“Releasing lanterns is the main event of the Lantern Festival.” Shi Dai explained to Shi Yunsheng. “After we buy our lanterns, we’ll go to the riverside and set them afloat. At the same time, we’ll make a wish. If we’re lucky, it might come true.”

Shi Yunsheng asked, “Really?”

A simple, earnest question. The answer, of course, was “no.”

Shi Dai smiled and coaxed him gently. “It depends on luck. Too many people are making wishes, and there’s only one Heavenly Law, it can’t hear them all.”