Chapter 54: Qixi

Happy times always passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time to head back.

Standing downstairs from Xiong Yibai’s dorm building, Feng Miwan was still a bit reluctant to part.

Xiong Yibai looked into her eyes, which were full of unfulfilled excitement.

“For the next two days, I need to wrap up this training session—write a summary report and attend the closing meeting.”

“I probably… won’t be able to carve out a full block of time to hang out with you like today.”

Feng Miwan nodded in understanding. “No problem! Work comes first!”

Her eyes lit up as a new idea struck her.

“Then… can I come find you at mealtimes so we can eat together? Just meals—no wasting your time! We can make up for the fun stuff once we’re back in Tanzhou!”

Xiong Yibai nodded. “Sure.”

And so, for the next two days, Feng Miwan showed up right on time for meals.

The two of them ate simple meals at restaurants near the hospital or her accommodations.

During meals, Feng Miwan chattered away, sharing the fun things she’d discovered while exploring on her own during the day.

Xiong Yibai mostly listened quietly, responding occasionally.

Soon, Xiong Yibai’s training came to a smooth end.

On the day of their return flight, Feng Miwan dragged her luggage over to Xiong Yibai’s place bright and early.

“Are you all packed? I confirmed the flight time—let’s head to the airport!”

She took the luggage bag from Xiong Yibai’s hand.

“Yeah, all set.” Xiong Yibai nodded, watching her bustle about.

On the way to the airport, and during check-in and boarding, Feng Miwan was especially excited.

Not just because they were heading home, but because Xiong Yibai was by her side.

Their seats were by the window. As the plane climbed, Feng Miwan pointed at the sea of clouds and the shrinking city skyline outside,

whispering something to Xiong Yibai, who turned her head to look at her with a faint smile tugging at her lips.

That evening back in Tanzhou, after washing up, Feng Miwan flopped onto her big bed at home. The first thing she did was grab her phone and text Xiong Yibai:

“Yibai, where should we go play tomorrow? (★ ω ★)”

After sending the message, she hugged her phone, thinking about inviting Xiong Yibai to that new go-kart track she’d found, or maybe catching a movie—anything, as long as they were together.

However, Xiong Yibai frowned at the message, feeling troubled.

Just before Feng Miwan’s text arrived, her phone had buzzed with another urgent message—

from Ren Queyue:

“Xiong Yibai! Tomorrow! You MUST! Clear your schedule for me!”

“It’s my rare day off, and I’ve asked you to hang out eight hundred times already—you’re either on shift or away training!”

“If we don’t catch up soon, our friendship boat’s gonna sink! Tomorrow, shopping with me—it’s settled, no refusals!”

Xiong Yibai read Ren Queyue’s messages and remembered it had been a long time since they’d properly hung out. She couldn’t refuse again, not by any account.

She let out a soft sigh and replied to Feng Miwan:

Xiong Yibai: “Sorry, I’ve got something tomorrow. How about the day after?”

Feng Miwan blinked at the reply, a bit puzzled.

She clearly remembered Xiong Yibai’s schedule: only a morning clinic tomorrow, with the afternoon and evening free.

What could it be?

But she quickly brushed off the doubt, figuring Yibai must have some personal matters to handle.

Feng Miwan: “Okay! No problem! Let’s play the day after! Take care of your stuff! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧”

The next day, after days of lounging, Feng Miwan had completely ditched her alarm clock and slept like the dead.

She was in the middle of a sweet dream when a relentless barrage of doorbell rings jolted her awake—like a life-or-death call.

“Who is it… so early in the morning…”

With her hair a messy bird’s nest, she grumpily dragged herself out of bed, shuffled sleepily to the door, and peeked through the peephole—it was Zhao Shutong!

She yanked the door open with no enthusiasm.

“Shutong, are you nuts? Coming over this early? I was still sleeping!”

Zhao Shutong was dressed in a pretty sundress, her makeup flawless. She let out an exaggerated “Whoa” and shoved her wristwatch in Feng Miwan’s face.

“Miss Feng, care to check the time? Do you have some massive misunderstanding of the word ‘early’?”

Feng Miwan blearily glanced at the watch—the hands pointed to twelve-thirty!

“Huh?”

She snapped awake, rubbing her eyes and scratching her head sheepishly.

“How’d it get to noon already… I’ve been on vacation these past few days, no alarm, overslept…”

Zhao Shutong barged right in without ceremony and poured herself a glass of water like she owned the place.

“Get yourself together quickly, doll up nicely! We’re heading out—big sis is treating you to a fancy lunch, then off to a great spot!”

“Where to?” Feng Miwan yawned as she headed to the bathroom.

“To the Moon Elder Temple! Tanzhou’s biggest annual Qixi event kicks off there today! Ancient-style market, folk performances, blessing rituals… it’s gonna be a blast!”

Zhao Shutong gushed excitedly.

Feng Miwan paused mid-toothbrush, foam in her mouth, mumbling unclearly,

“Huh? Qixi? Today?”

“Yep!”

Zhao Shutong leaned against the bathroom doorframe, giving her a look like how do you not know this?

“Today’s the real deal—seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the day of the Magpie Bridge reunion!”

Feng Miwan rinsed her mouth, wiped her face, and stepped out, looking a bit dazed. “Qixi… just the two of us?”

Zhao Shutong threw her hands up.

“Yeah, why not? Haven’t we spent the last few Qixis together? What’s up, did you have plans with your Dr. Xiong this year?”

At the mention of Xiong Yibai, Feng Miwan pouted. “Nope, she’s busy today.”

Zhao Shutong nodded and slung an arm around her shoulders like old bros.

“Gotcha~ Looks like you’re stuck spending Qixi with your bestie again this year! Hurry up and get ready!”

Feng Miwan figured she had nothing better to do anyway, and since Xiong Yibai was tied up, hanging out with Zhao Shutong sounded fine. She agreed.

“Fine, fine.”

Once she was ready, they grabbed lunch at a restaurant first, then leisurely made their way toward the Moon Elder Temple.

By the time they arrived, it was afternoon.

The weather was perfect—the late summer sun had mellowed, shining mildly through thin clouds, warm but not scorching, with a gentle breeze now and then for cool relief.

The Moon Elder Temple and its surrounding ancient streets were indeed as lively as Zhao Shutong had said!

The antique buildings were decked out with lanterns and Qixi decorations, red lanterns hanging everywhere.

The cobblestone paths teemed with visitors, mostly in pairs, their faces alight with festive joy.