The lantern rite was a festival full of life and light, both in which illuminated all of Liyue harbor. Xiao wasn't one for festivities, but after you, he began to warm up to it each year that passed by.

He himself had noticed it, his pain clouded over centuries of endless slaughter began to dissipate every time he was with you. That fact alone swirled confusing emotions within him: curiosity, longing, and perhaps admiration.

...

The lanterns float up into the sky endearingly, the sight of people's wishes reaching the stars were as beautiful as the sun when it rose from it's slumber. "Are you ready...?" Xiao asked, his voice soft.

He held onto the lantern you both made together, almost excited to release it into the sky, as out-of-character as it seemed.