Thoughts

The crescent moon rose, its reflection shimmering on the clear pond.

This unique beauty was something rarely felt amidst the bustle of the city.

To witness such a scene while admiring the grandeur of nature made the journey worthwhile.

Shu Yunyi, deeply moved, took the last bite of her mooncake and leaned slightly toward Shen Yi, resting her head on his shoulder.

Shen Yi, who had been sipping tea while gazing upward, was stirred by her touch. Without a word, he switched the teacup to his right hand to avoid accidentally scalding her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

Shu Yunyi nuzzled affectionately against Shen Yi and sighed,

"Don’t you think it’s beautiful?"

"Of course it is, but nothing around us compares to you."

Shen Yi wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he spoke.

"Such smooth talk!"

Shu Yunyi couldn’t help but laugh, playfully punching Shen Yi’s thigh through her shawl.

"Who taught you all these sweet words?"

But who could blame her for loving them? Empty flattery was tiresome, but when spoken from the heart, it became endearing.

"It must’ve been you—aren’t you my teacher?"

Shen Yi feigned surprise.

Shu Yunyi curved her lips, her willow-leaf brows softening as she teased in a mock-serious tone,

"I could never teach a student like you, daring to flirt with his teacher~"

The two nestled together, whispering sweet nothings. Shu Yunyi sighed contentedly,

"This is perfect..."

"Mountains, springs, scenery... the moon, fate, and... you."

The flowers swayed in the breeze, their delicate dance tracing graceful arcs against her fluttering skirt—as if the wind itself had taken shape.

Their eyes met under the radiant glow of the full moon, and Shu Yunyi could see her own silhouette reflected in Shen Yi’s pupils.

Lost in the moment, she gazed into his eyes and recited softly,

"The moon in the water is the moon in the sky."

Without hesitation, Shen Yi responded,

"The one before me is the one in my heart."

Her lips, glistening like candied frost under the moonlight, tempted him beyond resistance.

Shen Yi leaned in, capturing them in a tender kiss.

"Mmm..."

Shu Yunyi closed her eyes, surrendering to the sweetness.

Above them, chasing clouds veiled the moon in a gauzy embrace, as if blushing at the sight.

……

The two didn’t linger on the mountain for long, returning within an hour.

Luckily, they had chosen the perfect spot at the perfect time.

Later, drifting clouds obscured much of the moon, dulling the view, and the chilly evening wind prompted Shen Yi to lead Shu Yunyi back, worried she might catch a cold.

Still, they had already captured the most breathtaking moment—making the trip worthwhile.

After washing up with the remaining water from their thermos, they slipped into the tent.

Hanging the camping light overhead, Shu Yunyi knelt to inflate and smooth out the sleeping pad before draping a blanket over it.

While she busied herself with the bedding, Shen Yi curled up in a corner to give her space, scrolling through his phone when a sudden vibration alerted him to a message.

Opening it, he saw a small black flower avatar at the top of the screen—Cheng Jun.

"You’re not home? I knocked for ages with no answer."

The words made his brow twitch. He typed back,

"I’m out. What’s up?"

Cheng Jun, evidently waiting, replied quickly,

"Nothing urgent. It’s Mid-Autumn Festival, so I wanted to give you some mooncakes."

"I made them myself... Hope you like them."

Though the text was plain, emotions lingered between the lines.

Shen Yi fell silent, warmth swelling in his chest.

His fingers hovered before he finally sent:

"That’s really kind of you."

"I’m not home now, but you can leave them there. I’ll pick them up later."

"Thanks."

"Alright then..."

Her brief reply marked the end of their exchange.

"Xiao Yi, the bed’s ready. What’re you spacing out for?"

Shu Yunyi had already changed out of her dress and slipped under the covers, pulling the blanket up to her chin as she tilted her head to call him.

"Oh—coming."

Shen Yi joined her, stripping down before settling in.

The night wasn’t cold enough for sleeping bags—just the pad and a shared blanket sufficed.

Yet his mind replayed the earlier exchange. Beyond gratitude, a prickling sense of unease crept in.

Fu Nanzhi, Cheng Jun, Shu Yunyi—the threads were tangling. No matter how carefully he maintained the balance, their paths would inevitably cross.

Should he weave his own design now, or wait until the threads snarled beyond repair? The choice was his alone.

These weren’t mere lines but living, feeling people—each loving him in their own way. And thoughts were the hardest to reshape.

His troubled silence didn’t escape Shu Yunyi’s notice.

She nestled closer, her soft, fragrant warmth pressing against him as she rubbed her forehead against his.

"What’s bothering you?"

Shen Yi hesitated before deflecting,

"It’s nothing..."

Shu Yunyi wasn’t fooled. "You’re clearly upset. Tell me—since when do you hide things from me?"

He pursed his lips, on the verge of speaking, but held back, turning instead to kiss her cheek.

"Nothing’s off-limits with you. I’ll explain another time."

Sensing his mood, she didn’t press further, simply wrapping her arms around him.

Her embrace was a haven, melting away his tension.

Shen Yi sank into her warmth, breathing in the comforting scent of her—like fresh-baked bread—too drowsy to open his eyes.

He held her in return, and they drifted off, sharing warmth through the night.

The wilderness offered little privacy, their tent a flimsy barrier. Though few campers were nearby, Shen Yi kept his desires in check, content to simply hold Shu Yunyi as they slept.

At dawn, his internal clock roused him.

Shu Yunyi still lay curled in peaceful slumber. Shen Yi sat up, unzipped the tent, and peered outside.

Dew clung to the fabric, birds chirped lively greetings, and the world brimmed with vitality.

Leaving her to sleep, he dressed, slipped on his shoes, and stepped out.

Nearby, he kindled a fire to boil water for washing up and breakfast.

As the sun climbed, its heat chased away the dampness, drying the surroundings.

He tore open two packets of instant noodles and brewed coffee with the remaining water.

Once everything was ready, he returned to wake Shu Yunyi.

Well-rested from an early night, she blinked awake with a sleepy smile at the sight of him.