Reborn not to be a simp, the school beauty's whole family goes crazy

The Lantern Festival in Nanjiang County is a grand and lively celebration.

The air was filled with the joy and sweetness of the festival.

The streets and alleys were adorned with bright red lanterns, making them shine brightly.

Each lantern is like a ripe persimmon, hanging steadily under the eaves of the houses along the street, or held high on a wooden pole.

They emitted a soft, warm light, illuminating the old streets.

It also flushed people's faces, as if coating everyone with a halo of happiness.

The sweet aroma of glutinous rice balls wafted from the shops along the street, mingling with the faint smell of gunpowder after the fireworks.

This creates a unique flavor that belongs exclusively to the Lantern Festival.

Everyone present was deeply moved by the festive atmosphere.

Chen Dong and Chu Mengran strolled hand in hand through the bustling crowd.

Chu Mengran was wearing a light pink cotton-padded jacket with delicate embroidered patterns, which made her look exceptionally sweet.

Her hair was tied in a playful ponytail, swaying gently with her light steps.

Like willow branches swaying in the spring breeze, they are full of life and vitality.

His eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement as he constantly looked around at everything.

Every stall and every lantern evoked her heartfelt amazement.

"Chen Dong, look at that rabbit lantern, it's so cute!"

Chu Mengran exclaimed excitedly, pointing to a lantern.

At the same time, she held Chen Dong's hand tightly, eager to get closer and find out more.

The rabbit lantern was exquisitely crafted, its snow-white body appearing as if it were made from the purest cotton.

The red eyes are like two sparkling rubies, set in the eyes, so lifelike.

It seemed as if they might jump up at any moment and join in the lively festival celebration.

Looking at Chu Mengran's cute yet anxious appearance, Chen Dong couldn't help but smile.

He smiled indulgently and said, "You like it? Let's go take a look."

As he spoke, he let Chu Mengran pull him along, carefully weaving through the crowded throng.

They dodged aside the laughing and playing children, bypassed pedestrians carrying large and small bags, and finally made their way to the lantern stall.

Chu Mengran carefully picked up the rabbit lamp, gently stroking every contour of it with both hands, her eyes filled with undisguised affection.

"Boss, how much is this?"

Chen Dong stepped forward and politely inquired.

The owner was an elderly man with gray hair and a kind smile on his face.

He smiled and held up two fingers, saying, "Twenty yuan, young man."

"I made this myself, it's all handmade, so it's a great deal."

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Dong immediately took out his money and paid the bill.

Then she handed the rabbit lantern to Chu Mengran and said gently, "This is for you, my little rabbit."

Chu Mengran's cheeks flushed slightly. She gently punched Chen Dong's shoulder and said in a mock scolding tone, "You're always teasing me."

But the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up, revealing a happy smile.

She held the rabbit lantern tightly in both hands, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world, her most beloved gift.

Not far away, Guo Miao and Yu Qin were also struggling to squeeze through the crowd.

Guo Miao is slightly overweight, and every step she takes seems a bit strenuous.

A few beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but his face was always beaming with a happy smile.

Yu Qin was wearing a red down jacket, the gold zipper on which shimmered under the light.

She was like a burning flame, perfectly complementing the festive atmosphere around her.

"Guo Miao, look over there they're playing a riddle-solving game over there, let's go check it out!"

Yu Qin's eyes lit up, and she excitedly pointed to the riddle area, pulling Guo Miao along as they quickly walked over.

As Guo Miao followed, he muttered, "Oh dear, there are so many people, don't let yourself get squeezed."

But he held Yu Qin's hand tightly, not daring to let go for a moment, for fear that she would get lost in the crowded throng.

They arrived at the riddle area and saw rows of red paper strips neatly hung on ropes, like strings of ripe red peppers.

Each slip of paper contained various riddles, written in either vigorous or elegant handwriting.

Yu Qin's eyes quickly scanned the riddles, her brain working at lightning speed.

Suddenly, she jumped up excitedly and shouted, "I know this!"

"'One creature is born strong, busy weaving its web every day. After finishing, it sits quietly, waiting for mosquitoes to bump into it,' it must be a spider!"

She grabbed Guo Miao's hand and rushed to the staff, excitedly giving them the answer.

The staff member was a young woman.

She smiled and nodded, handing Yu Qin a small prize—a beautiful sachet.

The sachet is embroidered with delicate flowers, and the silk threads shimmer with a soft luster under the light, emitting a faint fragrance.

"Wow, I guessed right!"

Yu Qin happily handed the sachet to Guo Miao, saying, "Here you go, it smells wonderful."

Guo Miao took the sachet, smelled it carefully, and said with a smile, "Hmm, it smells quite nice. My Xiaoqin is so smart."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qin's face lit up with a smile.

Linking arms with Guo Miao, they continued their enthusiastic search for the next riddle.

Meanwhile, Chen Dong and Chu Mengran also arrived at the place where they were guessing riddles.

Chu Mengran looked at the riddles, her brows furrowing slightly as she pondered them intently, her eyes revealing focus and determination.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she pointed to a riddle, saying, "Chen Dong, I know this one!"

"'A knife, drifting with the current, has eyes but no eyebrows,' is it a fish, right?"

Chen Dong smiled and patted her head, saying, "You're really good, Meng Ran, you got it right."

They stepped forward, gave their answers, and received a small Chinese knot in return.

The Chinese knot is made with exquisite craftsmanship, with each knot tightly connected.

The red silk threads shimmered with a festive glow under the lights.

"What a beautiful Chinese knot!"

Chu Mengran hung a Chinese knot on the rabbit lantern, instantly adding to its festive atmosphere.

She pulled Chen Dong along as they continued strolling through the streets, stopping every now and then to sample the street food.

The streets were lined with all kinds of food stalls, including steaming hot roasted sweet potatoes, fragrant stinky tofu, and crystal clear sugar figurines.

"Chen Dong, I want to eat this candied hawthorn."

Chu Mengran looked at the candied hawthorn stall, licked her lips, and looked on with anticipation in her eyes.

Chen Dong walked over with a smile, exchanged a few words with the old man selling candied hawthorns, bought two skewers, and handed one to Chu Mengran.

Chu Mengran took the candied hawthorn, took a small bite, and the sweet and sour taste of the hawthorn and the sweet aroma of the sugar coating spread in her mouth.

She squinted her eyes contentedly and said, "It's delicious."

Chen Dong looked at her and also took a bite of his candied hawthorn.

He said with a smile, "You're just like a little child, so easily satisfied."

Chu Mengran retorted, unconvinced, "This isn't about being easily satisfied; it's about the little joys in life. You wouldn't understand."