The Peach Blossom Spring

The afternoon in Gedu felt unusually long.

After finishing some documents that required her personal attention, Mo Qingli found herself with nothing to do.

She noticed Lu Chenyuan sitting on the sofa, studying the history of Country J on a tablet.

Mo Qingli walked over and nestled close to him, her body practically clinging to his. Her voice was lazy, even slightly sweet.

"Chenyuan, I'm a little bored."

Lu Chenyuan set the tablet aside and looked at her. "What would you like to do?"

Mo Qingli tilted her head, thinking.

Then, her gaze drifted to the window, taking in the bustling city skyline of Gedu.

An unrelated thought flashed through her mind, and she suddenly smiled.

"I want to see the stars."

It was a somewhat whimsical request.

In this heavily light-polluted international metropolis, especially within the confines of their tightly monitored hotel suite,

stargazing was a luxury.

Yet Lu Chenyuan didn’t hesitate. "Alright," he replied immediately.

He picked up the phone and called Ambassador Li Wenbo.

He didn’t make any unreasonable demands—only asked to borrow the embassy’s astronomical telescope.

After a brief silence on the other end, Li Wenbo chuckled and agreed.

He understood this was Lu Chenyuan’s way of sending a signal—to him and to Country J.

He had no intention of confrontation; he simply wanted to live peacefully.

That evening,

a professional-grade telescope was delivered to their suite.

Staff assembled and calibrated it on the expansive terrace.

As night fell,

Lu Chenyuan took Mo Qingli’s hand and led her outside.

He adjusted the angle and guided her to the eyepiece.

"Can you see them?"

Mo Qingli’s breath caught.

Through the hundredfold magnification, countless dazzling stars scattered like diamonds across a black velvet sky.

Distant, mysterious, yet achingly close.

She could even make out the rugged craters of the moon, their intricate ridges and valleys.

"So beautiful," she murmured, awestruck.

Lu Chenyuan wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin atop her head.

"Yes," he said softly.

He wasn’t looking at the stars.

His eyes held only her reflection.

"Chenyuan, do you think we’ll ever visit those stars someday?"

"We will."

"And… will you come with me?"

"Of course."

"Promise you won’t lie to me!"

"You know I never lie to you."

They stayed on the terrace for a long time, wrapped in each other’s warmth,

until the night deepened and the wind picked up.

Lu Chenyuan scooped her into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom.

"Qingli," he whispered, tucking her under the covers.

"Hmm?"

"From now on, tell me whatever you want to do.

If it’s within my power, I’ll give it to you."

Mo Qingli blinked.

Meeting his earnest gaze, she suddenly laughed—

a smile like a night-blooming cereus, unfurling in the dark.

"What if I said I wanted to see the aurora?" she teased.

"Then I’d find a way to project it onto our bedroom ceiling," he answered without hesitation.

Her laughter sparkled brighter.

She knew he wasn’t joking.

This man would truly move heaven and earth for her.

She reached up, looping her arms around his neck, and pulled him down.

"Mr. Lu, you deserve a reward."

Her kiss tasted of starlight and the sweetness of surrender.

......

Days slipped by in this quiet, honeyed rhythm.

Unseen to the world, Lu Chenyuan’s plans advanced methodically.

Yet his focus remained entirely on Mo Qingli.

It was as if he sought to repay every moment of companionship he’d missed in their past.

He watched old movies with her—from silent black-and-white films to classic romantic dramas.

He read poetry in his rich, magnetic voice, reciting age-old verses of love.

He even learned mixology,

crafting her a unique cocktail each night.

Mo Qingli, too, was changing.

The queenly sharpness and steel in her demeanor softened into warmth and grace.

She laughed more often—

giggling when Lu Chenyuan fumbled while trimming her nails,

or playfully drowning his food in vinegar just to watch him eat it stoically.

She realized how safe it felt to lean on someone.

No longer did she need constant vigilance or to charge ahead alone.

Because she knew, no matter what,

this man would shield her from every storm.

One day,

they stayed in bed until dusk, curtains drawn, the room bathed in dim light.

Only their breathing filled the silence.

Mo Qingli rested her head on Lu Chenyuan’s arm, her fingers absently tracing circles on his chest.

"Chenyuan."

"Yes?"

"Do you think this detainment… is our misfortune or our deliverance?" she asked suddenly.

It felt as if she’d been yanked from a world spinning too fast

and dropped into this haven of love and presence.

Sometimes, she even wondered if staying here forever would be enough.

Lu Chenyuan tightened his embrace.

He understood her conflict.

"Qingli," he murmured, kissing her hair.

"Life isn’t purely good or bad, nor gains and losses absolute.

Like a coin, there’s always another side.

We lost our freedom but gained these days together.

We left the battleground at home, yet carved new paths here.

So don’t define it.

Just live it, feel it.

Every moment is irreplaceable.

All we need is to cherish it."

Mo Qingli listened quietly.

She lifted her head, meeting his eyes—

bright even in the shadows,

filled with fathomless wisdom and tenderness.

Suddenly, she understood.

Why she’d fallen so helplessly for this man.

Because he always gave her the answer she needed.

Her heart settled,

all doubts dissolving,

leaving only love spilling from her gaze.

"Chenyuan."

"I’m here."

"I love you."

Lu Chenyuan stiffened slightly.

Then he bent down, sealing her words with a kiss that held eternity.

......