The royalty was still so arrogant and naive.

They always believed they could manipulate Hannah as in the past.

The sky outside the window darkened.

Sheffield Benedict glanced at his wristwatch, "I should head back now."

Wayne Lane walked him to the door.

Sheffield turned back, "If you hear anything about Hannah, don’t forget to let me know."

Wayne nodded, "Hmm."

Fire clouds erupted in the far horizon, with a crescent hanging above them.

It wasn’t a real moon, but a fake one.

The entire stellar cycle of day and night was already a preset program.

After entering the First Year of Stellar, people’s bodies also underwent many changes.

With newfound mental powers, their lifespans increased.

A hundred years old compared to before is barely adult.

However, the long years of life tended to amplify desires endlessly.

Wayne stood under a tree until the night fell upon him, then he subconsciously reached into his pocket.

There were no cigarettes or lighters in his pocket.

He suddenly came back to his senses.

This was no longer Blue Star.

Yet the irritation and loss within him persisted.

...

At seven in the evening, the sky had completely darkened.

Colorful lights lit up the street, and people started shouting from their stalls on both sides of the road, just like the streets back on Blue Star.

Liveliness and prosperity coexisted.

Hannah changed into light-colored clothes and walked down the street, holding a leash, with a Golden Lotus attached to the other end.

The initially unaccustomed Golden Lotus had started to dash towards the excitement with its little short legs.

Someone was selling masks.

The masks featured a red demon grimacing frightfully but they were incredibly popular.

The Golden Lotus also wanted one, tugging at the leash and pulling in the opposite direction, "Master, just buy one, please!"

Hannah stood still, "I have no money."

"You do, you do," the Golden Lotus whimpered, lying on the ground.

It refused to move.

People around looked over.

First, they saw the Golden Lotus on the ground, then the girl standing on the steps.

Extraordinarily lovely, her delicate features radiant and lively; her smile like the brightest lantern on the street, irresistibly uplifting spirits.

Many people, especially young single men, looked her way.

Today was the Thousand Lantern Festival.

Many years ago, during the days abandoned by both the sun and the moon, light was the last source of illumination.

Now, however, the meaning of the Thousand Lantern Festival resembled that of the Chinese Valentine’s Day on Blue Star.

Young men and women walked the streets, hoping for love to descend upon them.

Once Wayne recovered, the royal family lifted the initial bans.

And today was the first day the bans were lifted, coincidentally on the Thousand Lantern Festival.

The Golden Lotus continued to act spoiled and rolled on the ground, refusing to leave.

"I want the mask, the mask, give me the mask." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Hannah squatted down, waving her hand at it.

The Golden Lotus’s eyes brightened, and it ran towards her, willingly placing its head in its master’s hand, "Master."

Hannah pinched its paw and then patted its back, thoughtfully, "I wonder how much this breed of dog can sell for now?"

She truly had not a penny on her.

The previously whimpering Golden Lotus instantly behaved, "Master, I was wrong."

A young man mustered the courage to approach, "Excuse me, is this your dog?"

Hannah looked up at him, a clean-looking young boy with a shy smile.