The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the villa. Meixiu lay in her room, tossing and turning in her sleep. Dressed in a loose tank top and shorts, her breathing was uneven, her lips occasionally murmuring words.
In her dream, she found herself in a lush meadow surrounded by vibrant flowers and a serene blue sky. A warm breeze brushed against her skin, and standing in the distance was Ye Chen, his back to her.
"Ye Chen?" she called, her voice echoing slightly.
He turned to her, his smile bright and inviting. "Sister Meixiu, what are you doing here?"
"I… I don't know," she admitted, walking toward him. Her casual workout clothes had transformed into a flowing white dress, accentuating her toned figure and long legs.
Ye Chen chuckled. "Well, since you're here, let's enjoy the day."
Meixiu crossed her arms, her usual playful smirk on her lips. "You're acting way too sweet. Are you sure this is you?"
Ye Chen laughed. "Maybe I'm just in a good mood. Being around you does that."
Her cheeks flushed, but she quickly recovered. "You've been learning how to flatter people, haven't you?"
"Not really," he said, taking a step closer. "I just say what I feel."
The sudden sincerity in his tone caught Meixiu off guard. She glanced away, her fingers brushing against a nearby flower. "You're so different when you're like this. It's weird."
"Weird?" Ye Chen teased, raising an eyebrow. "Coming from you, that's funny."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Meixiu demanded, though her tone was more curious than annoyed.
"You're always teasing and joking," Ye Chen said, his gaze soft. "But I know there's more to you than that."
Meixiu's heart skipped a beat. "You're seeing through me now? That's dangerous."
"Only if you let it be," he said, reaching out to gently tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Her breath hitched as she met his gaze. "Ye Chen… why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because you're beautiful," he said simply.
Before she could respond, the meadow shifted. The sky darkened, and they found themselves standing on a quiet beach under a starry sky. The waves lapped gently at the shore, their soft rhythm filling the air.
"What just happened?" Meixiu asked, looking around.
"I don't know," Ye Chen admitted. "But this place is nice too."
She rolled her eyes. "You're way too calm about this."
He smiled and sat down on the sand, patting the spot beside him. "Come on, sit with me."
Meixiu hesitated for a moment before joining him. The cool sand pressed against her hands as she glanced at him. "You're really different here. It's like you're… softer."
"Is that bad?" he asked, tilting his head.
"No," she said quickly. "It's just… new."
Ye Chen looked at her thoughtfully. "Sister Meixiu, you've always been there for me. Teasing me, keeping me on my toes, making sure I never take myself too seriously. I really appreciate it."
Her heart ached at his words, though she wasn't sure why. "You make it sound like I'm important to you," she said, her tone light but her expression uncertain.
"You are," he said, his voice firm.
Meixiu's cheeks warmed, and she laughed nervously. "You really know how to catch someone off guard, don't you?"
As they sat there, the stars seemed to shine brighter. Meixiu found herself leaning slightly toward Ye Chen, her usual confidence faltering.
"Ye Chen," she began, her voice softer than usual.
"Yes?" he asked, turning to face her.
"Do you… ever think about us? I mean, about me?" she asked, her words stumbling slightly.
"All the time," he admitted, his gaze steady. "You're unforgettable, Sister Meixiu."
Her breath caught at his words. "You're just saying that because we're here. This isn't real."
"It feels real to me," he said, reaching out to take her hand. His touch was warm, grounding her in the moment.
Meixiu stared at their joined hands, her heart pounding. "Ye Chen, I don't know what's happening right now, but—"
Before she could finish, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was soft and lingering, sending a wave of warmth through her. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to get lost in the moment.
When they finally pulled apart, Ye Chen's eyes searched hers. "You're amazing, Meixiu. I just wish you'd let yourself see it."
Meixiu's eyes snapped open, and she bolted upright in bed. Her heart was racing, and her cheeks were flushed. She touched her lips, the sensation of the dream-kiss still lingering.
"What the hell was that?" she muttered, running a hand through her hair.
Just then, there was a knock at her door.
"Sister Meixiu, are you awake?" Ye Chen's voice called.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly composed herself. "Yeah, I'm up! Give me a second!"
As she opened the door, Ye Chen stood there, holding a tray with a cup of tea and some fruit.
"Good morning," he said with his usual cheerful smile. "You seemed tired yesterday, so I thought I'd bring you breakfast."
Meixiu stared at him, her dream flashing in her mind. "You… brought this for me?"
"Of course," he said, stepping inside and setting the tray on her desk. "Is something wrong? You look a little flushed."
"N-No, it's nothing," she said quickly, avoiding his gaze.
Ye Chen frowned slightly. "Are you sure? You can tell me if something's bothering you."
Meixiu shook her head, forcing a smirk. "You're too nice for your own good, Ye Chen."
He laughed. "That's what you always say."
As he turned to leave, Meixiu called out, "Ye Chen."
He paused and looked back at her. "Yes?"
"Thanks for the breakfast," she said, her voice softer.
His smile widened. "Anytime, Sister Meixiu."
As the door closed behind him, Meixiu let out a long sigh, her hand still resting on her lips.
"Get it together," she muttered to herself, but her heart betrayed her with its rapid beats.