PDLP Chapter 224 Tossing Pots
Chapter 224 Tossing Pots
Keqing held the Rock King doll, a hint of embarrassment on her face as she said, "I just happened to catch a glimpse of it and thought it was quite exquisite, so I couldn't help but stare at it for a while longer."
"But Keqing, in the past year, the small items related to the Emperor that you bought have already filled up an entire cabinet," Ganyu reminded.
Shuili's eyes rolled, and with a mischievous smile, "Sister Keqing, so you like the Rock King Emperor so much? I was saying that the rumor I heard in the store before that Yuhengxing had no reverence for the Emperor was false."
Keqing's face flushed bright red. She awkwardly hid the doll behind her and argued, "Those...those are just one-sided rumors! My attitude toward the Emperor is based solely on my objective understanding and respect for his contributions to Liyue. It's not the kind of blind reverence you imagine, as the rumors suggest. Nor is it the kind of blind worship you imagine."
Keqing's voice unconsciously rose a few notes, trying to make her explanation more convincing. "I collect these little Emperor-related items simply for self-reflection. Yes, just self-reflection. I did disrespect the Emperor before, feeling that Liyue was overly reliant on his power. But the changes in Liyue since his passing have made me realize that his achievements and wisdom are deeply rooted in every inch of Liyue's land and every tradition. These little items serve as a constant reminder to me not to forget the Emperor's dedication, and to be even more dedicated to inheriting and protecting Liyue."
Ganyu listened, nodded slightly, and said seriously, "Keqing, it's truly remarkable that you have such awareness. In fact, whether it's your previous doubts about the Emperor or your current respect and self-reflection, it all shows your sincere heart for Liyue."
Xinyang looked at Keqing's anxious expression and couldn't help laughing. "Haha, Keqing, don't be so nervous. We understand. Whether it's your respect for the Emperor or your love for these little items, those are your own business. We were just joking."
Linghua also nodded and said softly, "Xinyang is right, Keqing, we mean no harm to you. It's all your freedom. But this contrast between you is very cute."
Keqing lowered her head slightly, the blush on her face gradually fading, and she sighed softly: "I know you are joking, I just don't want anyone to misunderstand me."
Shuili scratched her head embarrassedly: "Sister Keqing, I'm sorry, I just thought it was fun for a moment, and I didn't expect to make you so anxious, please don't take it to heart."
Keqing raised her head and looked at Shuili, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly: "It's okay, I know you mean no harm, but don't do this again next time. Okay, let's not talk about this anymore, let's continue shopping."
So, the few of them continued to move around the temple fair and came to an area where acrobatic performances were being performed.
At this time, the performance in the center of the venue had not yet started, so Linghua pulled Xinyang to a pitching pot stall on the side of the road.
Linghua picked up an arrow and looked at Xinyang with a smile. "Since the performance hasn't started yet, let's play a few rounds of pitching pots to kill time. We haven't practiced together for a while. Are you interested in a competition?"
Xin Yang smiled indulgently and responded, "Of course I'm interested. Just sparring isn't very interesting. How about adding some stakes?"
Linghua's eyes flashed with interest. "What do you want to bet on? Tell me. Don't be too extreme."
Xin Yang stroked his chin and thought for a moment, "How about if you lose later, you can call me Senior Brother?"
"Well, that's not too much to bet on. But if you lose, you have to agree to one thing I ask. How about that?"
Xinyang laughed heartily and responded cheerfully, "Okay, then let's make it a deal. Don't get angry if you lose later."
"It's still uncertain who will win or lose. Arrogant soldiers will surely be defeated. Junior brother, don't be too confident." Linghua said coquettishly, but her hands had already neatly got into the posture of throwing pots.
Xinyang was also not vague. He stood in the corresponding position, staring at the mouth of the pot, with a look of determination to win.
Linghua took the first step with graceful movements. The arrow in her hand was like a nimble flying bird. It drew a beautiful arc in the air and landed accurately in the pot. Cheers and applause immediately rang out from the surroundings.
Seeing this, Xinyang's mouth corners slightly raised, his eyes full of fighting spirit. He moved his wrist slightly, then threw the arrow with force. The arrow shot towards the mouth of the pot like a meteor at an extremely fast speed. With a "clang" sound, it pierced into the pot steadily, which attracted another round of warm applause and cheers from the people around him.
Shuili's face flushed with excitement. She pulled Keqing and Ganyu's arms and shook them, saying loudly, "Wow, my brother and sister-in-law are so amazing! They hit the target right from the start!"
Keqing and Ganyu were also infected by this cheerful yet tense atmosphere. With smiles on their faces, they watched the next contest between the two intently, curious about who would win in the end.
The two were evenly matched, and the score remained tied after rounds of throwing pots.
Until the end of the last round, the two players' scores were exactly the same, and both made their shots.
Shuili cheered from the side: "Wow, brother and sister-in-law are amazing, they hit all ten arrows, this competition is so exciting!"
Keqing also smiled and said, "Yes, they are evenly matched, it's really enjoyable to watch." Ganyu nodded and agreed softly.
Xin Yang gently put his arm around Ling Hua's shoulders and said jokingly, "Your skills are still as impressive as ever. I was hoping to hear you call me Senior Brother, but now it's a draw. No one has gained an advantage."
Linghua gently hit Xinyang's chest. "Do you really want to hear me call you Senior Brother?"
Xinyang held Linghua's hand and said, "That's about right. Mainly because I called you Senior Sister just now, so I want you to call me Senior Brother too."
Linghua leaned close to Xinyang's ear and whispered, "Senior Brother."
Xinyang was stunned at first, then his face was full of surprise, and he couldn't hide the smile on the corner of his mouth. He moved closer to Linghua and kissed her on the cheek.
Linghua obviously did not expect Xinyang's sudden action. Her face turned red with embarrassment and her heart was pounding like a deer.
"There are so many people here, what are you doing?"
Xinyang looked at Linghua's shy expression, and the smile on his face became even more unconcealable. "I can't help it. It's because you called me Senior Brother that I'm so excited."
Shuili couldn't stop laughing and joked, "Brother and sister-in-law are so sweet. This temple fair is almost becoming a place for you two to show off your affection."
Keqing also laughed and said jokingly, "That's right, we can hardly bear all the dog food." Ganyu smiled, her eyes full of joy.
Just then, the performance in the center of the venue began. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it, and they all looked towards the center of the venue.
In the center of the field, an artist in colorful costumes was throwing the torch in his hand high up. The torch drew a gorgeous arc in the air and then fell steadily back into his hand. Then he brought the torch to his mouth and blew hard. The flame on the torch instantly turned into a group of glittering butterfly-shaped sparks, dancing and dispersing into the air. The audience around him exclaimed in amazement and cheers.
Just then, a masked man walked out. He was wearing a gorgeous and unique performance costume.
The masked man clapped his hands gently, and several children in uniform ancient costumes walked out from the audience. Each of them held an exquisite lantern in their hands. The lanterns were painted with various patterns with beautiful meanings, such as lovebirds, lotus flowers, etc., which looked particularly beautiful under the candlelight.
The children walked briskly to the audience below the stage and placed the lanterns on the ground one by one, forming a beautiful heart shape.
Ganyu recognized the audience member as Nana Shikano at a glance.
Ganyu then turned to look at Xinyang and Linghua, and said with some surprise, "Isn't that Nana Shikano? It looks like this performance is quite something, like someone prepared a love confession specifically for her."
Xin Yang and Ling Hua nodded repeatedly, "That masked man should be Mo Yu. We should not get too close, lest they feel awkward."
Although they said so, their eyes were still fixed on the scene over there, their eyes full of curiosity, wanting to see how this confession would turn out.