Chapter 237 Silent Oaths Under Fireworks and 'Yangming's Ghost'【
This arrow-throwing game is a lot tougher than it looks.
If the arrow is too light, the trajectory of the arrow will be skewed if the wind blows slightly. Without certain skills, it is impossible to keep the arrow flying smoothly.
Soon, all the 10 arrows Qingdeng bought were thrown out - nothing was caught and nothing was hit.
But Qingdeng doesn’t care much about the results of the game.
Firstly, he was not interested in any of the prizes on the shelf.
Secondly, the reason why he came to play was purely to "seduce" Sanako, who wanted to play but couldn't let go, to try this game.
When Qingto was playing games, Sanako watched the whole thing very seriously without blinking.
She probably didn't even notice... Whenever Qingdeng aimed an arrow and prepared to throw it, she would unconsciously clench her hands folded in front of her slightly because of her nervousness.
Although she said she was not interested in this game, her little actions betrayed her true inner thoughts.
"Miss Sanako."
Qingto, who had been paying attention to Sanako's every move, smiled and took out a handful of copper coins from his purse, and stuffed them into Sanako's little hand without any explanation.
"Come and play too, it's quite interesting."
"Hey, I..."
Sanako subconsciously wanted to refuse.
But as soon as the words came out of her mouth, she paused.
I saw her looking back and forth with erratic eyes and squirming at the same time.
Qingden noticed that Sanako's eyes seemed to be focused on a certain prize on the shelf of the stall.
So I followed her line of sight and looked there - the thing that was lucky enough to receive Sanako's special attention was a very cute and honest white Lucky Cat.
"That……"
At this time, Sanako finally spoke up.
She bit her teeth and said slowly:
"Then I'll... try 10 arrows first..."
"Okay!" The bald boss laughed boldly as he counted out 10 arrows and handed them to Sanako. "If you like any prize, just throw it away! As long as you can hit it, it's yours!"
Sanako's movements were very crisp and crisp.
She made a "ha" sound, adjusted her breathing rhythm, then neatly drew out an arrow and pointed it at the white lucky cat she had been peeking at just now.
The first time the arrow was thrown - it missed.
"Huh?"
After a brief pause, Sanako immediately picked up the second arrow and aimed it at the Lucky Cat again.
The second arrow - missed...
"……Um?"
Perhaps realizing that this game was much more difficult than she thought, Sanako straightened her waist, which was already as straight as a pine tree.
His expression was solemn.
The movements of raising and throwing arrows have also become more straight.
However, these actions of Sanako were of no use at all.
Her throwing level didn't get much better as a result.
The arrows thrown out would either fall down before they reached the shelf, or the arrow path would be distorted and fly hundreds of thousands of miles away.
But Sanako was not discouraged.
Repeated battles and defeats...but repeated defeats and battles.
Although she couldn't see her face because she was wearing a mask with only one pair of eyes exposed, Qingto could clearly feel that Sanako's expression was always calm.
He didn't show any anxiety or impatience because of his poor throwing level and poor "results".
Whether it's taking an arrow or aiming it; whether it's throwing it or taking a short rest... every move Sanako makes is so graceful that you never get tired of it.
The so-called "temperament" is really a very mysterious thing.
The same set of actions can produce different feelings for different people.
Sanako is one of those people who, even if she is squatting on the street eating stinky tofu, can still get the aura of "a goddess eating pearls and pearls".
Even though her face is covered by a mask, Sanako's elegant and compelling temperament can't be concealed.
As if affected by Sanako's elegant aura, the flow of time around her seemed to slow down from the moment Sanako threw the first arrow.
Sanako has become the undoubted "origin" of this space.
Qingto, the bald boss, and almost all the spectators and players around him unconsciously focused their attention on Sanako, admiring Sanako's pleasing appearance and behavior.
Sanako was completely unaware of these changes in the outside world - all her attention was focused on the arrows in her hands and the game in front of her.
Unknowingly, there was only one arrow left in Sanako's hand.
Even though there was only one last chance left, Sanako still did not exude any negative emotions.
Rather... her fighting spirit seems to be even higher.
A faint aura of awe could be seen, bursting out from her beautiful eyes exposed outside the mask.
She weighed the last arrow in her hand, then raised the arrow and pointed the arrow at the white Lucky Cat on the top shelf again.
Sanako had only one goal from beginning to end: the white Lucky Cat on the top shelf.
Every arrow she throws is directed towards this cute Lucky Cat.
At this time, Qingden suddenly thought: Could it be that... Sanako doesn't want to play this game, but wants the Lucky Cat?
Just as Qing Teng was thinking about this in his mind, Sanako's right arm drew a beautiful arc - the arrow leaving the arm instantly cut everyone's field of vision horizontally.
Maybe Sanako finally figured out the trick to throwing, or maybe it was just pure luck.
This last arrow... finally succeeded in hitting the white Lucky Cat!
"congratulations!"
The bald boss shook the rattle in his hand vigorously and said to Sanako with a bright smile:
"You hit the Lucky Cat! Now the Lucky Cat is yours!"
Sanako didn't seem to expect that he would succeed.
She was stunned for a moment, and then reacted slowly, subconsciously holding her two small hands clenched into fists in front of the bear, and shouted excitedly:
"OK, successful!"
After shouting, Sana Zifang realized that he seemed to have accidentally done something very rude.
A look of embarrassment appeared on her face, her eyes flashed hastily, she hurriedly released her fists in front of the bear and cleared her throat, pretending that nothing happened.
"Come on! Get it!"
The bald boss took the white Lucky Cat off the shelf and handed it to Sanako with both hands.
"Master Samurai, young lady, do you want to continue playing?"
"No." Sanako shook his head without thinking.
Qingto brought Sanako to this stall just so that Sanako could let go of his reserve and enjoy tonight's grand ceremony. Now that his purpose had been achieved, he shook his head: "I won't go either."
"Oh! Then if you want to continue playing in the future, please come back and take care of my business!"
After saying this with a professional smile, the bald boss squinted his eyes and glanced at Qingdeng with a meaningful look...
…
…
Qingto and Sanako left the bald boss's stall one after the other.
Sanako held the white Lucky Cat in both hands, lowered her head and looked at the "cat" while gently stroking the "cat's" eyes, nose, and mouth with her fingers as tender as green onions.
Sanako seems to really like this lucky cat.
A childlike smile appeared in his eyes that were deeply hidden by the mask.
Qingto folded his arms and looked at Sanako, who was still "looking at each other" with the Lucky Cat, as if he were appreciating a work of art.
At this moment, Qingden felt as if he had "a new understanding of Sanako."
The image Sanako has always displayed to the outside world has always been that of elegance, grace, and knowledge, the perfect embodiment of the term "Yamato Nadeshiko".
Qingden has long been accustomed to Sanako like this.
Therefore, whether it was Sanako shouting out happily just now, or now looking at a Lucky Cat happily, it brought a different kind of... touch to Qingto.
It was the first time that he saw Sanako showing such a...childish side.
Not only was it surprising, it was also quite interesting.
The lines on Qingdeng's face slowly relaxed unconsciously, and the relaxed lines turned into a shallow smile.
…
…
Thanks to the "arrow throwing game" just now, Sanako has relaxed a lot.
Although I am still a little cautious, I no longer have a strong objection to playing in every game stall and eating and drinking in every food stall.
The two of them ate, drank and had fun while heading towards Ryogoku Bridge, the place where the fireworks were set off.
After stopping and walking, when we arrived at the most famous bridge in Edo, it happened to be almost the time for the fireworks to be set off - in about 5 minutes, the colorful fireworks will light up the entire night sky.
However... at this moment, a problem posed in front of Qingdeng and Sanako: they looked around, but could not find a good place to watch the fireworks.
Everybody, everybody…there are people everywhere…
Compared with last night, the number of people tonight was much higher.
Not to mention finding a good viewing spot, it is difficult to even get close to Ryogoku Bridge.
But fortunately, just when Qingdeng was at his wits' end, he suddenly discovered that not far from his right hand side, there was an outdoor tea stall that was not there last night.
And there happened to be two empty seats left on a certain bench at the outdoor tea stall.
"Miss Sanako, come with me."
Qingden hurriedly waved to Sanako and quickly ran to the outdoor tea stall, occupying the two empty seats.
Sanako came slowly and sat on Qingden's left hand side.
Because there was not enough space on the bench, the two had to sit close to each other in a flesh-to-flesh position.
Although it doesn't feel too crowded...but the physical heat that is constantly being transmitted to each other's bodies makes the expressions on their faces become uncontrollably weird.
"Two guests, what would you like to drink?"
At this time, the assistant of the tea stall, a little girl who seemed to have just turned 10 years old, greeted the two of them with a smile on her face.
"Well... I'll just have a cup of green tea," Qingdeng said.
"Me too." Sanako said, "Just a cup of green tea."
"Okay! Two cups of green tea, right? I'll bring it to you two right away!"
After telling the young man the tea he wanted to drink, Qingdeng turned his gaze back to the front.
The open-air tea stall where he and Sanako were sitting was in a pretty good location, right opposite the East Bridge entrance of Ryogoku Bridge. When you looked up, you could see the clear night sky, and you could sit and drink tea while watching the fireworks.
Looking up, there are crowds of people.
The dense flow of people filled Qingdeng’s field of vision.
Last night, Aoto was delayed a lot because he rescued Otsuki Minoru. When he and Kinoshita Mai arrived at Ryogoku Bridge in a hurry, the fireworks show was about to start.
Because I was in a hurry to find a place, I had no time to take a closer look at the bridge deck and the crowds of people surrounding it.
Right now, I can just make up for the regrets I had last night.
Ryogoku Bridge, which has always been famous for its spaciousness and can accommodate more than ten adults walking together, has become extremely narrow at this moment.
You can only see people everywhere. The so-called "crowds of people" are nothing more than that.
The flow of people seems to have been blocked, and the river flows very slowly.
If there is a gap in front of you, just get in and fill it. Just squeeze in, squeeze in, wait, and wait... inch by inch. If you squeeze one more person in, the river will burst its banks.
In addition to the ground, the river under the bridge is also very lively.
Exquisitely painted boats are dotted on the Sumida River.
While rafting on the cool river, you can enjoy the fireworks without being crowded. If you like, you can also invite some geishas who are only performing arts but not selling themselves, or who are performing arts and selling themselves, into the boat... Of course,
People who can afford this kind of service are without exception either rich or noble.
Even Qingdeng, who is now known as the "Benevolent King", does not have the financial resources and social status to become a member of the "boat army".
The time spent waiting for the tea to be served and the fireworks to appear was very boring.
For fun, Qingden asked Sanako casually:
"Miss Sanako, would you often come to the fireworks display in the past years?"
"I came here almost every year when I was a kid," Sanako replied calmly, "but after the coming-of-age ceremony, I almost never participated again."
"Huh? Why?"
"There's no special reason."
Sanako took a deep breath.
"I just feel tired of it..."
"Every year the fireworks display is the same."
“A large number of vendors set up stalls around Ryogoku Bridge.”
"Let's set off the fireworks when the time is up."
"Although Kagiya has always been committed to innovation and tries to produce more novel fireworks every year, but...perhaps it is because people's mentality gradually changes as they grow older."
"Now, I no longer have such a longing for fireworks as I did when I was a child."
Qingdeng listened quietly, then burst into laughter:
"Does your mentality gradually change as you grow older... Haha, I understand this feeling very well. I liked cats very much when I was a child. When I grew up, I found that dogs who are very loyal to humans are more loyal to humans than cats who are unkind.
It seems cuter."
"Ah, my preferences for choosing between cats and dogs have never changed." Sanako brought the Lucky Cat in his arms to her pretty face with a bit of a smile.
Yi said in a slow tone, "Whether it was a child or now, I like cats very much."
"2 distinguished guests! Your tea is here!"
While the two were talking, the little Tedai who had just left not long ago ran quickly and steadily to Ayoto and Sanako, holding two cups of steaming green tea on a tea tray.
After smoothly handing the tea ordered by Aomori and Sanako to the two of them, the little Tedai held the empty tea tray, quickly turned back along the original road, and ran to entertain another group of guests.
Sanako, who happened to be a little thirsty at the moment, handed the lucky cat and the furoshiki containing her clothes to her left palm, and freed her right hand to carefully pick up the teacup.
But, just at this moment——
"Ah, so hot!"
Because her fingers accidentally slipped, Sanako was unable to hold the tea cup firmly, and a small splash of tea flew out of the cup and poured onto the thumb, index finger and middle finger of her right hand.
The tender white skin suddenly turned red.
"Miss Sanako, are you okay?" Qingden asked hurriedly.
"It's okay..." Sanako put the teacup back to its original position and blew air on the burned area with small sips. "It's not serious."
Judging from the condition and color of the skin... Sanako's fingers were indeed not seriously burned, it was just the superficial skin that was burned red.
However, it is best to quickly find something cold to cool down.
"Miss Sanako, you can try touching your earlobe." Qingden raised his hand and pointed at his earlobe.
"Um?"
"The earlobes are cool. It will feel better if you touch them."
"Huh...? No, but..." Sanako showed a surprised look, "Is this...isn't this bad...?"
"What's not so good?" Qingdeng asked confused, "It's just a touch of the earlobe. Just touch it."
"Hmm..." The expression on Sanako's face changed from confusion to trepidation, and her eyes evaded.
Seeing that Sanako didn't make any move, Qingden then said again:
"If you touch your earlobes, they will really feel better."
"I...I know."
Sanako half-closed his eyes and let out a long breath with a "ha" sound.
Then, she pursed her red lips, with a determined expression... stretched out her burned fingers, and pinched Qingdeng's earlobe...
"It's really... cool... hmm? Why does it seem a little hot...?"
"S-Miss Sanako..." Qingden couldn't help but look away and said awkwardly, "It's not about touching my earlobe... it's about touching your own..."
"Huh?" Sanako was stunned.
The time around the two of them seemed to have stopped at this moment...
He only knew that after a period of time that seemed long but seemed short, the gentle touch gradually left his ears.
"Well...that..."
Sanako put his retracted right hand back on his voluptuous thigh, then turned slightly to the side, so that his face and eyes were directed towards the place where Qingto could not be seen.
"Because you just kept pointing to your earlobe...so I...I...I thought..."
Having said this, Sanako closed her mouth tightly as if she could no longer speak any more, and made no more sound.
Sanako turned sideways, leaving only the cute back of his head, his beautiful back and... a pair of small ears to Qingteng.
Qingden saw clearly: at this moment, a bright red color splashed onto Sanako's delicate ears at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"..." The sudden little accident left Qingdeng speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.
——Miss Sanako also has a very silly side...
Qingto gained a new understanding of Sanako.
This Yamato Nadeshiko, who is both talented and beautiful, graceful and elegant, seems to have an interesting contrast between her inner soul and her outer image that Aoto has never noticed... no, it should be that she has never had the opportunity to notice it.
An indescribable strange atmosphere rose between the two of them, surrounding them...
Fortunately - this weird atmosphere did not last long.
Woo——!
The first fireworks of the night were launched into the sky.
The fireworks made a loud sound and beautiful flowers bloomed above everyone's heads.
As soon as the flowers disappeared, the next burst of fireworks brightened up the moonlight again.
The fireworks finally rose to rescue the embarrassed young man and woman.
Ayoto and Sanako couldn't care less about being shy anymore, and raised their heads one after another, quietly admiring the night sky illuminated by colorful colors as if it were daytime.
There are fireworks flying like willow catkins; there are fireworks changing into a halo like water ripples; there are fireworks falling like shooting stars...
Although Qingdeng had already seen this grand fireworks display once last night, it was still very shocking and enjoyable to watch it again.
It burned for nearly 20 minutes and showed no sign of stopping.
One after another, the fireworks continuously lifted into the sky, causing wave after wave of vibrations.
"...Tachibana-kun."
Suddenly, Sanako's small voice was mixed in.
"Um?"
Sanako turned his body back upright at some point.
"...tonight...no, I've been bothering you all day long...I really don't know how to thank you." Sanako alternately played with her hands on her legs.
After Qingdeng heard this, he couldn't help laughing.
He originally wanted to use the excuse "I haven't done anything extraordinary, so you don't have to be polite" to shirk the question of "how to thank him".
But he considered that Sanako was the kind of person with strong self-esteem, and if he told her "you don't have to do anything", she would probably not comply.
So, after thinking for a moment, Qingdeng changed into a half-joking tone:
"Then...Miss Sanako, can you smile at me?"
Sanako: "Huh?"
"You almost didn't smile all night today...ah, no, I rarely see you smiling on weekdays. You always have a straight face."
Qingden smiled and stretched out his hand, pointing to his cheek.
"I'm not forcing you to change your personality, Miss Sanako. Whether you like to laugh or not is just a matter of personal preference, and there is no distinction between good and bad."
"But... let's make an exception tonight and let me see your smiling face more."
"...Tachibana-kun, do you want to see me smile?" Sanako whispered.
"It's not so much that I want to see you smile, but rather that I want to see you show a happy expression from the bottom of my heart." Qingdeng blurted out, "For me, the best 'thank you' is to discover my own
All the hard work is worth it.”
"..." Sanako fell silent.
She was silent, as motionless as a stone... She even stopped playing with her fingers.
What happened next really happened in an instant.
Sanako raised her delicate hands and took off the mask on her face.
The surrounding light instantly focused on Sanako, who revealed his shameless face.
"Tangerine-kun..."
Under the bright fireworks, the girl whispered the name of her boyfriend.
When the young man turned his face due to the attraction of her voice, she smiled softly.
A bit shy and reserved.
But this is not an unnatural smile.
Sanako always has a serious look on his face no matter who he treats. He rarely shows frivolous expressions, rarely makes wisecracks, and rarely shows smiles...
However, now it is rare to see such a... girlish expression.
Qingdeng felt a strange sense of tension for no apparent reason.
"...Thank you for agreeing to my willful request this morning and being willing to discuss with me."
Sanako smiled, slightly opened her red lips, and spoke slowly.
"Thank you for protecting me at all costs when I accidentally fell in the river."
"Thank you for taking the trouble to search for me after you discovered that I was 'missing'."
"Also, there's more..."
As if she was holding back something... Sanako bit her lower lip lightly.
She was seen holding the honest-looking white Lucky Cat in both hands and slowly raising it in front of her. While continuing to look at Qingden, she hid the parts below the eyes behind the Lucky Cat.
"Thank you... for bringing me here to play tonight."
"Obviously I have passed the age where I really like fireworks displays...but now I feel so happy..."
"So happy……"
"Really... thank you very much..."
After saying that, Sanako's eyes slanted to the side as if he were fleeing, staring at the ground at his feet, not daring to meet Qingdeng's eyes again.
The areas not blocked by the Lucky Cat...the forehead and ears are all covered with full-colored pink cherry blossoms.
Her long hair, tied into a high ponytail, flutters in the wind.
The pretty pink face repeatedly illuminated by the light of fireworks makes people feel dazzling.
Those eyes, rich in intellectual color and clear in black and white, shine with a dreamlike light, illuminated by the hazy moonlight, the colorful colors of fireworks, and the touches of different emotions that cannot be controlled.
"Miss Sanako..."
Qingdeng thought he was maintaining a normal mind, but deep in his heart, strong emotions emerged against his will, and his voice was interrupted without permission.
At this time, Sanako finally regained the courage to look at Qingto.
Qingto, who was unable to resist his inner feelings and was speechless, and Sanako, who was too embarrassed to speak anymore...the two stared at each other in the flames, surrounded by the "fire spirits".
For a long time, for a long time...
…
…
In Edo, the thieves were converted into government offices, a certain room——
"Huh...huh...huh..."
The sound of light breathing dominated the entire room.
A young man wearing a black uniform was lying on his back in the center of the room in a "big" posture.
He was dozing off without a quilt, only a thick book spread out over his face.
On the simple cover of the book, there are five large Chinese characters written: Wang Yangming's Xin Xue.
Dong dong dong...
Suddenly, there were rapid and rapidly approaching footsteps outside the room.
Immediately afterwards——
"My grandson! My grandson!"
Outside the door, there was a shadow kneeling on one knee.
"Um?"
The young man let out a sleepy groan.
"What's going on?"
"I received information from the informant! The 'Ghost of Yangming' appears again!"
Pacha——The young man pushed away the book "Wang Yangming's Theory of Mind" covering his face, kicked his legs, and sat up with very neat movements.
"These 'Osaka Undead'... they really don't stop..." The young man raised his hand and grabbed the saber on the knife holder next to him...
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