admit
"Speaking of which, my elder brother Qu Lingchuan is incredibly handsome and dashing. Just a few days ago at the palace banquet, my brother had only a brief encounter with Princess Huaqing..."
"Only once?"
Lu Shuyu and Liu Ziju spoke in unison.
"Although we've only met once, have you two ever heard of love at first sight?"
"Besides, my brother is really handsome, and he'll even go into battle to fight the enemy and bring glory to the country..."
Before Qu Linghan could finish speaking, Lu Shuyu sighed deeply, and Qu Linghan followed suit.
"Love at first sight can ruin a lifetime. Liu Huayao must have been captivated by my brother. I still remember when my brother said she was dressed too flamboyantly, she left in shame, and the next time I saw her, she was dressed simply."
What else could this be but liking someone?
You only feel inferior when you like someone.
People only strive to change themselves when they feel inferior.
I hope I can catch his eye. I don't know if this is the right thing to do, but it's better than nothing.
Getting closer to him may also be getting closer to a better version of yourself.
As for what happens in the future, we'll see.
Qu Linghan felt that, at least for now, that was the case.
......
After the meal, Bai Hui came to Lanxu Pavilion to pick up Qu Linghan and take her back to her residence.
Qu Linghan was genuinely surprised, but her heart was warmed.
Yesterday, Qu Linghan said he wanted to take Bai Hui with him to choose fabric and make clothes. He originally thought he would bring the fabric home and the two of them could design it together.
I didn't realize it would be difficult to prepare; Bai Hui is really thoughtful.
The two then prepared to choose clothes. The first step was to take their measurements. The procedure involved measuring Bai Hui's body foot by foot.
However, Qu Linghan was extremely familiar with Bai Hui's body, so he skipped this step and jumped directly to the second step.
Xuanbu, Bai Hui was born with fair skin, but after leading troops in the field for many years, her skin is now a rough, wheat-colored color.
Qu Linghan felt that black suited him best, but Bai Hui always liked to wear black, even though he was still quite young. He insisted on putting on an old-fashioned look.
So he chose a light purple outfit. Although his skin was a bit rough, his appearance was excellent, and the purple color perfectly brought out the elegance that had been hidden in his bones.
Ordinary people would not easily wear purple clothes because it is too noble, but purple paired with white is just right.
Qu Linghan thought.
Qu Linghan personally tailored clothes for Bai Hui, which clung tightly to his body. The hem of the clothes fluttered in the wind, and the pale purple seemed to surround him in a pure and noble halo. Qu Linghan raised his hand and pointed to the hair crown he was personally tying up.
A few stray hairs gently brushed against Qu Linghan's cheek, making her feel a little itchy, but an indescribable warmth surged in her heart.
It's probably love.
Perhaps it is because of love that even the most resilient ice has now melted.
......
It's Qixi Festival again, and it's also the first Qixi Festival that Qu Linghan and Bai Hui have spent together.
I remember the first year, when Qu Linghan arrived, it was already the dead of winter. The thin wedding dress she wore back then seemed to still be on her body. The chill swept over her, and she felt as if she had been knocked down. She was inexplicably brought to Liuchao.
Later, although he became quite familiar with Bai Hui, Bai Hui went to the Northwest not long after, and stayed there for more than a year. Although the two exchanged letters, it was certainly not as good as meeting and talking in person.
Over time, their feelings for each other grew, and now they've reached a point where they can celebrate the Qixi Festival together.
It's quite... quite amazing.
So the two tacitly understood each other. Qu Linghan got up early and changed into an exquisite dress, the hair ornaments on her head making a crisp sound as she walked. Amidst the pleasant rustling of leaves falling as Bai Hui practiced her sword, the two met.
Bai Hui was dressed in a light purple robe that Qu Linghan had personally selected and tailored for him; it was form-fitting and long.
Even though they've been married for a long time, Qu Linghan still stared, completely mesmerized. That figure, those proportions, that jawline, those eyebrows…
A blush spread across her face, and even Qu Linghan's ears turned a pale pink.
He wasn't this stunning when he tried on the clothes, but it's only been a few days. Has Bai Hui become even more handsome, or has Qu Linghan's filter just gotten thicker?
There's nothing to say about that.
"You...have you mastered the sword technique?"
Qu Linghan stammered, pondering how to persuade him to go out for the Qixi Festival.
"Alright, let's go have breakfast first."
Bai Hui sheathed his sword and casually took Qu Linghan's hand.
Qu Linghan found the ambiguous period really annoying; it was hard to say whether she loved him or not.
I have the courage to be with you, but someone has to break through that barrier.
It's both blissful and frustrating. No wonder people always say that being in love is like experiencing all the flavors of life.
Qu Linghan and Bai Hui walked side by side. He took long strides, but very slow ones. The two of them walked together, just right.
Qu Linghan is a top-notch businesswoman; she has planned today's itinerary meticulously. The two will first go for a spring outing in the countryside, then return to the restaurant Bai Hui took her to earlier for dinner. Afterward, as it will be getting late, they can participate in some activities at the restaurant, and then release lanterns under the Ziying Bridge. How wonderful!
Qu Linghan recounted the story vividly, and Bai Hui's expression remained unchanged, though she was secretly overjoyed. However, due to her past public persona, she didn't show it.
"Hey, what do you think, Mr. Bai?"
Qu Linghan shook the pendant she had just bought, which shimmered in the sunlight, and it seemed that the shimmering light had touched Bai Hui's heart.
"I think it's very good."
Excellent!
After receiving affirmation, Qu Linghan felt an overwhelming surge of energy. He grabbed Bai Hui and ran off. Qu Linghan then pulled Bai Hui along, and when they looked up again, all they could see was greenery covering the mountains.
Qu Linghan's favorite time is now—the end of summer, the beginning of autumn. Autumn always brings a sense of loneliness, and winter is too cold. But spring? Spring is when all things have just broken free from winter's constraints, seemingly heading towards prosperity, yet not quite. Rather, spring is a painful growing season, a period of emptiness and growth. Summer, on the other hand, is the harvest—flowers bloom, butterflies arrive, and fragrance fills the air. It's just too hot now; going out for work always leaves you drenched in sweat. This moment is just right—warm, vibrant, and slightly cool, especially when spent with loved ones. Whether taking a walk or letting loose, it's all just right.
Guishu City is, after all, the "capital," and even a thousand years later, the pace of life is still fast. Especially since Qu Linghan is the owner of a trendy shop, although the business is much more stable than when it first started, he is still very busy. Moreover, he has to guard against troublemakers. But today, looking at the lush greenery, feeling the breeze, and smelling the fragrance of flowers in the air, Qu Linghan is unrestrained in every gesture and feels carefree. He is physically in Yanjiao, but his soul has gone to the grasslands.
Qu Linghan pulled Bai Hui to the stream. The river flowed gently by, and Qu Linghan felt that even if they did nothing, just sitting here would be blissful.
She looked up and saw Bai Hui looking into the distance. His eyes always seemed to be veiled in mist, and she couldn't see him clearly through the haze.
Then he called softly,
"Bai Hui, what are you thinking about?"
He turned around.
"Thinking of the days without you."
Qu Linghan was taken aback.
"What were those days like?"
What he really wanted to say was, "Are those painful days over?"
Let it go, stop thinking about it, I'm here.
She placed her hands in the stream, the babbling water flowing through her fingers, warm and inviting, making her reluctant to leave. Just then, Bai Hui spoke, so she simply put both hands in, feeling the warmth of everything.
“I went to the battlefield at the age of seventeen. In my first battle, I killed countless enemies. His Majesty recognized me and thought I was a tough sword. Once he took me, he was reluctant to let go of me or give me away. He cherished me. I also lived up to his expectations and never lost a battle.”
"Later, he became afraid. He was afraid that the sword would become a god, afraid that people would say that it was just because the sword was too sharp. So he hid me away, looked at me coldly, and kept me hidden from the light of day. I did not compete for fame, fortune, or merit. The sword was to his liking, only charging forward and not seeking merit. But he was filled with murderous intent, and even wanted to spread all the blood of the dead on the sword, to make it rust, to be completely despised by people, and to die."
"He used to be fearless of death, fearless of having his honors stolen, fearless of bloodshed, but now..."
His words grew slower and slower, his voice becoming gentler, and his gaze shifted from the distance to Qu Linghan's face.
"He has someone to care about."
Bai Hui's words pierced Qu Linghan's heart like needles, and it felt as if something cold was flowing down her cheeks.
Bai Hui reached out and gently wiped away her tears with his fingers.
"Strange, why am I crying?"
They looked at each other without saying a word.
After a long while, Qu Linghan placed Bai Hui's hand in his own, and together they placed it in the babbling water. The water flowed down, passing through their palms.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's all over now."
It's all in the past now, don't be afraid, I'm here for you.
Life is like petals on a dark, damp branch—damp, but undeniably, it will get better.
After a long while, the two finally separated.
Qu Linghan moved closer to Bai Hui, then pressed himself against her.
"Will you leave me, Bai Zhaoming?"
He said firmly, "No."
"Okay, I believe you."
"And you?"
Qu Linghan placed her fingers above her eyes, and sunlight streamed in through the gaps, warm and beautiful.
She spoke softly,
"What."
Will you leave?
Qu Linghan paused for a moment, then spoke. "No."
The sunlight was lovely, shining on their faces. In this moment, one could feel that love is the most beautiful thing in the world.
She pushed Bai Hui down onto the lawn, then rested her face in her hands under his arms.
"Bai Hui, do you think we're dating right now?"
"fall in love?"
"I mean, is the feeling between us... like between a man and a woman...?"
Qu Linghan was too embarrassed to continue, and Bai Hui didn't respond either, instead moving closer on her own.
Like a dragonfly skimming the water, I kissed her cheek, feeling her breath, the fine hairs on her face, one kiss after another.
"yes."
"yes."
"yes."
......
Everything, everything, is just right.
Bai Hui took Qu Linghan's hand, placed it in his palm, and cherished it as if it were a precious jewel...
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