Zhen Ai lay on the carpet by the bath, half-closing her eyes, the sound of water flowing nearby, and she seemed to see spring blossoms, blue skies, and the ocean.
Yan Su had finished bathing and changed into clean white clothes, now crouching by the pool to wash her hair.
She lazily lay there, almost falling asleep, when suddenly she woke up and gazed at Yan Su.
He rolled up the sleeves of his white clothes, revealing his pale, slender arms, tender yet strong. One hand cradled her head while the other gently massaged her hair.
White foam danced between his fingers and her strands, slippery and lightly fragrant. It was his shampoo, the scent pleasant and non-intrusive, yet distinctly elegant and aloof, much like him.
His long fingers traced her scalp, causing a tingling sensation deep within her. Her mind relaxed, and she inexplicably felt they were like two animals that couldn't speak, expressing their love only through body language. Sitting in the sun, they awkwardly and affectionately helped each other groom their fur.
Many animals attract and recognize their mates through scent, and he was now marking her with his. Hmm, just a moment ago, she had used his soap to bathe. Now, from head to toe, she smelled like him. Ah, she was still in his nest.
It was quite indulgent, yet she didn't feel embarrassed by the thought.
Once Yan Su finished washing her hair, he poured warm water over her, the gentle stream flowing through her strands under his guidance.
Zhen Ai closed her eyes to enjoy it, feeling as relaxed as a lazy cat sleeping in the winter sun, an infinite sense of ease washing over her. She stretched and turned her shoulder, reaching out to wrap her arms around his waist. Unintentionally, her long hair swung over and dampened his pants. He didn't mind, carefully shielding her ears while rinsing.
"I remember, Chace has brown curly hair," he said.
"Mm." She kept her eyes closed. "His hair color is like my mom's, and his deep blue eyes are similar too." Unlike either of her parents, her eyes were pitch black, and her hair was also black, tinged with a hint of flaxen, said to resemble her grandmother she had never met.
Once they were done, Yan Su wrapped a large towel around her shoulders, helped her up, and then wrapped another towel around her head, gently rubbing her hair.
She felt like a little dog freshly washed, too lazy to shake herself dry, choosing instead to lean into his affectionate care. He massaged her hair, and she felt so comfortable that her bones felt soft, swaying unsteadily like a little worm.
Yan Su's chest got dampened by her, and with a hint of helplessness, he coaxed her, "Can we dry your hair first? You'll catch a cold."
Only then did she slowly sit up.
While Yan Su was halfway through drying her hair, he noticed she was half-closed, as if about to fall asleep. The long towel wrapped around her neck, and with a gentle pull, she suddenly leaned forward into his arms, eyes wide open and dazed.
His hands held the white towel around her damp black hair and petite face. Initially, he just wanted to tease her, but at that moment, he couldn't help but lean down, wrapping his wrist to pull the towel toward him and gently kiss her small lips.
Her scattered thoughts instantly gathered, her round eyes staring at him without blinking, like a child just waking up, confused.
He momentarily released her lips, "I remember a long time ago, you said I didn't understand emotions? I'm showing it now; did you see?"
His small actions and soft words made her heart race, and she nodded eagerly.
"Very good." He patted her head, helping her up, "It's getting late. I want to show you something and then say goodnight, okay?"
"What is it?"
"You'll know when we get there," he said intentionally without revealing more.
As they walked down the hallway, the little parrot, Isaac, suddenly chirped, "Ring! Ring!"
Yan Su felt guilty, hearing it mention a ring; his face paled, and he quickly grabbed the little bird from its perch, stuffing it into its cage while asserting, "You're on lockdown; no talking!"
The little parrot flapped its wings, sadly tilting its head to bury itself in its feathers, silent.
Zhen Ai felt sorry for it and didn't understand why Yan Su was acting this way, softly defending, "Isaac wasn't saying anything bad; why are you punishing it?"
Yan Su froze for a moment. "Ring" indeed had multiple meanings; did this count as him feeling guilty for being a thief?
But he quickly decided to keep up the façade, "The phone didn't ring; it was lying. Lying is a bad habit."
Zhen Ai had no objections and followed him upstairs. At the door to the small hall, he suddenly covered her eyes.
What was so mysterious?
Zhen Ai reflexively reached for his hand but heard him whisper in her ear, "Ai, do you trust me?"
She paused, her hand that was about to lift slowly fell back down.
Yan Su smiled slightly, holding her as they moved forward step by step. Zhen Ai felt herself engulfed in darkness; his hand covered her eyes tightly, blocking out any light or sound. A wave of curiosity washed over her, making her heartbeat erratic as she wondered what kind of mystery he had created. Fortunately, she was pressed closely against his sturdy and reliable body, which reassured her.
Finally, Yan Su came to a halt and gradually loosened his grip. His arm slid to her waist, holding her tightly as he softly said, "Ai, open your eyes."
Zhen Ai slowly opened her eyes, and her heart jolted as if it had stopped for a second. Unconsciously, she grabbed his arm tightly around her waist, holding her breath.
Heavens, she was standing at the center of the universe!
There was no sky, no ground. Above and below her, and all around were the vastness of the starry sky. Countless bright stars dotted the endless black cosmos, each one unique in size and shape, like uncut diamonds scattered on black velvet.
How did she suddenly end up in outer space?
Everywhere she looked, some stars were quietly burning, emitting colorful light like vintage gems; planets with halos circled around the stars, like little princesses in gauzy skirts playfully tossing a handkerchief; binary stars revolved around each other, like joyful children holding hands and spinning in circles; comets trailed long tails behind them, like mischievous little fairies riding broomsticks.
Above her, a shimmering shower of comets rained down!
Zhen Ai stood high in the starry sky, the surroundings were silent without a sound. Besides the stars, there was no extraneous light, so realistic that she worried she might not be able to breathe. Carefully, she looked down; beneath her feet was an endless expanse of space, with comets flying past her.
She was floating in space, with only Yan Su holding her.
So beautiful!
So overwhelming!
She couldn't help but tremble slightly. A comet zipped past her, seeming to be right in front of her. She reached out to grab it but found no trace of it.
Yan Su leaned against her back, chuckling softly as he lifted her chin: "Do you see that star?"
She looked up: "Sirius!" The star, 8.6 light-years away from Earth, was now within reach, like a giant diamond in the night sky.
He nudged her chin: "Look at the one next to it."
That was a comet trailing a fluffy tail, like a dragonfly with translucent wings, slowly approaching Sirius, but she knew it was actually moving very fast.
She didn't recognize it: "What's its name?"
"It's called Isai, a comet discovered by astronomers a few years ago, just recently coming into the view of Earthlings. It has wandered the universe for a billion years, all alone."
Zhen Ai stared at the quiet comet, her voice lowering: "Alone? That sounds like a sad journey."
"Is it? Maybe it enjoys its solitude." Yan Su leaned his chin against her temple, "But astronomers say its orbit will intersect with Sirius today. In about an hour, it might pass by Sirius, or it could be melted by Sirius and fall. If that happens, its billion-year journey of loneliness will end."
Zhen Ai gazed at the two stars, her excitement bubbling over as her hands trembled, gripping Yan Su tightly: "I hope it gets melted by Sirius; otherwise, it would have to drift alone in the universe for another billion years. That would be so sad."
"Well, that depends on its will. If it doesn't like Sirius, I think it will continue on without stopping." Yan Su spoke slowly, his voice relaxed and warm, like jade in a clear spring.
"A billion years, drifting alone, enduring solitude. Perhaps it has its own choices and beliefs, and wouldn't easily yield or pause."
Zhen Ai was momentarily stunned, surprised by his sentimental words, but she quickly understood his meaning and smiled slightly: "This is a love story that has been seeking for a billion years."
"Mm," he replied softly, "better to be alone than to settle. Even if it means being lonely for a billion years."
Zhen Ai's heart trembled. Wasn't that just Yan Su?
In the next moment, he lowered his head, his thin lips brushing against her earlobe: "Ai, before I met you, I never thought about love, not even emotions. I was like that solitary wanderer, following my own set path, preparing to spend my life alone."
Zhen Ai didn't blink, holding onto his hand tightly, listening carefully to every word he spoke, every punctuation mark, expressing how important she was to him from the bottom of his heart.
She stubbornly kept her eyes open, her heart swelling with emotion, warming her from within.
Was she really that wonderful? Perhaps she was.
He wouldn't lie.
If he said it was true, then it was. And because it was him saying it, those words held even more weight, making her believe even more.
Indeed.
She really liked him; she really liked who she was when she was with him.
Yan Su felt nervous, inadvertently tightening his grip on her slender waist: "Ai, because of you, because of the unspoken understanding and resonance we share, my life has doubled. Or rather, 'complete' might be a more accurate term. Without you now or in the future, I would feel very bad, very bad! Ai, I love you, and I cannot bear to lose you again. Because—"
He pressed a kiss on her earlobe, a kiss that reached into her trembling heart: "Ai, you are my reason for being selective, even if it means being lonely for a lifetime."
Zhen Ai felt her whole body freeze, but her heart surged with overwhelming emotion, strong beyond measure.
She looked at the misty comet before her; that must be Yan Su, right? He had walked alone for a billion years, through the vast universe, only she could melt him, allowing him to stop his lonely journey.
Was that what he meant?
Why, at this moment, did she feel like the most important person in the world! Never before had she felt that her existence, her life, held such extraordinary and immeasurable significance!
A blue star floated toward her, stopping in front of her, unmoving.
As she focused, she realized it wasn't a star but a blue sapphire ring, cradled in his fair, large palm, reflecting the starlight of the entire universe. Its pure and transparent blue shimmered brilliantly, higher than the sky, deeper than the ocean.
"Ai, let's get married! Let's be together for a lifetime!"
His tone was so serious.
"Don't be alone anymore; it would break my heart. I don't want to be alone anymore; I would miss you."
Zhen Ai felt a sharp pain in her throat, tears welling up in her eyes. For so many years, she had lived alone, quietly and without joy or sorrow. Only he could provide the warmth that melted her unease and suspicion; in this vast universe, he was her only one.
With misty eyes, she gazed at the sapphire ring in his palm and whispered, "Dear, I really like this color." He lifted her right hand and said, "I'll put it on you, then will you marry me?" She trembled, her hands shaking: "Can I?"
Understanding her worries, he reassured her: "Ai, the past belongs to death; the future belongs to you." In that moment, everything became clear to her. Many words were unnecessary; the past had faded away, and the future belonged to them both. Faced with such an expansive universe, her anxieties seemed trivial.
Recalling his earlier words eased her concerns completely. She smiled happily and placed her left hand in his palm. Yan Su, who had been trying hard to remain calm during the proposal, fumbled slightly as he slipped the ring onto her left ring finger. Zhen Ai looked down at the large sapphire on her finger; it was beautiful and represented the color she loved.
Yan Su pressed the ring gently to ensure it fit snugly before letting out a quiet sigh of relief, his voice tinged with joy: "Ai, how much I love you." The unexpected declaration moved her again.
With his hand enveloping hers securely, she felt safe and grounded. Closing her eyes briefly, she realized that while their future might hold challenges, with him by her side, she would never feel lost again. She wanted to face everything together for a lifetime.
Yan Su wrapped his arms around her waist and remained silent for a long time, reveling in his happiness. Suddenly he said, "Hmm, earlier than I expected." Zhen Ai turned to him: "What do you mean?"
He explained honestly: "I was afraid you wouldn't say yes. I had prepared to say, 'Ai, let's make a bet; if Isai crashes into Sirius, we'll get married.' But I didn't expect…" Zhen Ai was taken aback: "How could you make a bet?" She playfully pretended to push him away while standing under the stars. "You based your proposal's success on that star?"
Yan Su raised an eyebrow in pride: "Of course not! Ai, Isai crashed into Sirius 8.6 years ago. It just took until today for us to see it from Earth."
So he had planned this all along… Zhen Ai rolled her eyes but decided not to dwell on it; she willingly accepted.
Turning back towards him with determination, she threw herself into his arms and pulled him down slightly to kiss him. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she inhaled his refreshing scent. She playfully teased him with her tongue and drew him closer.
As their bodies intertwined like two bows drawn tight together, she felt a surge of unfamiliar emotions as their lips met more passionately. It was as if she wanted to absorb him completely into herself.
Yan Su allowed her playful advances but soon felt overwhelmed as she teased him relentlessly. He suddenly lifted her effortlessly into his arms; Zhen Ai gasped at the sudden rush of exhilaration as she found herself sitting in his warm palms.
Gradually, an unfamiliar sensation began to stir within her as they continued kissing—a strange tension building between them.
She paused for a moment and looked down at him intently. Yan Su met her gaze without flinching. Her dark eyes sparkled under the starlit sky; she looked stunningly beautiful yet dangerously alluring: "Dear, what are you thinking?"
He swallowed hard: "You mentioned before that you like emotional relationships; so don't worry—if we marry, I'm willing to have a lifelong emotional relationship with you."
She found it amusing that he took her joke seriously but felt touched nonetheless and didn't rush to clarify. The desire radiating from him was palpable between them. As heat rushed to her cheeks from embarrassment and excitement mingled with confusion in her mind.
Feeling absurd yet curious about his intentions, she softly asked: "Is there anything else?"
Yan Su hesitated before admitting: "Well… there's another thought."
"What is it?"
"Beautiful natural scenery can heighten a woman's sensitivity—specifically during intimate moments," he said shyly.
Zhen Ai stared at him wide-eyed; his honesty made her heart race even more intensely as their bodies responded naturally to each other's closeness.
"Dear," she whispered softly like a timid creature.
"Yes?"
"Your pupils are dilated."
"…Really?"
She leaned closer: "I guess you actually want to make love with me?"
Zhen Ai sat in the palm of his hand, her gaze clear and her breathing slow. Her flat abdomen pressed against his abs, and all her body language was filled with seductive hints. She stared at him, waiting for a response.
After several seconds, a wave of anxiety and embarrassment washed over her. Was she being too forward? What should she do now? Should she say it was a joke, just like he had asked before?
Yan Su certainly understood her meaning. He wasn't at a loss; rather, his mind was racing. After a moment, he sighed in frustration and regret, "Earlier, I thought you wanted to talk about a spiritual relationship, so I wasn't prepared for this."
The implication was crystal clear: he was worried their first time wouldn't be perfect. Even the most confident person could feel anxious at times! He had put so much thought into everything about her.
Zhen Ai couldn't help but laugh, her cheeks flushed as she said, "But didn't you say that a dreamlike environment would enhance a woman's sensitivity? Now, cough, let's not waste such an environment. What a pity."
Oh my! What had she just said?
Could she take it back?
But there was no chance; before she could finish speaking, Yan Su had gently knelt down with her in his arms and laid her back against the starry sky.
Her back pressed against the cool fabric, while his body blocked out all the starlight above her.
The world fell silent; only her heart raced. She told herself: she loved him, and he loved her—this was the most natural thing in the world; she should feel at ease.