"Hmm? Is it closing time already? I still have to wait, though. Fu Xuan told me she's working overtime today, so it'll be at least after seven."
Selene looked at the time and said to Qing Que.
"Ah? As expected of the Grand Diviner. Then I'll wait with you! Come on! Let's keep playing cards!"
Qing Que said.
"Huh? But isn't today New Year's Eve? Aren't you going home quickly for New Year's dinner?"
Selene asked, puzzled, her words also implying that Qing Que didn't need to stay with her.
"Oh, dear! Actually, every Spring Festival makes me feel troubled!"
Qing Que shook her head, sighed helplessly, looking burdened with worries.
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?"
Selene asked.
"Of course I have to go home every Spring Festival, and when I go home, I'll spend time with my parents, right?"
Qing Que said.
"Do you have conflicts with your parents?"
Selene asked.
"No, not at all. It's just that every New Year, my parents always ask about my life situation and my future life plans and such!"
"But… but! I don't have any plans at all! I just like my current life and don't want to change anything!"
"And as for my life situation, there's nothing to say! My position has already been demoted as much as it can be!"
"I can't possibly tell my parents, 'Your child, Qing Que! Her position is demoted every year, and every day at work she just slacks off!'"
Qing Que spread her hands, looking utterly helpless.
Selene: "...Now that you mention it, I'm starting to feel troubled too…"
Selene rubbed her forehead, saying with some worry.
"Right, right! So… if I go back a little later, they might, out of consideration for me being tired from 'overtime,' not nag me today, who knows?"
Qing Que said.
Selene: ...You call playing cards 'overtime'?
...Time rewinds to 3 PM, inside the Divination Commission's office.
"Bai Ling, I'll be heading back first. I'll leave the Divination Commission to you for a while. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be back around 7 PM."
Fu Xuan said, looking at Bai Ling.
"You can go rest assured, Grand Diviner! I promise that when Little Liu Guang comes looking for you, I definitely won't let her into your office!"
Bai Ling said, patting her chest, which was just as flat as Fu Xuan's.
"With your words, I am at ease!"
Fu Xuan smiled at Bai Ling, then left the Divination Commission.
As for what she went to do, does it even need to be said?! Of course, she went home to set up the scene!
And it wasn't just setting up the scene; Fu Xuan also had to prepare New Year's dinner for a certain little dummy, to give the little dummy a surprise!
...Time arrived at 6 PM.
"Qing Que, I'm so sorry, it seems this year, we won't be able to meet again!"
Selene looked at Qing Que, saying with a mournful tone.
"Oh, stop acting! Hurry up and set up your confession scene! Aren't you just trying to say 'see you next year'?!"
Qing Que pouted, saying somewhat helplessly.
"Hehe! If it's a success, I'll give you wedding candy!"
After Selene finished speaking, she ran out of the Archives and towards the Grand Astrologer's Office.
Qing Que: ..."Why does what she said feel a bit off? Isn't wedding candy given out at weddings?"
"But… I didn't say I was leaving now, did I? Shouldn't I go watch the fun?"
Qing Que murmured, silently following behind Selene, though the two were actually a hundred meters apart...
At the entrance of the Grand Astrologer's Office was an open space, with a small pond beside it, where lotus flowers were planted.
However, it was winter now, so naturally, there were no lotus flowers in the pond.
Selene arrived at the open space and took out the candles she had purchased in advance from her system space.
It was at this moment that Bai Ling, who was in the office, saw Selene standing outside.
Bai Ling thought Selene was looking for Fu Xuan, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly walked out, preparing to tell Selene that Fu Xuan was still busy and that Selene shouldn't go in and disturb her!
Otherwise, if Selene were to go in and find the office empty, wouldn't that be terrible?!
Bai Ling thought this to herself, pushed open the office door, and walked outside.
However, as soon as she appeared in Selene's line of sight, she saw a flicker of panic cross Selene's face!
Then… Bai Ling merely blinked and was surprised to find that Selene had appeared beside her at some unknown point, and had covered her mouth with one hand!
Bai Ling: ???
As Bai Ling was confused, she saw Selene beside her putting a finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture.
Seeing this, Bai Ling nodded, and only when Selene saw her nod did she release her hand from Bai Ling's mouth.
"Let's talk outside!"
Selene whispered.
Bai Ling simply nodded and silently followed behind Selene.
"Phew! Don't tell the Grand Diviner I'm outside yet!"
Upon reaching the open space, Selene turned and said to Bai Ling, her tone very serious!
Bai Ling: ???
"Why?"
Bai Ling first nodded, then asked.
"Because I'm preparing a surprise for her, but I haven't had time to set it up yet, so she can't know about it beforehand!"
Selene said.
"The surprise you mentioned… it couldn't be a confession to the Grand Diviner, could it?!"
Bai Ling asked, somewhat uncertainly.
"Hmm? I didn't expect you to guess it! Hehe! So please help me keep it a secret!"
After Selene finished speaking, she began to set up the scene right in front of Bai Ling.
Bai Ling, however, had a strange expression that was hard to describe!
She didn't stay long in the open space. After waiting a few minutes, she turned and returned to the Grand Astrologer's Office, then picked up her jade amulet and sent a message to Fu Xuan!
Bai Ling: Grand Diviner, your confession target is waiting for you outside the office!
Fu Xuan: Received! I'm almost done here, Bai Ling! Try to stall her as much as possible!
Seeing Fu Xuan's reply, Bai Ling simply closed her jade amulet, then her lips curved upwards uncontrollably, and a doting smile appeared on her face.
"Hehe… Grand Diviner, Bai Ling probably won't need to help you stall her, because that guy is also waiting for you!"
...Seven o'clock, inside the Divination Commission.
Selene had already placed all the candles on the ground.
And the shape formed by these candles was, of course, a giant heart!
Selene stood quietly in the middle of the candles, waiting for Fu Xuan to walk out of the office!
Seeing that it was about time, Selene squatted down and lit all the candles!
As it was the last day of the year, many Diviners in the Divination Commission had already gone home, so the Divination Commission was not lit up at this moment!
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