Chapter 40: We Strolled Our Own

After finishing dinner.

Li Mu was pulled out of the room by Su Wen.

“Don’t just stay cooped up in the room all day; today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, let’s go see the lanterns together.”

Su Wen’s tone was firm, and Li Mu knew that if he dared to say “no,” he would be scolded.

The festive atmosphere in the small county was particularly strong; during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival, and Lantern Festival, lantern shows would be held in the square near the government.

Every holiday, the night lanterns became an activity that every household participated in.

When he was young, Lu Xiaoxi’s father only had one motorcycle, and since the evenings were the busiest times, going out was both inconvenient and dangerous. At that time, Li Changheng had already bought a van, so he simply let Lu Xiaoxi’s family get in the car to go see the lanterns together.

Li Changheng sat in the driver’s seat, Su Wen sat in the passenger seat, Lu Xiaoxi’s parents sat in the second row, while Li Mu and Lu Xiaoxi, the two children, sat in the last row’s three-seater, playing and fooling around.

One car, two families, four adults, and two children.

The three adults chatted about family matters, while Li Changheng, who had just learned to drive, was afraid of being distracted and didn’t dare to chat.

Lu Xiaoxi leaned against Li Mu, her tender little face resting on Li Mu’s shoulder as she watched him play Snake.

In the fourth grade, Lu Xiaoxi’s father, Lu Ming, also bought a car, and since then, they never took the same car out again.

But the two families still made it a point to see the lanterns together every year.

“This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival is a bit chilly,” Li Mu said as he closed the window and took a thin jacket from the cabinet to prevent the temperature from dropping at night.

After all, who can predict the weather?

“Mom, are Lu Xiaoxi and her family going?”

“Of course, don’t we go every year? Why do you ask? Don’t you want Lu Xiaoxi’s family to go?”

“No, I just wanted to ask.”

During the time of the third year of junior high, his relationship with Lu Xiaoxi was at its worst. He remembered that during that Mid-Autumn Festival, after he found out that Lu Xiaoxi was going, he stubbornly said he wouldn’t go.

His stubbornness was resolved after Su Wen gave him a slap and a sweet date, and after being scolded and then gently comforted, he reluctantly went along.

When they arrived at the lanterns, he didn’t say a word and just blankly followed them.

Lu Xiaoxi, however, was different; she happily came out and chatted cheerfully with her parents, who were also in good spirits. Everyone was smiling except for him.

At that time, he really, really hated Lu Xiaoxi, wishing she would disappear from his sight.

In middle school, he matured a lot, and his relationship with Lu Xiaoxi was no longer so antagonistic. Although they didn’t talk when they met, they would still exchange pleasantries and wish each other well during the holidays.

By the third year of middle school, he had completely matured, and their awkward conversations quietly evolved into playful banter, as he began to find ways to make her angry.

As long as she got angry, he would be happy, and Lu Xiaoxi felt the same way.

Looking back now—

It was really childish.

Li Mu pulled back his drifting thoughts and followed his mom downstairs.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the neighbors downstairs, they quickly got into the car.

This car had only been bought for two years; they had already sold the old van that could fit six people for a cheap price.

Whether it was the location of the house or the parking lot, they were the closest; it was just a coincidence.

He only waited in the car for a while before his parents came over with Lu Xiaoxi’s parents, each getting into their respective cars.

Li Mu saw Lu Xiaoxi outside the window, just about to open the car door, so he pressed down the window and quietly greeted her.

“Hello, Lu Xiaoxi, long time no see.”

“Weren’t we just together at noon?”

“Five hours apart feels like three autumns.”

“If you’re sick, go see a doctor…” Lu Xiaoxi rolled her eyes dramatically.

Li Mu didn’t close the car window; he leaned on it to look, but could only see his own reflection.

“Do I have flowers on my face?” Lu Xiaoxi angrily pressed down the window to meet Li Mu’s gaze.

“You have dark circles.”

“Get lost.” Lu Xiaoxi raised the window again.

The car started.

They soon arrived at the square.

A large artistic sign saying “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival” was displayed in the center, along with a plastic big mooncake.

Lanterns of various colors and shapes were arranged in the square, surrounded by red ropes to keep tourists away.

The square was crowded with people, mostly adults out with children.

Many children looked sullen, probably dragged out by their parents.

Most people came to see the lanterns, but their real purpose was not to admire the lanterns; they just wanted to add some festive flavor.

With the development of the times, the essence of the festivals had become increasingly diluted. Even during the busiest Spring Festival, many people just wanted to quickly pay respects to their ancestors, eat the New Year’s Eve dinner, visit relatives, and then go home to relax.

To feel like they had celebrated the festival, they would participate in various activities, such as watching lanterns.

What’s so interesting about lanterns? A layer of translucent plastic with a small light inside, and the lantern is formed.

After taking a few photos of the lanterns, both families shifted their gaze and chatted about everyday matters as they walked.

“Our supervisor at the company is really a pain; the salary remains the same, but we still have to work overtime.”

“Hey, you’re still better off; I had my salary deducted…”

Li Changheng and Lu Ming complained about work while leaning on each other.

“My kid just plays on the computer all day and doesn’t do anything productive.”

“Xiaoxi stayed up late last night; staying up late can lead to white hair…”

Su Wen and Qin Xiaoqian chatted about their children.

Li Mu and Lu Xiaoxi followed behind.

“Why aren’t you chatting with them?” Li Mu suddenly asked.

“I can’t get a word in; I can only talk when they call me.”

“How about we just stroll on our own?”

“Aren’t you afraid of getting scolded?”

“We can just tell them.”

“If we get scolded, it’ll be your fault.”

“Hehe, if we get scolded, you can say I forced you to come.”

Li Mu tapped both mothers on the shoulders with his index fingers.

“What’s wrong, Li Mu?” Qin Xiaoqian turned around and saw Li Mu smiling at them, while her daughter shrank behind him.

“Aunt Qin, Lu Xiaoxi and I want to go explore other places.”

Qin Xiaoqian was taken aback and exchanged glances with Su Wen.

Both could read the confusion in each other’s eyes.

They quickly reacted.

Qin Xiaoqian covered her mouth and laughed, “Haha, go ahead, but don’t go too far. We’ll message you when it’s time to head back.”

Su Wen’s mouth stretched to her ears as she waved her hand, signaling them to hurry, “Go, go, go, there are many stalls here; take Xiaoxi to have some fun.”

“Okay, remember to message us when you’re leaving.”

Li Mu said, turning around to show Lu Xiaoxi a big smile.

“You’re such a weirdo…” Lu Xiaoxi muttered under her breath.

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s get some barbecue,” Li Mu said, pointing in one direction and running off quickly.

Lu Xiaoxi followed closely behind him.

———-
Support the Translation! 🌐✨

Your donations not only show appreciation but also keep the translator motivated! Every contribution helps continue bringing you more of what you love. Thank you for being a part of this journey! 💖

https://www.ko-fi.com/maxoofie