The Years in Jiangnan

By the time we finished solving the lantern riddles, it was completely dark.

Every lantern along the river had been lit. Red, yellow, pink, green: they filled the willows on both banks and stretched into the distance like a glowing ribbon. Their light shimmered on the water, swaying gently with the current to form a flowing play of light and shadow. A boatman rowed his covered boat through it, his oars scattering the reflections across the river, only for them to gather together again moments later. It was so gentle and lovely that I was spellbound.

“It’s beautiful,” I couldn’t help saying, my eyes filled with delight. I reached out to touch the lights reflected on the water, but all I felt was the cool evening breeze.