Obscuris Labyrinth

Zhao Yuxuan had never seen a woman as beautiful as Lin Yaxuan. When he first saw her, Zhao Yuxuan felt as if his heart in his chest was tightly grasped by an invisible big hand, beating crazily. The rhythm of the beating was like drums beating, one after another, strong and rapid, as if it was about to break through the confinement of the chest in the next moment and then suffocate. Her beauty was so unique, just like the brightest star in the night sky. In the vast darkness, it alone emitted a dazzling light, instantly seizing people's eyes and making it impossible for them to look away.

However, after getting along for these few months and seeing each other every day, Zhao Yuxuan gradually became a little numb to her beauty. After all, no matter how beautiful the scenery is, it will become commonplace after seeing it for a long time. Moreover, Lin Yaxuan was always critical of him. When they were together, there were always frictions. They either quarreled over trifles or tripped each other up. In such a mode of getting along, Zhao Yuxuan no longer paid special attention to her appearance.

But today, after dressing up elaborately, Lin Yaxuan looked like a fairy coming down to earth. Anyone who saw her would have a racing heart and rapid breathing. She had a little makeup on her face, which just set off her delicate facial features. Her eyes were as clear and bright as if they had been washed by a clear spring, and they were also full of liveliness. Her lips were like the petals of a bright rose, with a bit of playfulness when slightly pouted. The silver ornaments on her head sparkled迷人ly in the sunlight, and her clothes were brightly colored with exquisite patterns. Every detail showed the unique charm of Miao women.

Zhao Yuxuan was stunned for a while. His brain seemed to have a sudden short - circuit. Somehow, he blurted out, "Wow, senior sister, aren't you tired with so many things on your head?" As soon as the words were out, he regretted a little. Such words really sounded a bit of a spoilsport.

The grand attire of Miao women is extremely complicated. It takes a lot of time and energy just to put on those silver ornaments, let alone other clothing combinations. Lin Yaxuan had been looking forward to participating in this Qiujie Festival for a long time and attached great importance to it. She got up three hours ago and began to dress up carefully. She faced the mirror, carefully choosing every accessory, and every movement was full of anticipation and joy. She was full of expectation for others' praise, imagining herself as a beautiful phoenix, becoming the focus in the crowd. Unexpectedly, Zhao Yuxuan said such a thing when he saw her, and she was immediately angry. Her originally affectionate eyes instantly flared with angry flames, which seemed to devour Zhao Yuxuan. She said angrily, "Hurry up, you lazy pig. If grandma hadn't repeatedly told me to go to town with you, I wouldn't have come to call you."

Zhao Yuxuan felt a little aggrieved when he heard this, but he knew that arguing with Lin Yaxuan at this time would only make things worse. He secretly hid his amazement in his heart, just like hiding a precious gem in the deepest part of his heart. Then he turned around to rinse his mouth. While rinsing his mouth, he looked at himself in the mirror and thought that he must be careful today and not make Lin Yaxuan angry again. After rinsing his mouth, he went to the kitchen and took two cold - noodle cakes. Then, under Lin Yaxuan's continuous complaints and urgings, he went out.

He knew in his heart that Lin Yaxuan had been waiting for this day for a long time. He still remembered that Lin Yaxuan had been excitedly preparing things for the Qiujie Festival a few days ago, and from time to time she hummed the cheerful Miao songs. He didn't know whether she could outshine all the others with her wonderful singing in the antiphonal singing competition. However, Zhao Yuxuan had great confidence in her. After all, it was her delicate and melodious singing that attracted him in the first place. That moving timbre seemed to have a magic power, like a trickling stream, slowly flowing into his heart, still lingering in his ears until now, and every time he recalled it, he was intoxicated.

Soon, the two of them walked out of the compound and headed towards the outside of Tianwang Fort. At this time, it was just dawn, and the faint light of the morning sun shone on Tianwang Fort, adding a mysterious color to this ancient stockade. Many wooden buildings in the fort were lit up, and those lights were like scattered fireflies, twinkling in the morning mist. Presumably, many people were going to the town to participate in the fair, and the whole Tianwang Fort was filled with a happy and expectant atmosphere.

After leaving Tianwang Fort, they hurried along the mountain road. Although Lin Yaxuan's silver ornaments made a "ding - ding - dang - dang" crisp sound when she moved, which was like the whispers of mountain elves, clear and pleasant to the ear, her steps were light, and she walked like a gentle breeze, each step seeming like dancing. Zhao Yuxuan clearly saw that she walked easily, but he had to trot all the way to keep up. He felt that his legs were as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and every step required all his strength. After running three kilometers in this way, Zhao Yuxuan was already out of breath. His chest was like a dilapidated bellows, rising and falling violently, and his whole body was sweating profusely. His sweat soaked his clothes and clung tightly to his back.

Lin Yaxuan glanced at him, frowned, and cursed "stupid pig", but she slowed down her pace. In fact, she also felt a little sorry in her heart. After all, Zhao Yuxuan had been running desperately without having breakfast, and it was really hard for him to run all this way.

Zhao Yuxuan had been running desperately without having breakfast, and by this time his stomach was already growling with hunger. The growling sound was like a protest against his neglect of it. He also had no strength left in his body and felt like a leaf floating in the wind, about to fall at any time. Seeing Lin Yaxuan slow down, he quickly took out the noodle cakes from his pocket and began to eat them, scattering crumbs everywhere while eating. He didn't care about his image any more and just wanted to fill his stomach quickly and replenish some energy. While nibbling on the noodle cakes, he asked vaguely, "Senior sister, what exactly is the Qiujie Festival?"

After leaving Tianwang Fort, Lin Yaxuan's mood improved a little. The fresh morning air and the beautiful scenery made her mood gradually愉悦. She glanced at him and said, "The Qiujie Festival is a major festival for our Miao people before the autumn harvest, and it is also the liveliest festival. There is a legend about this festival."

Zhao Yuxuan asked, "What legend?"

Lin Yaxuan said, "According to legend, a long time ago, there was a young man named Li Yangze in the Miao village. He was tall and strong, heroic and good at archery, like a vigorous eagle. Moreover, he was upright and highly admired by everyone in the Miao village. Everyone regarded him as a hero. One day, he went out hunting. The dense forest was full of unknown dangers, but he was not afraid at all. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. He saw an eagle flying over in the air. The eagle spread its huge wings and circled in the sky as if looking for prey. Then he raised his hand and drew his bow. The movement was done in one go, full of a sense of power. With one arrow shot, the eagle let out a哀鸣 and fell straight down. Along with the eagle, there was also a flower - embroidered shoe. The embroidery on this shoe was extremely exquisite. Every stitch and every thread was like a dream woven by an embroiderer. The beautiful pattern and gorgeous color showed at a glance that it was made by a clever and beautiful Miao village girl. When Li Yangze saw this flower - embroidered shoe, his heart was like being hit by a small stone, causing ripples. He was determined to find the owner of this flower - embroidered shoe. So he racked his brains and designed and made a windmill that could seat eight people at the same time, named 'Eight - Person Autumn'. On the day of the Beginning of Autumn, he invited men and women from nearby villages to play on the swing for fun. Playing on the swing has always been the favorite activity of Miao girls. When the swing swings in the air, it is like a bird flying. Li Yangze thought that the girl who made the flower - embroidered shoe would surely come. Sure enough, his wish came true. He found the owner of the flower - embroidered shoe. She was a beautiful girl. Her smile was as bright as a spring flower, and her eyes were full of tenderness and kindness. Later, they developed feelings through singing Miao songs to each other. The songs were full of love and sweetness, as sweet as honey in people's hearts. They got married and lived a very happy life. Since then, people have followed this example and held this kind of activity once a year. There are a total of eighteen villages here. Usually, everyone is busy with their own lives and doesn't communicate much. Everyone has agreed that every three years, on the day of the Qiujie Festival, they will gather together in the town, and all unmarried girls over sixteen and unmarried men over eighteen in each village must go."

Zhao Yuxuan laughed and said, "Haha, isn't that a blind date? However, it seems a bit early for girls to start dating at sixteen and then get married and have children soon. It seems that Miao girls are more precocious than Han girls. Senior sister, do you also want to find your sweetheart?"

Lin Yaxuan immediately said, "Bah, bah. No good words come out of your mouth." Her face flushed slightly, and she was a little angry in her heart, thinking that Zhao Yuxuan's words were really a bit rude.

Zhao Yuxuan smiled and said, "Very good, very good." The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and there was a sly look in his eyes.

Lin Yaxuan didn't expect that he would say "very good, very good" after being scolded by her, and she couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. She asked, "Good for what?" Her eyes were full of confusion, not understanding what Zhao Yuxuan was up to.

Zhao Yuxuan said, "If good words come out of a dog's mouth, it means that it is not a dog. So it is normal and correct that no good words come out of its mouth. That is to say, you admit that what I just said is right. Miao girls are more precocious than Han girls. And you are in such a hurry to hurry on your way, also to go and have a look at those unmarried eighteen - year - old guys earlier. Ha, senior sister, it's rare for you to agree with me once. What else can I say if not 'very good, very good'?" He was a little proud in his heart, feeling that he had finally gained the upper hand in this verbal battle.

Lin Yaxuan was simple - hearted and seldom argued with others. For a moment, she was left speechless by him. She was a little annoyed in her heart, wondering how she had been led into his trap by Zhao Yuxuan. She had to purse her rosy lips and said through gritted teeth, "Humph, Zhao Yuxuan, you are really a bad guy."

Zhao Yuxuan said again, "Very good, very good, extremely good, couldn't be better." He folded his arms across his chest, with a victor's posture on his face.

Lin Yaxuan heard this and knew that he was going to say some more nonsense. She wanted to ignore him, but she was also curious. After walking a few steps, she finally couldn't help but ask, "I called you a bad guy, but you seem very happy. What do you mean by 'extremely good, couldn't be better'?" Her eyes stared closely at Zhao Yuxuan, trying to see some clues from his expression.

Zhao Yuxuan was also very angry about Lin Yaxuan always frowning and glaring at him. It was not that he had no gentlemanly manners and didn't give in to girls, but this kind of giving in should be based on equality, not being scolded by her like this and losing his manly face. Since he couldn't beat her physically, he would use his words to win back some dignity. At the moment, he laughed out loud twice again and said, "We Han people have a saying. I don't know if you've heard it. It goes, 'A bad man is loved by women.' I guess it's about the same here. Senior sister, since I stayed at your home, you've been calling me 'bad guy' this and 'bad guy' that. Could it be that you like me? You don't need to be shy or deny it. A man as naturally charming as I am is very popular with girls everywhere. You know, there are also quite a few girls in Tianwang Fort who like me. It's just that you seem to express it more strongly. Alas, senior sister, I already have a sweetheart. You're putting me in a difficult position." While speaking, he deliberately put on a very helpless look.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yuxuan would say such a thing. Lin Yaxuan's face immediately turned red, as if it had been burned by fire, all the way to her ears. She raised her hand to hit him. Her eyes were burning with angry flames, and her hand was raised high, like an angry little lion.

Zhao Yuxuan had expected that she would have such a move, and quickly dodged to one side, shouting loudly, "We Han people also have a saying, 'Beating is a sign of intimacy, scolding is a sign of love. There's no pleasure without beating and scolding.' Senior sister, please don't hit me again. You are so beautiful and so deeply in love with me. Maybe I will really fall in love with someone else." There was a hint of teasing in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Lin Yaxuan was in a dilemma, and there were other passers - by on the road. She felt that her face had been completely lost by Zhao Yuxuan. So she stamped her foot and said, "You... you, Zhao Yuxuan, you are a stinking egg, a rotten duck egg, the most rascal guy in the world." There was a hint of anger and helplessness in her voice.

As soon as she finished speaking, she heard Zhao Yuxuan say, "Good, super good, good to the Nth power."

Lin Yaxuan didn't dare to listen to his explanation this time. She quickened her pace and walked forward. She secretly swore in her heart that she would never talk to this bad Zhao again.

As she sped up like this, Zhao Yuxuan had to chase after her in a hurry. His steps were a little flustered, and he shouted while chasing, "Senior sister, wait for me." But Lin Yaxuan didn't pay any attention to him. In just over ten minutes, Zhao Yuxuan was left far behind, and he couldn't even see Lin Yaxuan's shadow. He stood there, panting heavily, looking in the direction where Lin Yaxuan had disappeared, and felt a little regretful in his heart, thinking that he might have really gone too far.