YunShen Buzhi had lost his legendary calm. The clan disciples as well as the guest disciples had forgotten their usual restraint. Laughter, whispers and rapid footsteps could be heard. Everyone was bustling with excitement.

Once a year, the rules of the clan were relaxed on this particular day: Lantern Day.

I watched them come and go, looking for paper, chopsticks, string or candles.

Everyone was talking about what they were going to represent on their lanterns. What wishes they would make.

Until now, I had always avoided being present at this time of the year. Too many memories came back to me. The year we turned 16 was the one and only time I threw a lantern with someone. But I had accepted it for several reasons.

You had drawn bunnies for me. You understood that I liked them and then we threw them just after the events in the cold cave and our meeting with Lan Yi... I smiled to myself, I had just seen SiZhui in the library. He was having a big discussion with Jingyi. I don't know what they were talking about, but they didn't seem to agree. I approached quietly.

"Last year we already put rabbits on our SiZhui lantern! This year it's my turn to choose! "

SiZhui sighed and finally accepted the peony flowers that Jingyi wanted to make. They sat down with their brushes and began their drawings.

He was growing fast, he was about to turn 11. I observed him in more detail. He had kept his round cheeks from when he was little. His ebony-black hair was silky. I took great pleasure in combing it whenever possible. He was a sweet and affectionate child who brightened my dull and tasteless days.

I returned to the Jingshi. The lanterns would not be launched for several hours. I had time on my hands! I took out paper and chopsticks and began to draw.

A smile relaxed my lips. This lantern was launched 10 years ago!

It would soon be dark. I joined Brother. He was waiting for me so that we could go together to the cliff near the waterfall. It was there that, by tradition, we threw our lanterns.

All the disciples had gathered in groups of 2 or 3. They were waiting for our signal to light the candles. Brother leaned towards me.

"I hope that this year Chen Ruan will not set all the lanterns on fire! "

"Brother it was an accident! "I said with a frown.

The previous year, the man called Chen Ruan, had not fixed his candle properly, and when it fell, it kissed several lanterns, which in turn set others on fire! Almost all of them had ended up in ashes!

This year, it seems that he was careful. The lanterns rose into the sky. The disciples joined their hands in prayer to the heavens.

When they were just dots on the horizon, it was time for dinner. Everyone looked forward to dinner because it was different from the usual YunShen Buzhi meals. The cooks put more flavor in it and fish was served.

When SiZhui passed by me, I called out to him. He walked towards me with a smile and greeted me.

"SiZhui, I would like you to have dinner with me at Jingshi tonight" His eyes widened as he smiled.

"Yes, Father .... Han GuangJun" He had recovered when he saw that Brother was still by my side. Brother spoke up.

"SiZhui, I am your uncle. You can call him 'father' in front of me! "Then he turned to me.

"Wangji, I will leave you and join this unruly little troop! Thank goodness this is the only day of the year!" he grinned slightly.

Brother left us and we went back in silence to the Jingshi. When we entered, I had the table set. I sat SiZhui in front of me and took the basket that kept warm the dishes I had prepared for him in the afternoon. I placed them on the table.

"After the meal I will have a surprise for you.

He looked at me and nodded. I served him and watched his reaction. It was the first time I cooked for someone. He seemed to enjoy it!

"Father, this is delicious! Did you bring in dishes from Caiyi?"

"No, I cooked them for you" His chopsticks stopped halfway between his mouth and his bowl. His mouth was wide open.

"It's not polite to stay like that when you're at the table," I said.

He hurriedly put the piece of vegetable in his mouth. His eyes were shining. I guess I wasn't such a bad cook after all!

When the meal was over, I motioned for him to follow me. I took a small chest and we went out. We walked around the Jingshi to an open area. There, I knelt down in the grass. SiZhui did the same. I opened the trunk and took out my work. I gave him the chopsticks to assemble the frame of the lantern. We then slipped it into the paper. Our lantern was ready. SiZhui looked at the two rabbits I had drawn.

"Father, is it normal that one of the rabbits wears a headband like ours and the other wears a red ribbon? "

"Mnn. This lantern takes away my wish.

"Father, is this lantern a message for the person you seek every night by questioning the spirits? "

"MnTranslated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)n"

"Father, why have you never married? Why do you always stay alone? "

"I was married, but I lost my love and no one will be able to take his place by my side" .

"So let's launch your message father and pray that one day you will find each other. "

We lit the candle and placed it inside. We watched the lantern slowly rise toward the stars.

Tears began to roll down my cheeks. SiZhui's hand slipped into mine and squeezed gently.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)