When love draws near, it's like snow

Chapter 70

I noticed that the ship even had thick carpets on the deck. I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of emotion—Huaiyuan must know my personality well; he must have anticipated and arranged today's trip long ago, right? He was just waiting for the right moment. Or perhaps, he was always ready?

Huaiyuan gave me a calm smile, his long legs crossed, casually leaning against the cabin door, his expression more serene and peaceful than ever before.

I lifted the curtain, stepped out of the cabin, walked to the opposite side of Huaiyuan, and casually sat down on the ground—yes, just as I imagined, it was soft and comfortable.

"Be careful..." Before Huaiyuan could finish speaking, I had already rolled up my sleeves, bent down, and dipped my hand into the clear lake water. Yes, the cool lake water still carried a lingering chill, but it didn't feel biting; instead, it had an indescribable comfort and pleasantness. I playfully splashed water, occasionally splashing it on Huaiyuan's face. He didn't flinch, but simply gazed at me quietly with a doting smile.

As the sun gradually set, I grew tired of playing and finally sat quietly at the bow of the boat, hugging my knees, chin resting on them, glancing at Huaiyuan—he had somehow produced a lustrous, emerald-green jade flute, brought it to his lips, and his slender fingers danced nimbly across the flute, producing melodious and graceful music that flowed like mercury across the vast lake…

The melodious sound of the flute and the gentle breeze carried the fragrance of peach blossoms from the shore, making me so intoxicated that I almost forgot what day it was and where I was! In my daze, I seemed to have returned to the water towns of Jiangnan, immersing myself in memories of boating on West Lake in Hangzhou with my parents.

Spring Dusk

Please accompany me to the water town of my dreams.

Let the waving hand

Drifting in the mist

Do not disturb the willow bank

Those lingering memories

Turning into a wisp of green smoke

It has disappeared into the distance.

A warm afternoon

A glimpse of pink clothing flashed by.

No one can take away that ancient window.

The exquisite young man on the shore

Waiting for a lifetime of time

Why couldn't I be the bride you longed for?

A hint of longing was written all over his face.

The heavy burden of parting rests on my shoulders.

Tears streamed down her face, all the words...

It still hasn't been discussed.

Look at the green hills rippling on the water.

Look at the sunset kissing the evening glow.

I will spend my whole life searching for that home.

Where are you tonight?

Turning back to meet your smiling face

You discovered all my secrets.

The distant happiness of my dreams is right beside me...

Before I knew it, Huaiyuan's flute music had joined my singing, filled with longing for departed loved ones and nostalgia for bygone days. When the song ended, I was already in tears.

Huaiyuan didn't speak, only held me tightly in his arms, silently warming me with his chest. Listening to his strong heartbeat, I finally truly and completely bid farewell to yesterday's hustle and bustle, and my heart gradually calmed. I wiped away my tears, looked up at him with a shy smile—yes, I used a lifetime of love to search for a home, and now, I have decided to be the bride you've longed for; the distant happiness of my dreams is right beside me…!

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Well, the rest of the plot is basically complete. If all goes well, I should be able to finish my debut work by the end of this month, hehe! Thank you all for sharing my joys and sorrows these past few months. I just hope that if I see a scene I don't want to see, please don't hit me! I'm really afraid of pain!

[Volume 4, Finale: Chapter 15 Light Thunder and Rain on the Pond]

Night had fallen silently, and the bustling Jinming Pond of the day, like a curtain falling, had shed its colorful adornments, returning to the fresh, elegant beauty of nature, appearing so tranquil and ethereal. Boats drifted on the water, swirling slowly on the lake with the gentle breeze, gradually floating towards the vast expanse of emerald green lotus leaves on the shore.

They say spring weather is like a child's face, changing three times a day. Sure enough, just as the sky was clear at dusk, a rumble of thunder sounded from afar, and then the rain began to fall without warning. All around was silent, except for the pattering of the spring rain on the lotus leaves, like a melodious serenade playing joyfully.

"Girl, aren't you hungry?" Huaiyuan gently stroked a stray strand of hair that fell across my cheek and asked softly, "It's well past your usual mealtime now, sweetie. Let's go get something to eat while the rain's lessening, so we don't catch a cold. Okay?"

"Just a little longer, it'll be over soon." I pouted and snuggled lazily into Huaiyuan's arms, lingering in that warmth and gentle peace of mind, unwilling to leave for a long time. But my uncooperative stomach went against my wishes and made a loud "gurgling" sound.

"Hehe, Qing'er," Huaiyuan's slender eyes curved slightly as he chuckled mischievously. He pulled me up, leaned down, and whispered in my ear, "Once we're married, I promise you'll get to hug me as much as you want. Now, let's go eat something?"

"Ugh! Who cares?" My cheeks flushed red, and I jumped up from the ground, baring my teeth and making a face at him—even if it were true, did you have to be so direct? I'd get shy!

Huaiyuan laughed so hard his chest trembled slightly. He held my waist with both hands, and instead of going out through the door, he lifted the curtain and nimbly slipped out the window. He lightly touched the ground with his toes, leading me gracefully through the lotus leaves—this guy seems to have a grudge against doors. I really wonder why he doesn't become a master thief or a chivalrous bandit?

Jinming Pond was one of the four major imperial gardens of the Northern Song Dynasty, and also a place for water games and military drills, thus covering a vast area. Walking straight from here to Baojin Tower in the center of the lake would likely take several kilometers, and following the winding lakeshore makes it seem even more distant. In contrast to the quietness of the lake surface, Baojin Tower in the center of the lake is brightly lit, presenting a bustling and lively scene.

I linked my arm with Huaiyuan's right arm, and we walked slowly through the peach and willow grove. A light spring rain was falling, and walking through it felt like walking through a thin mist. Huaiyuan's pace inexplicably slowed, and then I felt his muscles suddenly tense.

"What's wrong?" I turned to him in surprise—Huaiyuan put a finger to my lips, signaling me to be quiet. He shook his head, gave me a reassuring smile, and continued to walk slowly forward with me in his arms.

A rapid clatter of hooves, mingled with the clang of metal, drifted from afar. Soon, a group of four riders galloped up behind us. In the dim light reflected from the lake, we could vaguely make out that all four were women. Several more horses galloped after them, uttering rough shouts from time to time.

Huaiyuan remained calm and pulled me aside to the side of the road. The night was deep, and a light rain was falling, so I couldn't see the woman on horseback at all—she was indeed slender, but I wondered if she was pretty!

With a soft "whoosh" as a golden blade cut through the air, the woman running at the back let out a muffled groan and swayed, apparently having been ambushed.

"Master!" The woman in yellow, who was leading the charge, turned her horse around upon hearing the sound and rushed forward with a shrill scream—in that instant, several men in black, all dressed in close-fitting clothes, quickly caught up and surrounded them.