Mesmerizing Ghost Doctor

Chapter 5203: Change

“I haven’t had a chance to properly show you around today, but I heard there’s a lantern festival in town tonight. I thought I’d take you for a stroll.” He flashed a smile at her. “Interested?”

“We’ve nothing better to do, so why not?” Yue’er replied cheerfully, closing the door behind her before joining him.

As the two stepped out of the estate, several young boys and girls peered out from the courtyard. One girl, her eyes sparkling, remarked, “Father told me that’s the young master of the head family—the most outstanding among the younger generation there.”

A boy asked, “Who’s the girl with the young master? Is she from the main family too?”

“No, I heard from the gatekeeper she’s surnamed Yun, a friend of the young master.” Another boy said, glancing at them. “There’s a lantern festival in town tonight. Shall we go check it out?”

“Sure! I’ll go get Big Brother.” The girl said, about to turn away, but was pulled back by someone beside her.

“Xiao Xiao, you don’t need to go. Seems like my cousin ate something bad outside and got an upset stomach. He’s been farting nonstop since he got back. Now he’s locked himself in the courtyard and won’t let anyone near him.” The boy said, a suppressed smile flickering in his eyes.

“Huh? Really? Did they call a doctor?” The girl froze, clearly surprised.

“Yes, the family doctor came. Don’t worry. Weren’t we going to the lantern festival? Let’s go!” With that, the group headed out of the estate together.

As night fell, the city lights came alive. The colorful lanterns lining the streets formed a unique spectacle. Old and young alike, couples and children, had all arrived early to enjoy the festival. The bustling crowds and the vendors’ shouts along the road seemed more spirited than usual.

Xiao Junyan walked half a step behind Yun Qi, shielding her from the surrounding crowd to prevent her from being jostled. Children ran and laughed down the street, nearly colliding with them. Seeing this, Xiao Junyan reached out and pulled her close.

“Careful.”

He drew her closer as they watched the laughing child run past. Looking down at Yun Qi as she stepped back from his embrace, his gaze softened. “The lantern festival is crowded. Be careful not to get knocked over.”

Yue’er glanced up and met his gentle eyes. A flutter stirred in her heart, and she smiled, nodding. “Alright, I know.”

Ever since the crowd thickened, he’d stayed half a step behind her, shielding her from the jostling crowd. This considerate gesture made her heart flutter strangely.

“Come, let’s see what’s ahead.” As he spoke, he reached out and took her hand, leading her forward.

His large hand clasped hers, and Xiao Junyan’s lips curved into a slight smile, his mood seemingly quite good. Yet, he felt a tinge of nervousness and worry, fearing she might pull away. This tension caused a thin sheen of sweat to form on his forehead.

Yue’er looked down at the hand he held, momentarily startled. She hesitated to pull away, noticing his ears had flushed red and his expression was slightly tense, not even daring to glance back at her.

Startled, she found herself smiling inexplicably and let him hold her hand.

She was no longer the naive little girl she once was. With age came a natural understanding of matters of the heart.

Xiao Junyan had always treated her differently since childhood. Perhaps he truly hadn’t harbored such feelings back then, but as she grew older, certain things inevitably changed.