I turned over awkwardly and realized that the moon had long been hidden behind the silent clouds. Lying quietly within the bamboo grove, I suddenly saw a firefly flicker before my eyes—then another, and another, until there were seven… more and more of them appeared, their faint glow softly lighting up the grove around me. Slowly, I sat up and found myself surrounded by countless fireflies, as if they were welcoming me into their luminous gathering. Their gentle lights gave the forest a new face beneath the night sky—if the bamboo grove in daylight was a land of freedom, then at night it became a sanctuary for solitude.
When I turned back, I realized I had wandered close to a small pond. Under the shimmering dance of the fireflies, it glimmered faintly, as though the bamboo forest had draped it with a veil of mystery. Peering closer, I saw the fish sleeping peacefully beneath the surface. I lay down upon a flat stone nearby. Though she and I had only known each other for a few short years, my heart stirred inexplicably at the thought of her. I closed my eyes slowly; her image lingered in my mind—she had already been etched deep within me. When I opened my eyes again, the world was bright—the warm sunlight rippled gently through the bamboo leaves.
Once more, I looked upon the pond, watching the fish stirring ripples upon the surface. They played joyfully in the morning light. I rose quietly, leaving behind a silhouette bathed in dawn for the little fish in the pond. Unable to contain the rush within me, I ran again into the depths of the bamboo forest. As I ran, I saw her standing at the end of the small path that led to her home. She waved at me, and with curiosity swelling in my heart, I ran toward her. Just as I reached her, she told me to close my eyes. Confused, I hesitated—but eventually, I obeyed. At that moment, I felt a gentle push on my back.
"Are you pushing me, my lady?" I asked.
"Hehe," she giggled.
I didn't know where she was leading me, but I could smell the faint fragrance of grass and flowers in the air. She kept pushing, her laughter light and melodic. I thought perhaps she was preparing a surprise for me.
"You can open your eyes now!" she said.
I opened my eyes slowly. Having kept them closed for so long, the sudden brightness stung, and I squinted at the world before me. In the blur of light, I saw a shape—an animal, perhaps? As my sight adjusted, I gasped: standing before me was a magnificent horse. Overwhelmed with joy, I embraced the girl tightly. She blushed shyly, and instinctively I turned my head away. After a long silence, I gently took her hand and helped her onto the horse. Together we rode, the horse's neigh echoing through the mountains and fields, across the meadows fragrant with wildflowers. We rode for what felt like forever, past forests and blossoms. Finally, I slowed the horse and dismounted, taking her hand as she descended gracefully.
Looking around, I realized we were surrounded by jasmine flowers—a sea of white blossoms encircling us. I bent down and gently plucked a single jasmine flower, tucking it behind her ear. From my pocket, I took out my Monica flute and began to play; the melody floated through the air, dancing among the clouds and blossoms.
"You seem to love freedom," she said softly.
"Yes," I replied, "freedom feels wonderful."
I spread my arms wide, breathing in the air gifted by nature. With her beside me, my heart rippled like a quiet lake. I held her hand but didn't know what to say; nervousness had taken over my thoughts. Stammering, I finally managed to whisper:
"Would you… like to… come a little… closer to me…?"
She leaned toward my ear and whispered back:
"All right—but only if you promise to be my beloved."
My face flushed red—perhaps redder than it had ever been, like a ripe strawberry. To calm my restless heart, I lifted my Monica flute again, but before I could play, she gently knocked it from my hands and pressed her lips to mine. For a moment, I was lost, unsure of what to do—but my arms moved naturally, holding her close. The jasmine in her hair bloomed quietly, and the sea of jasmine around us seemed to sing in celebration. The wind whispered through the leaves, and time itself seemed to pause. In that unknown place, we hid nothing from each other, falling deeply into a feeling from which we could not escape.
But just then, the horse's neighbour broke our spell. We looked at each other; she blushed and lowered her gaze, though affection still shimmered in her eyes. I took her hand once more, and together we mounted the horse and began our journey home.
The horse galloped on. The flowers along the road seemed to bloom just for us—though I knew it was only the joy within me that made everything appear so radiant. The scent of grass and blossoms still lingered in the air. Who, I wondered, truly cherishes the companionship of a fair maiden? Perhaps at that very moment, she and I were just that—two souls walking together in harmony.
Yet, when we returned to the place where we first met, I saw someone standing upon the small hill—at the gate of her home.