Early the next morning, the first rays of dawn filtered through the window, illuminating the room.
Xia De's eyelids fluttered slightly before he slowly opened his eyes.
With his hair slightly disheveled, he sat up in bed, stretched, and let out a lazy yawn.
A moment later, clarity returned to his eyes. He retrieved his notebook from his storage space and, with a faint smile, began to write.
‘Preface: Today is the Windmill Festival. The entire town has been bustling since early this morning. I can hear the noise outside even from my inn room (Note: Maybe I should find an inn with better soundproofing next time). Yesterday, Finn mentioned there would be a special event. Hopefully, it's a fun little activity.
I hope I have a good time.’
Closing his notebook, Xia De quickly tidied up and headed downstairs.
The moment he stepped out of the inn, Xia De could clearly feel the lively, bustling atmosphere of the town.
An endless stream of people bustled to and fro, with stalls lining the roadsides as far as the eye could see.
Unlike on ordinary days, most of these stalls sold street food or offered various mini-games.
Moreover, every stall was gorgeously decorated and adorned with windmill patterns, completely dispelling the usual cold, quiet atmosphere.
As he observed the expressions of the passersby, he noticed that every single person on the street wore a joyful smile.
Under the warm sunlight, everyone seemed to glow with a radiant, dazzling energy.
Hmm, not bad so far. It really has a festive atmosphere.
Xia De thought to himself.
Xia De stepped forward, blending into the crowd to begin his festive excursion.
“Hurry up, you guys! I've been waiting for the Windmill Festival for so long. This year, I'm definitely going to become the ‘Wind Harvester’!”
“Slow down. The competition doesn't start that early. Going this early just means we'll be sitting on a cold bench.”
...
“Come on, boss, let's go again! I was careless last round and accidentally let you win. I'll definitely win this one.”
“Thank you for your business! Since you're so confident, young man, don't cry when you lose later.”
...
“Old man, this year's Windmill Festival is just as lively as always.”
“Yeah, it's wonderful. And what's even better is that you're right here by my side.”
...
“Mommy, I want this windmill.”
...
During the festival, most people walked together in groups. As Xia De strolled down the street alone, the various voices of the crowd drifted into his ears.
Looking at them, he couldn't help but feel a little out of place.
“Hahaha, how could I be out of place? A festival is meant to be thoroughly enjoyed.”
Xia De scratched the back of his head and let out a couple of dry laughs.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out behind him, followed by the screams of the crowd. Then, an urgent voice shouted:
“Watch out! People ahead, please watch out!”
A carriage loaded with goods was charging wildly down the street, rushing straight toward him at high speed.
Meanwhile, a slightly chubby man was chasing after it from behind in a panic, shouting at the top of his lungs.
However, Xia De merely glanced at the horse. Immediately, the beast trembled all over, lost consciousness, and collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth.
“My horse!”
Seeing his horse collapse, the chubby man's panic intensified as he rushed to its side.
Seeing the horse foaming at the mouth, he threw himself over it and wailed:
“Horse! Oh, my horse! What's wrong with you? Wake up!”
The surrounding crowd gradually gathered, forming a circle as they watched the chubby man weep over his horse.
“Please disperse a bit, everyone. Do not block the road.”
Suddenly, a female voice rang out from outside the crowd.
The crowd parted automatically, and a tall, wild-looking woman wearing wrist guards, a midriff-baring top, and shorts walked up to the chubby man.
Blending in with the crowd, Xia De watched as Peishan first calmed the man down, then checked the horse's condition.
After finding that the horse was fine and had merely fainted, she had someone lead the chubby man away to rest.
Throughout the entire process, her expression remained extremely serious and professional.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Peishan noticed Xia De among them and walked over.
“Yo, hello.”
Xia De took the initiative to greet her.
“Hello. I apologize for the embarrassing scene just now.”
Peishan's face still bore a meticulous, stern expression, her tone somewhat stiff.
To be honest, if Xia De weren't a friend brought back by Finn, she would never have initiated a conversation.
Even if Xia De was incredibly handsome.
She paused slightly, then asked, “Do you know where that idiot Finn is? He's been nowhere to be found since early this morning.”
Logically, since Xia De had only been brought back by Finn last night, she shouldn't be asking him. However, she could sense that Finn truly considered Xia De a friend.
So he might know his whereabouts.
No matter how she tried to hide it, Xia De could hear a trace of bashfulness in her voice.
Oh?
Xia De narrowed his eyes, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as he looked at this serious yet slightly bashful woman.
So this was the dynamic between these childhood friends?
In his mental theater, a mini-Xia De grew wings on his back, held a bow in his hand, and shouted:
“I am Cupid, the god of love! Today, I shall bring a pair of lovers together!”
Having said that, he notched two heart-tipped arrows on his bow and shot them at the mini-Finn and mini-Peishan below.
After being struck by the arrows, hearts appeared in the eyes of the two mini-figures, and they embraced each other.
The mental theater vanished. Xia De smiled and said to Peishan,
“Finn said yesterday that he's going to give you a surprise today. It will definitely shock you.”
“I-Is that so?”
Peishan's voice faltered, and she mumbled in a very low voice, “That idiot... it's not like I need any surprises.”
“What was that?”
Xia De asked, pretending not to have heard.
“N-Nothing. Since Finn is busy, I'll go back to patrolling, friend of Finn.”
Peishan cleared her throat twice, her face returning to its serious and stern expression.
“Thanks for your hard work, Vice-Captain Peishan. Look forward to Finn's surprise!”
Peishan didn't reply to Xia De's teasing, instead saying seriously,
“I hope you enjoy the Windmill Festival and have a good time.”
With that, she turned and left. However, unlike when she arrived, Xia De could sense a hint of excitement and anticipation in her steps as she walked away.
“Sigh, young couples are really something else!”
Even though Finn wasn't here, Xia De still felt like he had been stuffed with a mouthful of dog food. Spreading his hands, he said helplessly,
“Whatever. I brought this on myself!
But it's still a pretty good experience. Since I'm alone, I might as well find some fun to spice up my adventure log.”
“Next up is that guy Finn. I'll ask him what his plan is and help him out.”
Xia De saying Finn was giving Peishan a surprise wasn't made up; Finn had told him himself while they were drinking last night.
Of course, what Xia De drank was fruit juice.
“Though, where is that guy right now?”
Just as Xia De wondered, he heard Finn's voice from behind.
“Peishan, my darling, you are so beautiful and moving today as well. You are simply the most radiant girl at the Windmill Festival. My heart is completely melting for you.”
Xia De: ...
Rate on N.U.
