Chapter 45

As soon as the three of them stepped into Fuguang Town, they felt the festive atmosphere of the place. The streets were bustling with people, the cries of peddlers rose and fell in waves, and many eaves already had lanterns hanging from them, waiting to be lit at night. It was lively beyond description. Walking further ahead, the sound of flowing water reached their ears, and soon they saw babbling streams running along both sides. Water was abundant here, and almost every few hundred meters they could see a small bridge. All around the bridges, many people could be seen—mostly sitting under peach blossom trees composing poetry or playing in the water by the river. There were also graceful women walking in pairs along the riverbank, strolling side by side; others followed the rhythm of male accompaniment with shy faces, singing and dancing. As the three of them walked along this path, seeing the peach groves all dressed in pink and red with petals flying across the sky, they felt an exceptional sense of joy.