By the time Yan Huaijin arrived at Liuli Courtyard, he was covered in dust from the road, not even having had time to change his clothes.
Learning from Yin’er that Pei Yunting had climbed onto the rooftop by herself and drunk away her frustrations until she was thoroughly intoxicated, he let out a heavy sigh.
He instructed Zhan Zhao and Zhan Yuan, who had hurried back with him, to follow Yin’er and rest for a while.
As for himself…
He obediently climbed onto the roof to apologize to his angry little childhood sweetheart.
He had not intentionally returned late.
The gift had long been prepared.
But despite rushing day and night, unexpected delays along the journey had prevented him from making it back before her coming-of-age banquet.
He regretted it deeply.
He also knew perfectly well that Pei Yunting must be furious with him.
So aside from riding without rest, every spare moment on the journey had been spent thinking about how to apologize in a way that would earn her forgiveness.
Yet the instant he saw her lonely silhouette sitting by herself beneath the moon, so slight and pitiful…
His heart immediately softened.
Guilt, remorse, and aching tenderness welled up together.
He thought to himself—
She could hit him, scold him, whatever she pleased.
If it made her feel better…
Even if she stabbed him with a sword, he would accept it willingly.
Her fifteenth birthday was far too important a day for her to spend alone on a rooftop, drowning her sorrows.
Pei Yunting sat hugging her knees.
Several wine jars lay scattered beside her, though it was impossible to tell whether they were empty or still unopened.
Hearing footsteps on the roof tiles, she slowly turned her head.
Seeing that it was him, she simply turned back again, raised the wine jar, and took another leisurely drink.
The image carried the unmistakable air of—
“Raising my cup to invite the bright moon, with my shadow we become three.”
Resigned, Yan Huaijin walked over and sat closely beside her.
Only then did he notice several hastily scribbled copies of the Heart-Calming Mantra pinned beneath her feet.
Meanwhile, she mumbled to herself,
“I really must be drunk… I’m even seeing someone who’s thousands of miles away.”
Yan Huaijin: “…”
Why does that somehow sound so sarcastic?
Unable to judge just how drunk she really was, he leaned closer and softly asked,
“How much have you had?”
Hearing that, Pei Yunting slowly glanced toward the wine jars by her feet before giving an approximate answer.
“Probably… probably a little more than those.”
Well…
That meant she had drunk quite a lot.
Yan Huaijin felt the veins at his temples throbbing.
Still unwilling to give up, he asked,
“Are you drunk?”
“No.”
He pointed at his own nose.
“Who am I?”
“…”
Pei Yunting looked at him with utter disdain before curling her lips.
“A damned jerk.”
Yan Huaijin had already lost count of how many times he had sighed that night.
Maintaining the attitude of someone sincerely admitting fault, he gently turned sideways and drew her into his embrace.
His movements were slow and careful.
He was afraid she might push him away if she became unhappy.
But…
She didn’t.
Perhaps because of the alcohol, she was soft as though boneless, quietly allowing him to hold her.
Resting his chin atop her head, Yan Huaijin rubbed lightly against her hair.
“I was wrong, Pei Wanwan.”
“This time, I’ll accept whatever punishment you give me.”
She remained silent.
Receiving no response, he continued patiently,
“There absolutely won’t be a next time.”
“I promise.”
She let out a soft snort.
“Do whatever you want.”
“I…”
“I don’t care.”
“His Third Highness is such an important person.”
“How could someone like me possibly influence you?”
“Besides…”
“Whether you come or not…”
“What does it have to do with me?”
Pei Yunting had rarely drunk alcohol while growing up.
Partly because she had never particularly liked its taste.
More importantly, both her brothers and Yan Huaijin had always forbidden her from drinking too much.
So tonight truly marked the first time she had become drunk.
Fortunately…
She held her liquor surprisingly well.
Though somewhat more willful than usual, her speech remained clear and coherent.
Compared to the drunken fools one encountered outside, she was practically exemplary.
Even knowing she spoke only out of wounded pride, Yan Huaijin’s heart still clenched painfully.
The hand resting against her back slowly curled into a fist before relaxing again.
His voice became even softer.
“It was my fault.”
“Afterward, I’ll obediently let you punish me however you wish.”
“So…”
“Will you stop being angry with me?”
“Then drink with me.”
He frowned immediately.
“No.”
“You can’t drink anymore.”
“You’ll wake up with a terrible headache tomorrow.”
“…”
“Tomorrow I’ll have Zhou Sinian beat you up instead.”
“He made such grand promises at today’s banquet.”
Yan Huaijin laughed helplessly.
His fingers slowly smoothed down her long hair, catching the familiar fragrance of the scented rinse she’d always used.
It seemed…
Ever since he had first known her, she had always carried this scent.
It had never changed.
Without warning, he remembered the first time he’d smelled it.
Back then, he had been covered in wounds and unable to move.
The little girl—so much younger than he was—had held him in her arms, comforting him over and over.
Rather like this very moment.
“Zhou Sinian?”
“Do you really think he can beat me?”
“Or that he’d even dare touch me?”
“Yan Huaijin…”
“Do you know you’re incredibly annoying?”
Pei Yaosheng had already noticed during the daytime that Pei Yunting’s spirits were unusually low.
As sisters whose hearts understood one another, she guessed the reason immediately.
Someone important had failed to appear.
She kept worrying about it all evening.
Only after helping their mother finish dealing with matters in the courtyard did she hurry toward Liuli Courtyard.
Unexpectedly…
She found Zhan Zhao and Zhan Yuan sitting outside happily devouring a roasted chicken.
Her footsteps paused.
Suspiciously, she looked toward Pei Yunting’s room.
Then…
Beneath the moonlight…
She clearly saw two tightly embracing figures, leaning close enough for their temples and cheeks to brush.
There was nothing left to misunderstand.
Immediately abandoning her plan to have a heart-to-heart talk with her younger sister, she turned to leave.
Before departing, she addressed Zhan Yuan and Zhan Zhao, who had hurriedly wiped their hands clean and stood to salute her.
“Take a cloak to your master.”
“Be careful not to let him catch a chill.”
“And if you’re still hungry, have Yin’er take you to the kitchen for more food.”
On the way back, she couldn’t help thinking—
If the two of them could finally use tonight to confess what they truly felt…
Nothing could be better.
Unfortunately…
Her little sister was as dense as a block of wood.
On the rooftop, Zhan Zhao delivered the cloak and left immediately, not daring to linger.
Meanwhile, Yan Huaijin continued patiently coaxing Pei Yunting.
Truthfully…
He wasn’t particularly skilled at saying sweet words.
In all his life, he had only ever loved one girl.
And likewise…
He had only ever spoken gently while coaxing one person.
Only one.
Yet despite all that…
Not only did she often ignore him—
She still had absolutely no idea that he loved her.
“Pei Wanwan.”
“You’re fifteen now.”
“Hm?”
“So what?”
“When a girl turns fifteen and completes her coming-of-age ceremony…”
“…she may begin discussing marriage.”
The young man’s voice dropped lower, carrying a subtle note of temptation.
“Have you ever thought…”
“…about which gentleman you’d like to marry?”
Pei Yunting stared at him seriously for a long moment before answering,
“Whoever it is…”
“It won’t be someone who’s never on time.”
Yan Huaijin rubbed his forehead with a headache.
His mother had been right.
There was no reasoning with a drunk.
He wanted to continue speaking with his little drunken sweetheart.
But when he turned to look at her—
Her cheeks were flushed crimson.
The clear wine had left her lips glistening.
Those enchanting peach blossom eyes blinked softly.
It was beauty held perfectly at the edge.
Captivating beyond words.
Noticing his gaze, Pei Yunting lifted her wine jar and gave it a little shake.
“Do you want some?”
He neither accepted nor refused.
Taking his silence as hesitation, she generously extended it toward him.
“Here.”
“I’ll share half with you.”
“Just don’t finish it all.”
Yan Huaijin didn’t move.
Instead…
He quietly swallowed.
Seeing him remain motionless, Pei Yunting frowned.
Before she could speak—
Yan Huaijin suddenly leaned forward.
And offered the first kiss of his life.
A kiss that was clumsy…
Careful…
And precious beyond measure.
Every word she had yet to say…
Disappeared into that kiss, swallowed completely by him.
One kiss surpassed a thousand unspoken words.
It tasted like chilled summer wine.
Like perfectly warmed flower liquor beside a winter hearth.
Every drop…
Made their hearts tremble.
It was only the briefest of first kisses.
Yet both of them were nervous.
Then, almost unconsciously, Pei Yunting looped her arms around his neck.
That single movement sent his heartbeat racing even faster.
Her mind was hazy from the alcohol.
The wine’s aftereffects had become overwhelming.
At that moment…
The only things she could clearly feel were the presence of the person before her—
More intoxicating than any wine—
And the warmth of the hand resting against her waist.
When the kiss ended…
Yan Huaijin’s ears had turned bright red.
His entire face was as crimson as a freshly cooked shrimp.
Still breathing softly, Pei Yunting looked up at him beneath the brilliant moonlight overhead.
“Yan Huaijin…”
“Why have you turned into a giant tomato?”
Yan Huaijin: “…”
One day… you’re going to be the death of me.
The passion and tenderness of a moment ago slowly ebbed away like the retreating tide.
His restrained, awkward confession circled endlessly within his heart.
In the end…
He still failed to say the words aloud.
Only the image of her slightly parted crimson lips…
Her gentle breathing…
Her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings…
And the tiny tremble that passed through her while he held her hand—
Continued replaying ceaselessly inside his mind.
A butterfly quietly spread its wings.
Silently…
It flew into the young man’s dreams.
Her every smile.
Every frown.
The ten vibrant years in which she had blossomed like a flower.
Every single one…
Was engraved forever upon Yan Huaijin’s heart.
Wanwan…
May you always be as free as the clear wind and bright moon.
May you ride wherever the breeze carries you.
And may every year of your life pass in peace and safety.