The creek wound through so many bends that the shadows of the trees hid the spot where the river lanterns were being released. Hu Xiaotian glanced at the night sky and judged that their appointed midnight meeting time had already passed. Not only had Xi Yan failed to appear, even Xiangqin had not come.
Hu Xiaotian followed the creek upstream, guided by the lotus lanterns. Rounding the trees ahead, he saw a girl in white standing all alone beside Flower-Washing Creek, lighting the lotus lanterns at her side and setting them on the water one by one.
Hu Xiaotian did not disturb her. He stood quietly to one side, gazing at her exquisite silhouette. Every movement was breathtakingly beautiful. The scenery was a painting, and she stood within it. Watching the scene before him, he could not help falling into a daze.
The girl in white set her last lotus lantern into Flower-Washing Creek. Her beautiful eyes followed its course as she said softly, "Did you never see a woman in your previous life?"
Hu Xiaotian gave her a dazzling, sunny smile. "I've seen plenty of women, but this is my first time seeing one as special as you." Xi Yan, this enchantress, truly was unlike anyone else.
Xi Yan slowly turned around, revealing her flawlessly delicate face beneath the moonlight. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like starlight. "What's so special about me?"
"You don't look human!" Hu Xiaotian said.
"Are you praising me or insulting me?" Xi Yan bit her cherry lips, her fine brows already drawing together. This fellow never had anything nice to say, yet even knowing that, she still wanted to hear it. A girl's thoughts were often just that contradictory.
Hu Xiaotian said, "It's midnight, and you're standing here dressed all in white. Anyone who knows