Chapter Sixty-Nine: Make a Wish

The night market seemed to grow livelier by the minute, the air thick with the hum of voices and the mingling scents of countless delicacies. Wen Yichen appeared somewhat at a loss, and whether it was Jiang Muwen’s imagination or not, she thought she glimpsed a faint blush upon the boy’s cheeks.

She gazed at him in silence. The warm lamplight spilled over his figure, reflecting in his eyes and leaving a play of shifting light within them. Judging by Wen Yichen’s reaction and her own intuition, Jiang Muwen could guess, even without him saying anything—a bold idea flashed through her mind, but try as she might, she couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud.

The thought lingered, making her feel almost stifled. “Wen Yichen... do you...”

But as she spoke, her voice faltered and grew soft. Some things, she supposed, she wouldn’t be able to utter even if she had a hundred times the courage.

“Hmm?” Wen Yichen looked up at her, his beautiful eyes deep as the starry sea. Seeing Jiang Muwen hesitate, he prepared to stand: “I’m going to the restroom. Wait here for me.”

Jiang Muwen obediently murmured her assent, watching as Wen Yichen stood and slipped away, soon vanishing into the crowd.

Since he’d said he was just stepping away for a moment, Jiang Muwen didn’t think much of it. She glanced at the throng around her, then at the unfinished game before her. She waited, idly sipping her drink.

Strangely, Wen Yichen seemed to be gone for quite a while.

As she mused on this, she pulled out her phone and scrolled aimlessly.

Suddenly, the scraping sound of a chair being pulled out caught her attention. Instinctively, she looked up, expecting Wen Yichen’s return, but to her surprise, she found herself face-to-face with a stranger—a young man she had never met.

She stared blankly for a moment, and then a wave of awkwardness swept over her. The man was looking straight at her; he wasn’t intimidating in appearance, but there was a roguish air in his expression that left Jiang Muwen unsettled—was she being targeted by a street hoodlum?

“Miss, are you here alone?” The man finally spoke, his tone not as menacing as she’d feared.

Relieved, she shook her head and cautiously replied, “I’m sorry, this…”

She was about to explain that the seat was taken when the man cut her off, “Could you give me your contact information?”

He smiled at her as he spoke, the night market’s lights casting a glow on his face. Jiang Muwen found herself at a loss for words.

She had no intention of giving him her contact details. After a moment, she forced a polite smile, “I’m afraid not…”

“It’s alright! Just as friends.”

His persistence made Jiang Muwen increasingly uncomfortable.

If only Wen Yichen were here now…

She mustered her courage. “I’m sorry, but my friend will be back soon, so you…”

“Can’t I just sit here?” He didn’t let her finish, his tone as if he had every right to the seat, as if this were a public place and there was nothing amiss. The question left Jiang Muwen speechless.

She looked at him in silence, her small hands fidgeting nervously with the plastic tablecloth.

Suddenly, she sensed a shadow fall over her from behind, and warmth closed around her wrist. The next instant, a gentle force pulled her to her feet.

The chair scraped loudly against the ground, the harsh sound cutting through the bustle of the night, sending a shiver through her nerves.

As soon as she stood, another tug drew her back a couple of steps, and she found herself sheltered beside a tall figure.

It was Wen Yichen.

His large hand gripped her wrist firmly, as if letting go would mean losing her to the stranger across the table.

Jiang Muwen glanced up and could just make out Wen Yichen’s face. He looked at the other man and offered a polite smile. “You can keep your seat. We won’t disturb you any further.”

With that, Wen Yichen turned, still holding Jiang Muwen’s hand, and led her away from the night market.

Gradually, the sounds around them faded, and the crowd thinned.

The night was quiet. Walking beside Wen Yichen, feeling the gentle breeze caress her ears, Jiang Muwen lowered her head, watching their shadows stretch long beneath the moonlight. Unconsciously, her lips curved into a secret smile. “Wen Yichen… thank you.”

The unexpected gratitude startled Wen Yichen, but soon a faint joy rose in his heart. Regaining his composure, he answered softly, “It’s nothing.”

“Wen Yichen…” Not long after, Jiang Muwen called his name again. “I’m so full. Shall we walk a little longer?”

Wen Yichen glanced down at her. “Alright.”

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the paper bag in his hand—he happened to have something for Jiang Muwen.

“Let’s sit over there for a bit,” he said, leading her to a bench by the path.

When they sat down, Jiang Muwen noticed the paper bag. “Wen Yichen, where did you get that?”

“Oh… I just picked up a few things…” His answer was a bit evasive, but Jiang Muwen didn’t press.

After a moment, Wen Yichen’s gentle voice drifted to her again. “Jiang Muwen, close your eyes.”

“Why?” she asked, not complying.

“Just close them…”

Obediently, Jiang Muwen murmured her assent and shut her eyes. Darkness enveloped her, and she heard only the rustle of the paper bag. After a brief silence, the world grew still.

“Can I open them now?” she asked tentatively.

“Just a moment.”

There was a crisp “click”—the sound of a lighter, perhaps?

While she was still wondering, Wen Yichen spoke. “Alright.”

At his words, Jiang Muwen slowly opened her eyes. Before her, a soft glow—a lit candle stood atop a small cake.

She looked up; the candlelight cast a gentle golden hue, its glow reflected in Wen Yichen’s eyes, making them shine as if stars had found a home there.

The boy looked at her, a faint smile curving his lips. “Make a wish.”