Ruyi closed her eyes, letting the tears slip down her cheeks silently. She set down her cup and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face against his chest. She was being so emotional and couldn't tell why!
He held her tightly, pressing his lips to the crown of her head as the late afternoon sun bathed them in a soft golden glow.
In that quiet embrace, time seemed to slow. The shadows lengthened outside, and the breeze turned cooler as evening approached. Yet within their private world, there was only warmth, only the steady beat of their hearts, only the silent promises held between breaths.
Finally, Zhi Hao shifted slightly, his voice rumbling softly against her ear.
"Come," he murmured, brushing his knuckles across her damp cheek, "Let's go for a walk in the gardens before dinner. You have been indoors all day long, it's not good to sleep like this!"
