“I don’t know how to describe this feeling… It’s not like winning a race, with a clear finish line and cheers. It’s more like… more like a habit and dependence that sneaks up on you without realizing it.”
“I’ll start noticing your little gestures, remembering all your habits, feeling full of strength from a simple ‘keep going’ from you, and getting really upset when I see you standing with someone else…”
“My emotions seem to have been unknowingly tugged by you…”
“…Xiong Yibai, I like you.”
“Not the kind of like for a friend, not gratitude toward a doctor, and not the worship of a fan for an idol!”
“It’s the kind of like where I want to wake up every morning and see you first, share all the trivial joys and sorrows with you, know you’re waiting at the finish line when I’m pushing hard on the track!”
“It’s also… the kind of like where I want to be the only special person by your side, hold your hand, hug you, and… spend the rest of my life with you!”
Her words came out fast, her eyes unbelievably bright, reflecting Xiong Yibai’s somewhat dazed face and the last streak of sunset glow on the horizon.
“I know I might be a bit impulsive, a bit childish, not as calm or capable as you. But,”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“My feelings for you are real, confirmed after so long and countless thoughts! So… so…”
“If… if you haven’t gotten together with someone else yet, could you… give me a chance?”
“Give me a chance to stand by your side, not just as a good friend, but as… as your lover?”
The evening breeze brushed past, carrying the sweet scent of osmanthus flowers. A few tiny petals swirled down onto their shoulders.
Xiong Yibai listened quietly to her confession, her gaze gradually softening.
She took out the fortune bag she had embroidered herself from her pocket and handed it to Feng Miwan.
Feng Miwan stared at the fortune bag, blinked, and looked puzzled. “This is…?”
Xiong Yibai said softly,
“The stall owner who made this said you can only make one per person, and it can only be given to the one you love.”
Feng Miwan’s eyes widened suddenly. Immense joy exploded in her mind, leaving her dizzy for a moment.
“You… you giving this to me means…? The one you love… is… me?”
Xiong Yibai gave a gentle, affirmative smile and nodded. “Yeah.”
Feng Miwan couldn’t care less about the setting anymore. She stepped forward and hugged Xiong Yibai!
Xiong Yibai gently patted Feng Miwan’s back, feeling her slight trembling, her own eyes growing warm.
This embrace shut out the surrounding clamor. The whole world narrowed to the sound of their heartbeats.
After who knew how long—maybe just a short moment, or perhaps much longer—kind chuckles, soft murmurs, and the “click” of phone cameras began to sound around them.
More and more gazes focused on this perfect pair embracing under the Moon Elder tree.
Xiong Yibai noticed the stares and shifted uncomfortably. She whispered in Feng Miwan’s ear,
“Little Honey… a lot of people are watching.”
Feng Miwan finally lifted her head and looked around. Sure enough, many tourists were smiling at them. Her cheeks flushed red in an instant. She slowly released Xiong Yibai but reached for her hand, interlocking their fingers tightly, refusing to let go.
Feng Miwan looked at Xiong Yibai. “What… what do we do next?”
Xiong Yibai asked in return, “What do you want to do?”
Feng Miwan said, “Anything! As long as it’s with you!”
The corner of Xiong Yibai’s lips curved up. “Did you come alone?”
“Ah!”
Feng Miwan smacked her forehead as she remembered.
“Right! I came with Shu Tong!”
She quickly looked at Xiong Yibai. “Don’t misunderstand! We just… we both had nothing to do today, and she said it was lively here, so we came to check it out! Pure bestie hangout, absolutely no other meaning!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Feng Miwan suddenly remembered the “pretty boy” and felt an itch to ask who it was.
But the thought had barely surfaced before she suppressed it:
No, no. I just confessed successfully, and Yibai accepted me. Asking now about who she was with would make me seem petty and distrustful.
She was wrestling with it when Xiong Yibai broke the silence. “No misunderstanding. I trust you.”
Likewise, you can trust me too. That ‘guy’ you saw earlier was Ren Queyue. She dragged me here today to hang a fortune plaque—for her and her ex.
Feng Miwan exclaimed in surprise, “What?! He… she was… Ren Queyue? The one from the emergency department who teased me about my piloting skills, Doctor Ren?”
“Yeah,” Xiong Yibai nodded. “She dressed… a bit unusually today, and with the mask, it’s normal you didn’t recognize her.”
Feng Miwan recalled Ren Queyue’s figure and outfit, suddenly understanding. She couldn’t help but sincerely praise,
“Oh my god! Now that you mention it, she really looked so handsome!”
No sooner had she said it than she heard Xiong Yibai “hmph” beside her and glance at her. “…And me?”
Feng Miwan froze for a second, then leaned in close.
“You? You’re of course the best-looking! No one compares! The one and only in my heart, the most beautiful and beloved person!”
Xiong Yibai had only said it casually, not really minding, but this flattery made her smile. “Got it.”
Just then, Xiong Yibai’s phone rang, the screen showing “Ren Queyue.”
She answered, “Hello?”
Ren Queyue’s somewhat urgent voice came from the other end:
“Yibai! Sorry, the hospital just got an emergency call. There’s a sudden chain car crash with lots of injured. Emergency department is short-staffed and called me back for support! I have to go first and can’t wait for you. You okay getting back on your own?”
“No problem. Go ahead, stay safe,” Xiong Yibai replied.
“Okay, talk later!” Ren Queyue seemed to already be running and hung up hurriedly.
Xiong Yibai put away her phone and said to Feng Miwan, “Queyue had an emergency at the hospital and left first.”
Feng Miwan perked up. “Perfect! Since Doctor Ren had to go, come with me to find Shu Tong! We three can wander around some more! I haven’t really explored with you yet!”
She shook Xiong Yibai’s hand.
Xiong Yibai nodded. “Sure.”
The two returned to the quiet tea stall from before.
