servings of plum ice cream from a stall not far from the shrine. Unable to resist the persuasion of the stall owner, he added two extra spoonfuls of plum sauce on top of the ice cream.

The crystal-clear plum sauce revealed a beautiful pink color under the lantern light. The clear juice flowed down the ice peaks like mountain ridges, emitting a tempting sweet and sour aroma that made anyone’s mouth water.

Unfortunately, before Jiang Heng could fully enjoy it, both of his ice cream bowls were confiscated by Ji Yao.

“Eating something cold after something hot, aren’t you afraid of getting a stomach ache again?” Ji Yao asked.

Jiang Heng was a reasonable person, but this ice cream looked too tempting. He frowned in distress, attempting to negotiate with the doctor. “Yao, the lady said this is a classic Japanese snack that you can only have during a few spring festivals each year.”

As he spoke, he reached out to put his arm around Ji Yao’s shoulder, moved forward, and gently pushed through the approaching tourists. Then he leaned in close to Ji Yao’s ear and said, “Let’s make an exception just for today, hmm?”

His warm breath brushed against Ji Yao’s ear, his voice soft and deep, causing Ji Yao’s earlobes to turn red, and a shiver ran down his spine.

“…Just one bite.”

Ji Yao could be quite shameless under certain circumstances. He hesitated for a moment, then scooped up the peaks of ice cream covered in plum sauce with a spoon and fed it to Jiang Heng.

Honestly, the taste of the plum sauce didn’t live up to its appearance. The excessive syrup made the juice feel sticky and of poor quality. The acidity of the juice and the sweetness of the syrup didn’t blend well; they seemed to operate independently.

However, because of the wonderful atmosphere at that moment, Jiang Heng tolerated this small flaw.

Lanterns were lit throughout the small town, outdoor heaters were placed every few steps along the streets, and the snow on the roofs melted under the heat, forming droplets that slowly dripped down the dark tiles. In the distance, the mountains revealed faint outlines in the night, trapping the natural hot spring steam within the town. Even in yukatas, people didn’t feel too cold.

The ice cream bowls in Ji Yao’s hands began to melt slowly. The shaved ice, originally shaped like Mount Fuji, silently collapsed a bit, and the plum sauce mingled with the crushed ice, forming a thin layer of icy fruit juice at the bottom of the bowl.

But Ji Yao was oblivious to all this. He simply held Jiang Heng’s hand tightly in case he felt any stomach discomfort.

In the glow of candlelight, Ji Yao’s features softened, and Jiang Heng, looking at his worried expression, decided to forgive the taste of the plum sauce.

The sound from the festival stage became livelier, the warm-up had ended, and young girls with bass guitars began taking the stage to sing. A distinct rock-style prelude burst from the speakers, and the crowd started moving toward the stage.

Jiang Heng and Ji Yao also moved closer to the stage. However, just before they could get closer, Jiang Heng seemed to remember something and suddenly let go of Ji Yao’s hand.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Yao asked immediately.

“I left my phone at the guesthouse,” Jiang Heng said. “I need to go back and get it.”

Ji Yao frowned in confusion.

Normally, Jiang Heng wouldn’t make such a basic mistake, but today, both of them had changed into Japanese yukatas before leaving their room. Ji Yao couldn’t remember if Jiang Heng had put his phone in his yukata’s pocket.

“I’ll go with you to get it,” Ji Yao offered.

“No need,” Jiang Heng replied. “You can wait here for me, or you can go to the stage area. I’ll be back quickly.”

Jiang Heng took a few steps back and walked against the crowd in the direction of the guesthouse. The festival was crowded, and he quickly disappeared into the sea of people. Ji Yao stood in place, gazing in the direction Jiang Heng had gone, considering whether to head toward the stage. Then, he felt someone lightly bump into his shoulder.

Immediately after, he heard a somewhat familiar voice in his ear.

“I’m really sorry, I accidentally bumped into you,” the woman said. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

In a crowded environment like this, it was natural for people to bump into each other, so Ji Yao patted the water stains on his sleeve and was about to say it was okay. However, when he raised his head, he was momentarily stunned.

“…Izumi?”

The woman in front of him looked much the same as she did six years ago, so Ji Yao recognized her at a glance. She still had the exaggerated makeup on, wore an intricate and elegant kimono, and when she spoke, she lowered her head in a submissive manner, revealing her beautiful and snow-white neck.

Izumi also seemed slightly surprised. She lifted her head to glance at Ji Yao and then suddenly smiled.

“It’s you, sir.”

Ji Yao wondered if all geishas had the ability to remember people at a glance. She clearly remembered him, so she genuinely greeted him with a bow and a smile, saying, “Welcome back to Japan. You look much more relaxed than last time.”

Ji Yao still remembered the precise assessment Izumi had made of him and Jiang Heng the last time they were in Japan. Back then, he was young and didn’t quite understand its implications until later when he gradually figured out the deeper meaning behind those words.

Six years had passed, and many things had changed beyond recognition. Fortunately, he had gained more than he had lost.

Receiving the label of being “more relaxed” once again, Ji Yao couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia.

“Yes,” Ji Yao said, “because I finally realized that in life, there are many things one has to figure out on their own—and I have someone by my side who supported me through the toughest times.”

Izumi had provided Ji Yao with crucial assistance at the right time, and he was still grateful to her. So, even though this topic touched on their privacy, he continued speaking a bit more.

“I used to be a helpless coward, like a trapped beast,” Ji Yao said. “He saved me, pulled me out of the swamp, and gave me a new possibility in life. Actually, what you said back then was quite right. Some things you really need to try to know the outcome.”

With a smile, Izumi listened to him. Then, she tilted her head slightly, observing him with apparent interest.

After a moment, it seemed like Izumi had detected something in Ji Yao’s demeanor, and she smiled gently.

In Izumi’s eyes, Ji Yao appeared to have been reborn, freed from his shackles. His expressions were no longer marked by panic and anxiety, but instead, they had gained a certain stability through the passage of time.

“You have grown,” Izumi softly murmured. “I can see that you’ve discovered the essence of life and found your treasure. This is a gift for you, please accept it.”

Izumi handed Ji Yao a pair of omamori, and then, with her hands together, she bowed to him, expressing a hint of regret. “It’s just a pity you didn’t catch the summer fireworks festival. It was a very splendid sight.”

The sky had now turned completely dark, but the town was illuminated by candlelight, and sweet and gentle fragrances filled the air everywhere.

Amid the joyful sounds of the crowd, Ji Yao’s gaze extended beyond Izumi’s shoulder into the sea of people. He saw a familiar face with precision.

“It’s not a pity,” Ji Yao suddenly smiled and said, “because I’ve already found the fireworks that will never fade.”

Jiang Heng was approaching from a distance, and Ji Yao only had to wait in place for less than two minutes before Jiang Heng would reach him. However, Ji Yao’s patience seemed to vanish suddenly at that moment, so he couldn’t wait any longer. He moved against the crowd, trying to reunite with Jiang Heng.

The sound system near the stage switched from rock music to classic Japanese music, and a monk performed a “fire-walking” act. The crowd was exclaiming in response. Ji Yao struggled to move through the crowd, keeping a clear direction toward Jiang Heng.

There were just too many people around, and Ji Yao’s eyes had diverted for just a moment when Jiang Heng disappeared from his view. Ji Yao looked around, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, as if the brief eye contact with Jiang Heng was a figment of his imagination.

For some reason, impatience suddenly overwhelmed Ji Yao’s mind, and he attempted to find his way through the chaos. However, the atmosphere was so noisy that his calls were quickly drowned out by the cheering.

Ji Yao furrowed his brow slightly, and his patience had completely run out. A thin layer of sweat appeared on his back.

He was about to turn aimlessly when a hand suddenly reached out, lightly patting his shoulder.

Ji Yao reflexively turned around, only to find that Jiang Heng had somehow approached him from behind, smiling at him.

“Handsome young man,” Jiang Heng said with a smile, “you seem quite in a hurry. Are you looking for someone?”

The moment Ji Yao saw Jiang Heng, his heart returned to reality. He unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, and his whole body relaxed.

“If you need any help,” Jiang Heng performed a Japanese-style greeting and said in English, “I’m familiar with everything around here and would be happy to assist you.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Ji Yao raised an eyebrow and added, “I’m waiting for someone.”

“Waiting for someone?” Jiang Heng asked knowingly.

“Waiting for someone very important,” Ji Yao replied, shaking a small item in his hand, and continued, “I have a gift for him.”

The pair of omamori in Ji Yao’s hand was a special internal version provided by the event organizers. They were finely crafted and brightly colored. Jiang Heng couldn’t help but be impressed, and he asked, “It looks great. I wonder if I’m fortunate enough to receive this gift?”

“I’m afraid not,” Ji Yao shook his head seriously and put away the omamori before Jiang Heng could reach for it. “This is for my beloved.”

“Well, there’s nothing I can do then,” Jiang Heng let out a long breath, sounding regretful. “To get this gift, I’ll just have to become your lover.”

Jiang Heng took a step forward, wrapped his arms around Ji Yao’s waist, and seemed ready to kiss him.

Ji Yao wasn’t as good at playing along as Jiang Heng, and he couldn’t help but laugh. “You decided so hastily? Shouldn’t you ask for my opinion?”

“It’s not hasty,” Jiang Heng curved his eyes playfully and said mysteriously, “I’ve prepared a surprise for you to show my sincerity.”

The atmosphere near the festival stage had reached its peak. Cheers from the crowd overwhelmed the surroundings, and Ji Yao was also infected by this atmosphere. His heart raced with anticipation.

For some reason, he suddenly recalled his conversation with Izumi just now. It was as if fate had intervened, and he guessed, “Did you buy fireworks, by any chance?”

Jiang Heng widened his eyes slightly and let out an exaggerated “Oh.” He looked genuinely surprised.

“This young man, we seem to be on the same wavelength,” Jiang Heng said with a smile.

Just as he finished speaking, several fireworks suddenly burst at the edge of the town. The sparks shot straight up into the sky, creating brilliant bursts of colors against the night sky.

Fireworks held deep and profound meaning in Japan. As the fireworks in the sky continued without pause, the atmosphere on the ground reached its peak.

Some people made wishes under the dazzling fireworks, hoping for smooth sailing in the coming year. Others kissed under the glow of lanterns, hoping for their love to last year after year.

“How about that?” Jiang Heng spoke softly amidst the bustling crowd. “Is this surprise sincere enough for you?”

“It’s more than enough,” Ji Yao next to him said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”