Chapter 22
On the first weekend after Chu Xiaoche and Qi Zihao reunited, Song Mingye suggested holding a family banquet at the Song family's old house so everyone could get together. As the sun set, Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin walked side by side. The former carried a drawing board on his back, his fingertips unconsciously gripping the shoulder strap, his ear tips flushed slightly; the latter carried an exquisite food box in one hand, and the other hand naturally rested on Jiang Ziyu's back, as if protecting him. Their shadows were stretched long by the setting sun, gently intertwining.
"Nanjing, do you think everyone will like the little snacks we brought?" Jiang Ziyu looked down at the food box, his voice soft, with a hint of barely perceptible nervousness. He rarely made these kinds of handmade snacks; this time, he had specially followed a recipe for an entire afternoon to learn how to make them. There were still faint red marks on his fingertips from being burned in the oven, which he hid under his sleeves, not wanting anyone to see.
Mu Nanjin turned his head to look at him, his eyes full of smiles. He reached out and gently stroked the top of Jiang Ziyu's head, his gesture filled with unmistakable doting affection: "As long as it's something you made, they'll definitely like it." He had naturally noticed the scar on Jiang Ziyu's fingertip long ago. His heart was filled with warmth and pain. He had secretly bought burn ointment on the way and hid it in his pocket, just waiting for an opportunity to apply it to him.
Stepping into the Song family's old residence, the courtyard was already bustling with activity. Song Linchuan was helping Song Mingye set the dining table, while Chu Xiaoche gently peeled oranges for Qi Zihao, his fingertips moving tenderly, even feeding him a piece. Little Bai frolicked around everyone's feet, occasionally nuzzling their trouser legs. Seeing Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin, Song Linchuan smiled and waved, "You're here! Please sit down!"
Jiang Ziyu put down his drawing board and handed the food box to Song Linchuan somewhat awkwardly: "It's just a small token of my appreciation. I don't know if it suits everyone's taste."
"Wow, did you make this?" Qi Zihao leaned closer, his eyes sparkling. "It looks so exquisite!"
Jiang Ziyu's cheeks flushed instantly. He nodded slightly and instinctively hid behind Mu Nanjin. Mu Nanjin put his arm around his shoulder to help him out, saying, "He's been learning all afternoon and burned his hands. You guys should try more."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Jiang Ziyu's hand. He hurriedly hid his hand behind his back and lowered his head in embarrassment: "It's not serious, just a minor injury."
Song Linchuan hurriedly went to get the first-aid kit, while Chu Xiaoche smiled and patted Qi Zihao on the shoulder: "Don't rush to eat, let Mingye try it first, he's a gourmet."
Everyone sat down around the table. Song Mingye picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, put it in his mouth, and savored it carefully: "Not bad, the sweetness is just right, and the osmanthus fragrance is very strong. Ziyu, your skills are very good."
Upon receiving the praise, Jiang Ziyu couldn't help but smile. He secretly glanced at Mu Nanjin and found that the other was looking at him gently with eyes full of approval. His heart instantly felt warm, as if it had been soaked in warm water.
After dinner, Qi Zihao pulled Chu Xiaoche to the courtyard to take photos, while Song Mingye and Song Linchuan cleaned up the dishes in the kitchen. Only Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin remained in the courtyard. Jiang Ziyu took out his easel, sat in a wicker chair, and began to paint the night scene before him. Moonlight spilled into the courtyard, coating everything with a layer of silvery frost, making it exceptionally gentle. His hand holding the paintbrush was steady, but the redness on the tips of his ears hadn't faded, and his peripheral vision kept unconsciously glancing at the person beside him.
Mu Nanjin sat beside him, holding a book of poems, but didn't open it. She simply watched him quietly as he painted. Jiang Ziyu's eyelashes were long, casting soft shadows in the moonlight. His expression was focused and serious, occasionally furrowing his brows slightly, as if he were thinking about how to begin. There was a little bit of paint on the tip of his nose, making him look exceptionally cute.
"What are you thinking about?" Mu Nanjin asked softly, her fingertips gently brushing against his hair.
Jiang Ziyu looked up and met his gentle eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked away. "I was thinking about how to paint the moonlight more gently."
Mu Nanjin smiled, reaching out to gently brush the paint off the tip of Jiang Ziyu's nose. The warmth of his fingertips sent a shiver through Jiang Ziyu. "No need to force it. Every stroke you make is gentle." His voice was deep and magnetic, possessing a captivating power.
Jiang Ziyu's cheeks flushed even more. He lowered his head and continued painting, but his brush paused a few times, leaving a small ink dot on the paper. After a while, he handed the painting to Mu Nanjin, his voice barely audible, "Here you go."
The painting depicts a wicker chair in a courtyard, bathed in moonlight. In the shadows beside it, a blurry figure can be seen – it is Mu Nanjin. "I...I didn't draw well," Jiang Ziyu said nervously, clutching the hem of his clothes, avoiding eye contact.
“It’s beautiful.” Mu Nanjin took the painting, his eyes so tender they could melt. “I really like it.” He paused, his voice becoming unusually serious. He reached out and gently pinched Jiang Ziyu’s chin, making him look up at him. “Ziyu, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time.”
Jiang Ziyu's heart leaped into his throat, his pupils dilated slightly, and he looked at him nervously, his fingers gripping the hem of his shirt so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
“From the moment we met at the guesthouse, you sat there quietly painting, the sunlight bathing you, and I was captivated by you.” Mu Nanjin’s gaze was intense and focused, locking onto Jiang Ziyu’s eyes. “Your earnestness, your shyness, and the tenderness hidden in your paintings all make me want to get closer to you, to protect you.” He leaned down, the distance gradually closing, his warm breath brushing against Jiang Ziyu’s cheek. “Ziyu, I like you, not just as a friend, but I want to watch the sunrise and sunset with you, to appreciate poetry and paint together, to walk through the rest of my life with you. Will you be with me?”
Jiang Ziyu's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and he nodded vigorously, his voice choked with emotion: "I do... Nan Jing, I like you too."
Mu Nanjin smiled and pulled him into his arms, his embrace just the right amount of strength—not too tight, yet warm enough for both of them to feel each other. He lowered his head and placed a tender, precious kiss on Jiang Ziyu's forehead, his voice deep and firm: "From now on, I will take good care of you."
Jiang Ziyu leaned against him, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling exceptionally at ease, all his tension and unease vanishing. He reached out and gently wrapped his arms around Mu Nanjin's waist, burying his face in his chest, inhaling the faint scent of books emanating from him.
Not far away, Qi Zihao raised his camera, pressed the shutter, and captured this heartwarming scene. Chu Xiaoche hugged him from behind and whispered in his ear, "Look, they are happy too."
Qi Zihao nodded, a sweet smile appearing on his lips. Song Mingye and Song Linchuan also came out of the kitchen, their faces full of relief as they looked at the two embracing in the yard.
A gentle evening breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and the sweet scent of lovers. Four couples stood side by side in the courtyard, hand in hand, feeling each other's warmth, their hearts filled with happiness. Their stories, after weathering storms, had finally found true peace and tranquility, like the gentle moonlight flowing slowly and warmly through the long river of time.
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