Li Mei could hardly walk straight. Her legs felt like jelly, and her heart was still doing somersaults from that kiss. *My first kiss…* The thought kept replaying in her mind like a melody she couldn't shake off. As they strolled through the moonlit path toward her courtyard, the warmth of Wei Ming's presence beside her made it even harder to focus on anything else.
Wei Ming noticed her silence and smiled. "You're awfully quiet, Li Mei. Are you plotting to escape after leading me into a food trap next time?"
Li Mei blinked, snapping out of her trance. "What? No!" she stammered, nervously biting her lip. "I was just... thinking."
"Thinking about how I beat you at your own game?" he teased, nudging her gently.
She looked up at him, eyes wide. "What game?"
"Well, you did steal my heart back there," Wei Ming said with a cheeky grin, leaning in a little closer.
Li Mei blushed furiously, her face as red as a cherry. She quickly looked away, unable to meet his eyes without feeling her stomach flutter. *How can he say these things so easily?*
"Well…" she fumbled, trying to regain her composure, "You're not too bad yourself, Mr. Heart-stealer."
Wei Ming laughed, his deep voice warm and teasing. "I'm glad to hear that."
They walked side by side, the silence between them now comfortable, though Li Mei could hardly think straight. Her mind was racing, every thought revolving around *that* kiss. *Did that really happen?* She bit her lip again, sneaking a glance at him. *It did...*
"So," Wei Ming interrupted her spiraling thoughts, "did I completely catch you off guard with that kiss, or did you see it coming?"
Li Mei gasped, caught off-guard once again. "W-What? See it coming?" Her eyes darted up to meet his, and her blush deepened. "I—"
"Ah, I knew it!" Wei Ming chuckled, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to throw you off balance like that."
She groaned, half in embarrassment and half in exasperation. "Wei Ming, please stop making me feel more awkward than I already do."
He grinned, enjoying her flustered reaction. "Alright, alright. I'll stop... for now."
As they approached her courtyard, Li Mei slowed her steps, not wanting the evening to end. Wei Ming seemed to feel the same, as they stood awkwardly for a moment at the gate, neither of them wanting to say goodbye.
"Well, here we are," he said softly, his gaze lingering on her face.
Li Mei nodded, her heart still fluttering uncontrollably. "Yeah…"
There was a beat of silence, and then Wei Ming leaned forward, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "You know, I don't mind walking you home more often if it means I get to see you like this."
Li Mei's eyes widened, her cheeks burning again. "Like… this?"
"You know," he gestured to her flushed face, "blushing, all cute and flustered."
Li Mei gaped at him, her mouth hanging open before quickly clamping it shut, utterly embarrassed. "You're impossible!"
Wei Ming chuckled, stepping back slightly. "Get some rest, Li Mei. And… thank you for tonight." His voice softened. "I had a great time."
Li Mei nodded, trying to suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Me too."
As he turned to leave, she couldn't help but glance back at him, watching until he disappeared down the moonlit path. Her heart still raced, and she stood there for a moment, basking in the afterglow of the evening.
*My first kiss...*
Once inside her courtyard, Li Mei rushed toward her room, her thoughts still spinning with excitement. Her maid, Yulan, was waiting for her, folding clothes and preparing her bed for the night. She turned at the sound of Li Mei's hurried footsteps and instantly noticed the flushed cheeks and glowing smile.
"Miss, you're back late," Yulan said with a mischievous grin. "How did the date go?"
Li Mei stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly squealed, unable to hold it in any longer. She rushed over to Yulan and grabbed her hands. "Yulan! You won't believe what happened!"
Yulan's eyes widened, her grin growing wider. "Oh? Tell me! Tell me everything!"
Li Mei blushed, covering her face with her hands for a moment before peeking out between her fingers. "We… we kissed."
Yulan gasped, jumping up and down excitedly. "What? Really? Oh my goodness, miss! Your *first* kiss?"
Li Mei nodded, her face as red as a pomegranate. "It was… it was perfect, Yulan. I can't believe it happened! I'm still shaking!"
Yulan's eyes sparkled with excitement as she grabbed Li Mei's hands again, shaking them lightly. "Tell me everything! How did it happen? What did he say? Did you like it?"
Li Mei bit her lip, her cheeks burning. "He was so sweet. He said he's falling for me, and then… he just kissed me! It was soft, gentle, and—" She covered her face again, her voice muffled by her hands. "I can't even explain it! My heart feels like it's going to explode!"
Yulan giggled, pulling Li Mei's hands down. "Oh, miss, you're positively glowing! I've never seen you like this before."
Li Mei sighed dreamily, collapsing onto her bed with a wide smile. "I don't even know how to act right now. I just… I can't stop thinking about it."
Yulan sat down next to her, grinning. "You're in love, miss. It's written all over your face."
Li Mei's blush deepened, and she hid her face in her pillow. "Don't say that! It's too soon!"
"Too soon?" Yulan laughed, nudging her playfully. "You kissed him, didn't you? I'd say things are moving along just fine!"
Li Mei groaned, though her smile never left her face. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Oh, you bet I am!" Yulan replied, giggling. "I've been waiting for this day for ages!"
They both burst into laughter, the room filled with the sound of their shared joy. After a moment, Yulan leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "So… when's the next date?"
Li Mei's eyes widened, her face flushing all over again. "He said he wanted to see me again… soon."
Yulan raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Well, miss, you'd better be ready. If tonight was any indication, you've got a lot to look forward to."
Li Mei grinned, her heart fluttering once again. "I hope so, Yulan. I really hope so."
The two shared another burst of laughter before finally calming down. Yulan smiled softly at Li Mei as she tidied up the room for the night.
"Miss," Yulan said quietly, her voice filled with warmth, "I'm really happy for you."
Li Mei smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Yulan. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Yulan winked. "I'm just glad you've found someone who makes you this happy."
Li Mei lay back on her bed, her mind drifting to Wei Ming and that magical evening they'd shared. Her heart felt light, filled with a joy she hadn't known before. She closed her eyes, a soft smile still playing on her lips.