Feng Yi happily agreed, not for any other reason than wanting Yuan Bao to experience the comfort of a hot spring.
Familiar with the hot spring pool, the familiar water temperature, and the familiar... hole!
Hadn't he paid off all his debts? Why hadn't Ning Guang repaired the hole in the wall yet?
Feng Yi was puzzled and entered the flowing hot spring pool with Yuan Bao.
Blissful~
Feng Yi's soul seemed to be soothed. The gently flowing warm water continuously washed away Feng Yi's fatigue. Even his tired kidneys were getting a much-needed rest.
Feng Yi lay in the pool, leaning against a jade platform.
The jade embedded in the platform was uneven, like a custom-made massage device.
Feng Yi's body swayed with the ebb and flow of the water, and the raised jade at his back provided a massage effect.
Feng Yi stared blankly at the ceiling, too comfortable to think about anything.
If conditions allowed, he could even soak here all day.
Gurgle~
Yuan Bao was learning to swim in the hot spring pool. After swimming half a lap, she had drunk her fill.
Soon after, she learned a new skill – diving!
This place is really interesting. Yuan Bao planned to ask her dad to create a hot spring pool in the Serenitea Pot when they returned.
Then she could soak in the hot springs with her mother and father every day!
'I'll invite all my other mothers over for a bath then, to give Dad a big surprise!'
Yuan Bao eagerly anticipated seeing the happy expression on her dad's face when he received the surprise.
Suddenly, a flash of white light streaked across Feng Yi's vision.
Feng Yi focused his gaze and saw that it was Ning Guang approaching.
Her skin was as white as snow, reflecting a pure, white fluorescence under the sunlight, like the divine light of an angel.
Ning Guang stepped into the hot spring pool. Feeling two gazes on her, she pursed her lips into a smile and untied the towel around her waist.
"Feng Yi, you haven't been in Liyue for long, so you might not be aware, but in a few days, it will be Liyue's traditional festival – the Lantern Rite. You absolutely mustn't miss it!"
Ning Guang met Feng Yi's gaze and initiated a conversation.
"Lantern Rite?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Yi recalled some information about the Lantern Rite from his memory.
The Lantern Rite was originally a festival to commemorate heroes. Among them, the Mingxiao Lantern was modeled after the "True God who Moves the Heavens," commemorating his heroic deeds for Liyue.
During the Lantern Rite, people prayed for peace and banished misfortune, hoping that the lamp's fire would pass down wisdom, and that heroes would return from the sea.
The people of Liyue believed that the lantern symbolized "May the torch be passed on, and virtue never extinguished," as they believed the spirits of heroes would be passed down eternally like the flame in a lamp.
At the same time, it would illuminate the path forward for the people, casting the warmest light for those in darkness with their dazzling virtues!
Therefore, the people of Liyue believed that the bright lamps on the sea would guide the souls of departed heroes back to their homeland.
The souls of the heroes who once guarded Liyue could ride the night, follow the Xiao lanterns home, reunite with everyone, and return to this land they loved and vowed to protect.
The Lantern Rite could be considered one of Liyue's grandest festivals.
However, Feng Yi's focus remained solely on one aspect: on the day of the Lantern Rite, there would undoubtedly be many food stalls selling delicious treats. He could finally indulge his appetite!
"Feng Yi, on the day of the Lantern Rite, shall we release Xiao lanterns together, representing our best wishes?"
Ning Guang extended an invitation. She planned to work overtime for the next few days to finish all her tasks so that she could have some time to spend with Feng Yi releasing Xiao lanterns on the day of the Lantern Rite.
"If... if I'm not busy on the day of the Lantern Rite, then of course!"
Ning Guang's eyes were filled with affection, and the gentleness in her crimson irises rippled like water, making it hard to refuse.
Facing Ning Guang's invitation, Feng Yi didn't give a definitive 'no,' leaving himself some room. After all, he hadn't exchanged the explosive barrels for Mora yet.
'It's just releasing a Xiao lantern, it shouldn't... cause any major problems, right?'
Feng Yi muttered to himself.
"I've noted it down. You can't go back on your word on the day of the Lantern Rite!"
Ning Guang smiled gently, suddenly looking forward to the Lantern Rite.
"Yuan Bao? Why are you here?"
Ning Guang felt a disturbance beneath her and looked down, only to see Yuan Bao surfacing from underwater.
She had been so engrossed in chatting with Feng Yi that she hadn't noticed Yuan Bao swimming over from the other hot spring pool.
"Sister Ning Guang, will you be Yuan Bao's mommy? Dad is very capable. If Sister Ning Guang becomes Yuan Bao's mommy, you definitely won't lose out!"
Yuan Bao surfaced to Ning Guang's embrace, revealing her wet little head. She grabbed onto the protruding rocks of Ning Guang's pool and climbed onto Ning Guang's body, whispering softly in her ear.
"Oh? How capable is your dad?"
Ning Guang looked at Yuan Bao with a smile, curious if Yuan Bao could bring her some surprises.
"Dad... Dad's roasted rabbit is delicious! It's the best roasted rabbit Yuan Bao has ever eaten! And his stewed goose is also good..."
Yuan Bao tried her best to promote her father, fearing that Ning Guang might dislike him.
Ning Guang: Alas! I thought it was something else!
What a letdown!
"Has Yuan Bao eaten any other roasted rabbits?"
Ning Guang quickly pried Yuan Bao's little hands off. She hadn't expected those chubby little hands to have such strength, leaving several noticeable red marks on her slime.
"No!"
Yuan Bao scratched her head. She had only eaten the rabbit roasted by her dad.
Ning Guang was speechless. So, Feng Yi's cooking was ranked first in Yuan Bao's heart simply because he was the only contestant!
"Then... then, Sister Ning Guang, do you... still want to be Yuan Bao's mommy?"
Yuan Bao glanced at Ning Guang's expressions, which shifted between smiles and helplessness. She felt like she couldn't quite figure out her intentions. This was the most difficult mother she had encountered so far.
"I want to taste the rabbit your dad roasted himself. If it's as delicious as Yuan Bao says, then I'll agree!"
Ning Guang's reply was perfectly executed, capturing the essence of strategic maneuvering.
She maintained her composure while giving Yuan Bao great hope.
After all, whether it was delicious or not would be her decision!
This way, Yuan Bao would invest more effort in her, and would cherish the fruits of her hard work even more!
"Then it's settled! Mommy... Sister Ning Guang, you can't go back on your word!"
Yuan Bao and Ning Guang pinky promised. She had great confidence in her dad's roasted rabbit.
Meanwhile, Feng Yi maintained his upward gaze, staring blankly at the ceiling. This act of emptying his mind made Feng Yi feel very tranquil.
He hadn't noticed that Yuan Bao had quietly left his hot spring pool, gone to Ning Guang's, and even made some kind of agreement with her.
Not until Yuan Bao returned again, handing him a towel emitting a faint fragrance.
Ning Guang hadn't expected Yuan Bao to sneakily take her towel from her hand on her way back.
Ning Guang then caught a glimpse of Feng Yi smelling the towel near his nose, and her cheeks inexplicably turned red.