Chapter 42 - Festival Outing

"Hmm, it has been a while since you took the time to relax." Said Zeref, as watches Acnologia leaning comfortably on the wall next to the gate. Tang Wulin didn't utter anything as he looks up in the sky as he saw the sun was going down.

Tang Wulin was wearing a black long sleeve muscle shirt, with a white and black orange robe over it. He had black shorts on with black and orange shoes. His dragon tooth necklace was hanging prominently off his neck.

While Tang Wulin was young, he was still handsome considering his age and it wasn't a surprise that the girls that pass by were blushing at him.

He has been standing here for over ten mins and it was then he heard a voice calling out to him.

"Tang Wulin!" Yelled Xu Xiaoyan as she was running eagerly toward him, Tang Wulin turned to her and his eyes widen.

Xu Xiaoyan was wearing a scarlet short dress that swayed gracefully as she ran. She had red ribbons in her twin tail that was hanging off, and her neck was covered with a red chocker. This graciously allowed her flowing hair to sway gently like water, as she was carrying her red velvet bag with her.

"Sorry, I'm late." Said Xu Xiaoyan as she came to a stop in front of Tang Wulin, with her hands behind her back. Tang Wulin gaze at her, as he gently moved his hand and started rubbing her lovely head.

"Lead the way." Said Tang Wulin, causing Xu Xiaoyan eyes to widen before a smile blossom on her face. She encircles their arms together and started to walk with Tang Wulin through the gate.

It took thirty minutes, but they were able to reach the city. Tang Wulin eyes wander around the place as he saw stalls of delicious food and lanterns out. Xu Xiaoyan seeing his eyes wander smiled gently at him and giggle.

"It seems this is a tradition. When the final exam is over, the people of the city would throw a local festival as a way to celebrate everyone that passes." Siad Xu Xiaoyan as she begins dragging Tang Wulin over to a food stall.

"It doesn't seem like many people know about it," said Tang Wulin, as he picks up the kabob that Xu Xiaoyan pass to him.

"Not really. People know about it, but most of the people of Shrek go home and misses the event."Said Xu Xiaoyan as she picks one up and started munching on it. The old lady who was selling the kabob smiled at them and told them they look like a lovely couple.

They were taking their time as they experienced all of the food stalls.

'What is this strange feeling.' Tang Wulin thought as his eyes kept on trailing behind Xu Xiaoyan. He didn't understand why but he felt somewhat joyful as he followed her and seeing her cheerful smile.

"Oh! That looks like fun, let try it out." Said Xu Xiaoyan as she drags him one of the festival game that was out. The stand was being overseen by an old man.

"Welcome! All you have to do to win this is take his dart and hit the target. But be careful the target won't be staying still." Said the old man as he started giving Xu Xiaoyan some darts.

Xu Xiaoyan narrow her eyes as the target started to move and rapidly throw the darts when she saw an opening.

The old man eyes widen but then he nodded his head as he went to get the lady in front of him, her prize.

"What is the requirement for that prize?" Asked Xu Xiaoyan as she points her finger toward a big blue bear that was on the shelves. The old man blinks and told her she would have to beat the master the level to get that.

"I will do it." Said Tang Wulin, surprising Xu Xiaoyan. The old man starts up the machine, and Xu Xiaoyan eyes widen when she saw it was four times faster than the one she did before. Tang Wulin simply uses his time magic and threw the darts.

The Old man was surprised but nonetheless gave the big blue bear to Tang Wulin, and he gave it to Xu Xiaoyan whose eyes were shining. She enthusiastically received the bear and with a full-blown smile ran straight toward Tang Wulin to give him a hug.

Zeref appeared behind them and smiled, as he was happy Acnologia was having fun.

'I wonder.' Zeref got lost in thought as he observed the scenes of Tang Wulin and Xu Xiaoyan.

After a while, Xu Xiaoyan stops hugging him, but her head wouldn't raise up. She grabs his arm and started to move on, not allowing him to see her blushing face.

Bang!

Both of them look up as they saw a firework go off. Xu Xiaoyan started to tremble as she turns around to Tang Wulin.

"The Fireworks about to start! Let's hurry!"Xu Xiaoyan started moving as Tang Wulin following. He observes her expression of ecstatic joy and eager expectation. He didn't realize that a faint smile started to bloom on his face and his expression soften.

They were able to find an excellent spot to watch the firework show, as both of them went down to go sit at a bench as the fireworks started going off. A variety of brilliant colors went off and even those with shapes.

Xu Xiaoyan was mesmerized and as she started shouting out to Tang Wulin the various type of fireworks that appear.

"That one is a Blue Tyrant Dragon, the other is the Blue Silver Emperor and oh that one is a Pagoda." Siad Xu Xiaoyan, as she didn't realize she was slowly leaning into Tang Wulin embrace.

Tang Wulin didn't say anything as he put just brought her closer to him and let her keep talking.

'This feeling, I haven't felt like this in a long time.' Thought Tang Wulin as he started to reminisce fondly on the last time he felt truly happy. He remembers it was when he and his family went to go watch the Festival.

He remembers him and Na'er running to every food stands, to devour everything. It was times like those he was delighted that he was able to live in this new life. His thought strays to Na'er, it has been over five years since she left.

Tang Wulin unconsciously brought Xu Xiaoyan even closer and tilted his head toward her. Xu Xiaoyan flinches but didn't stop talking as she moved her lovely face into his c_h_e_s_t.

The people around them were whispering to each other as they saw both of them.

"Wow, they're so cute together."

"She looks so shy!"

Tang Wulin was too lost in his thought to react to their words and Xu Xiaoyan was too embarrassed to say anything. Xu Xiaoyan sneaks a glance at Tang Wulin face that had a faint smile on it.

'That is so unfair captain.' Xu Xiaoyan thought as she started to wonder when she saw Tang Wulin as more than her captain.

'Why do you have to be so irresistible.' Xu Xiaoyan felt conflicted because she knew Gu Yue liked Tang Wulin but at the same time, her heartache whenever she imagines them together.

'Is it really okay for me to not even try?' Xu Xiaoyan thought.

"What is the matter." Tang Wulin asked as he looks down at Xu Xiaoyan. She was unconsciously trembling, and he was able to feel it.

"Captain. What would you do if you d_e_s_i_r_ed something but you knew it would hurt the people around you?"Asked Xu Xiaoyan, still refusing to show him her face.

Tang Wulin arches a brow but didn't say anything for a while as he moves his hand to her hair and started rubbing it.

"I would still go after it." Said Tang Wulin, causing Xu Xiaoyan body to shook as she hastily asks.

"Even if it means the people around you are hurt and the damages can never be recovered?"

"Even if it means that. If it something you belives is worth fighting for, then I see no reason to let your fear stop you. After all, you're the only one living your life." Said Tang Wulin.

Xu Xiaoyan didn't say anything as she stayed in his comforting embrace. Zeref appeared behind them, while thinking about his actions and smiled knowingly when he recognized the truth of Acnologia words.

'Mavis...' Zeref Thought.

"Be careful." Said Tang Wulin as he moved his hand to wipe away the food stain on her cheerful face. Xu Xiaoyan eyes widen as her face begins turning red but she went back to eating.

After they were done eating, they begin to leave and go back to Shrek.

"I guess we can enjoy the walk back to Shrek." Said Xu Xiaoyan as she knew it was going to be a long walk.

"Who said, we were walking." Said Tang Wulin as he scopes up Xu Xiaoyan bridal style in his arms and receives a gasp from her. His Light Wings appeared as he jumps nimbly in the moonlit sky and floated through the air.

"Are you scared?" Asked Tang Wulin, as he saw Xu Xiaoyan conceal her face from him in his c_h_e_s_t.

"No…"

"If you look up, you will be able to see something beautiful." Said Tang Wulin. Xu Xiaoyan peaks her head out and gasp when she discovers the star in the night sky shining brilliantly. Tang Wulin slowly decent and stood at ease on top of the sparkling water below him.

The moon and stars were shining out so brightly that the water below them seems to be shining, as Tang Wulin was floating serenely above the water. Xu Xiaoyan turns her head towards him and gazes at Tang Wulin eyes, as the moon shined down on his frame.

"Jerk.." Said Xu Xiaoyan as she hastily buried her face back into his c_h_e_s_t. A faint smile formed again as he begins to flying back to the dorm.

"Are you coming up?" Said Xu Xiaoyan.

"No, I plan to stay at that old man house." Said Tang Wulin. Xu Xiaoyan nodded her head but seems to be waiting for something.

"Um, well see you tomorrow." Said Xu Xiaoyan when she notices Tang Wulin wasn't going to make any moves.

"Alright but before that." Said Tang Wulin, his arm shot out and grasp Xu Xiaoyan arm. This surprised her but then she became shocked when Tang Wulin moved his other arm around her waist.

He lowered her down as he moved his down to gently kiss her forehead. Then he slowly c_a_r_e_s_ses her cheeks her face as he slowly moved his head away from her face.

Xu Xiaoyan became entrance from a smile blooming from Tang Wulin face and his eyes staring at her with care.

"Thank you." Said Tang Wulin as he moves her back up and then steps away. He gazes at her and then disappeared instantly.

Xu Xiaoyan stands there as the night breeze was causing her hair to sway. Her eyes were shining as a small smile begin to form on her face.

'I'm sorry Gu Yue but I can't give him up without a fight.'

Tang Wulin himself went toward Zhao Shi house and seeing he wasn't still here, went inside to go sleep.

#

"Rise and Shine, you lady killer." Zeref voice rang out, as Tang Wulin opened his eyes. He ignored Zeref words as he looks outside and saw the brilliant sun shining.

He went down to the cabinets and started to eat the old man Black Steamed Buns. He grabs some in his hands and went outside to enjoy the pleasant breeze.

Tang Wulin begins walking as he started relaxing as the sun shined on his skin as he ate the Black Steamed Buns. He started to think about his time with Xu Xiaoyan, it was something he had never done before and yet also wants to do again.

The wonderful feeling of warmth and satisfaction he experienced throughout that whole night was something way different than when he was with his family.

'Is this how Mom and Dad felt with each other?' Tang Wulin thought as he was walking on the shore of the Island.

It was after walking for a while that he noticed a boat coming toward the Sea God Island. He narrowed his eyes and his nose twitch as he looks at the girl inside the boat.

Her long silver hair was fluttering in the air. She appeared about the age of thirteen or fourteen and was dressed in red sportswear, and her exquisite face was revealed under the blowing breeze on the lake's surface.

Tang Wulin jump and his luminous wings expanded as he flew straight toward the boat. Once he was over it, he drops down, causing the bow to rock but the girl didn't move as she gasps in surprise.

"I knew it was you."

"Na'er." Said Tang Wulin.

"Big Brother."