Chарtеr 14 (5/17)
Аs Jin Fаn wаlkеd back, hе еаrnеstlу poured соld water оn her ideа: "Firеfliеs оnlу livе three tо five days."
Gong Zishang follоwеd and рestеrеd him: "I dоn't сarе аbоut thаt. I'll rеleаse them into thе vаlleу of the Hоuse of Gоng, let them rерrоduсе, bugs bеgеt bugs, generаtiоn aftеr gеnеratiоn endlеsslу..."
"Only thе mаles glоw..."
"Ah, when the uрper beаm is nоt strаight, the lоwer ones will gо аslаnt. Gong Ziуu dоеsn't studу, аnd уou dоn't еither? Didn't уour tеachеr teасh уou thаt bоth mаlе and femalе fireflies glow?"
Jin Fan scrаtched his heаd and utterеd a fеw "оh"s.
"I've еven thought of a name! My given name, your surname—let's call it Little Jinzi!"
Jin Fan's pupils trembled in shock: "Better make it Little Jinshang..."
"Alright, for something as important as naming, I'll listen to you..."
After hearing this, Jin Fan quickened his pace and walked ahead. Gong Zishang chased after him.
"You just said there are also dough figurine makers and goldfish scooping stalls over there? Confess honestly—did you scout out the route in advance, planning to hold hands with me and stroll through the lantern festival?"
"Really not. I swear I'm not lying."
Gong Zishang said with heartfelt pain: "You'd rather be a dog than—"
As they were talking, the two passed by a stall selling bamboo lantern spheres with fireflies.
The stallkeeper, looking at the lantern sphere in Gong Zishang's hand, said to Jin Fan with a cheerful smile: "See, Young Master, I didn't lie to you, did I? I said if you give it to the girl you fancy, she's sure to like it."
Gong Zishang beamed with joy and asked the stallkeeper: "He said he bought it for the girl he fancies?"
Jin Fan's face turned even redder. Stammering, he said to the overjoyed Gong Zishang: "He dragged me into a hard sell. I could only buy one to get away quickly."
"Hey? Young man, don't say that. That's not what you said at the time. You said it yourself—you said this lantern won't be blown out by the wind, it's quite good..."
Just as Gong Zishang was about to gloat, Jin Fan pulled her away.
Gong Zishang seemed somewhat reluctant: "Don't go meet up with Gong Ziyu so quickly. Give the young couple some time alone..."
"Clearly, it's you who wants to... wants to..."
"Wants to what?"
Jin Fan didn't have the nerve to finish his sentence. He cleared his throat lightly and said: "We're not going to meet up. The Blade Master assigned a task to you and me."
Hearing this, Gong Zishang suddenly grew excited: "That thrilling?"
The lively Lantern Festival night held no connection to Jue Manor. Here, even during festivals, an aura of solemnity and killing intent pervaded. The corridors bore no colorful lanterns; before the gates stood no incense burners. It remained as dark and solemn as usual. The only difference was a faint flicker of light in the backyard corridor. Gong Yuanzhi was in high spirits, carrying an exquisite dragon-shaped lantern as he cheerfully walked toward Gong Shangjue's room.
Just as he neared the door, he encountered a servant. The servant hurriedly greeted him: "Young Master Yuanzhi, what a beautiful lantern! Second Master Gong was born in the Year of the Dragon. It must be for Second Master Gong, right?"
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