On a certain Qixi Festival after that dream, Song Zhiqing had already become a mature master of romance.
First and foremost, she had a definite, stable, and reliable target for her romantic gestures: Miss Ye Yuhuan, who had transformed from her love strategist into love itself.
Dating Ye Yuhuan was simply the best thing in the world. Her girlfriend could be sweet or fierce, was beautiful and smart, and was utterly adorable when she occasionally got flustered.
Song Zhiqing felt that she liked Ye Yuhuan more each day than the last.
The only fly in the ointment, however, was that Ye Yuhuan was always unwilling to be overly affectionate with her anywhere but at home.
This “affection” wasn’t anything as intense as getting wild outdoors. Even for a kiss on the cheek, Ye Yuhuan would be extremely restrained, insisting they be in a safe zone before getting close to her girlfriend.
Song Zhiqing knew this was partly due to the psychological trauma from the catalyst of their love—accidentally witnessing Shen Wei and Shangguan Xianxian kissing from time to time. Ye Yuhuan always felt that a pair of eyes would suddenly pop out from some unexpected corner, watching the whole thing with the same embarrassment and shock they once had.
Thus, at many moments when they should have been lost in passion, Ye Yuhuan would suddenly recall her own past actions in the split second before leaning in. In an instant, the entire torrent of emotion would freeze, leaving Song Zhiqing with her lips gently pressed shut by Ye Yuhuan’s hand.
And Song Zhiqing? Song Zhiqing would be utterly bewildered.
Because of this, there were even absurd rumors that the two weren’t really dating, but that Ye Yuhuan was being kept by Song Zhiqing.
Fortunately, when Song Zhiqing heard this rumor, she was at home with her exceptionally well-behaved girlfriend, who immediately pulled her into an embrace and kissed her until she lost all track of time.
It made it impossible for Song Zhiqing to stay angry.
So annoying.
Song Zhiqing couldn’t criticize her dear girlfriend’s preference, but she planned to change it secretly.
If there was a scene romantic enough—so romantic that not kissing would feel like a shameful waste—then she, Song Zhiqing, refused to believe Ye Yuhuan could still hold back.
It wasn’t that Song Zhiqing particularly liked smooching and such in public, but she just couldn’t accept it. Why, when it was the perfect moment for a kiss, would you stop?
Heartless!
Cold!
And the master of romance, Master Song, would undoubtedly change all of this on their first Qixi Festival as a couple.
From the moment the alarm clock rang on the morning of Qixi, Ye Yuhuan noticed that Song Zhiqing seemed to be caught in a strange state of excitement. She could tell from the frequent, secretive glances Song Zhiqing kept shooting her way.
Is Song Zhiqing planning some kind of surprise? Ye Yuhuan wondered.
Given Song Zhiqing’s usual habits, Ye Yuhuan thought it was highly likely.
So what should I do? I prepared something too.
Ye Yuhuan was a little troubled. She guessed her own preparations would be nowhere near as stunning as Song Zhiqing’s. Sigh, having a girlfriend who’s too romantic can be a bit discouraging at times.
It felt like a hard-working contender being outmatched by a naturally talented one.
In the afternoon, after secretly making several phone calls, Song Zhiqing feigned a casual tone and said, “It’s Qixi today. Baby, shouldn’t we go out on a date or something?”
Ye Yuhuan watched the person in front of her, who was so nervous she was about to forget her act. She laughed inwardly but replied agreeably, “Of course. I’ve already booked a restaurant.”
Song Zhiqing’s expression changed at her words. Ye Yuhuan booked a restaurant? That won’t do!
“Cancel it!”
“Hm?” Ye Yuhuan feigned confusion.
Song Zhiqing quickly forced a sweet smile and said, “I booked a super amazing restaurant. Let’s go there. I really, really want to go. It’s a legendary place that all couples have to visit.”
Fun fact: Song Zhiqing had never before been obsessed with things that “couples must do.”
Ye Yuhuan pretended to send a text to cancel the reservation, but in reality, she shamelessly sent a message to Shen Wei: Work hard. I’m off on a date.
Then she looked up with a serious expression, asking just as she would for any normal date, “Do we need to wear couple outfits?”
Song Zhiqing slapped her forehead. How could she have forgotten that? She quickly replied with excitement, “Yes!”
Their fashion styles weren’t very similar. Song Zhiqing’s style was versatile, but its core was exquisite and meticulous, with specially designed accessories and the like. Ye Yuhuan, on the other hand, just needed to be comfortable and look good.
After they got together, Song Zhiqing put a lot of effort into her girlfriend’s wardrobe. But for the sake of convenience, Ye Yuhuan always wore the clothes she bought herself. Song Zhiqing had protested many times before finally getting Ye Yuhuan to spend half an hour changing when they went out together.
Song Zhiqing chose blue as the main color for today’s date. She wore a light blue sleeveless dress with a pink silk scarf. The small white leather shoes on her feet and the pearl earrings on her ears complemented her overall fresh and pure style.
As for Ye Yuhuan, she wore a French sky-blue long dress, and around her neck was a diamond necklace with her initials, specially chosen by Song Zhiqing.
Ye Yuhuan looked at them both. It didn’t seem very “couple-like.”
But then Song Zhiqing took out their fifth set of couple rings. They had a vine pattern, which perfectly matched their dreamy theme for the day.
Then she grinned, took Ye Yuhuan’s hand, and said proudly, “This way, everyone will be able to tell we’re a couple.”
A smile crept into Ye Yuhuan’s eyes. She squeezed Song Zhiqing’s hand back, then leaned down and gently left a kiss on the beauty’s lips. “Qingqing is the smartest, after all.”
Song Zhiqing pursed her lips and said with a hint of regret, “It’s a shame we’re wearing makeup.”
Hearing this, Ye Yuhuan chuckled. Her other hand wrapped around the slender waist before her, and her lips, which hadn’t fully pulled away, pressed firmly against that soft, beautiful spot again. Her voice was muffled as she said, “Makeup doesn’t have to stop us.”
Just as they were about to get lost in the moment, Song Zhiqing remembered her plan. Blushing, she quickly pushed Ye Yuhuan away. “We’ll be late if we keep this up.”
Ye Yuhuan could only let her go with regret. Alright, the surprise is the most important thing.
Catching a glimpse of her own watery eyes in the full-length mirror, Song Zhiqing’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. If only Ye Yuhuan could be this proactive later, Song Zhiqing thought, catching her breath.
Hmph, I’m going to move this woman, Ye Yuhuan, to tears!
As the car gradually headed out of the city, Ye Yuhuan understood that this surprise was probably going to be on a grand scale.
Song Zhiqing tried hard to maintain her composure. She didn’t know if it would all work out. In pursuit of the biggest surprise, she had exhausted all her means, even running a few simulations on her computer.
But she couldn’t stay this nervous. She couldn’t let Ye Yuhuan see, or it would ruin the integrity of the surprise. Song Zhiqing snuggled into Ye Yuhuan’s embrace, inhaling her scent. Mm, she smells the same as me.
Ah, that’s better.
Forty-five minutes later, the car turned onto a two-lane road. Song Zhiqing suddenly and very suspiciously stopped their conversation mid-sentence. Ye Yuhuan raised an eyebrow. Is it starting?
Sure enough, the convertible that Song Zhiqing had specially chosen for their outing slowly retracted its roof. Ye Yuhuan looked up.
Eh? It’s just stars. Oh.
And a sky full of fireworks.
Ye Yuhuan glanced at a certain someone who was already starting to look smug. That certain someone maintained her air of mystery, placing a finger to her lips and letting out a soft “shhh.”
This was only the beginning.
Theirs was the only car on this road, because it led to a private manor—a place Song Zhiqing had scraped together the money to buy for her and Ye Yuhuan’s future retirement.
All in all, it was very beautiful.
Whether it was the castle-like house, the flowers that could be seen everywhere, or the large log swing, everything was beautiful.
Song Zhiqing mouthed the words: “Our home.”
Ye Yuhuan couldn’t help but break into a wide smile. She knew it; when it came to surprises, she could never beat Song Zhiqing. They had both coincidentally bought a house for each other, but Song Zhiqing’s was far more beautiful than hers.
And so, amidst the sound of fireworks, they walked into the brilliantly lit manor. After the driver drove the car away, Ye Yuhuan held Song Zhiqing’s hand as they strolled along the stone-paved path, flanked by lush flowerbeds. The fireworks continued overhead, and her heart seemed to explode along with them in the sky, each beat clamoring for her to spend a lifetime with the person beside her.
It was an exceptionally sweet feeling, like nectar touched by dew in spring, always evoking the entire season.
Ye Yuhuan had long since let go of her prejudice against love, and in this moment, she seemed to have found love’s devotion as well.
If it’s not the person whose hand I’m holding, then no one else would be interesting at all.
The path had an end. When they reached it, an open-air dining table stood before them, adorned with a few roses. A violinist was on standby.
But the fireworks hadn’t stopped, and the surroundings were still noisy, so she could only remain on standby.
Even though her instructions were to play “Für Elise” the moment they arrived.
Ye Yuhuan saw the vexation on Song Zhiqing’s face and said with a smile, “Master of romance, Master Song, it seems you’ve miscalculated a few variables.”
Song Zhiqing cursed herself inwardly. She shouldn’t have been so excited today that she forgot she was supposed to lead Ye Yuhuan. Now look, they had walked too fast. The plan was supposed to be much more stunning than this.
And if they had just walked to the rhythm of a heartbeat, it would have been perfect.
Sigh, a miscalculation.
Song Zhiqing was just about to argue to save some face—to say, for instance, that this was all part of her plan, that she wanted them to sit and enjoy the fireworks a little longer.
But just then, Ye Yuhuan kissed her, just as she had wished.
The violinist turned her back, her cool face filled with embarrassment. She knew it. Qixi gigs were the most troublesome. The money you earned was basically compensation for the mental distress of watching couples’ public displays of affection.
Ye Yuhuan parted Song Zhiqing’s lips, captured by a desire to be infinitely close to this person.
The fireworks stopped thirty seconds later. The violin began to play thirty-two seconds later.
And they kissed for a very long time.
About the time it takes to play “Für Elise” three times.
Ye Yuhuan pulled the other woman into her arms, her voice still laced with breathless pants. She leaned close to Song Zhiqing’s ear and whispered, “You not only miscalculated the variables in planning the surprise, you also miscalculated my variables. But sometimes, two wrongs can make a right.”
“Song Zhiqing, right now, I love you more than anyone in the world.”
Song Zhiqing hadn’t even caught her breath when she heard Ye Yuhuan’s confession.
Well, I’ve already gotten what I wanted.
But since Ye Yuhuan said she loves me more than anyone in the world… Song Zhiqing wrapped her arms around Ye Yuhuan’s neck, tilted her head up, and kissed those crimson lips.
It just makes a girl want to kiss her.
Mmm, dating Ye Yuhuan really is the best thing in the world.
“Für Elise” began to play again.
The waiter on standby to the side didn’t know if he should serve the food, but he knew that for now, he should stay by the flower bushes.
Even if the food got completely cold, he couldn’t show his face.
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