Crowds thronged both riverbanks, with tourists and pedestrians streaming past without end. From a distance, they looked like two long fire dragons winding along the shores.
Many visitors eagerly launched little paper boats by the river. They gently set the boats on the water, then silently prayed that their wishes would come true.
Along the riverbanks, all manner of sounds mingled into a lively clamor.
Vendors' cries rose one after another, some hawking snacks and handicrafts, others promoting distinctive souvenirs;
Children's laughter and playful shouts rang bright and clear as they chased one another through the crowds, brimming with innocence and energy;
The conversations of passersby rose and fell, sometimes hurried, sometimes leisurely. Some discussed what they had seen and heard that day, while others planned where to go next.
All these sounds intertwined like a symphony without a key, flowing freely through the air.
Though it had no clear melody or rhythm, it unexpectedly carried the warmth of everyday life, creating an atmosphere that felt genuine and comforting.
Noticing that Yun Shui seemed distracted, Yun Shan asked softly:
"What's wrong?
"You seem a little distracted. Is something on your mind?"
Only then did Yun Shui come back to herself. Gazing at the people launching paper boats along the riverbank, she said thoughtfully:
"I was thinking how nice it would be if things could stay like this forever. Sometimes, being an ordinary person is pretty good too."
Yun Shui's voice was low and wistful. The lively scene before her seemed to have stirred something within her, drawing her into memories or contemplation.
She gazed at the bustling night market, as though she could see her former life there, or perhaps a future she longed for.
Hearing her words, Yun Shan smiled faintly and reassured her, "As long as you