When Fu Wenshan and Xie Wanxing arrived at the square, there were already many people there. There weren’t many activities related to the Mountain God; instead, food stalls were spread out in every corner, selling various local specialties. For example, there was a type of fox mask, only covering the upper half of the face, painted with different colors and patterns. Although crude, it had a wild and beautiful charm.
Xie Wanxing bought one and put it on his face. It was a fiery red fox mask with a sky-blue firework in the middle of the forehead. Under the mask was a delicate chin and a pair of soft red lips. He smiled at Fu Wenshan behind the mask.
Although the streets were filled with people wearing these fox masks, Fu Wenshan felt that this little fox was different from the others and even more beautiful.
Xie Wanxing didn’t take off the mask. Since it didn’t hinder him from eating, he bought some fried meatballs and walked while eating, taking the opportunity to explain the town’s history to Fu Wenshan.
“The Mountain God here is actually a fox. Legend has it that this fox saved the mountain and preserved the springs on the mountain, so the villagers built a temple for it, worshiping it as the Mountain God,” Xie Wanxing said, biting into a rose-flavored meatball, the sweet filling melting on his tongue, leaving a hint of rose fragrance as he spoke. He pointed to the mountain behind the square. “That’s the mountain. The temple used to be built on the mountain, but it was rebuilt at the foot of the mountain a few years ago. When I was a child, my grandmother took me up there, and there really is a spring behind it.”
“Is the Mountain God a woman?” Fu Wenshan asked.
Xie Wanxing ate another meatball, this time flavored with osmanthus honey. Without lifting his head, he replied, “You’re overthinking it. He’s a middle-aged man, greatly lowering the fox spirit’s appearance. Maybe that’s why he decided to travel around. If you want to see, just walk a little further ahead, and you’ll reach the Mountain God temple. But speaking of the Mountain God temple reminds me of the variety show we participated in back then, ‘Unexpected encounter.’ It really scared me…”
Xie Wanxing’s expression was hard to describe.
That day’s adventure in the haunted school almost scared him out of his wits. If it weren’t for Fu Wenshan, he might have passed out right there.
What was even more outrageous was that after finally getting out of there, he found an unclaimed hairpin, which only heightened the terrifying atmosphere of the whole thing.
Although he later called to confirm that the hairpin had actually been left behind by the female students from the town who came to explore, until he knew the truth, he couldn’t eat or sleep properly for at least half a month.
Fu Wenshan also remembered, but his train of thought was completely different from Xie Wanxing’s. He couldn’t recall anything terrifying from the haunted school, only remembering how Xie Wanxing leaned against him fearfully, holding his hand tightly, even though tears were about to fall, pretending to be tough.
He was just so adorable.
The two of them continued walking for a while. The street was brightly lit, with streetlights on both sides making it as bright as day. There was a hint of rose fragrance in the air, mixed with the smell of fireworks, creating a unique atmosphere.
As they walked, they arrived at the front of the Mountain God temple. Fu Wenshan saw the statue inside, indeed a middle-aged man with a fair face and long beard, giving off a hint of immortal charm. If not for being called the Fox Spirit, he would have been mistaken for a Taoist priest.
In front of the temple was a small wishing pool, with a stone fox statue in the middle, surrounded by shiny coins.
Xie Wanxing also threw one in and clasped his hands together.
“What did you wish for?” Fu Wenshan asked.
“I’m not telling you.”
Xie Wanxing ran to the nearby stall again to play a lottery. He won a sixth prize, a woven flower ring. He didn’t mind and wore it directly on his ring finger, asking Fu Wenshan if it looked good.
“It looks good.”
Fu Wenshan wasn’t lying. Xie Wanxing’s fingers were slender and white, making anything he wore look good, even a simple flower ring.
But as he was admiring it, he stopped abruptly.
He remembered what he had in his pocket and hesitated for a moment.
Xie Wanxing had worn many pieces of jewelry on his fingers, but never a wedding ring on his ring finger.
Fu Wenshan lifted his head and looked at Xie Wanxing’s fair and beautiful face under the lamplight.
Xie Wanxing was still wearing the fox mask, his eyes shining behind it, lips curved into a smile. He truly looked like a legendary wild and strange creature, beautiful and lively, naturally not belonging to anyone.
But Fu Wenshan hoped that Xie Wanxing belonged to him, wanting to bring this wild demon into the mortal world, to be his companion for life, never to leave again.
Xie Wanxing tilted his head, not understanding why Fu Wenshan was lost in thought.
He withdrew his hand from Fu Wenshan’s and pushed him towards the lottery stall. “You should try your luck too.”
Xie Wanxing swiftly paid and bought a chance to draw.
Fu Wenshan thought, what interesting prize could there be at such a small stall? At most, it would be some tourist souvenir. Nevertheless, he went along with Xie Wanxing’s suggestion and drew a small wooden stick, on which were written two characters — “great luck.”
The stall owner, an elderly person with kind eyes, smiled when he saw the stick. “Congratulations, congratulations, this is the first prize.”
Fu Wenshan remained indifferent, not particularly interested in the so-called first prize.
It wasn’t until the elderly person took out a small, deep blue ceramic jewelry box from behind the shelf that Fu Wenshan thought that this small box was the gift.
But the elderly person didn’t hand the box to him; instead, he gave it to Xie Wanxing.
Xie Wanxing took the box, raised his hand to touch the fox mask on his face, covering up his momentary embarrassment.
He opened the box, revealing a simple platinum ring with three diamonds set side by side, shining brightly under the light.
Fu Wenshan’s breath caught as he realized who had given him this so-called grand prize.
The stall owner fanned himself nearby, smiling at the young couple. “Oh, to be young! When you like someone, you become so naive.”
Xie Wanxing encouraged himself, deciding to take a bold step. Grabbing Fu Wenshan’s hand, he forcefully put the ring on his finger, not giving him a chance to refuse, showing great dominance.
But as soon as he spoke, his true colors were revealed. His eyes darted around behind the fox mask. “This ring, it’s not the first prize.”
Fu Wenshan turned the diamond ring on his finger, a slight smile playing on his lips, calmly looking at Xie Wanxing. “Then what is the first prize?”
Xie Wanxing swallowed hard, his voice lowered a notch amidst the crowd and the noisy laughter. “Of course, it’s me… I am the first prize.”
“Do you… want to accept it?”
Why wouldn’t he? Fu Wenshan thought.
He raised his hand, removed the fox mask from Xie Wanxing’s face. The fiery red half-mask fell, revealing a stunningly beautiful face behind it, like a beauty drawn by a palace artist, coming to life from the painting.
Fu Wenshan didn’t know what the standard for a fox spirit’s appearance was, but he believed that someone like Xie Wanxing, this little fox, could elevate the standards of the whole clan single-handedly.
He took a step forward, ignoring the fact that they were on a busy street, disregarding the many gazes around them, and kissed Xie Wanxing’s lips.
“This is the best prize I’ve ever received in my life,” he whispered softly.
Xie Wanxing was very satisfied with this answer. He smiled, his eyes reflecting the flickering lights, as well as Fu Wenshan’s gaze.
He proudly turned to Fu Wenshan and said, “Wasn’t my proposal great? You beat me to the confession, but I had to be the first to propose.”
Fu Wenshan chuckled, “Yes, it was great. You’re better at this than I am.”
Xie Wanxing felt even more pleased.
However, the next moment, he saw Fu Wenshan pull out a small round ring from his pocket, and under his gaze, gently slide it onto his finger, next to the pink flower ring.
Fu Wenshan held Xie Wanxing’s hand, looking at him with a smile. “Marry me, Xie Wanxing.”
Xie Wanxing widened his eyes in disbelief, staring at the ring. “You, you also bought…?”
Fu Wenshan nodded with a smile.
The nearby stall owner sighed softly, continuing to fan himself, marveling at how love was as bright as the lights in the night sky, so transparent at first glance.
“Congratulations on your wedding, young master. Remember to invite me to the ceremony,” the stall owner watched the excitement without hesitation, “Your grandfather proposed to your grandmother with a jade ring, also in the summer. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see it myself, only heard about it.”
Xie Wanxing then remembered the presence of Mr. Wu beside him, scratched his cheek, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Thank you, Mr. Wu. We’ll definitely invite you.”
“No need to thank me,” Mr. Wu turned off the lights on the stall, “Once the task is done, I’m closing up. I’ve been losing money all night. Young master, you guys carry on, I’m going to bed.”
With that, Mr. Wu left without hesitation.
Now only Xie Wanxing and Fu Wenshan remained, continuing to hold hands, strolling in the scent of summer flowers, as if it were just an ordinary day in their lives, an ordinary summer vacation.
But on their clasped hands, the two rings sparkled in the night.