With the last of the heavy crates placed in a neat order along the outer walls of the barn, Cai heaved a sigh and turned only to find his employer overlooking his handiwork with a satisfied expression. “Thank you, Cai-Su.” Cai sighed once more, but this time not from the physical effort he had exerted, and refrained from rolling his eyes at the short, balding man before him. [color=a0410d]“Just Cai, please, Lao Fang. Zhao-Fu isn’t here to correct you.”[/color] It was the first year Cai had worked the fields without his mentor. He had tended Fang Xiaoli’s rice harvest for the past two moons, much as he had for the last few years. The Folk was a kindly enough farmer whose sons had departed their home in pursuit of their own futures, which apparently didn’t include farming. Cai couldn’t blame them for choosing something different than their father wished for them, and truth be told, if they hadn’t gone, he wouldn’t have the job he’d just completed. Zhao-Fu had discovered that the man required assistance in the fields during the spring and harvest seasons three years prior and successfully secured a contract for the foreseeable future. It was a welcome find to have the comfort that came from a secure job on a yearly basis. Especially after Zhao-Fu’s strength declined to the point where he regularly remained resting in their shared home on the other edge of the city. The walk alone had proven too tiring for him at the end of the previous year. Since then, Cai had been hard pressed to secure other contracts on his own, making this job all that much more precious. Two Mokeu were a better deal than just one, he supposed. “Ah, yes, that’s right but it’s become habit after all. Come,” Fang said with a good-natured smile, motioning to the barn doors. “You’ve worked well past sundown and the festival is in full swing. If you leave now, you might be able to catch the fireworks.” Cai had to restrain himself from sighing once more to refrain from offending his employer. It was the same every year. He never cared much for the celebrations of the Folk, but for whatever reason, the citizens of Bianwei and any surrounding cities for that matter, seemed to celebrate Wan Yue with more fervor than any of the other festivals. The city streets would surely be packed with visitors and citizens alike, clamoring at the food stalls and crowding the activity booths. It wasn’t an appealing prospect, especially when Cai was certain he’d be met with stares and followed by whispers of discontent if not outright discrimination. He’d learned early on in the Yongcun cities that drunk Folk were not always the friendliest, and many drinks would indeed be served tonight. The farmer must have taken his silence as consent because he took the Mokeu’s hand then and pressed a few more gold pieces than was owed into Cai’s palm. “Get some sweets and enjoy your night, my boy!” Feeling awkward, Cai bowed his head respectfully. [color=a0410d]“Your generosity is much appreciated, Lao Fang.”[/color] Zhao-Fu had taught him to utter the phrase whenever he was paid, though he didn’t use the polite address to any of his other employers. The man chuckled and pushed Cai further away from the barn. “Yes, yes, you’re welcome, Cai-Su. Now hurry! The first of the fireworks have begun.” As the man pushed, the explosions from the center of town could be heard even from the outskirts of the city where they were and the sky was lit briefly in bright hues of red, blue, and yellow. Cai bowed once more to his employer before turning away and heading toward the center of town. At first, he did so with only the intention of making it appear to Fang Xiaoli that he was indeed headed to the festivities. But as he approached the growing mass of Folk, it occurred to him that he might stop at a stall and get some sweet plum wine for Zhao-Fu. Sweet plum wine was his mentor’s favorite, and he had always made a point of getting some during the festival, even if Cai hated being among the throngs. In his current condition, he wouldn’t be able to continue the tradition this year, and Fang [i]had[/i] given him a few extra coins than anticipated… With a resigned sigh, Cai steeled himself for the crowds as his feet refused to change direction and continued leading him toward the city center. To his luck however, the gongs indicating the emperor’s speech rang out shortly after he’d made headway toward the main stalls and the numbers of merrymakers diminished quickly as they all flocked to the Ruby Palace. A contented smile played on his lips as Cai approached a short line for a spirits vendor. Zhao-Fu would be pleasantly surprised.