Chapter 14: Xiao Wu, Close Your Eyes

As if sensing that Ye Chutang was acting strangely, Xiao Wu looked up in confusion and gave her hand a gentle tug.

Ye Chutang quickly regained her composure and scanned her surroundings, appearing calm and collected.

Everything seemed normal.

She picked Xiao Wu up and said, "Does Xiao Wu really like that lantern? How about Eldest Sister buys it for you first?"

Xiao Wu’s eyes widened in surprise; she clapped her hands happily and planted a kiss on Ye Chutang’s cheek.

She had originally thought that Eldest Sister would wait until they went back to call Third Brother and Fourth Brother to play together before buying it for her!

Ye Chutang supported her little bottom, pulled her arms in to hold her tighter, and turned toward the bustling street.

They soon arrived at a stall selling lanterns.

Ye Chutang tilted her chin and asked, "Which one do you like? Pick it yourself."

Today was the Spring Lantern Festival, and there were many stalls on the street selling all kinds of beautiful lanterns.

Xiao Wu blinked, but in the end, she pointed to a neighboring stall.

Ye Chutang followed her finger, and her brow twitched slightly.

—It was a small rabbit lantern, very exquisite, but more importantly, this lantern was exactly the same as the one she had seen in her dream earlier!

In that dream, Xiao Wu had been running ahead holding this very lantern, and then...

Ye Chutang had already observed the area; among the several stalls nearby, this was the only one with this design.

Yet, Xiao Wu had picked it out immediately!

This meant that the events she had dreamt of afterward would also happen very soon!

Ye Chutang asked softly, "Are you sure you want that one?"

Xiao Wu nodded happily, took out her little purse, and fished out a piece of broken silver.

—Buy it with my money! A gift for Eldest Sister!

Ye Chutang did not stop her and handed the silver to the stall owner.

"We'll take this one."

The owner was overjoyed. "The little girl has a great eye! This is the most beautiful lantern of them all! I guarantee it! It’s the only one in the entire Spring Lantern Festival!"

Ye Chutang took the lantern and gave it to Xiao Wu.

The little milk bun’s chubby face immediately blossomed into a brilliant smile, and she held the lantern up with her small arms to show Ye Chutang.

—Does Eldest Sister like it?

Ye Chutang rubbed her forehead against hers.

"I like it. Anything Xiao Wu gives me, I like."

A few children ran past, laughing and playing.

Xiao Wu saw them and wiggled her little bottom. Ye Chutang set her down and took her left hand.

"It’s crowded, Xiao Wu, don't run around."

As she spoke, Ye Chutang led Xiao Wu slowly forward.

Xiao Wu carried the lantern, her eyes dazzled by the lively market.

After a while, she suddenly remembered something and looked back at Ye Chutang curiously.

—Where are Third Brother and Fourth Brother? Didn't you say we were going to call them to come along?

Ye Chutang said, "It's still early anyway. We'll head back slowly; we won't be late."

Xiao Wu felt relieved and was soon distracted by the scenery around her, her large, grape-like eyes reflecting the brilliant lights.

Little did she know, Ye Chutang had already changed her mind: with trouble ahead, the fewer people, the better.

If A-Yan and A-Feng were here, she would inevitably be distracted and might not be able to fully ensure everyone's safety. But with only Xiao Wu by her side, she was confident she could handle any situation that arose.

As she walked, Ye Chutang pondered how to deal with what was to come.

After she was reborn as Ye Chutang, she discovered that she would occasionally have dreams about the future.

At first, she hadn't taken them to heart, but later she realized that everything in her dreams had come true, one by one.

From then on, she knew that besides the secret of her rebirth, she possessed another secret: the ability to foresee the future.

She didn't dream often, but every dream was related to her life and safety.

Therefore, every time she had a dream, Ye Chutang dared not be negligent and handled things with caution.

She hadn't had such a dream for a long time since moving to Jiangling three years ago. She hadn't expected that a dream she’d only had half of a few days ago would come true so quickly!

The dream only contained a few blurry images. Ye Chutang kept recalling them, trying to make the dream clearer.

The crowd around them gradually thinned. Suddenly, Xiao Wu saw something on the bluestone path ahead that someone had dropped.

She let go of Ye Chutang’s hand and ran over with her short legs.

Ye Chutang raised a hand to gently touch the wooden hairpin in her hair and instructed softly, "Run slowly."

Xiao Wu turned back with a smile, but in the next second, her eyes suddenly widened!

Almost at the same time!

That chilling, icy sensation surged from behind her once more!

Ye Chutang’s footsteps faltered. She stood still in the middle of the road, seemingly unintentional as she moved to fully shield Xiao Wu within her reach.

Then, she turned around slowly and looked back.

"You've been waiting a long time, haven't you? Why not come out and show yourselves?"

As her voice fell, several figures emerged silently from both sides of the narrow street, completely sealing off the path.

Ye Chutang quickly sized them up.

There were three of them, all masked, with strong, burly builds and fierce, menacing expressions.

"You're quite sharp! Tell me, are you going to come with us willingly, or do we have to use force?"

The man in the middle threatened.

The voice was unfamiliar. Ye Chutang was certain she had never seen them before, but it was clear they were targeting her.

Ye Chutang smiled slightly. "I don't really want to choose either of those options. Is there no third choice?"

The man in the middle seemed to have heard a joke and sneered, "You don't know what's good for you! Since you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, don't blame us for being impolite!"

As he spoke, he raised a hand, and the three of them charged at her simultaneously!

This was a narrow, winding alleyway with high walls on both sides. The only path was completely blocked by the three men; there was nowhere to hide!

Ye Chutang said calmly, "Xiao Wu, close your eyes."

Xiao Wu immediately dropped the lantern in her hand, obediently covered her eyes, and turned her back.

...

Shen Yanchuan had rarely gone out today.

Lian Zhou followed behind him, still worried. "Master, your health hasn't fully recovered yet, and the night wind is cold. Shouldn't we head back early?"

Shen Yanchuan said nonchalantly, "Your master’s body isn't made of paper. It’s good to come out and clear my head. I heard today is Jiangling’s Spring Lantern Festival; it’s quite lively indeed."

Hearing this, Lian Zhou thought of the lonely days his master had endured and felt a pang of sorrow. He swallowed the rest of his words and followed obediently.

People came and went on the street, yet Shen Yanchuan stood out remarkably as he walked through the crowd.

Some people seemed born to be admired; even if he did nothing, he could easily attract everyone's gaze.

Many women looked over with blushing faces.

Since when did Jiangling have such a refined and stunning young master?

Shen Yanchuan seemed completely unaware of this.

He stopped in front of a stall and raised a slender, jade-like finger.

"I want that lantern."

Looking at the hollowed-out lantern, Lian Zhou was shocked. "Master, since when did you like these—"

Shen Yanchuan raised an eyebrow. "Aren't these the things children like the most?"