**A crowd had gathered in the center of the village, where the ancient ginkgo tree spread its golden canopy. They cheered enthusiastically, and the young men hooted and clapped as the girls danced. Among them, front and center, was Maomao—daughter of the tribe's healer and leader, Ma Fengxian. She moved with fluid precision, her stoic face betraying none of the effort, her perfection somehow making the other girls around her shine even brighter.

Xiaolan stood to her left, round cheeks flushed with joy, her tambourine shaking in perfect rhythm. Shisui stood to her right, sightless eyes half-closed, her small hand resting lightly on Maomao's sleeve as they turned in unison. Pairin twirled behind them, her hips swaying with practiced seduction, while Yao and En'en danced side by side—Yao stiff and earnest, En'en mirroring her every misstep with flawless loyalty. other dancers waved their tambourines and bells gleefully, their laughter ringing like the chimes tied to their wrists, their colorful scarves catching the sunlight—crimson, saffron, and indigo swirling like a living rainbow.**

The men and boys cheered, all captivated by the beauty of the dancers. Jinshi watched Maomao with his mouth slightly open, forgetting to blink. Lihaku stared at Pairin with wide eyes, his rough hand pressed to his chest. Gaoshun stood behind Jinshi, arms crossed, sighing quietly at his lord's lovestruck expression. Lakan observed from the shadow of a drying rack, his Go board forgotten in his hands, his strange eyes following a flash of familiar movement that made his painted lips curl.

No one laughed or pointed. The crowd simply watched in reverent appreciation, the only sounds being the chime of bells, the rustle of silk, and the soft thump of bare feet on packed earth.