The night, like a boundless, deep black jade, gently envelops all things in the world with its vastness, silently burying the clamor of the day. In this utterly silent night, the Moon-Raising Pavilion stands like a beauty slumbering for a thousand years, serene and graceful. Moonlight, like a thin, cicada-wing-thin silver gauze, slowly filters through the cracks in the pavilion's ceiling, gently scattering across the bed, casting a hazy, dreamlike glow across the room, as if painting this world into a poetic painting.

Jiang Yan lay on his side on the bed, his eyes as gentle as the gurgling of water, quietly gazing at Su Jinli who was already sleeping beside him. Her sleeping face was peaceful and serene, just like a calm lake, which made people feel peaceful. Her long eyelashes were like two delicate little fans, trembling slightly, as if chasing after ethereal and beautiful things in a dream. Infinite tenderness surged in Jiang Yan's heart. He slowly raised his hand, his movements as gentle as the breeze caressing delicate petals. With extreme care and protection, he tucked in the corners of the quilt for her, fearing that even the slightest movement would disturb her sweet dream.

"Actually, I've seen you since I was eight." Jiang Yan's voice was as low as a whisper in the night, so soft as if afraid to disturb the tranquility of the night, yet it also seemed to be suppressing the emotions of long years. In this quiet atmosphere, he finally couldn't help but slowly pour out his words. His thoughts followed the path of the watery moonlight, drifting slowly back to that distant afternoon.

At that time, within Xiangguo Temple, a tranquil paradise nestled amidst the bustling capital, sunlight, like fine gold flakes, filtered through the dappled gaps between the interwoven branches and leaves, cascading down onto the ground. Young Jiang Yan, accompanied by his family, journeyed to this pure Buddhist haven to pray and make wishes. The temple was thick with curls of incense, its rising smoke seeming to quietly dispel worldly worries; the resonant Buddhist chants, like a clear spring, flowed into the hearts of those who heard them, calming them and immersing them in a serene tranquility.

Jiang Yan was leisurely playing in the temple courtyard when a nimble figure suddenly caught his eye. It was a little girl in a pale pink dress, like a fluttering butterfly, flitting gracefully among the blossoming flowers. In her hand, she clutched half a jade pendant. The jade was as smooth as mutton fat, and under the gentle sunlight, it shimmered with a soft and captivating luster, like the pure and flawless light in the little girl's eyes. She was intently chasing a colorful butterfly, her clear, silvery laughter echoing cheerfully in every corner of the courtyard, like a beautiful melody, adding a touch of lively color to the tranquil temple.

Jiang Yan's eyes were instantly drawn to the little girl, as if drawn by an invisible force. He stared at her silently, a sense of indescribable intimacy welling up in his heart, as if they had known each other for a long time. At that moment, an accident occurred. The little girl slipped, and the jade pendant she was clutching flew out like a runaway horse, falling directly into the lush grass nearby. The little girl panicked and anxiously squatted down, her hands frantically searching in the grass. Crystal tears welled up in her eyes, and gradually, the tears burst out and slid down her rosy cheeks.

Seeing this, Jiang Yan's heart tightened, and without a second thought, he rushed forward. He also crouched down, his eyes focused and determined, carefully searching the grass. Finally, under a lush green leaf, he found the half of the jade pendant that carried the little girl's anxiety and anticipation. Jiang Yan slowly stood up and handed the jade pendant to the little girl with a gentle smile on his face. The little girl saw this and immediately burst into laughter. That smile was as bright as a flower blooming in spring, and her eyes were filled with deep gratitude for Jiang Yan.

"Thank you, little brother." The little girl's voice was tender and sweet, like a spring breeze, gently blowing through Jiang Yan's heart.

Jiang Yan looked at the little girl, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. An idea struck him, and he pulled a charcoal pencil from his pocket, meticulously sketching on the stone table beside him. Soon, a lifelike phoenix appeared on the stone table. Its body was sturdy, its wings fluttering gently in the breeze, as if it was about to soar high into the sky. "This is for you," Jiang Yan said with a smile as bright as the sun. The little girl looked at the lively phoenix on the stone table, her eyes filled with surprise and admiration, a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"What a beautiful phoenix! Little brother, you drew it so well!" The little girl exclaimed sincerely, her voice full of admiration and joy.

And this little girl was none other than Su Jinli. Jiang Yan couldn't help but raise his lips slightly as he recalled this fleeting past. His smile was filled with tenderness, as if even the passage of time couldn't erase this beautiful memory.

"I remember that, too!" Su Jinli, as if in tune with Jiang Yan's thoughts, as if sensing his musings, suddenly woke from her sleep and sat up. Moonlight streamed down her face, adding a touch of holiness and mystery to her features. Her eyes gleamed with excitement, and her voice trembled slightly with emotion: "A little boy helped me find a jade pendant and even drew a phoenix." The memory, so long forgotten, now surged back into her mind like a surging tide, every detail so vivid, as if it had happened only yesterday.

It turned out that the mischievous boy who had snatched the sugar painting back then was none other than Jiang Yan, who was now by her side. Su Jinli's thoughts drifted back to a day after Xiangguo Temple, when she stumbled upon a small stall selling sugar paintings on a bustling street. The vibrantly colored paintings, like exquisite works of art, instantly captured her attention. Filled with joy, she paused, watching intently as the sugar painter, with his magical spoon, created a variety of beautiful designs on the smooth stone slab. Just as she was immersed in the scene, a mischievous boy suddenly rushed over like a gust of wind and snatched away the sugar painting she had long coveted. She stamped her foot in anger, but the boy turned around, made a face at her, and ran away playfully. Now, thinking back, that boy was Jiang Yan. It turned out that their bond had been sown, unnoticed, even then, like a seed buried deep in their hearts, slowly taking root and sprouting under the nourishment of time.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!