Chapter 81: May Your Wish Come True

The island’s night was silent and peaceful, with only the sound of waves hitting the shore.

Moonlight spread over the beach like a fine silk, smooth and delicate.

People walked on the soft sand, feeling free.

The guests came out of the villa, carrying their Kongming lanterns, gathering on the beach.

“How about here?”

Tang Wan looked around. The spot seemed just right, far from the forest but close to the sea, and with the wind blowing towards the sea, there was no worry about the lanterns falling on land and causing accidents.

Everyone nodded in agreement, “Sure, let’s do it here!”

Lighting the lanterns required cooperation. One person held the lantern while another lit the fire.

Fang Zhou naturally prepared to help Zhang Zhiyin, but just as he squatted down, someone called him from behind.

“Brother Fang Zhou, I can’t light it by myself. Can you help me?”

It was the innocent-looking Chu Xinran.

Fang Zhou couldn’t refuse her. He nodded to Zhang Zhiyin and said softly, “Wait for me a moment.”

Then he got up to help Chu Xinran.

Zhang Zhiyin paused and watched their interaction thoughtfully.

Was it just her imagination, or did Fang Zhou seem quite lenient with Chu Xinran, almost like he was with his first love, Qiao Sisi?

“You light the fire.”

Fang Zhou held the Kongming lantern with both hands, smiling at Chu Xinran.

She returned a sweet smile and said softly, “Okay.”

He originally wanted to finish quickly, but his eyes caught the words written on the lantern.

“I hope Fang Zhou will always be mine.”

She had said this on the day she cut her hand with a knife!

Fang Zhou suddenly looked up at Chu Xinran, thinking: No way, you still haven’t given up?

The girl smiled sweetly, nodding slightly, enough for Fang Zhou to see.

She said, “I wonder if this Kongming lantern can make my wish come true. What do you think?”

Chu Xinran was asking if Fang Zhou could always stay with her.

Her eyes, filled with innocence, reflected the lit lantern, flickering like her sincere heart.

Fang Zhou suddenly felt burnt. He quickly lowered his head, avoiding Chu Xinran’s gaze, and answered softly, “It’s just a wish; don’t take it too seriously.”

Then he placed the lantern back in Chu Xinran’s hands and said casually, “Alright, you can release it later.”

He quickly left Chu Xinran’s sight, returning to Zhang Zhiyin, his hurried steps like something was chasing him.

The girl behind him held the lantern with one hand, her gaze never leaving Fang Zhou.

In her heart, she thought: This isn’t just a wish, it’s a prophecy. You will be with me, always.

Returning to Zhang Zhiyin, Fang Zhou found that Qin Yun had already helped her light the lantern. Qin Yun’s own lantern was also ready with Zhang Zhiyin’s help.

Han Xi and Tang Wan, along with Qiao Sisi, also helped each other light their lanterns without asking about each other’s wishes.

The five of them moved quickly, leaving the male guests who wanted to help just standing there, awkwardly returning to light their own lanterns.

Damn, no chance to show off!

Qin Yun glanced at Zhang Zhiyin and casually said, “Your lantern is quite special.”

Other lanterns had various markings, but this one only had a line written by Zhang Zhiyin, nothing else.

Zhang Zhiyin nodded and replied, “Yes, yours is special too.”

Qin Yun, proud of her chosen lantern, openly showed it to Zhang Zhiyin.

“Look, my wish is this.”

Zhang Zhiyin looked and saw, besides the HX initials, the words “Grow Old Together.”

It simply expressed Qin Yun’s wish for a long-lasting relationship, growing old together.

Zhang Zhiyin smiled and sincerely wished her, “May your wish come true.”

Hearing her blessing, Qin Yun smiled more genuinely than ever.

She thanked softly, “Thank you.”

My rival wishing for Fang Zhou and me to grow old together, that’s nice.

Poor Zhang Zhiyin, unaware, said to Fang Zhou, “Qin Yun’s handwriting is beautiful!”

Fang Zhou, catching Qin Yun’s smug look, knew what she was proud of. He had also heard their conversation.

He could only agree on the surface, “Yes, very beautiful.”

While sighing inwardly: Zhang Zhiyin, don’t play with her. This cunning woman has many tricks; you can’t outplay her!

Qin Yun smiled in satisfaction, glowing, and didn’t say anything strange to Fang Zhou.

She casually asked Fang Zhou, “What wish did you write?”

Though she saw him give the lantern to Zhang Zhiyin, she indirectly asked about Zhang Zhiyin’s wish.

Zhang Zhiyin smiled and showed her the written side.

Zhang Zhiyin had written, “Hope my sister stays healthy.”

Qin Yun raised an eyebrow, finding it strange. She hadn’t heard of Zhang Zhiyin having a sister. Was she a cousin or someone similar?

But she wisely didn’t ask further, knowing it would be rude.

Qin Yun always understood social niceties and wouldn’t make such a basic mistake.

As for Fang Zhou? He was like family; asking him was fine.

“Should be about time?”

Fang Zhou looked around and saw that everyone’s Kongming lanterns were lit.

Without a lantern himself, he decided to be the countdown master.

“Let’s count down from five together and release them!”

“Five!”

Everyone’s voices overlapped, filled with excitement.

For some, it was their first time releasing a Kongming lantern, their joy evident.

“Four!”

Live stream viewers also counted down silently in the comments, sharing their thoughts.

“Kongming lanterns are so beautiful, especially released by the sea. I can’t imagine how joyful I’d be in person!”

“I agree, it’s like fireworks, a beautiful wish and hope. People need hope to live bravely.”

“Next time, I’ll release a Kongming lantern with someone I love. It’s so beautiful!”

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

With the final countdown, ten Kongming lanterns were released into the sky, carrying everyone’s beautiful wishes, floating higher.

At this moment, they were more beautiful than the stars and moon, blessed by life.