Feng Zhi Wei’s back stiffened. She suddenly remembered that day in Xiliang Palace and the conversation between the father and daughter. Her heart gripped with a stab of pain, and she stayed put, leaning against Gu Nan Yi’s shoulder. 

Gu Nan Yi was also leaning against her, but he simply rested his chin lightly against her temple, holding her as they looked up at the bright moon on the horizon. He seemed completely satisfied to just hold her like this, not saying anything. Feng Zhi Wei knew he was a man of few words, and neither did she want to break the serene beauty of the night, so she just sat quietly. 

The night sea tide was gentle, softly pushing against the boat planks. The moonlight scattered like broken silver, outlining their silhouettes. 

Suddenly, Feng Zhi Wei heard Gu Nan Yi mutter softly, “Reunion…”

Feng Zhi Wei replied with a light “Hm?” before finally realizing what day it was. 

“In the past, who did you spend Mid-Autumn Festival with?” She asked in a low voice. 

Gu Nan Yi seemed to think for a bit before slowly replying, “I don’t remember during the time I was little. Later, my nanny would make me some cakes. She would say a lot that day, she would sing songs too, but I don’t remember any of it.”

Feng Zhi Wei listened quietly, thinking inwardly that for him, all those years of reunion nights were actually incomplete. Even if he was surrounded by thousands of people, he was still alone and lonely. By the time he finally understood the true meaning of reunion, he had to spend it apart from those close to him. 

Fate had never treated him fairly. 

She sniffled and pulled her clothes tighter around her. Then he heard him say softly, “Wei, if we could just drift on like this forever, how nice would that be.” 

Feng Zhi Wei answered with “Mm”, and felt the person behind her seemingly become happy again, as if they really could drift on like this forever, free of worry, like a wisp of wind, wandering through the universe without any burdens. 

To drift on like this, it really was nice.

She leaned against Gu Nan Yi in the silence. Both of them lifted their heads and looked toward that distant full moon on the sea. The moon felt so close, almost as if one could just reach out and touch it. They could see clearly its pale blue veins, swirling like mountain ranges, like the ethereal immortals on the heavenly isles. Is there really such a place as Penglai (a mythical island where immortals are said to live), where the weary travelers can retreat from the world, set their hearts free among the green cliffs and white deer, to finally reclaim the true serenity of their souls? 

After a long time, amidst the lingering sea breeze and the soft cries of seabirds, Feng Zhi Wei said softly, “Shall I sing you a Mid-Atumn ballad….” 

Gu Nan Yi gave a soft, “Mm.”

Moon mama, shine as I push the millstone. Little little girl, without a mother…” 

Her singing was soft and delicate, like the gentle ebb and flow of the seawater. The continuous lapping of waves, endless and rolling across this vast world. Under the moonlight, the silhouetted pair sat embracing in silence, as they drifted together toward the Penglai island of their dreams. 

——————–

Feng Zhi Wei didn’t know when she fell asleep. Maybe it was from fatigue after singing or perhaps it was Gu Nan Yi who might have hit her sleep acupoint. The moonlight and seawater of the previous night had been too gentle. So gentle that even in her dreams, she had seemingly heard the soft murmurings from the far reaches of heaven. The murmurings were distant, warm, and full of tenderness. In that whispering, it felt as if someone had gently pressed their face against her ear and said again and again, “Take care, Zhi Wei.” 

When she opened her eyes again, she felt her eyes were slightly damp, as if she had cried in her dreams, but she couldn’t recall what she had dreamed of. Then she felt something heavy and itchy on her face. When she took a closer look, it was actually Gu Nan Yi’s face pressed against her cheek. His veil had fallen on her face, every time a breeze would move it, it would tickle her nose. As for him, he was still holding her in the same posture as the night before. The posture was rather awkward, with his waist twisted halfway. He held her firmly, protected against the middle of the plank, keeping her untouched by the seawater. Yet, the hem of his own robe was soaked. 

Feng Zhi Wei was very impressed with the fact that Gu Nan Yi could sleep so firmly, unmovable like a mountain, while they were drifting on the open sea on a piece of boat plank. The title of being the world’s best was certainly not bestowed lightly. She slowly pushed his face away, afraid that if she accidentally startled him and caused his body to arch, then it would send both of them right into the water. 

While she was over here moving carefully, Ning Cheng, who had been bobbing in the water the whole day, looked up as he was sneezing. Anger immediately flooded him the moment he opened his eyes to the sight of the two in an embracing posture that was even more suggestive than the night before— he felt that if it were His Highness and Feng Zhi Wei in such an embrace, then it would be an eyesore. But if it were Gu Nan Yi and Feng Zhi Wei in such an embrace, then it would be an even bigger eyesore. Unable to hold back anymore, the impulsive Guardsman Ning promptly forgot where he was and raised his leg to kick the boat plank— “Hey, hey! Men and women should keep a distance!” 

*Bang*

With one kick, a large piece of the boat plank that had been held down by Gu Nan Yi’s oar and had been spinning in circles, suddenly tipped. Gu Nan Yi, who had dozed off for a brief moment, was instantly jolted awake. He instinctively reached out to grab Feng Zhi Wei, but Feng Zhi Wei was also reaching out to grab him too. Their outstretched arms met midair. In their haste, they both forgot they were still bound together by the chain. Their bodies were pulled and tilted. Feng Zhi Wei fell into the water first with a splash, followed by yet another splash as Gu Nan Yi was dragged in after her. 

As soon as Feng Zhi Wei fell into the water, she tried to reach for the boat plank. Unfortunately, she didn’t anticipate that Gu Nan Yi would fall right on her. The moment she lifted her head, a shadow flashed before her eyes. Something came swooping down and pressed her toward the bottom of the water. Then, immediately followed by a pair of cool and soft lips pressed against hers. 

Feng Zhi Wei’s eyes widened, and she let out a “Ah.” As soon as she opened her mouth, a mouthful of seawater came rushing in. She choked and held her breath, then felt someone holding up her back, and warm air flowed into her lungs, immediately dispensing the suffocating pressure in her chest. Feng Zhi Wei’s jumbled mind instantly cleared, and she realized Gu Nan Yi was giving her air with his mouth. Her cheeks flashed red, wanting to turn away, but something seemed to have clicked inside Gu Nan Yi. He held her tightly in the water and refused to let go. His lips gently moved against hers, gentle yet firm. Crystal-clear bubbles rising up in the seawater around them. The golden light of the sun penetrated the crystal blue water, illuminating the underwater world in all its brilliance. Gu Nan Yi’s veil was soaked by the seawater, floating with the gentle waves. In the hazy and colorful light, there seemed to be another radiant light that flashed—– 

Feng Zhi Wei suddenly closed her eyes. 

There was suddenly a movement by her lips. Something had taken advantage of her momentary daze and slipped into her sea of roses. (umm…lots of innuendos here. I am assuming sea of roses mouth) In a rare show of mischievousness, it awkwardly explored all around. Seemingly a little hesitant, but also savoring a sweetness and ecstasy beyond anything he’d ever imagined. It was a brand new world that had unexpectedly opened in front of him. In that moment, he saw the misty Penglai, the Jade Palace, saw all the beauty of this world, and was saved in that very moment. 

Gu Nan Yi’s eyes widen, too stunned that even with his unmatched martial arts, he seemed to have forgotten what to do. The hands that were supporting her back slipped inadvertently and seemed to touch some beautiful, graceful valley. It was so smooth, like soft jade silk in his palms, passing through his very heart like slippery fish. His body seemed gripped by something, causing even his breathing to be restrained, making it become more rapid. 

　All text copyright @ www.Ninja-Reflection.com  　

ps. Whew…now MY face is turning red.

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