A week has passed since their visit and ZhenYu had forgotten about JinGe, and his focus was fixated on LiQin. Their relationship was getting better after their visit to ZhenYu parent's home.

They are now able to hold a conversation during breakfast and dinner. And sometimes when ZhenYu was in his study, LiQin would visit him, taking along a sewing basket. She would sew while he reads. Although, whenever she was in the room, ZhenYu pretended to read because he found she was more amusing than the book he was reading. "One, two and three," thought ZhenYu. A small 'ouch' was heard from LiQin who was sewing. She kept getting her finger pricked every three stitches she made while sewing and it was still a mystery to him as to what she was sewing. The figure on the clothes does not resembles neither butterflies nor goldfishes.

ZhenYu would go to the forest and picks out fresh flowers for her everyday which he gave to LiQin whenever he came home from the office and they would walk together, arms linked and headed to the dining room. Sometimes, LiQin would smell the bunch of flowers she was holding in her hand and then she would sneak a few glances at ZhenYu. He would notice her stares and she would turned away shyly.

After dinner, they would walk around the garden, and she would sit in the swing while he pushed her. They would talk about various topics such as the problems he faced in work, the present they are going to prepare for ZhenPing's birthday which is coming soon and simple things.

She also noticed how he often walks, with his arm placed just above his waist, with his back straight and with an air of confidence but whenever he was with her, he is more relaxed, his shoulder would slump ever so slightly. Whenever she looked at him, he would look away with his ears turning red and whenever he is nervous, he would clasp his hands together without a hint shown on his face. He never told her his problems and would shoulder them alone.

"You should rely on me more even if I cannot do anything for you but at the least, I can lend you my ears," thought LiQin whenever he saw him in his study and doing that particular action as she passed by his study.

Ever since then, she would stay in his study every day and sat next to him.

Days passed and they were getting in sync with each other as well, without saying anything, LiQin would pass him paper when he ran out of it, find the book he wanted before he even demanded it, she would fill his cup when it was empty, and placed it at his right as she knows that he was left-handed. She also knew the clumsy man that he is. He often forgets the things he placed and how often he drops things on the floor.

In this period, she had known about most of his habits, and he knew about hers as well. He often noticed during their dinner that she disliked being watched and had dismissed the servants when they eat. He also knew that she dislikes eating fish. She never told him, but she must have been choked before by a fish bone because every time she ate fish, she would flatten it on the plate first and look for bones several times before eating it. Therefore, ZhenYu had ordered the chef to debone them before serving the fish.

He also noticed how she often bends down to look at him from below. It was a habit of hers, which Madam Wong had scolded her many times, but it never changed. Although, she seems weak, he also noticed that she had learned martial arts because he noticed the way she moved. There were never any wasted movement even when she walks or runs. LiQin also had a habit of smiling when she isn't feeling happy, whether she was angry or sad. She would give him a fake smile to cover it up.

To his new amazement, he learned a new thing about her every single day and just a few days ago, when he agreed Madam Wong's request of tailoring new sets of clothes for the mistress, he had a chance to discover another side of her.

ZhenYu accidentally passed by the room when the tailor bought the cloths over and he saw how she was acting like a child when she was choosing the cloth for her new robes and sashes.

"I like the blue and peach coloured cloth," said LiQin as she showed the cloths from her family's store to Xiao Tao and Madam Wong. After contemplating for a while, she finally chose both.

Madam Wong had insisted that she choose another few more to be made but the girl said that it was a waste of money, "Even though, we have money. We should not waste it. Two is quite enough."

"How about another pair of shoes? You only had one pair right now."

"Mine are fine. I do not need another new pair. Ah Lu you can take the measurements now," insisted LiQin. With that said Madam Wong shook her head and gave up.

The staff from her father's store began taking measurement and when he was done, he was sent out to the back door by Madam Wong but just as Madam Wong opened the door, ZhenYu appeared and ordered a new pair of shoes to be made for LiQin, "Do not tell her. I want to surprise her. The measurement of her feet I will leave them to you," said ZhenYu to Madam Wong who looked very happy to accept the assignment.

He was not what she had expected to be, and she was not what he had believed as well. Every day, they were finding more and more about each other which made them love each other more.

Every day was passing wonderfully and one day while they were out at the lake taking a walk, out of curiosity, LiQin suddenly thought of something. "What do you like about me?" she asked ZhenYu.

ZhenYu thought for a while, trying to think of a way to tell her.

"It was love at first sight. After some business was settled in the neighbouring city, I was in a carriage on my way back home, on this same route we are taking," said ZhenYu as he pointed towards the road which they were walking.

"When you passed me by, I heard your laughter first and it was so charming as if they were tiny bells ringing in my mind. I pulled away the blinds to catch a glimpse of the owner and I saw you. I was captivated at once," said ZhenYu.

"But I do not think my laughter is that twinkling," said LiQin. "Maybe I misheard," said ZhenYu jokingly. "So, you don't like me now?" as she gave out her signature fake smile.

He knew he had to answer cautiously.

"I believe that I love you more now than what I love initially."

It was a good answer, and she forgave him.

Argument

LiQin and ZhenYu were having dinner; the room was silent except for the sounds of their chopsticks picking up food and occasional sound of crickets chirping loudly outside. They were both having a fight, and each of them was unwilling to speak to the other. Even the servants were tense being around the couple.

After they had their dinner, all the servants cleaned up and quickly left the room, LiQin and ZhenYu was the only ones left. Whenever LiQin looked at ZhenYu she thought of the fight. "Why did he do that? I just want to go out to the town. He was the one who said that he was busy. So, I said that I will go with Madam Wong and Xiao Tao," thought LiQin. The girl was so mad that she couldn't stand being in the same room with him. "Please excuse me," said LiQin. ZhenYu who could not stand her silent treatment finally gave up and tried to coax LiQin, "Let's go to the town."

"Why, so I could forgive you?" said LiQin sulkily.

"No, I know it's my fault so just forgive me," pleaded ZhenYu.

"No," replied LiQin, turning her back to him which ZhenYu grabbed her hand and dragged her to the stable. The horse was already saddled when they arrived. "I am not going anywhere," said LiQin and she turned around and left.

She thought that he finally gave up as she heard the rustling sound of the saddle. "He is taking the saddle off. That should teach him," thought the girl proudly.

However, LiQin had underestimated him. After her little lecture as JinGe, ZhenYu had changed. The man galloped to her side and carried her onto the horse and rode off to the town. ZhenYu ignored her angry rebuke as the horse moved under them.

Town

From afar LiQin could see that the town was brighter than normal. Although it was night, but the town seems to be overflowing with light.

When they arrived at the bridge, the sight that greeted LiQin was magnificent. Lanterns were lit everywhere, along the bridge and in neat little lines on the eaves in every shop. Along the main street, long poles were hoisted up, carry stunning paper figures flying in the wind like fairies.

The Lantern Festival was beautiful, everywhere the town was brightly lit and people were walking with lanterns of different shapes and sizes. She saw some round, oblong, rectangles and animal shaped too.

"It is a festival held at the end of summer," said ZhenYu, bringing LiQin back from her trance. "It is beautiful," said LiQin as she stared at him.

"I thought that I should have given you a surprise, but you got angry," said ZhenYu. LiQin looked away apologetically. It was childish of her.

"If you had come early, then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore and I even had all the servants in the house to keep it from you."

"You even got Madam Wong and Xiao Tao in your plan. No wonder Madam Wong didn't nag me to make up with you...," stated the girl and she started to blush from embarrassment.

"But it's alright now. Let's go," said ZhenYu as he held her hand and walked into town. Swept by the sight, her embarrassment quickly dissipated and replaced by excitement as the girl was looking at stalls which was selling a variety of goods and people who are guessing words or continuing poems to win homemade lanterns. There were also performances, juggling, clowning and also some acrobatic performances.

They visited every food stall that are selling candies which ZhenYu bought each and every one of them for her as he knew that she had a sweet tooth. One of her hand was stuffing her mouth with the delicious desserts and her other hand was filled with small packages of dried snacks and a white lantern with a drawn portrait of herself. It was drawn by ZhenYu at one of the lanterns stalls. They were having a great time.

A group of scholars was holding a party in one of the many pavilions built along the riverside which overlooks the river. They were laughing and reciting poems accompanied by a group of performers and women. The scholars were drinking and playing loudly. Everything was going on normally when suddenly one of them was walking down from the pavilions and knocked over LiQin who was waiting for ZhenYu who went to the privy. LiQin fell on the ground cushion by her behind, she was unharmed but the things she was carrying was scattered all over the ground.

LiQin was mad at the drunken scholar for he did not only did not apologize to her but the man walked away briskly and even scolded her, "Are you blind? Why can't you see that I was walking there?"

LiQin tapped onto the shoulder of the scholar and he turned around, "What do you want?" said the drunk scholar haughtily. "Apologize," demanded LiQin as she pointed towards the food that was lying on the floor. The other scholar looked at the scene behind and wanted to slap LiQin but then suddenly a better idea came over him, "If you are able to beat the songstress," as he pointed to the girl at the pavilion "then I will apologize to you."

"Fine," said LiQin and she followed the scholar up towards the pavilion.

"How can a common girl sing better than the town's best singer?" jeered the drunken scholar loudly while the others taunted her. People who were walking by were gathering around the pavilion out of curiosity to the commotion the scholars were making.

"Each one of you will sing a song. The choice of the song is up to you," said the scholar.

"I do not want to compete with this measly girl," said the songstress, looking up and down at LiQin as if she was nothing than a mere insect.

One of the scholars said, "Go for it DanFoong, I know you will surely win against her. If you win, I will buy you that jade bracelet you saw yesterday." DanFoong's eyes began to sparkle brightly at the mention of the bracelet, "Yes, I will win but not for myself but the pride and dignity of my beloved customers."

They agreed on the songs they want and then the songstress took her place in front of the scholar and she began to sing a merry song, a crowd were beginning to form at the foot of pavilion, captivated by her singing.

When it was LiQin turn to sing, she was confident that she could win; she stood at the side of the pavilion overlooking the people down below and underneath the pavilion, the girl sang as her voice resounded in the air, the words that she conveys were moving into everyone's heart as they listen. The song was about the longing of a wife for her husband who never came home after the war.

Swords and armors were already abandoned~

Along the town, people cheered~

At home, people held celebrations~

The war has already ended~

But you were never seen~

Walking down the path that you had taken when you left~

I stand under the tree where you swore our love~

I waited under the roof which we build~

I can only wait for you return~

Which might never come~

I long for the day~

And the words~

When you said that you are home.

The crowd who was gathering at the place was clapping both of their hands loudly, even some of the scholars were enjoying her song, but the leader of the group was not satisfied being ridiculed by her and he tried to hit the girl.

However, ZhenYu arrived not a moment too late at the scene and stopped the man's hand. "How dare you hit the wife of Governor of this town," said ZhenYu strictly, the scholar was scared out of his pants when he began to sober up and glanced at ZhenYu fierce expression and realizing what he was doing. He dropped onto the ground and his fellow's friends quickly dragged him to the side and was apologizing on behalf for their friend's misbehavior. "He wasn't usually like this. Please forgive him all his rude actions today."

ZhenYu asked LiQin what was happening, and she quietly told him about the things that had happened. "Hey, you," as he pointed towards the drunk scholar, "You still owe my wife an apology."

The scared scholar walked on his knees towards ZhenYu and began apologizing furiously. "Not to me. My wife," said ZhenYu. And the man turned to bow his head towards LiQin.

When that was done, ZhenYu left the pavilion followed by LiQin. "Wow that was a narrow escape. Lucky, you came just in time," said LiQin merrily to ZhenYu.

"I can't leave you alone, even just for a minute," sighed ZhenYu who was feeling a little sense of déjà vu, some how he felt that this had happened before, but he can't remember when.

"Too bad, you miss my singing," said LiQin.

"I never knew you could sing," said ZhenYu who had actually heard bits of her song.

"It was first time. I did not know either. The words just came over," laughed LiQin. Before he could ask her further questions, he was pulled by LiQin once more to the side of the marketplace. 

An orchestra was playing at the side and they were poles set up all around which red ropes with lanterns connecting them to a tall pole in the middle and around the pole there were groups of people dancing. Hand in hand everyone was dancing in small circles and every time a new song is played the groups will exchange partners and dance again, repeating the cycle.

LiQin was looking at the side lines, when suddenly a person from the group caught her hand when there was an exchange of partners, and she was dragged into the dance. "ZhenYu," cried LiQin as she began moving away from him as they danced.

ZhenYu walked to the front and when he saw one of the groups was nearing him, he separated their hands and joined in. He tried to move the groups towards LiQin's group so he could save her.

When the song stopped, both of them let go of their partner's hand and walked towards each other and they meet in the middle. He quickly took her hand in his before the other dancers come and separated them again. Now they stood side by side, LiQin said, "Let's dance" and they were once more joined in the dance. "You dance clumsily," said LiQin as she watched him dance. "Yes, I do." And they both laughed.

After a few more rounds, LiQin was feeling quite exhausted, and they left the crowd and was resting at the ledge of one of the bridges made along the canals in the town. Leaning there, LiQin saw people riding on boats, enjoying the view of the festival. Some who were wealthy enough hired private boats as they gently cruised down the waterways.

Everyone, poor and wealthy were enjoying the festival in their own way. Suddenly an image of a person flashed in her mind. He was so similar, yet she can't remember him. And the picture in her mind slipped away when he saw ZhenYu coming back with some meat buns. He handed her one and they were enjoying the view while eating the hot buns.

"Your dance was very funny," teased LiQin. "Yours were funnier," replied ZhenYu. "I dance better than you," retaliated LiQin. "Ha-ha" said ZhenYu, brushing off LiQin's comment. LiQin felt that she was belittled, and she needed to prove it. She grabbed the fan that ZhenYu brought along in his waist and she held the fan in her hand.

ZhenYu was annoyed at her childish gesture but when she saw how she danced, it amazed him. LiQin began slowly, preparing herself first. She stood, legs crossed and with the fan held in front of her face, she slowly opened it, one piece at a time, trying to capture his attention. And then, when it was fully opened, she began swinging with graceful movements turning all around and about which causes a rush of air began stirring around her.

The wind was blowing and the leaves on the willow's trees were falling off their branches and carried by the wind towards LiQin. He was fascinated at her, her elegant movements her charming smile and the happiness that was conveyed reached deep into his heart. The fan seems alive as she switched them between her hands, turning it around her head hiding her face and revealing it. It was a wonderful performance.

Breathless was a word to describe the dance, literally as ZhenYu was holding his breath all the while as she danced. He only began breathing again when she stopped, and everything seems to settle down. She bowed and there was a loud clapping sound from behind. He looked behind and saw a circle of people were gathered around them. She thanked everyone and the people left when there was no more performance.

"Wow, you are wonderful," complimented ZhenYu. LiQin laughed, "I was confident with my singing and dancing, sewing not much."

"But I heard from Madam Wong you never had any lessons in this aspect. You only learned how to write and sew," said ZhenYu.

"It just came to me. The steps, how to move gracefully and I just dance. It was a great feeling. It made me felt alive."

Behind her, the fireworks display was beginning as they are released into the night sky and was exploding loudly. They were in a variety of colors. Standing side by side, ZhenYu suddenly said, "Let's be together forever." LiQin looked at him and nodded.

Looking at the beautiful fireworks that were blooming so beautifully against the dark sky, LiQin was feeling wonderful, and happiness was filling every fiber of her body, "Just like what we had at home." Suddenly, a sudden headache came over her. It hasn't happened for a long time that she had forgotten about it.

It was horrible, this time they were very clear, the images. They were showing her a place, a very familiar place. There are many paper cranes that are hanging on the ceiling just like her room right now, but this room is different. It is not the same but so familiar.

There was a bed on the back of the room with a large carved wooden cabinet next to it with so many small drawers. She pulled one of them open and there was the intricate jade pin just like how she pictured it. But it was not the one she was looking for. She opened another and another until she opened the third one on the second row and there was a stack of letters. This is what she was looking for. However, when she tried to reach for them, someone was calling for her, and calling her YuQiao instead of LiQin.

She turned around and the girl told her, "Young Master Yong is coming."

"Hurry, help me get ready," she replied the maid and then she was propped onto the chair, facing the dressing table. She took mirror from the small casket on the table.

She was lifting it up, but when it almost shown her face, the door opened, and she placed the mirror onto the table. A woman was entering into the room with a maid by her side. She called out to them, "Mother, Madam Pang." The woman came closer, stroked her face, so gently and warm and it felt so safe.

"How are you today, my child?"

"I am fine, mother."

"Are you dressing up?"

"Yes, mother."

"Let me help you."

The woman went to the dressing table with her, and she took the comb and began combing her hair. When it was done, she started picking pins to insert into her hair from the small casket but all of them were not to her liking. "Your father really does have bad taste. They all look so extravagant, too old for a young girl."

After saying those words, she took out from her own sleeve, a beautiful pearl hairpin which she placed it into her hair. The ornament was the one she had exactly in mind before.

"This is much better," the woman said and then she took the mirror from the table and was about to showed it to her when suddenly she heard someone calling for her, not YuQiao but her name, LiQin repetitively.

"This is not me. I am Bai LiQin. Wake up. Wake up."

She closed her eyes and tried to block out everything and she was finally waking up, ZhenYu was next to her, holding her hands in his. She looked at him. She was scared, very afraid.

"What if when that woman had really lifted the mirror, and what she saw was not herself?"

She could not believe the possibility; rather she did not want to believe the possibility if it was real but everything she felt just now doesn't felt like a dream. It felt really real and familiar. She could imagine where everything was placed.

ZhenYu began mumbling, and then he suddenly woke up and stared at LiQin, breaking off all her thoughts. "LiQin, how are you?" he asked her anxiously.

"I am fine. I just have a slight headache," said LiQin faintly.

"You looked really pale. You have to be more careful. Lie down now," said ZhenYu softly.

"I am really fine," said LiQin as she tried to sit up.

"Stopping saying you are fine, when you are not."

"But I really do feel fine now. You do not have to worry."

"No, you are not."

Sensing there was something wrong with ZhenYu, LiQin did not argue with him anymore. She touched his face and made him look at her, "What's wrong?" asked LiQin.

"Nothing."

"Tell me," coaxed LiQin.

"My mother died when I was young. She was just like you. She was weak and would always faint suddenly without warning, but she never let me worry about her and was always saying how she was fine because at that time my real father had already died and she was carrying the burden of raising me by herself, alone."

There was a pause before he continued.

"Even till the end, she kept insisting that she was fine."

LiQin hugged him while telling him softly, "It is because you were just a boy at that time, so your mother wanted to protect you. But you are not a boy now but a man. And you are also my husband. I would rely on you so much that you will regret your words."

"I will not," replied ZhenYu resolutely while LiQin smiled at his childish side. He pushed her away, "I will call for the doctor now," and with that said he rushed off to find the doctor.

While he ran off, LiQin could notice the redness in his ears; it was as red as the barberry colour of that sunset they had watched together at that restaurant. It had been so long that she almost forgot about it as well, being JinGe.

"JinGe, YuQiao, maybe they are all me," thought LiQin. She looked at the open window on her left and saw that the festival that was still ongoing outside. She used the blanket to cover herself and walked towards the window and looked below. The lights were still shining brightly. The children and their parents are all having such a great time. The smell of the food that was sold down below the inn was wonderful and it made her hungry.

"Maybe I am touch in the head," she said the words out loud to herself because right now she just doesn't want to care about it. "Screw it," she yelled out to the people below.

Everyone was looking up at the window of the inn but saw no one and they continued what they were doing before while LiQin was laughing to herself with her back to the wall.

"I cannot control what is going to happen in the future but right now, I just want to be happy. And I want to eat."

She placed the blanket back onto the bed and was tidying her clothes when ZhenYu arrived with the doctor. She let the doctor check her pulse and the doctor shook his head and said that there was nothing with her.

"She seems fine, maybe just a little exhausted. There is no need for any medicine," reassured the doctor to the anxious young master.

"See," said LiQin with a 'told you so' stare on her face.

After paying the doctor, ZhenYu and LiQin bid farewell to the doctor and apologized for disturbing his night and went back inside the room.

"What are we going to do now?" asked LiQin. Unknowingly, they both sat down on the bed.

"Rest," said ZhenYu and they both collapsed onto the bed.

Looking up at the ceiling, they suddenly felt embarrassed. After being married for so long this is the first time, they were together on the bed, next to each other, hearing each other breathes and was really alone without any of their servants around.

"It's our first time on the bed, together," said LiQin.

"Yes, since we were married."

At the same time, they turned to look at each other and laughed. When it finally stopped, ZhenYu's hand smoothly stroked her face gently. LiQin's heart was beating so fast as she watched him getting closer to her, reaching down for a kiss. She closed her eyes, waiting for the kiss to arrive.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, almost there, two, just a bit more, one, a stomach growl was heard.

It was coming from LiQin's stomach.

ZhenYu stopped and realized the awkward position he was in and quickly stood up but due to his height. The young man hit the bed frame above which made LiQin giggled.

"Are you hurt?" asked LiQin later.

"No, it's nothing," said ZhenYu as he rubbed on the sore spot where he got hit.

"Let me see," said LiQin as she checked the area where he hit his head. It was quite red, and a tiny bump was raised, the girl poked it a little.

"Ouch."

She giggled again, "Sorry. Let me cast a spell on it then you will not feel the pain anymore."

"Hey, what are you doing?" asked ZhenYu as he looked at the mischievous LiQin.

"Do not move or it won't work." She reached the top of his head and pressed the place very hard with both of hands and blew onto it.

"It's hurt even worse," thought ZhenYu but he obediently followed her words. When she lifted it away, he really did feel better.

"What did you do?"

"It is not magic. It is a charm, my mother taught me," said LiQin, and when she uttered the words, a throbbing pain came splitting across her head. She tried her best to suppress them, to hide it in front of ZhenYu. He had enough fright for the day.

"Let's go the festival and have some meat buns. I am still hungry," said LiQin dragging ZhenYu behind her and headed to the festival.

Bells

"Good night," said ZhenYu to LiQin as he sent her back to her room. She looked at him, waiting for him to leave as he usually does but today, he stood there strangely.

He suddenly grabbed her hand and passed something into her hand and said to her, "If you are willing in this life, I will be your husband and be together watching the sunrise and then the sunset every day and holding your hand in mine. Living the remainder of my life with you growing old together."

After the words were spoken, ZhenYu left hurriedly.

LiQin stood there, staring at his figure as ZhenYu disappeared at a corner and then slowly closed the door and slumped onto the floor, her back against the solid wooden door with the thing he had given her in her grasp. She held it tightly.

The pain had not subsided yet, there weren't any images just pain, something felt like burning on her forehead as well. When she came back, she had asked Xiao Tao to get her a wet cloth, but the girl hasn't come back yet.

While suppressing her pain, she closed her eyes, held her hands close and prayed, "Heavens above, please let me be better. I would like to be with ZhenYu to fulfil his promise."

Only silence greeted her. "What did he give me?" thought LiQin as she opened her knuckle and saw a beautiful bracelet with many tiny little bells hanging on it. "Is this a symbol of our love?" as she dangled it in front of her face and then jingled the bracelet. A fine and clear crystal sound resounded in the air. Hearing the sound of its bells like tiny crystals seems to purify her mind. The pain and everything seem to drift away, and she fell asleep with her back on the door.

Preparation

"Old Man Kang how is the preparation for the trip to YouZhou?" asked ZhenYu to the old man. "I had organized and prepared everything that is needed. Rest assured," said the old man. With that said, ZhenYu left the room after he had changed out of his official robes.

He was greeted by LiQin when he left the room and was heading towards the study. "Come over here," said LiQin as she waved her hand towards him. He walked slowly afraid as if there was a trap lying in wait. He knew how mischievous LiQin could be.

"Come on, walk faster," rushed LiQin.

When he was right in front of the door to the study, LiQin went behind him and with her hands, closed his eyes.

"What are you doing?" asked ZhenYu while she led him into the room with eyes closed. "Walk slowly and... watch out for the ledge," said LiQin to him.

"We are here," and then slowly she removed her hands, what was lying in front of ZhenYu was a robe, it was perched on a stand all laid neatly and beautifully. The blue robe was sewn with complex patterns and designs. He walked towards the stand and touched the designs; on closer look the stitches were simple but well made. "It is all I could manage," said LiQin, trying to hide her hands. ZhenYu seized her hands from behind and saw that LiQin's fingers had a lot of small little red dots on it.

"Ha-ha, I have been making it for a while now, but I only managed to finish it today. I am not good at this," said LiQin.

"You are just clumsy," teased ZhenYu.

"I am not clumsy. I am just still bad at it. If you do not like then I will be taking this back," said LiQin and she went to the rack to get the robe.

"No... I mean I like it. A lot, very much," and as a proof he took the robe from the stand and puts it on immediately.

"You are wearing it all wrong. See you are the clumsy one," said LiQin as she corrected the ribbons which were tied messily and also the collar that was crooked. Accidentally, her fingers touched the nape of his neck, and it made his cheeks blushed red. ZhenYu was still nervous being touched by his wife, but he was a man, and he grabbed her hands and placed it near his heart. He failed last time at the inn, but this time, "I must make it a success."

He moved closer, grabbed her waist, and went for it, no time to think, no time to consider, just act bravely and make the first step, just like what that woman told him that day.

He was reaching for a kiss, but the dense girl foiled his plans again. She thought that he was sick, because he suddenly acted strangely, and she touched his forehead. It made him stopped. "Hmm, it's quite warm," said LiQin and she touched her forehead against his to check again which only made ZhenYu blushed further.

"It's really hot. Are you sick?" asked LiQin softly which made it even worse.

And he backed away, "Yes, it's really warm here, just a little dizzy due to the heat. I am alright now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, fit as a fiddle," stated ZhenYu enthusiastically.

"Then how about we go and flaunt it around?" asked LiQin shyly.

He nodded and once again he was dragged around the house with LiQin just like the time at the festival.

After showing off around the house LiQin was still energetic. "Why are you standing smugly over there? Let's go and show it to ZhenPing too. I asked her to come over to play today. I think she should be arriving by now," said LiQin happily towards ZhenYu. "I am coming," he replied to the man as the both of them went to the front courtyard.

There wasn't a hint. It was both peaceful and blissful just like an eerie calmness before a storm, that was violently heading in their way.