Liyue Port, Mingyun Town.
This small town is located on the border of Liyue, next to the Mondstadt Snow Mountain.
Mingyun Town is an extremely poor town. The people who live here can only live with food and clothing, and dare not ask for anything else.
There are dozens of poor families like Ningguang in Mingyun Town.
Now is the Lantern Festival again.
At this time of year, the children happily immerse themselves in the New Year atmosphere, while only the adults start to worry about their livelihood.
Because whether it is decorating your home or visiting relatives and friends, these require a lot of money.
"Mother, I won't be back for this year's Hai Lantern Festival."
In the old thatched house, a middle-aged man said to his wife beside him.
"There is a porter job over there at the dock. There is a shortage of people these days. I want to go over and give it a try."
The wife next to me looked a little worried: "Your health is not good. You have been coughing badly in the past two days. If you go to do those heavy jobs, I am worried about your health..."
"It's okay." The man forced a smile.
"I'm in good health, don't worry."
"When Ningguang's child comes back, tell her not to go out selling grilled fish these days and stay at home to have a good rest."
The wife hesitated: "What if the child asks where you are?"
"Just say that I went to a banquet hosted by my fellow villagers, where I went to enjoy the hot and spicy food."
The husband laughed, his smile full of bitterness.
In order not to worry his wife and children, he tried every means to make up excuses, even though these excuses were very lame.
"When I come back from the dock to make money, I will make up for the Lantern Festival for you two." The husband promised.
My wife's nose felt a little sore, and tears welled up in her eyes: "But..."
She wanted to persuade her husband, but was interrupted by the noise outside the door.
"Move the banner a little further to the left. Just a little bit is fine. Don't move it too much. That's good! The next step is to hang the lanterns..."
It was the next door neighbor welcoming the Hai Lantern Festival, and he specially decorated his home carefully.
They put up Spring Festival couplets and hung red lanterns, which looked very lively.
In comparison, Ningguang's home seemed deserted and gloomy.
Ningguang's father watched this scene silently, turned to his wife beside him and said, "Speaking of which, our family hasn't bought Spring Festival couplets or lanterns for many years."
"When I get back the money, let's tidy up the house and buy a new set of warm clothes for both of you."
"If possible, I'll get you some good food to improve your food."
Ningguang's father was smiling and full of longing for the future.
I went to the dock to work as a porter for a few days. Although it was a bit hard, I would have enough money to celebrate the Lantern Festival for my wife and children.
Ningguang's mother didn't speak, just silently wiping her tears.
She felt sorry for her husband and had to do the heavy lifting even though she knew she was in poor health.
But she had no way to persuade her husband to stay.
Because there is no way to untie the pot at home. If we don’t go out to make money, let alone celebrate the holidays, we won’t even be able to survive.
This is the life of poor people, they have to do their best just to stay alive.
"Mom, Dad, I'm back."
At this time, the sound of Ningguang sounded outside the house, breaking the oppressive atmosphere.
The couple looked at each other and unanimously put away their scowl and changed it to a relaxed expression.
They didn't want Ning Guang to feel sad because the child had already suffered enough.
"Ning Guang is back. Come inside quickly. It's cold outside." Mother said softly.
The father next to him also said: "You have worked hard outside today, sit down and have a good rest."
The couple walked to the door together to greet Ning Guang. The moment the door opened, the two adults were dumbfounded.
Because Ningguang was holding all kinds of things in his hands.
There were Spring Festival couplets and lanterns, sumptuous meals, and herbs for my father’s cough.
"Mom, this dress is for you to wear."
Ning Guang put the things on the table, took out the new clothes given by Jiang Ning and Shen He from his pocket and gave them to his mother.
The dress was a little too big for her, but it fit her mother perfectly.
She has always been sensible and would rather be cold and hungry than put her family first.
"Kid, where do all these things come from?"
Ningguang's parents came back to their senses and asked in disbelief.
"I sold all the grilled fish and used the money to buy these things. The new clothes were not bought but given by friends."
"All the grilled fish were sold? New clothes given by friends?"
The parents looked at each other, because they knew that grilled fish was not selling well recently, and sometimes they could not sell a single grilled fish for several days in a row.
Why are they all sold today?
As for the new clothes given by friends?
"Mom and Dad, this is what happened..."
Ningguang told his parents what happened today.
"That is to say, Shen He and Jiang Ning bought all the grilled fish to thank you for your reminder, and also gave you a new set of clothes."
After a brief silence, Ningguang's father began to summarize the situation.
"Yes." Ningguang nodded lightly.
"Those two children are really kind-hearted and good people." The mother couldn't help but sigh.
"What they do is equivalent to providing help in times of need. We must make good use of this kindness."
Ningguang's father nodded in approval: "Yes, as the old saying goes, a drop of water will repay you with a spring of water."
"When our family's life gets better, we can bring some gifts to the door to say thank you... Speaking of which, do you know where they live?"
"I, I forgot to ask."
After being reminded by his father, Ning Guang reacted belatedly.
So far, she only knows the names of Jiang Ning and Shen He, and no other information.
What are they doing in Liyue?
Why do you have so much money at such a young age?
At this moment, Ningguang's views on Jiang Ning and Shen He changed.
The pair of senior sisters and brothers were as ethereal as mountain fog, shrouded in a layer of mystery.
"If you don't know, just don't know. There will always be a time when we meet again. It will be the same to thank you then." Ningguang's father said.
"Okay, I'm going to arrange the Spring Festival couplets and lanterns. Ning Guang can help me hold the ladder."
Ningguang's mother said, "Then I'll make some food and show you my skills today."
The originally sluggish home suddenly regained its vitality, and the family of three was enjoying themselves happily.
For Ning Guang, this year's Hai Lantern Festival was the happiest she has ever had.
Because the smiles on parents’ faces are not pretending to be relaxed, but smiles from the bottom of their hearts.
And all this is thanks to the help of Jiang Ning and Shen He.
