My Whole Class Isekai'd to a Xianxia? Good Thing I Can Do Mind-reading

"Hurry up, or we'll miss our chance to buy lanterns," Feng Fan said, snapping Huang Xue out of her daze.

She blinked, realizing just how much time she had spent inside the first shop. A faint blush crept up her cheeks. 'I-I actually lost track of time buying clothes…'

Before she could dwell on it any longer, Feng Fan gently tugged her forward, taking the lead this time. They stopped in front of a small vendor selling floating lanterns. Fortunately, the stall wasn't too crowded; only three customers stood in line ahead of them.

The shopkeeper, an elderly man with slicked-back greasy hair, greeted them with a knowing smile. "Good evening! How many lanterns does this lovely couple want?"

At the word couple, Huang Xue's face turned a deep shade of red. She quickly lowered her gaze, suddenly finding her feet very interesting. Speaking was completely out of the question.

Feng Fan, already anticipating her reaction, let a faint smile tug at his lips. "Four, please," he said, handing over a low-grade qi stone—more than enough to cover the price.

The lanterns were round and softly glowing, their warm orange hue decorated with yellow etchings. One bore the image of a majestic wolf, another a coiling dragon, the third a sturdy turtle, and the last a noble qilin.

Feng Fan picked up the wolf and turtle for himself before handing the qilin and dragon to Huang Xue.

"Thank you," she mumbled, accepting both lanterns in one hand, her fingers tightening slightly around the delicate frames. Her face was still tinged with red, and she struggled to meet his gaze.

Feng Fan chuckled inwardly. 'Is this really the same girl who was pushing me around to buy clothes just moments ago?'

They slowly drifted away from the vendor as fireworks painted the night sky with brilliant bursts of color, forming fleeting images of mystical beasts. Dragons coiled in shimmering gold before fading into embers, phoenixes soared in crimson streaks, and qilins galloped across the heavens in bursts of silver light.

"I think it's time we set the lanterns free," Feng Fan said, his gaze lingering on the sky's glowing canvas.

Huang Xue nodded softly. She cupped her dragon lantern in both hands, a faint glow pulsing within as she infused it with spiritual qi. Then, with a gentle release, she let it go. The lantern hovered for a breath before the wind carried it upward, joining the sea of lights already floating above.

Feng Fan followed suit, channeling his energy into the turtle lantern before sending it off into the sky. One by one, more people around them released their lanterns, until the fireworks dimmed, giving way to a vast river of flickering lights that stretched into the distance.

Among the murmurs of the crowd, quiet sobs rose. Some held their lanterns a little longer before releasing them, whispering names of lost loved ones.

While Feng Fan had spent the war secluded within the White Crow Sect, the continent had suffered. Entire families had been torn apart, their homes reduced to ashes by the Shen Empire's conquest.

Tonight's festival was a celebration—but also a remembrance.

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After releasing the lanterns into the night sky, Feng Fan gently took Huang Xue's hand, his fingers weaving through hers. The warmth of his touch sent a small shiver through her, and she instinctively tightened her grip, though she didn't pull away.

Her heart raced a little faster as she remembered the advice Song Shu had given her earlier. Trying to muster some courage, she hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, almost too quietly to be heard.

"Fan… why don't we spend the night here t-together?"

Her voice was barely a whisper, but Feng Fan's keen hearing caught every word, and he turned to her with a mixture of surprise and something softer, like understanding. His lips curved into a warm, gentle smile that seemed to light up the darkened world around them.

"Yeah, let's do it," he replied, his voice steady but filled with a quiet affection that made her heart flutter.

For a moment, they simply stood there, hand in hand, letting the lanterns and the fading fireworks fill the silence between them.

As the last lanterns faded into the horizon, their warm glow slowly disappearing into the dark sky, Feng Fan and Huang Xue made their way back, the crowd beginning to disperse around them. Some lingered, lost in their sorrow, seeking solace in alcohol to drown the memories of the war that had taken so much from them.

A short time later, they found themselves in a cozy inn within the heart of the capital. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single lantern casting gentle shadows against the walls. Feng Fan sat beside Huang Xue on a comfortable bed, the quiet serenity of the room contrasting with the lively celebration outside.

Huang Xue sat close, her eyes softly closed in a peaceful expression, her delicate hands holding his with a tenderness that made Feng Fan's heart beat just a little faster. He could feel the warmth of her touch, the gentle pressure of her palms as they cradled his hand.

She rested her head slightly against his shoulder, her soft breath stirring the air between them. Her body, delicate and warm, brushed against his arm, sending a quiet thrill through him.

Feng Fan could feel the rapid thudding of Huang Xue's heartbeat against his chest. It was so loud, so frantic, that he imagined if she were a mortal, it would surely have sent her into a panic.

He could sense her nervousness, the way her body tensed with uncertainty. Knowing her shy nature and understanding that she had already given so much tonight, Feng Fan decided to take the lead.

With gentle fingers, he cupped her face, the warmth of her skin sending a small thrill through him. He tilted her head slightly, guiding her face upward to meet his gaze. "Huang Xue," he murmured softly, his voice rich with sincerity. "I love you."

He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, his touch tender and full of warmth. Then, he paused, waiting for her response.

The words hung in the air for a moment, and Huang Xue's heart skipped a beat. Her breath caught, and she felt as though the world had paused, leaving her suspended in this unexpected moment.

She wasn't prepared for such vulnerability, for the overwhelming weight of his affection.

For a breath, she couldn't even move, her body frozen in place. But then, as if the floodgates had opened, she reacted, her hands moving up to his chest as she kissed him back with a passion that matched his own. Time seemed to fade away as their lips met, the world outside of them dissolving.

As they kissed, Feng Fan's hands moved, tugging gently at the fabric of her dress. The fabric fell to the floor like a whisper, leaving only the warmth of their closeness, their hearts beating together in sync.