Are your lanterns all different-coloured? Made of bamboo sticks? asked Ye Lang.

Most of them. Some are made of wood, replied Zhu Yeer.

We dont want heavy ones, the lighter the better!

And just like that, Zhu Yeer produced almost a thousand lanterns. The colourful lanterns were a pretty sight.

Then, Ye Lang started to teach everyone present how to make Sky Lanterns. There were so many of them, he obviously had to let the attendees make their own.

Everyone grew excited after seeing his first lantern hence most of them agreed to participate. Even the people who were doubtful enrolled themselves too. Wasnt them making their own a better proof of their point?

Come, are you all ready? asked Zhu Yeer. Although Ye Lang was planning this, Zhu Yeer was the spokesperson for the event. This was because one, Ye Lang was lazy, and two, Zhu Yeer was better at controlling the crowd.

At the same time, there were also miscellaneous affairs that required her attention like the tools, lighters, candles

Yes! shouted the audience.

Lightem up!

Zhu Yeer lighted a lantern shed just made, then gently released it up into the air.

Woah

There were squeals of joy ringing across the yard

Very soon, the skies of the Imperial City lit up with a magnificent sight- a thousand lanterns rising up in the air. Every citizen of the city stopped what they were doing to watch the lanterns.

Whats that?

The same question popped up in every corner of the city. No one knew what they were, but they all agreed it was gorgeous.

Under the full moon, the slow rise of the Sky Lanterns all looked like starlight going back to the skies. It was like a dream.

After this day, Zhus Soup House would soon become the focal point of everyones attention, making it even more popular across the city!

However, what made Boss Zhu the happiest was this: she had new products to sell! Namely, teddy bears and Sky Lanterns.

Although it was too soon to see how well her teddy bears would sell, the Sky Lanterns sold like hotcakes. In the weeks that followed, the trend of releasing Sky Lanterns at night never stopped- not only at the imperial city but across the Soaring Sky Empire and then people across the mainland were doing it too.

This wasnt what Ye Lang had expected, hed only intended to have some fun.

The happiest person right now was obviously Zhu Yeer. She was already very wealthy from selling weight loss medicine, that was how she came to own so many assets.

However, the business of selling lanterns had a customer base that extended to commoners. It was exhilarating.

After this festival, Zhu Yeer was soon busy with work and stopped following Ye Lang. He was relieved too. Thank goodness for that or hed have to avoid Zhus Soup House for a while.

The day before the group hunting event. Ye Lang was also at the field with Li Yue. As long as she was there, he would be too!

Whistle

Ye Lang made the most powerful shot he could, mustering all his internal Qi. The target shattered with a huge boom.

The entire field fell silent. Everyone wondered how powerful that shot must have been. No human would be able to survive an arrow like that.

Li Yue stared at Ye Lang solemnly, growing increasingly confused about who Ye Lang was. Why was he always where she was? Yet they never talked.

If he wasnt one of her admirers, were these all mere coincidences?

But what were the chances? And if he WAS one of her admirers, why hadnt he made a move yet?

Li Yue decided to make the first move. She had to know what Ye Lang wanted.

She approached Ye Lang under the surprised gaze of everyone, then asked, Mr Fox, will you be attending tomorrows group hunt?

Yep! he nodded. His answer felt very distracted, for his attention was still on the arrow.

Can we form a team? asked Li Yue.Hmmph, I cant believe Im giving you a chance to get closer to me. If youre planning on winning me over, youll have to say yes!

No, its alright. I want to hunt alone, I wont be participating in any teams! Ye Lang refused her invitation immediately. This was according to Athenas plan too. Ye Lang must operate alone for his convenience if he wanted to get closer to Li Yue.

However, this was different. Li Yue herself had initiated the offer. If it were up to Athena, she wouldve advised to not agree immediately, but not refuse either.

That did not cross Ye Langs mind, therefore he rejected her offer as if she was some other random participant who invited him into their group.

Oh, apologies then! Bye! she made a small bow then left.

Hmmph, what was that?! I invited you into MY team, and you refused?!

Although this was what Li Yue had hoped- to prove that Ye Lang wasnt one of her admirers-, it still didnt feel good to be rejected by another person.

Oh my goodness, what just happened? That fox kid REFUSED Miss Li Yues offer?!

I cant believe it either! I saw it too, this is unexpected! Damn!

Right? Miss Li Yue extended the offer personally too And he refused

Are you dumb? Why did you say no?! asked Coldblood Five.

What? Ye Lang obviously didnt understand.

You refused Li Yues invitation! Shed voluntarily initiated the offer, that means our plan worked! Are you trying to be a tease or something?! cried Coldblood Five.

Huh?! Li Yue initiated an offer? Why dont I know about this? When was this?

What? Please dont tell me you didnt notice that was Li Yue talking just now! Coldblood Five realised Ye Lang hadnt rejected Li Yue- he wasnt even aware of her existence!

What do I do now? Athenas going to nag me to death if she knew I rejected Li Yue! No, I must go talk to her he said frantically.

He was panicking not because of what he did but out of fear of Athena. This was Athenas plan, and hed single-handedly ruined it!