"You didn't know, did you? This is the sea lantern Rex Lapis was talking about!" he said proudly.
"What!? This is a sea lantern?" The woman looked utterly shocked at her husband's words.
"Of course. Look, there's even a letter and a pen inside for writing down your wishes."
As he spoke, the middle-aged man took the letter and pen out of the sea lantern, leaving the woman even more bewildered.
"Where did you get this!? You didn't steal something from Rex Lapis, did you!?"
"What are you talking about? I found this sea lantern in a tree right outside our house! And it wasn't the only one. I've got another one here."
This time, the middle-aged man pulled a sea lantern out from under the bed.
The woman was dumbfounded. "You found this one in a tree too?"
"No, I found this one on a wooden post behind the house."
"Why didn't you bring these out sooner?"
"Well, I only found two..." The man scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
Only then did the woman understand why he had sent their child outside earlier. So he had wanted the child to find one himself.
"You really are a fool, tricking your own child like that." The woman snatched his sea lantern and headed for the door.
"Hey, honey..." The man hurried after her.
But the moment they opened the door, the sight before them left them stunned.
All of Liyue had come alive with an unprecedented bustle.
People in every street and alley held sea lanterns, their smiles never fading.
The children were also chasing one another and playing with sea lanterns in hand.
A small group of children had gathered in a circle, apparently discussing what wishes they should make.
Whether they were Liyue locals or merchants