"Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival!" a child called out to their friends nearby. "There's going to be a big night market later!"
Excitement filled the streets of Yunqing (雲清) —a peaceful land tucked near the mountains where the skies stayed clear and the people enjoyed vibrant seasons. Under the bright evening sky, vendors were already setting up their stalls along the main road in preparation for the night's festivities. Jet noticed the bustling sounds outside just as an orange leaf drifted lazily into his study, landing on his calligraphy book and halting his brush.
"The Mid-Autumn Festival…" he murmured to himself, picking up the leaf with a small smile. Feeling inspired, he added a few more lines to the novel he'd been working on, then set his brush aside, content with his progress.
—
In this world, people were identified by both primary and secondary genders: Alpha, Beta, and Omega.
Betas make up about 60% of the population, leading lives without the heightened instincts or needs of Alphas and Omegas.
Alphas, forming 25% of the population, were seen as natural leaders with strong instincts to protect and dominate, especially toward Omegas.
Lastly, Omegas, just 15% of the population, held a unique place due to their ability to bear children. Their heat cycles drew Alphas to them and were a crucial part of how society's roles and relationships were shaped.
—
Feng Jet (冯杰), a nineteen-year-old male Omega from a noble family in Yunqing, stood taller than most expected of an Omega, reaching 177 centimetres. His long hair was swept into a half-bun, with the rest flowing down his back in smooth, dark waves. He wore a dark blue hanfu with intricate patterns that reflected his lively nature—subtle symbols of prosperity and vitality woven in gold thread along the hem and sleeves. The hair stick that held his bun was a finely crafted piece, a gift marking his family's wealth and status, yet his warm expression and easy smile softened any sense of formality.
Leaving his study, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. "Uncle!" Turning, he saw his niece running toward him.
Jet's smile widened as he greeted her with a respectful nod, then knelt down to her level. "It's been a while, missy," he said warmly. "How have you been?"
Chen Meixuan (陈美宣) beamed and hugged her uncle tightly. A bright and lively girl of three, she had already captured the hearts of their family. Just then, her parents, Jet's older sister and brother-in-law, approached with welcoming smiles. Jet rose, offering them a polite bow.
—
Feng Li (冯丽), a 21-year-old Beta, is Jet's older sister. She had married into a respected family, her husband being Chen Zhiyuan (陈志远), a 24-year-old Alpha and son of the captain of the royal guards. Their marriage, though arranged, had become a surprisingly warm partnership. They now had Meixuan and another one on the way, and Zhiyuan, known to be strict with his men, had a gentle side that he reserved for his wife.
—
"On a day like this, I didn't expect you to visit," Jet remarked, looking at his sister with a touch of surprise. "Shouldn't you be with your in-laws for the family dinner tonight?"
Li chuckled softly. "Zhiyuan wanted to surprise our parents for the festival, and my in-laws didn't mind sharing us for a change."
"Ah, a surprise?" Jet asked, raising an eyebrow. He turned to Zhiyuan, who nodded with a smile.
"It's time, and it has been three months."
Jet's smile softened in understanding. He turned back to his niece and knelt again to meet her eager gaze. "The market is opening soon, little miss. Want to go see it with your uncle?"
Meixuan clapped her hands excitedly, gripping her uncle's hand as they waved goodbye to her parents. Together, they stepped into the lively streets of Yunqing. The sun was already dipping below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the bustling market. The enticing scents of sizzling food and fresh pastries filled the air, making their stomachs growl with anticipation.
"Are you hungry?" Jet asked his niece, but she shook her head, her attention already caught by something else.
As they wandered through the crowded streets, Meixuan tugged at Jet's sleeve, pointing eagerly at a stall lined with colourful paper lanterns. Her eyes sparkled with delight, and Jet smiled, agreeing to buy her one for the festival. They approached the stall, where the vendor—a kind-faced older man—greeted them with a smile.
"Hello, little lady," he said, nodding to Meixuan. "What catches your eye this evening?"
Meixuan looked up at the display, then pointed to a lantern hanging high above the stall. "That one!" she chirped.
The vendor chuckled, pulling down a new lantern with the same design. "You have good taste," he complimented her, making Meixuan giggle as Jet handed over the coins.
"Yours or your sister's?" the vendor asked, eyeing Jet with curiosity.
"My sister's," Jet replied, patting Meixuan's head. "I haven't met the matchmaker yet."
The vendor scoffed with a knowing smile. "A matchmaker? A smart Omega like you could easily find a match. If you're interested, I'd pair you with my own daughter!"
Jet laughed awkwardly, gently leading Meixuan away from the stall. It was true—an Omega from a noble family like his was highly sought after. In less than a year, when he turns twenty, his family would arrange a marriage for him, just as they had done for his sister years ago. He was happy for her, knowing she had married a good man. But he couldn't shake the worry that he might not be as fortunate, that his status as an Omega would make him vulnerable in a marriage chosen by others, like how his mother was too.
"Uncle?" Meixuan's small voice broke into his thoughts. "Can I have some tanghulu? (糖葫芦)" She pointed eagerly to a nearby stall, where the vendor was hurrying to make more as a long line of customers waited.
Jet glanced over at the stall, then knelt down to her level. "How about after dinner? You know your mother will be upset if you fill up on sweets."
Meixuan considered this, then nodded reluctantly, letting go of her craving for now. As the sun set fully, they returned home to enjoy dinner, lantern in hand and spirits high for the evening's festivities.
"Feng Jet!" His mother's voice rang out as he stepped inside. "Where have you been?!"
Jet hurried into the house, bowing in apology with the maidens following close behind. "I'm sorry, Mother. I took Meixuan for a stroll through the market."
His mother sighed, concern etched on her face. "You know I don't like it when you go out alone. You're an Omega, Jet. I worry every time. Please, for my sake, be more careful."
"Yes, Mother," Jet replied softly, guiding Meixuan over to join her parents at the dinner table.
The evening meal was set, and the family enjoyed the warm atmosphere as they ate together. Then, as they neared the end of the meal, Zhiyuan rose from his seat, clearing his throat with a warm smile.
"I have news to share," he announced, his gaze shifting to Li, who smiled shyly. "We're expecting our second child."
Their parents leapt up in surprise, bursting with excitement. They shared warm wishes and congratulations, while Jet exchanged a happy smile with his sister across the table.
Not long after, Meixuan left with her parents and grandparents to explore the lively night market, carrying her lantern with pride as it glowed softly. Jet, however, decided to go off on his own again, promising his parents that he would be fine. He had bought a floating lantern, eager to set it off later alongside the others. The lake was already dotted with lotus candles, carrying hopes and wishes across the water.
On the hill, Jet wrote his wish on his lantern, glancing around as everyone else did the same. When the time came, they all held their lanterns high, ready to release them into the sky. At the count of three, they let go, watching as the glowing lights floated upward, carried by the evening breeze.
Jet's lantern drifted up slowly, but then something went wrong—it tilted, swaying unsteadily as the candle inside leaned. Jet's heart dropped. Unlike the others whose eyes sparkled under the gentle glow of rising lanterns, his gaze was fixed on his own, which had begun to dip lower, drifting toward the lake.
Without a second thought, Jet sprinted across the hill, weaving through the crowd, ignoring the delighted laughter and gasps around him. All he saw was his lantern, bobbing and tumbling downward.
"Come on, stay up!" he thought, reaching out, desperate to catch it before it hit the water.
He was just within arm's reach, before another hand shot out from the side, effortlessly grabbing the lantern mid-fall. Startled, Jet couldn't slow down in time and stumbled forward, landing right on top of the stranger who had saved it.