In this long night, perhaps the sleepless starry sky is the best comfort at this moment! So, I returned to the house, opened the window that hadn't been opened in a long time, propped it up with a wooden stick, and then sat at my desk. I picked up my favorite diary, flipped through its long-dormant pages, and wrote down a few verses:
The stars slumber, and the shadow of the night flickers,
I am like the cowherd under the moonlight,
And the one I long for is like the beauty upon the moon.
I call out to the crescent moon,
But it replies with its radiant glow.
Though the night is long,
And sleepless too,
It's because the night—
The starry sky—sleeps.
After finishing, I slowly stood up, stepped outside, and quietly walked along the silent country path. Under the moonlight, ripples danced in the water-filled rice paddies, swaying gracefully as if performing an elegant dance. The faint shimmer of moonlight revealed the shy expressions of the tiny stalks in the field. The solitary torchlight along the path seemed particularly forlorn. I pulled the torch from the ground and strolled toward the bamboo forest. Within the forest, it was pitch dark—so dark I could barely see my hand in front of me. The torch illuminated only the path directly underfoot, but in the hazy darkness, I tripped on a small stone and fell.
Lying on the ground in disarray, I looked up and found that the moon was now hidden behind the quiet clouds. I remained motionless in the bamboo forest until a firefly appeared in my view. Then two, three... seven... more and more fireflies gradually illuminated the bamboo grove with their faint, soft lights. I sat up, and to my surprise, the grove around me was filled with fireflies. It was as if they were welcoming me. Their gentle glow transformed the bamboo forest into a scene entirely different from its daytime appearance. If the forest during the day was a symbol of freedom, then at night, it became a solace for solitude.
Looking back, I realized I had reached the edge of a small pond. The water shimmered faintly under the fireflies' light, as if the bamboo forest had veiled it in mystery. I approached and saw fish sleeping peacefully in the pond. I found a flat stone, lay down, and gazed at the stars. Though we had only known each other for a short time, her image was deeply etched in my heart. As I closed my eyes, her face filled my thoughts, leaving an indelible mark. When I opened my eyes again, daylight had arrived, and the warm sunlight danced through the bamboo forest.
I sat by the pond, watching the fish ripple the water's surface as they playfully swam. Their joy was infectious. Reluctantly, I rose, leaving behind my shadow in the morning light as a farewell to the fish. Filled with a sudden impulse, I ran deeper into the bamboo forest. As I ran, I saw her standing at the forest's exit, waving at me. Puzzled, I approached her, but she asked me to close my eyes. Though my curiosity grew, I complied and shut my eyes.
I felt her gently pushing me forward.
"Are you pushing me, miss?"
"Hehe."
I had no idea where she was taking me, but I caught the scent of fresh flowers and grass along the way. Her laughter continued as she guided me. Perhaps she was preparing a special surprise.
"You can open your eyes now!"
Slowly, I opened my eyes. The brightness stung after having them shut for so long, and I squinted to adjust. Before me stood a magnificent horse. I was overjoyed and immediately hugged her, noticing her shy expression. Embarrassed, I instinctively turned away. After a long pause, I nervously took her hand, helping her onto the horse. Together, we rode through the lush fields and scenic landscapes, the horse's gallop echoing our laughter.
As we ventured further, the scenery changed. We arrived at a sea of jasmine flowers, their fragrance filling the air. I dismounted, bent down, and carefully picked a jasmine flower, placing it gently behind her ear. Taking out a harmonica from my pocket, I played a soft melody, dancing with the blessings of the clouds and flowers around us.
"You seem to love freedom," she said.
"Yes! Freedom is such a wonderful thing!" I replied.
I spread my arms wide, breathing in the fresh air of nature. With her by my side, my heart was filled with warmth and joy. Taking her hand, I found myself at a loss for words, overwhelmed by nervousness. After a long pause, I stammered:
"Would you... would you be willing to... to stay closer to me...?"
She leaned in and whispered softly in my ear:
"Yes, but only if you become my husband."
My face flushed red like a ripe strawberry. To mask my nervousness, I started playing the harmonica again, but she suddenly swatted it away and kissed the corner of my lips. I froze, unsure of what to do, but my arms naturally embraced her. The jasmine flower on her ear seemed to bloom even more beautifully, and the surrounding jasmine field appeared to sing with joy. The breeze rustled gently, and time itself seemed to pause. In that mysterious place, we were unguarded, lost in each other's presence. But just then, the horse's neigh broke the moment.
She blushed, her eyes filled with affection, and I helped her onto the horse once more. Together, we began our journey back.
As the horse galloped, the flowers along the path seemed to bloom just for us—or perhaps it was my own heart bursting with joy that made everything seem so welcoming. The fragrance of the grass lingered, and I wondered who else might envy the happiness of a shared journey like ours. At that moment, I believed we had become each other's companions.
But as we returned to the place where we first met, we saw a man standing on a small hill outside her house. Dressed in a military uniform with a stern mask and a rifle slung over his shoulder, his presence radiated authority—and a chilling air of danger. Sensing his hostility, I stepped forward to confront him. He swiftly drew his bayonet, pointing it at my throat.
"Ray! Do you even know what you're doing? She's a dangerous demon!" he shouted.
"You've been spying on me?"
"The General of the Field Army ordered me to take her back for interrogation. But Ray, you've fallen for her!"
I knew my feelings were forbidden, but I couldn't deny them. She had already left her past behind. To protect her, I stepped in front of her and declared:
"I won't hand her over. Even if she's a demon, she's my wife now."
"Ray, you're out of your mind!" he roared.
He lunged with the bayonet, aiming to slash my throat. I dodged and kicked the weapon out of his hand, then punched him square in the face. What followed was a fierce struggle, each of us driven by our convictions—his loyalty to duty, and my love for her.
"Please, stop fighting... stop it, I beg you!"
Her tearful voice pierced through the tension. Both of us froze, turning toward her. She stood on the hill, her tears soaking her clothes. Her sorrow stabbed at my heart like a knife. The soldier hesitated before turning away, but as he mounted his horse, he said:
"If you want me to spare her, you'll have to come with me. Otherwise, I can't face the General."
Faced with an impossible choice, I reluctantly walked to her, took her hands in mine, and placed the harmonica in her palm.
"This harmonica... it's my most treasured possession. If we meet again, let it be the sign that we belong together."
Her tears flowed as she nodded silently. My own tears fell as I kissed her forehead. I could see the pain in her eyes, mirroring my own heartbreak.
The soldier urged me on with a pat on my shoulder. Mounted on her gift of a horse, I looked back one last time, shouting, "Louisiana!" before the sound of hooves faded into the distance.