74 In Preparation (2/2)

Nevertheless, these meticulous thoughts and preparations were executed for one person.

Meng Fuyao's idea behind this carefully crafted party was simple. It wasn't a confession or anything, but an expression of gratitude toward his endless protection and kindness.

He couldn't have been happy meeting her, could he? She wanted him to feel genuine happiness this once so that if she were to leave one day, he would have beautiful memories worth recalling.

Meng Fuyao smiled and waited for his arrival. She was dressed in disguise but had a set of dress and dancing accessories prepared in a room beside the garden. If he was willing, she would teach him a dance, as she had wanted to say on the night of the god worshipping festival, ”Do you want to learn a dance I've created? It's really graceful...”

It wasn't a dance she had created, however. It was the only entertainment she enjoyed in the other world. It was the waltz, her favorite, and the most elegant and splendid dance that suited Yuan Zhaoxu's temperament.

The ladies' giggles and voices stopped abruptly, and silence took over the heated atmosphere as breaths were exhaled.

Meng Fuyao raised her head and saw Yuan Zhaoxu approaching.

The moon that night was brilliant, its light 99% silverish and pure and its shape perfectly round. It appeared especially clear amid the blue sky, like a silk satin, and was accompanied by millions of scattered stars sharing their light.

A snowfall had passed some time ago, leaving the air fresh and cool. Mountains stood far away, overlooking the feast that was held in this small, lit city.

Yuan Zhaoxu walked toward her smilingly.

Meng Fuyao's gaze trailed from the Bourgaineas to his deep black, silver-lined boots, and then from his long black pants to his silver belt and slim waist. She noted that his clothes were fitting, accentuating his perfect shoulders, before shifting her focus to his red lips and clean, manly brows and then to his bright, deep eyes.

In natural response to those eyes, an equally bright smile appeared on her face.

What an ethereal beauty...

In her memory, Yuan Zhaoxu seldom wore dark-colored robes, and it was her first time seeing him in black. It was rare for anyone to be able to bring out the magnificence and class of that color. Sharp and cleanly dressed, Yuan Zhaoxu appeared extraordinarily handsome and charming that night, so much so that it left the guests holding their breaths.

Beneath his feet the deep red Bourgainea bloomed energetically, the broken branches not dimming their beauty.

In the hall, the well-bred young ladies covered half their face with a fan, looking at him shyly, but all he could see was Meng Fuyao.

Still in a lad's clothing, Meng Fuyao looked meager, and while she had been fed well recently, she was still too thin-looking to him. While her clothes concealed her curves, her slender waist was still visible. Her brows had an appealing upward curve, and her eyes were so bright and clear that looking into them was akin to looking into the most limpid jade springwater.

She widened her smile. Compared to the worry-free smiles she flashed on normal days, her smile at this moment was especially pure.

Together with puffs of smoke, the fragrance of grilled food continued dispersing in the air, gently stirring the hearts and appetite of those present.

Meng Fuyao walked forward and gave a classic gentleman's bow. ”My noble guest.”

Yuan Zhaoxu cast her a deep glance, responding a while later, ”You look pretty in this male outfit, Fuyao, but do you have a matching outfit for a lady?”

Instead of answering Meng Fuyao simply smiled and gestured for Yao Xun to explain the situation to Yuan Zhaoxu. She then moved forward to make her speech.

She raised her crystal cup, filled with Springpear White Wine as a replacement for grape wine since the latter wasn't in season. The alcohol was intense, and it reflected the smile in Meng Fuyao's eyes as she stood before her audience, which gradually quietened down. They followed her by raising their cups as well. Yuan Zhaoxu sat far away, gently turning his cup while listening to her speech, her voice crisp and clear.

”I've lived 17 years in this world, and this is my first time celebrating the Lantern Festival. The last time I had experienced it was in my previous life.”

The audience let our a coaxing laughter, figuring that she was merely cracking yet another joke of hers. The only person who remained silent was Yuan Zhaoxu. He placed his cup down and fixed his eyes on her.