I Refused The Male Lead And Got Claimed By His Triplet Sisters [GL]

Chapter 108: Goodbye to Tiancheng

Tiancheng had never looked like this before, not in the last two years since the first attack on the village.

Lanterns stretched from roof to roof, swaying gently in the night breeze like a sky brought down to earth. Warm light spilled into every corner, chasing away the shadows that had once hidden secrets too terrible to name.

It was a small celebration but meaningful. Everyone wanted to celebrate the exiled princesses that helped their village, to show their gratitude.

Laughter echoed, real laughter. Not forced or fearful of when the next attack would happen.

Long tables had been set up through the main path, filled with more—more than the village had likely shared in months.

Steam curled into the air, carrying the scent of broth, roasted meat, and fresh bread. Someone had even brought jars of rice wine and passed it around.

For the first time the village felt whole.

"They’re celebrating us?" Yexue asked for the tenth time, glancing around like she didn’t quite trust it.

Ru Yi stood beside her, taking it all in with quiet wonder. "I think they are," she answered softly.

A villager approached the small group, bowing slightly. "Please, eat and drink. You’ve done more for us than we can ever repay."

Before Yexue could brush it off, a bowl was already pressed into her hands. She looked at Qingyue who shrugged.

They didn’t sit with the others. Not exactly.

Instead, they drifted—moving between tables, stopping wherever something caught their attention.

A basket of freshly steamed buns. Ru Yi picked one up, turning it in her hands. "It’s warm," she said, almost surprised.

Yexue snorted beside her. "That’s usually how food worlds."

Ru Yi ignored her teasing and took a careful bite. Her eyes widened in excitement, "It’s really good. You should try it."

Yexue shook her head. "I’ve had buns before."

Ru Yi held it out anyway.

Yexue paused what she was doing, then leaned in and took a bite directly from the one in Ru Yi’s hand.

Ru Yi froze.

Yexue chewed, unfazed. "Yeah, it’s pretty much decent."

Ru Yi looked at her, stunned. "You can’t do that in front of everyone," she whispered.

Yexue raised a brow in a questioning glance. "Why?"

"Because then they’ll know..." she gestured between them. "You know...that we..."

A dangerous smirk ghosted Yexue’s lips. "Are you ashamed of being with me?"

"No." Ru Yi shook her head. "It’s not that."

Yexue put her hand around Ru Yi’s waist and pulled her closer, having absolutely no regard for the audience they had. "Are you embarrassed that people will know we’ve been intimate?" she asked in that suggestive voice that made Ru Yi’s insides turn mushy.

Ru Yi hit her arm lightly, her cheeks heating up. "Stop teasing me."

They moved on. A vendor handed them skewers, meat glazed and slightly charred. It was still sizzling.

Yexue took one immediately. "Now this looks worth it."

Ru Yi watched her take the first bite, the way her teeth latched onto the meat and tore out of it. Her lips when she chewed and its final movement down her throat.

She gulped.

A clueless Yexue laughed softly, not even bothering to hide her approval. "This is really good, you should try it."

She turned to Ru Yi only to find her already watching her. Close. Too close. With an unmistakable hunger in her eyes.

"Ru Yi..." Yexue leaned in close to her ear. "Keep looking at me like that and this skewer won’t be the next thing I’m eating."

Ru Yi blinked severally. "You can’t say things like that in public."

"Well..." Yexue put her mouth right next to Ru Yi’s ear. "You’re the one who shouldn’t be looking at me like you want me to devour you just like I did this skewer."

Ru Yi coughed violently, tears forming in her eyes. "Yexue!"

The culprit laughed and got another skewer for her. "Have a bite, unless you’d rather have me."

Yexue’s laughter echoed around them when Ru Yi hit her shoulder again out of embarrassment. She couldn’t just catch a break.

They kept going, walking around like it was just them in their world. Bowls of noodles. Sweet pastries. Warm rice wine pressed into their hands more than once.

At some point into the night Ru Yi let the alcohol take over. She forgot to hold back, forgot everything except this warmth that Yexue had given her.

"You’re smiling a lot," Yexue pointed out.

Ru Yi blinked, still smiling. "Am I?"

"Yes." A pause– "It suits you better."

Ru Yi looked at her, that same softness from earlier returning. It was unfiltered now, easier under the glow of lantern light.

"It’s all thanks to you," she replied.

Yexue choked slightly on her drink. "What does that even mean?"

"I don’t know," Ru Yi answered. "I like whatever this thing between us is. Do you think it’s love?"

Yexue shrugged, but a bit of worry ghosted her expression. "I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been in love. Have you?"

Ru Yi nodded, her thoughts going back to Jenny for the first time in what seemed like centuries ago. "I have." She shook her head with deep regret. "Lifetimes ago, I loved someone who didn’t love me back."

Yexue’s expression tightened. "Don’t think about someone else when you’re with me." Her voice came out sharp and annoyed. "It’s Zhao Chen, isn’t it?"

"What? No!"

"Let’s not talk about this."

But Ru Yi wanted to talk about it. She bit down on her lower lip and let Yexue guide her to the next table without a word.

Music started somewhere. Simple instruments, nothing grand. But it was more than enough for the small village.

Children ran between tables, their laughter louder now, freer. The adults followed—some clapping, some pulling each other into loose, uncoordinated dancing.

Life...messy and unpolished.

Ru Yi watched it all with a soft gaze. Then without thinking she reached for Yexue’s sleeve. Lightly. Just enough to get her attention.

Yexue looked down at her. "What?"

Ru Yi hesitated. Then, a little unsure— "Stay with me."

Yexue stared at her for longer than a second. "Where else would I go?"