Mid-Autumn Festival - Last Part

Mid-Autumn Festival - Last Part

Tonight was the peak of Mid-Autumn Festival.

The street was flooded by the crowds of people who came out to celebrate such a joyful festival. The West Lake was also filled with lots of sail boats decorated with beautiful ornaments. Some couples were sitting on their private boat to enjoy the full moon without being annoyed by the crowd.

A luxurious boat had been prepared for Jing too, yet, instead of boarding the comfortable and splendid boat, Jing chose to blend into the crowd, causing Mu Yue to be irritated to the utmost.

Since this morning he had been busying himself to ensure Jing's comfort in this kind of troublesome festival. He didn't want the last year incident to be repeated. But that damn willful Jing just had to cancel this plan at the moment they both had stood in front of the boat. He suddenly had a change of mood again. Wearing a veil, he nonchalantly mixed himself in the middle of the crowd. In this sea of people, Mu Yue's alertness must be set to the highest degree. Yet, when he looked aside for a moment, Jing had irritatingly disappeared from his sight.

Damn! ---Mu Yue busily cursed as he anxiously searched for Jing in this mass of people.

Now that only his eyes could be seen by the outsiders, Jing could leisurely enjoy the commoners' festival.

How strange...... This was Mid-Autumn Festival, the time when the moon was the roundest and the brightest. Shouldn't he aim his sight to that beautiful moon hanging above the scenic West Lake? Didn't he come to this Hangzhou for this reason? To enjoy the full moon on West Lake?

That feeling unwittingly gushed up again. That annoying feeling of missing something important. A deep frown was shown on his neat brows. He was thinking so hard, trying to grasp the vague shadow that floating in his mind. He wasn't aware that he had stopped his steps right in the middle of the street. The passing by people were giving him such looks. But the current Jing didn't have the time to mind them.

A wave of unpleasantness swept his heart. Yet, like water escaping his palm, he couldn't have a clear form of this unpleasantness.

"You promised me to see the moon from a private boat!" A girl with a spoiled voice was scolding the smiling awkwardly man by her side.

"Chang'r. Forgive me alright? A lot of things happened, and I just couldn't remember it. I promise I will make it up to you."

"You always break your promise! I won't trust you anymore!" That girl stormed away and the man quickly gave a chase.

Promise......

It felt like Jing also had a promise to view the moon together. But with whom?

"Auch!" A loud cry of a child was heard from the direction where the girl stormed away. Everybody was turning their heads to that direction at once.

Having his train of thoughts disturbed by that loud shriek, Jing also turned his head in annoyance.

"Xiao Zhe, are you alright?" A man was squatting beside that little child and worriedly picked him up from the street. Angrily, he looked up to reprimand the man who accidentally had bumped into that little child while chasing his girlfriend. "Wei! This street is not your father's property! Watch your step in such a crowded place! Why the need to rush and cause harm to others?!"

"I......I am sorry Sir...... I was...... I was......." Seeing the fury in the eyes of the man who scolded him severely, that man could only stutter in his speech.

"Father. I am alright. No need to be angry."

"Good kid." That man lovingly patted the kid's head before put him on his shoulders. "It will be safer if you sit on my shoulders.

"Mm!"

That man busily apologized before going to chase his girlfriend again.

"Xiao Zhe, you are getting heavier again! What did you eat?" That man asked the kid on his shoulders with a teasing tone.

"I eat......" The kid didn't finish his words. Instead he shrank his body out of fear. A veiled man in front of them was viciously glaring at them. For a kid who had strong reaction for people's feeling, this kind of glare was simply too frightening.

The man frowned to see the kid suddenly shrank his body, then turned his eyes to look at the direction where the kid was looking at.

His heart skipped a beat at once. Though his face was covered by veil, he would never fail to recognize those pair of deep and beautiful eyes. Without a doubt, this man was Jing. But what was he doing in this crowded street? Shouldn't he be on one of those luxurious private boats?

Xiao Zhe was clutching tighter on Lu Cang's shoulder. He was extremely afraid of this veiled man.

Lu Cang patted his little hand to assure him everything would be alright.

With his heart in turmoil after meeting Jing, Lu Cang no longer had the mood to join the banquet, but he prevented Cao Xin and the others to disappoint the host who had kindly invited them. Hence, he was left alone in the house.

While he was drinking alone in the garden, Xiao Zhe, Cao Xin's son who was four years old this year, with his glittering eyes pleaded him to bring him to see the festival. ---Last year, several months after he returned to Hangzhou, in order to light up his mood, Cao Xin had forced Lu Cang to be his son's foster father.

Didn't have the heart to refuse Xiao Zhe, also, thinking that it was very unlikely for him to run into Jing in such crowded street, Lu Cang finally agreed to take him to the festival.

But who would have guessed, ---who could guess Jing's action after all, Jing really did appear in front of him. Glaring at him with the same cold eyes he gave him yesterday.

Indeed. Being looked at like a stranger hurt the most. Lu Cang felt that his decision to leave Capital a year ago was the best decision. He indeed wouldn't be able to bear such look every day. See, only this brief moment, he already felt that his heart started to bleed again. ---Lu Cang made a wry smile inwardly.

Dear Heaven, how cruel can You get? Not only You took away the love from his heart, now You just have to arrange them to bump into each other in such an unexpected place?

Jing's clear but piercing cold eyes were still on them. His whole person also majestically stood tall in front of Lu Cang.  

What the hell is happening? Yesterday he was with Xie's third son. Today, he is with a kid who called him father?

Yesterday, seeing him protecting that Xie brat already enough to cause Jing to be annoyed to the extreme without him knowing why. And now he had the guts to be a father? What's next? He would be surrounded by three or four damn women?

The frown in his brows was getting deeper. Jing's heart was in extreme turmoil. What he couldn't understand was, why this mere man could annoy him to such an extent? He was a mere guard, wasn't he? Why should he be annoyed by these trivial facts about an insignificant guard?

A man his age, having family with a kid or two was nothing uncommon. For a man, to fool around with another man was nothing too shocking in this era. ---Jing reasoned himself with the common knowledge.

Yet, Jing simply couldn't accept it. He didn't know this man, but...... what was this unwillingness in the depth of his heart, it was as if Jing was burnt by this unreasonable jealousy.

Jealousy? That was not quite right. It was more like a sense of possessiveness, a strong one at that. He felt that this mere guard should belong to him and no one else should be allowed to touch him, to the point he hated everyone who touched him. ---Jing almost decreed an execution on Xie Yi Ming if not for Mu Yue who reminded him of his main purpose in coming to Hangzhou. Why the need to bother with lowly insignificant figures. In the end, Jing accepted his apology like a wise Emperor he should be.

And now, all of that unpleasant feelings were coming back to him upon this unexpected encounter with this lowly guard again. Jing simply glared at the little kid who casually sat on this man's shoulders, emitting his hatred.

Sensing Xiao Zhe's tightened grasp on his shoulder, Lu Cang knew that he was extremely frightened by Jing's strong aura. Of course Lu Cang knew it, in the past, he was like that too, frightened by Jing's aura. Since when had the fear from his heart been completely replaced by affection?   

It was no longer important now. What's the point of thinking about the past when the person couldn't even remember him. It would be better if he simply walked pass him as if he couldn't recognize him too. Jing was wearing a veil after all, he didn't want to be recognize, thus it wouldn't be weird if Lu Cang couldn't recognize him.

Lightly nodding his head as a greeting to a fellow passersby, Lu Cang tried his best to assume his indifferent face while walking pass Jing.

But only a step away behind Jing, Lu Cang's right wrist was grabbed tightly, caused Lu Cang to have no better option but stop. He glanced at Jing's slender fingers on his wrist, but didn't dare to look back to see Jing's face. Strange enough, he also didn't have the intention to struggle to get his hand free from Jing's hand.

Jing's right hand had moved without Jing giving it any order, it was as if it had its own freewill. Jing himself also still gazed forward. To the crowded street without looking back. His hand still firmly held the other man's wrist. The tips of his fingers felt a strange familiar sensation when he touch this man. His palm knew the shape of this wrist. But no matter how hard he tried, his head still couldn't recall anything about this man except for the fact they fed him.

---That he was Lu Cang, a hero from Hangzhou who made his way to the top one hundred in the Heroes of the World's assembly thus earned his position as the inner palace's guard.

Under the bright moonlight, the two were standing upright back to back in such ambiguous atmosphere that enveloped them. Lu Cang didn't struggle to free his hand from Jing, Jing also didn't have the intention to let go of his hand. Jing could feel Lu Cang's heartbeat from the place he tightly grabbed, likewise, Lu Cang also could feel Jing's heartbeat pulsing through his fingers. In this kind of solemn moment, even the noise around them seemed to be muted. In this vast and wide universe, the only sound they could hear was the heartbeat connecting through their hands. 

It was calming, yet, painful......

While still busy with their own train of thoughts, from the direction where the man who bumped into Xiao Zhe ran to, a noise was raising.

"CATCH THEM! Don't let them get away!" A crude and loud voice was shouting. His thunderous voice was so loud that both Jing and Lu Cang came to their awareness at once. But instead of letting go, Jing's held on Lu Cang's wrist was tightened to the point Lu Cang felt a slight pain.

That man and his girlfriend, didn't know what they had done, were being chased by a group of savage looking men. They were shouting abusive words while chasing the running like crazy couple.

This was almost the same as what happened last year. Naturally Lu Cang didn't want to see Jing got hurt again. He pushed him to Mu Yue who finally could find Jing who ran as he pleased, "General Mu, protect him."

Unfortunately, the frightened Xiao Zhe lost his balance and fell down from Lu Cang's shoulders. The crowd was only a step away from stepping on the poor boy. Lu Cang didn't have the time to take him away from that chaotic place, could only use his own body to shield the trembling while crying violently little boy.

"Lu Cang!" Jing shout out before his mind could process what was really happening. Everything was like a play in fast forward mode. Everything flashing in a mere second in his mind.

This scene was too familiar. Jing had seen this scene before.

This crowd. This noisy shouting. The annoying sound of crying kid. Women's desperate cries.

Suddenly, Jing's eyes were widened in horror, ---one of the men who brought a big and heavy wood was about to slam it on Lu Cang who was on their way.

"How dare you!" Without Mu Yue having the chance to stop him, Jing already flew to the middle of the crowd again and nobody could see how or when, ---the bystanders could only see a flash of white shadow appeared and disappeared in a blink of an eye, that man with heavy wood already flew and fell with a loud thump. As if not enough, one by one, the people who were involved in this chaos was sent flying and lost their consciousness before they touched the ground, including that couple who was chased by the men.

When Lu Cang lifted his head, he saw Jing's eyes gazing straight at him. ---The same eyes that filled with fury.

"I can't believe you! How many times would you repeat such foolishness? How many times should I tell you that you are far more important than anyone else?"

Lu Cang stared at Jing. Doubt was floating in his eyes. This tone, this kind of reprimanding tone, only his Jing would use this kind of tone to him. But...... Maybe this was only Lu Cang's illusion. Just a moment ago, Jing was still using those hurtful eyes, looking at him like a stranger. There was no way he would regain his memory in a mere moment.

Upon this thought, to avoid his heart from having a false hope, Lu Cang lowered his head to check on Xiao Zhe's condition. The boy was still crying while trembling. Obviously he was shocked to the utmost. Once again Lu Cang took him to his embrace and tried to pacify him.

"Is he Cao Xin's son?"

Lu Cang gave him a nod as an answer without giving it much thought. "He is my foster son."

"Eh?!" Lu Cang unwittingly let out a surprised shout. When he came to his awareness and once again lifted his head to look at Jing, he saw Jing chuckling while stretching his hand to help Lu Cang to get up.

"Who allowed you to have a son?" Pulling Lu Cang to stand up, Jing feigned an angry tone. Yet, his face was smiling as he brushed away the dust from Lu Cang's clothes.

This moment Lu Cang could no longer be able to utter any word. He simply couldn't believe it. ---Mu Yue also watching with widened eyes, seemingly also couldn't believe that Jing had regained the part of his lost memory in that flash moment when the situation seemed to be the same as last year's circumstances.

Jing had...... His Jing? Is this really his Jing? Or just another dream again? A sweet dream but always caused Lu Cang to wake up in tears kind of dream.

Before Lu Cang could get his answer, Hangzhou's guards who heard about the commotion had arrived. In an instant they seized the unconscious culprits. Behind them, Xie Yi Ming was following in a rush.

His father and his uncle punished him to be on duty for a year due to his sin in almost causing a total annihilation of the family by offending the Emperor, though he didn't mean to offend His Majesty.

Seeing Xie Yi Ming, Xiao Zhe who also had become familiar with him struggled to free himself from Lu Cang and ran to Xie Yi Ming. "Brother Yi Ming...... I am afraid, very afraid..... wuuu......"

"You take him home, now!" Jing had disliked Xie Yi Ming from the moment he saw him hanging around Lu Cang, having him appear at this moment, Jing simply sent him to take the crying kid home. He still had a lot of things to catch up with his beloved.

Xie Yi Ming had just arrived, he still didn't have a clear awareness for the situation, yet, all of a sudden Xiao Zhe ran crying to him, when he was about to ask Lu Cang what had happened, this veiled man had sternly given him an order to take Xiao Zhe home. He shifted his eyes to Lu Cang with questioning eyes. He got even more confused when he saw Lu Cang nodding at him as if telling him to obey this veiled man's order.

"Mu Yue. You go with them and give me a clear report of the cause of this accident later. None of them should be freed without punishment."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

So, this veiled man was yesterday's frightening beautiful man, the Emperor? No wonder Lu Cang asked him to obey him.

Why was he with Brother Lu Cang again? Would Lu Cang be alright? Unwittingly his eyes caught sight of a rather bizzare sight. ---Lu Cang's hand was being held by the Emperor, no, their fingers were tangled together.

Behind his veil, Jing gave him a taunting smirk. And without any care, he put his hand on Lu Cang's waist and simply flew away from that place, back to his private boat.

------

Lu Cang was still speechless. He was afraid, once he spoke, Jing would disappear again, and he would wake up in tears again.

Their boat had sailed to the middle of this beautiful lake. The full moon was right at the crown of their head. Its golden light was illuminating the entire lake, illuminating Jing's heavenly face.

Seeing Lu Cang still speechless while gazing at him with his disbelieving eyes, Jing could no longer suppress his urge to hug and kiss him. He had missed him for too long after all.

"Xiao Cang......" Jing's voice was low with the intention to seduce Lu Cang. Jing's eyes were darkened to show his hidden desire.

His heart was almost bursting for this overflowing feeling. Yet, his mouth still locked firmly, couldn't even say the name that he longed to say.

"Say my name." Only Jing could see why Lu Cang was still in this state. Indeed, he was too afraid to call out to Jing. Afraid that when he called out, the one who would answer him was the Jing who didn't know him. Lu Cang was waiting, waiting for Jing to grant him permission to say his name again.

"Jing......" The voice was not only still filled with hesitation, it was also quaking. "Jing, you are really Jing?"

The sweetest smile graced Jing's lips. Having Lu Cang in his arms again was the best feeling. How could he forget about him when he loved him this much? Jing couldn't find the answer.

"Why did you leave me? Instead of trying to make me remember, you chose to run away! You dare to call yourself my Empress?"

This annoying remark of Jing, didn't know why, for the present Lu Cang, it felt like the most pleasant compliment. He didn't have even the slightest intention to refute, instead, he was laughing and crying at the same time. His emotions were mixed into one and he simply didn't have the mood to hide them now.

His Jing had truly come back. Those beautiful eyes were filled with love again. That annoying tone was filled with affection again. Love and affection for Lu Cang only.

"Apology, Your Majesty. Humble Subject wouldn't dare anymore. In the future, if His Majesty forgot about his Empress again, this humble subject will ensure that Your Majesty's Empress would persistently stay by your side. Doesn't matter if he would be thrown to the cold palace, even if he were to be executed, he will still persistently, stubbornly stay by your side."

"You might not forget about what you say today!"

"I vow to you with all my life." Yes. Lu Cang had decided. In the future, if something like this should happen again, he would never leave Jing's side anymore. He would rather die than live but part from Jing. This one year, his life was nothing but emptiness and loneliness. Without Jing, even to live on was painful.

"Lu Cang, do you love me?" Might as well try his luck. They had been together for so long, but never once has he heard Lu Cang say this particular word out loud. Of course he knew Lu Cang loved him, but hearing him saying it would have a different kind of happiness, right?

Lu Cang's unwavering eyes gazed at Jing for a long while, solemnly said : "There is no one who will love you more than I do."

Damn!

This line truly had caught Jing off guard. He had never thought Lu Cang could say such a sweet line. Maybe, most probably, this was the very first time Jing's heart moved to the point of tears.

"No. It is me. No one could ever love you more than I do." Like a brat who hated to lose, Jing also declared the extent of his love for Lu Cang.

Both of them understood perfectly, there was no such thing as to be together forever, there would be a day when they had to part. However, as long as they had each other, they wouldn't be lonely anymore.

For Jing, even if he were to forget about Lu Cang a thousand times, he was sure that he would always love him no matter what. Even if he couldn't regain his memory, he was certain that he would always fall in love with Lu Cang over and over again.

Last year, before the incident, he had promised to be with Lu Cang in Hangzhou, together enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival.

An unexpected accident had caused him to forget Lu Cang, yet his heart didn't seem to forget at all. He still had a strong urge to come to Hangzhou despite he couldn't remember his promise. Only a glance at Lu Cang's face, his heart was in great disturbance, like being in the middle of a violent storm. He hated to see Lu Cang with someone else. His whole being was shaken to the core when he saw a kid calling Lu Cang father. His memory might be without Lu Cang, but his heart couldn't wipe away Lu Cang's existence completely. His heart still regarded Lu Cang as his most precious one.

For Lu Cang, if not for this incident, he would never know how to appreciate Jing's love for him.

Jing giving him way too much unnecessary attention. Calling him with many feminine titles. He complained about it all the time.

But after seeing the cold eyes of Jing, all of a sudden he missed his Jing who showered him with attention, he even missed Jing calling him wife, Empress, or even concubine. He would never know this longing if not for this incident.

Both of them were cuddling together while watching the bright moon made its way to the other side, silently sank.

"Eh, Xiao Cang, do you know why is it only you that I forgot?"

Shrugging, Lu Cang could only say: "How should I know."

"I think, maybe this is a trial for us from God?"

Laughing at Jing's usual corny line, Lu Cang said: "Yeah, right. You lost your memory in the Mid-Autumn Festival, and exactly one year later, in the Mid-Autumn Festival, you regained your memory."

"That's right!"

Both of them looked at each other for a while, then suddenly burst out in a loud happy laughter.

As if such impossible things would really exist!

"By the way Jing, why is this ship sailing further and further? Are we not returning to the shore?"

"Hehehe, we are going to have our honeymoon."

"Eh? What about General Mu? My brothers? They will be worried to death."

"Nah. Forget about them. Mu Yue should be able to take care everything."

Damn! Jing forgot to punish that insolent brat who dared to touch his Lu Cang. Humph! Forget it. It was not like he could see Lu Cang again. For now until forever, he would never let go his Lu Cang again.

Hence, the two love birds were sailing away for their honeymoon while Mu Yue waited anxiously by the shore.

After a whole day waiting, and hearing Xie Yi Ming say the veiled man took Lu Cang away, Mu Yue finally came to the best conclusion: Jing really had regained his memory and now was on his way to play again.

Shaking his head, he also headed back to the brothers to tell them about their troublesome Big Brother and then he should return as soon as possible to report this news to the Emperor's brother, Duke Tongxin.

And just like his premonition, Xie Yi Ming truly couldn't see Lu Cang anymore. He asked the brothers, but none of them could give him aspecific answer. Just like that, his first love disappeared from his life.

This might be the most unpleasant Mid-Autumn Festival for Xie Yi Ming.

But for Jing and Lu Cang, this would be the most wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival.

And may it be for all of us.

The end.

******************************* 

Right, I haven't given the song for this fanfic. XD

https://youtu.be/ztIL2Th05FI

the Lyrics : 

绝不能失去你 lyric JUE BU NENG SHIQU NI(Definitely Can't Lose You)by : F4

沒有你, 我會是谁Mei You Ni, Wo Hui Shi ShuiWho am I without you.(Tanpamu aku bukanlah siapa-siapa.)

  心 停 在 哪 里 都 不 对Xin Ting Zai Na Li Dou Bu DuiNo matter where my heart stops, it never feels right.(Di manapun hati ini berhenti, rasanya ada yang salah.)  

把 今 天 擦 掉 昨 天 空 白 一 片Ba Jintian Caidiao Zhuotian .. Kongbai Yi PianLet today wipes off yesterday into a layer of blankness(Gunakan hari ini untuk menghapus bersih hari kemarin )

那 一 天 在 那 一 天Na Yi Tian, Zai Na Yi TianOne day, on one of that day(Suatu hari di suatu ketika)

可 以 继 续 未 完 情 节Keyi Jianxu Weiwan QingjieBe able to continue the unfinished episodes.(Kita dapat melanjutkan cerita kita yang belum selesai)

在 这 交 叉 点 谁 陪 在 你 身 边Zai Zhe Jiaochadian, Shui Pei Zai Ni Shen BianIn this crossroads, who will be by your side?(di persimpangan ini , siapa yang menemani di sisimu)

就 算 全 世 界 都 要 把你 否 定Jiu Shuan Quanshijie Dou Yao Ba Ni FoudingEven if the whole world rejected you(Walaupun seluruh dunia menolakmu.)

也 不 能 让 我 放 弃 你Ye Bu Neng Rang Wo Fangqi NiIt couldn't make me give you up(Itu tidak akan membuatku melepaskanmu)

就 算 我 们 的 过 去 都 没有 了 证 明Jiu Shuan Women De Guo Qu Dou Mei You Le ZhengmingEven if our past didn't have any proof(Walaupun masa lalu kita tidak meninggalkan bukti apapun)

我 依 然 守 护 你Wo Yi Ran Shouhu Ni ...I will still protect you(Aku akan tetap selalu menjagamu)

OH BABY BABY BABY, MY BABY BABY

我 绝 不 能 失 去 你Wo Jue Bu Neng Shiqu NiI definitely can't lose you(Aku tidak akan pernah rela kehilangan dirimu)

你 手 心 你 声 音Ni Shou Xin, Ni Sheng YinYour palm, your voice(Genggaman tanganmu, suaramu)

还 占 领 我 的 心 怎 能 忘 记Hai Zhanling Wo De Xin, Zhen Neng Wang JiStill lingers in my heart, How can I forget(Masih menguasai hatiku, bagaimana mungkin kulupakan)

想 你 就 像 是 呼 吸Xiang Ni Jiu Xiang Shi HuxiThinking of you is like breathing(Memikirkanmu sama seperti bernafas)

OH BABY BABY, MY BABY BABY

我 绝 不 能 失 去 你Wo Jue Bu Neng Shiqu NiI definitely can't lose you(Aku tidak akan pernah rela kehilangan dirimu)

不 管 你 在 哪 里Bu Guan Ni Zai Na LiNo matter where you are(Tidak perduli kamu di mana)

我 一 定 会 找 到 你Wo Yi Ding Hui Zhao Dao Ni ...I absolutely will find you(Aku pasti akan menemukanmu)

没一天没有一天Mei yi tian Mei you yi tianNot a day, not even a day(Tiada sehari pun)

用流星雨成全誓言Yong liuxingyu cheng quan shiyanMeteor shower as my promise(Hujan meteor sebagai janjiku)

你就会发现永远并不遥远Ni jiu hui faxian yongyuan bing bu yaoyuanBy then you will realize that forever is not that faraway.(Saat itu kamu akan menyadari bahwa selamanya itu tidaklah sejauh yang kamu duga)

HAPPY MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL EVERYBODY!