Xiao Jue had always felt that He Yan was a liar.

In others’ eyes, He Yan was righteous, magnanimous, dashing, and generous. In his eyes, she was a glutton who could sleep through anything, talked nonsense, and was greedy and stingy.

Everyone has secrets. No one living in this world is entirely good or evil, black or white. The human heart is complex, human nature contradictory. But He Yan was perhaps the most contradictory woman he had ever met in his life.

The pitiful person hiding in darkness, unwilling to let others discover her true heart, versus the brave and confident female general on the battlefield—they appeared so utterly different that in all those past years, no one had ever connected “He Yan” with “He Rufei.”

For instance, the soldiers in the Fuye Army at the training grounds always said that their leader, General Guiyue, had a broader heart than any man, acted more freely than any man, never looked back on the past, and always strode forward. With her presence, the army’s morale was stable. Even if the sky fell, it would be nothing serious.

But Xiao Jue knew that He Yan was not someone who never looked back.

Regarding the past, she had a longer lingering attachment and deeper affection than others, especially for those good, precious memories. She preserved them carefully, never treating them lightly.

The Flower Immortal from Jinling City would often send some newly brewed sweet wine. Each time after tasting it, she would write a thoughtful reply letter. After finishing the wine, she would carefully store the wine jar. The women of Run City would send her hand-sewn clothes and boots every season, with exquisite embroidery and perfect tailoring. He Yan herself hadn’t bought new clothes for a long time.

Sometimes when Lin Shuanghe saw this, he would secretly whisper worriedly in Xiao Jue’s ear: “Huaijin, do you think our little sister He might become the next Chu Linfeng if she continues like this?”

Xiao Jue rewarded him with a “get lost.”

Cui Yuezhi from Jiyang City would occasionally write to her, sharing recent good news, and also from Jiuchuan… She would read the letters carefully and store them preciously. In the wooden drawer of her study, the letters were neatly stacked together, piling high… She couldn’t bear to burn them.

She appeared carefree, but was extremely fearful of “loss.”

When Ermao died, He Yan was very sad.

In this world, birth, aging, illness, and death are the normal state of human affairs. Whether human or animal, everyone has a day when they leave this world. He Yan didn’t like to cry. She didn’t cry when Ermao died, but in the days that followed, Xiao Jue often found her sitting on the threshold of the courtyard, staring blankly at the bowl where Ermao used to drink water.

He would walk over, not saying anything, and sit with her for a while.

He Yan was not as carefree about “loss” as she appeared on the surface. After the battle of Wutuo years ago, when her comrades-in-arms died beside her, she forced herself not to think about it during the ongoing warfare. Later, when she returned to Shuo City, she was sad for a long time.

And all he could do was stay by He Yan’s side, ensuring that at least when it came to “loss,” his name would never appear.

During these two years, gradually, many housewives secretly asked Bai Rongwei if Xiao Jue had any intention of taking concubines. After all, the two Xiao brothers were exceptionally outstanding. As for Xiao Jing, he had been married to Bai Rongwei for many years and remained deeply in love with her after having their daughter Xiao Peipei, so there was no opportunity there. Xiao Jue was different. In the past, people all thought he merely had a handsome appearance but was too cold and heartless by nature to ever marry in this lifetime. However, later he married a female officer named He Yan and was extremely doting on his wife.

Once a cold-hearted person opens up and falls in love, they are far more heart-stirring than those who are naturally gentle and affectionate. The most common thing ordinary people love to think is: if she can, why can’t I? Moreover, He Yan had not yet given birth to an heir for the Xiao family, and as a military officer, she surely didn’t understand how to capture a man’s heart like those sweet and adorable young ladies. Therefore, many people believed they had a chance.

Bai Rongwei rejected one batch after another on Xiao Jue’s behalf, but some people were bold and overly confident, their heads turned by beauty, using all sorts of tactics. Xiao Jue threw several people out the door, and once when he was extremely angry, he almost caused trouble for an entire family, but fortunately was later persuaded by He Yan to stop.

He Yan just smiled and said: “Everyone has a love for beauty. I’m not angry, so why are you?”

This statement didn’t help; rather, it made Xiao Jue even angrier.

When Lin Shuanghe came to visit, he would always say, “Who would have thought that our Second Young Master Xiao, Master Huaijin, is now completely under my little sister He’s thumb? You know,” he sighed, “in matters between men and women, whoever cares more loses. I originally thought you had the upper hand, but after a few years, how have you been trampled underfoot?”

Xiao Jue didn’t like his petty theory. Human emotions aren’t like warfare, requiring strategy to win hearts. However, he also admitted that Lin Shuanghe wasn’t wrong.

Those soldiers in the Fuye Army always felt that it was He Yan who accommodated him, saying sweet words to him, but in fact, it was he who was easily provoked by He Yan, whether in big matters or small.

Perhaps, using Lin Shuanghe’s theory, he liked He Yan a bit more than she liked him.

But that didn’t matter.

In this world, being able to like someone is not an easy thing. There are countless people in the world, some with fate but no destiny, some with destiny but no fate. People are like sand in the river, meeting and parting in an instant. Being able to meet someone you like in this vast and boundless world is already fortunate.

Therefore, there was no need to excessively pursue who liked whom more.

But He Yan loved to ask him about this, often forcing him to answer at night: “Lord Xiao, you fell for me in your previous life, didn’t you? If I were a man, you would surely be attracted to men.”

Xiao Jue snorted: “I’m not attracted to men.”

“Heh,” she didn’t believe him at all. “When I went to the training grounds last time, I heard Instructor Shen talking with Instructor Liang, saying that back in Liangzhou Garrison, when my female identity had not yet been exposed, they thought we had that kind of relationship.” She looked Xiao Jue up and down, rubbing her chin and said: “But with your looks, even if you were attracted to men, you would surely be the most popular type…”

At such times, Xiao Jue generally couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. He would pull the curtain and let the battlefield decide.

Deep into the night, she slept sweetly. Xiao Jue tucked the covers around her, placed his hands behind his head, and watched as starlight shone through the window, casting a faint glow in the corner of the room.

He gazed at the corner of the bed curtain, feeling extraordinarily peaceful.

Xiao Jue himself wasn’t quite sure when he had fallen for He Yan. She always muttered that in their previous life, when they were studying at Xian Chang Academy, he had treated her specially. But thinking about it now, his care for this “young man” back then was largely because he saw many shadows of his past self in her. The only difference was that she had a bit more stubborn innocence amid the murky world.

A young man wearing a mask was already different from other young men, and because she had to maintain her secret, she was solitary. She was clumsy but hardworking, quiet but optimistic, weak yet sympathetic to the weak. The young Xiao Jue occasionally wondered what kind of face lay beneath that carefully covered mask.

When he pretended to nap in trees, when he sunbathed behind artificial mountains, when he drank tea in the bamboo grove of Xian Chang Academy, he could always see various versions of “He Rufei.”

She seemed so inconspicuous, so small, yet her whole body shone with light. Others didn’t notice it, but he happened to see it. The young Xiao Jue had never doubted that “He Rufei” would achieve something someday.

If she continued to persist in such a manner.

But at that time, it was merely an attraction, not love. It was like seeing a star at night—not particularly bright, but constantly twinkling. Once seen, it was difficult to ignore.

The friendship between classmates was real, so after the incident at Yuhua Temple, he would readily help even “He Rufei’s” sister.”

Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is fate, and the fourth time is probably destiny.

Xiao Jue had never doubted that he and He Yan were destined for each other.

Otherwise, why would heaven make her appear before him again and again? And why would his gaze inevitably be drawn to her?

He Yan seemed to have never changed.

The young person who practiced archery in the night, striving to keep pace with the troops, was not much different from the youngster at Xian Chang Academy who studied diligently in secret. But when she removed her mask, she finally revealed her true self: dashing, clean-cut, galloping freely on the training grounds, passionate and pure like a beam of light.

But she was also cautious, accustomed to giving but uncomfortable with being “favored,” always at a loss when it came to more intimate relationships.

At first, he just thought she was a skilled liar. Later, his gaze lingered on her more and more without him realizing it. She stirred his emotions, making him taste jealousy for the first time in his life. He would feel joy, anger, indignation at her experiences, and a desire to heal all the pain she had suffered.

He Yan made him feel that in this world, there were still many things worth looking forward to.

Just as Lin Shuanghe always said: “Did you know you would have such a day?”

He didn’t know he would have such a day.

It turns out that apart from bearing responsibilities and misunderstandings, betrayal and killing, there could still be such satisfying moments in life. What he didn’t know before, He Yan led him to understand one by one.

The person in front of him turned over, rolling into his arms, instinctively embracing him. He was slightly stunned, paused for a moment, then revealed a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips.

Who liked whom more, what did it matter?

He was more grateful to heaven for granting him this distant warmth in his cruel life, allowing him to meet his beloved and stay together without parting.

…

He Yan loved the training grounds.

After the battle of Wutuo, the Great Wei’s army recuperated, and for at least a decade or so, the Wutuo people wouldn’t have the energy to make a comeback. However, training troops still had to continue. She was now the leader of the Fuye Army, and when she trained the troops, she often reminded the veteran soldiers of the Flying Phoenix General from years ago.

Equally neat and dashing, but with more playfulness and approachability than that masked woman.

Some recruits refused to believe in He Yan’s abilities. On the training grounds, she demonstrated swordsmanship, horsemanship, and archery one by one, with a radiant and spirited demeanor that shone like a bright pearl.

He Yan was naturally beautiful. There were countless beautiful girls in the capital city of Great Wei, but a beautiful girl with such a heroic spirit was probably unique. When she wore her crimson training clothes, smilingly drew the long sword at her waist, either commanding the troops or directing the cavalry, all the young people on the field would be dazzled by her brilliance.

Lin Shuanghe had watched twice and felt that Xiao Jue was surrounded by danger. He said that back in Liangzhou Garrison, when He Yan was disguised as a man, the brothers in the army didn’t know her identity. Now that she had changed back to heroic female attire and mingled with these young men every day, the hot-blooded young lads almost didn’t conceal their admiration for her.

He Yan herself hadn’t noticed.

In her view, these young men were no different from Wang Ba and the others back then—all good fellows, good brothers.

After the Wutuo war, half of the brothers from Liangzhou Garrison had left. The few that remained, having been tempered on the battlefield, were now quite outstanding. Even within the Liangzhou Army, they were exceptional. The Jiang family’s martial arts school had gained fame because of Jiang Jiao, and Master Jiang was proud of him.

Wang Ba sent most of his money back to the bandit’s lair. The lair where he used to stay no longer engaged in robbery; the fish ponds they had dug were quite productive. It was said that the bandit’s lair often took in orphans that no one wanted, and Wang Ba would occasionally go to see them. His temper had improved a lot now, and even children dared to approach him.

After Shi Tou left, Xiao Mai had grown up the fastest. When Shi Tou used to protect him, he was still a playful youth who only thought about food. Now he had matured a lot. His archery had improved dramatically, becoming even more accurate than Shi Tou’s. He wasn’t as gluttonous as before, and when talking to He Yan, he appeared more taciturn, not as cheerful as before.

He Yan felt melancholic in her heart, but people always have to grow up. Fate pushes people onto their paths. Some people never change, while others gradually grow up.

Time and wind are always impossible to retain.

She dismounted, having just demonstrated her archery, with her arrows hitting the bullseye perfectly—beautiful and eye-catching.

The young man who picked up the arrows looked at her, his gaze full of undisguised admiration, half-shy and half-excited: “General, you’re amazing!”

“You flatter me,” He Yan patted his shoulder and smiled, “Practice more, and you’ll be the same.”

The young man looked at her, took two steps forward, and called out: “General—”

He Yan turned back and asked: “What is it?”

“I… my archery isn’t good. Could you… Could you give me some pointers?” He dared not look into He Yan’s eyes.

She had always been generous with “giving pointers” to the soldiers, so she said: “Of course. Pick up the bow and try first, let me see.”

From a distance, Lin Shuanghe fanned himself and gloated: “Brother, you can tolerate even this?”

Xiao Jue was observing from afar, his expression unchanged.

“I see that all the men on the training grounds have ulterior motives toward little sister He,” he said, stirring up trouble. “You and I are men, we understand men’s thoughts best. Look at that youngster—on the surface, he’s asking for guidance, but isn’t he just trying to get close to her? I stopped using this trick when I was in school, yet he’s still so old-fashioned? Tsk tsk tsk, hey… why are you leaving?”

He Yan stood behind the young soldier, about to adjust his bow-holding posture, when a cold voice sounded from behind: “Wait.”

She looked back, and the young soldier was also startled, stammering: “…Lord Xiao!”

“Why are you here?” He Yan asked.

“Today isn’t my duty shift,” Xiao Jue glanced at the pale-faced young man, curled his lips mockingly, and said: “I’ll teach him.”

The young soldier’s face looked even worse.

He Yan didn’t suspect anything and simply said: “Then I’ll leave him to you. I’ll go over there to check.” She walked away confidently.

The young soldier watched He Yan’s back, unable to voice his suffering, while the man in front of him raised an eyebrow, his gaze filled with malice, and said: “Start practicing.”

Lin Shuanghe laughed uncontrollably at the side, silently shedding a tear of sympathy for this young soldier.

When the sun set and the day’s training ended, He Yan went to the room beside the training grounds to change her clothes and saw the young soldier from the afternoon again. However, at this time, despite it being late autumn, he was soaked from head to toe, as if he had been fished out of water, his lips pale. He Yan walked over and asked curiously: “What happened to you?”

The young soldier stepped back, avoiding her like a snake or scorpion, and lowered his head: “Nothing, just trained for too long. Thank you for your concern, General.”

He Yan watched his hastily retreating figure thoughtfully before entering the room. Once inside, Xiao Jue was already there. She removed her light armor, took her clothes, and asked Xiao Jue: “I just saw that brother outside. What did you do to him? Why is he so exhausted?”

“How can it be called training if he’s not tired?” Xiao Jue said casually while drinking tea.

He Yan fastened the buttons on her collar and said: “That may be so, but don’t be too harsh. I think among this batch of recruits, there are several with good potential. You came late today and didn’t see it, but there are a few young men with good skills and handsome features. This morning at the training grounds, they practiced with spears and performed beautifully.” She seemed to be savoring the memory. “Their movements were so graceful, I thought they were quite impressive…”

Xiao Jue’s face darkened to the point where it seemed water could drip from it, and he slowly asked: “Performed beautifully?”

“Yes,” He Yan put on her outer robe, “probably because they have slim waists, and when they leap, they’re tall with long legs.”

His eyes nearly blazed with fire: “He Yan.”

“Pfft!” He Yan burst into laughter, pointing at him and laughing: “Lord Xiao, how can you be so domineering? Every time I praise others in front of you, you get angry. Such jealousy is unbecoming!”

She laughed heartily, and Xiao Jue realized she was deliberately teasing him again. Even so, he was still somewhat displeased and pressed his lips together, not wanting to engage with her.

He Yan moved closer to him, knowing he was unhappy, and said: “It was just a joke. In my eyes, these people, whether men or women, don’t have much distinction. But Lord Xiao, even if you don’t trust my character, you should trust yourself. No matter how handsome they are, they can’t compare to you. No matter how good their figures are, I only like your waist—” As she reached the end of her words, her tone became somewhat suggestive, making one’s heart itch.

Xiao Jue raised his eyes to look at her.

He Yan had become increasingly improper nowadays, thinking that since they were an old married couple, there was no need to put on airs. But her casual remarks, though not particularly romantic, often stirred his emotions.

He let out a mocking laugh, raised his eyebrows, and said: “Just wait.”

“Wait for what?”

Xiao Jue didn’t answer her.

That night, after an intense battle in bed, He Yan finally understood.

Qingmei had someone bring in hot water. After bathing, she rolled into Xiao Jue’s arms, murmuring: “Do you think if I have a child in the future, will it look like you or me?”

Before Xiao Jue could speak, she mused to herself: “Never mind, it’s better if the child looks like you. I was thinking, whether it’s a boy or a girl, if it looks like you, it will be beautiful.”

Xiao Jue had no particular thoughts about appearances. Lin Shuanghe said that people don’t value what they already possess – looks, family background, intelligence, or skills – none of these were particularly important to him as he had them all. If they had a child in the future, Xiao Jue thought, as long as the child was happy, that would be enough.

But He Yan had been married to him for several years and still hadn’t had a child.

During those years when she went to Liangzhou Garrison, she trained daily with the recruits. To avoid being discovered, she bathed in the cold waters of the Wulu River even in freezing weather and traveled all around, going to Jiuchuan to fight… She had damaged her health. Lin Shuanghe had prescribed medicine for her, and she was slowly recovering. Xiao family relatives, such as Cheng Lisu’s mother, often indirectly asked He Yan why she still hadn’t conceived. Some thoughtless people even suggested to Bai Rongwei that since He Yan couldn’t bear children, perhaps Xiao Jue should take a concubine, as the Second Young Master Xiao couldn’t remain childless.

Xiao Jue, who happened to be passing by, coldly said in front of the speaker: “Do you think just any cat or dog can give birth to a Xiao family heir?”

He despised such scheming.

Regarding children, Xiao Jue had few fantasies. If he ever grew to love a child in the future, it would be because it was He Yan’s and his child, unrelated to anything else. Who said men must continue their family line? When Xiao Jing married Bai Rongwei years ago, they also went many years without a child, so what? The men of the Xiao family married and had children only for the ones they loved. If it were just to continue the lineage, reproducing like an instinct, how would that differ from beasts?

If He Yan never had children in the future, then so be it. He would devote his remaining life to dealing with her alone.

He Yan didn’t know what he was thinking. Regarding these matters, she always had many beautiful expectations. Besides, she always believed that since heaven was willing to give her and Xiao Jue a fate across two lifetimes, it surely wouldn’t be stingy in giving them the best ending.

“Yunsheng has been absent-minded recently.” He Yan began worrying about other matters. “He looks gloomy. Has he been bullied outside? I’ve been busy training troops these days and haven’t looked after him. Do you know what’s happened to him?”

Xiao Jue was silent for a moment, then reminded her: “Song Taotao hasn’t been to the He residence for half a month.”

Song Taotao’s affection for He Yunsheng was almost known throughout the entire capital city of Shuo. This child’s affection was direct and swift – liking meant sending gifts to He Yunsheng, sending everything from clothes to food to daily necessities, without any restraint. While He Yan admired this, she also sympathized with Song Taotao’s parents—how much they must worry!

Moreover, that dead boy, He Yunsheng, was still so cold.

But… she turned to Xiao Jue, surprised: “Are you saying Yunsheng likes Taotao?”

Xiao Jue smiled, seemingly confirming it. He Yan felt a sudden chill. Given He Yunsheng’s cold demeanor toward young ladies, she hadn’t noticed any sign of affection.

He Yan truly hadn’t realized that He Yunsheng liked Song Taotao. After all, He Yunsheng was even better at hiding his feelings than Xiao Jue. It wasn’t until later, after some time had passed, when he came to find He Yan, asking her and He Sui to propose marriage to the Song family, that she was shocked to discover Xiao Jue had been telling the truth.

“Do you really like Song Taotao?” she asked. “If you’re not sincere, don’t trifle with her.”

“Of course I like her…” He Yunsheng’s voice lowered, seemingly embarrassed. With a reddened face, he said impatiently: “Anyway, once I marry her, I’ll be good to her for a lifetime!”

Only then did He Yan feel reassured.

Although He Sui held no official position, He Yunsheng had a sister who was a general and an influential brother-in-law. Though young, He Yunsheng had already shown promise in his career, with an immeasurable future ahead. Moreover, since Song Taotao herself was fond of him, the Song family was naturally pleased with this marriage.

With almost no complications, the marriage was settled.

He Yan had originally thought that if He Yunsheng had offended Song Taotao, rashly proposing marriage might get him thrown out by her. She hadn’t expected that this boy, who usually seemed so quiet, was quite skilled at pleasing young ladies. Soon, He Yan saw Song Taotao happily visiting the He family to bring food for He Yunsheng again.

After the engagement was settled, the wedding preparations proceeded quickly.

Besides the He and Song families, the happiest person turned out to be Cheng Lisu. Sometimes, He Yan wondered if Cheng Lisu’s demeanor wasn’t like witnessing He Yunsheng getting married, but rather as if he were getting married. He frequently came to the He family to help, likely becoming the first pre-marital “husband” to do so much in the capital city.

He Yan seized an opportunity to ask him: “You seem so happy about Taotao’s marriage. Are you truly not sad at all?”

“Why would I be sad?” Cheng Lisu smiled as if he had found silver. “That shrew… Miss Song is now taken by Uncle He, and I’m free! Otherwise, I’d have to worry daily about when my family might revive this engagement. This is called… better him than me!”

He seemed quite pleased. He Yan thought about it and, to prevent Cheng Lisu from regretting it later and her nephew and brother becoming enemies, she asked: “You really don’t like Taotao at all?”

“I don’t like her!” Cheng Lisu laughed. “Aunt, I know you and Uncle think I’m unreliable, but I know what I like and don’t like. Song Taotao and I are not the same kind of people. The girl I like should be like me, able to see the good in me. Song Taotao, the moment she sees me, thinks I’m unambitious, a useless young master. How could we be husband and wife? We can’t even be friends in all situations!”

Seeing how eloquently he spoke, He Yan thought it was fine. Young people have their thoughts. Since Cheng Lisu truly had no interest in Song Taotao, things having reached this point was another kind of perfect resolution.

She began helping He Yunsheng prepare for his wedding.

On the day of He Yunsheng’s wedding, He Yan was emotional.

Although He Yunsheng was the one getting married, she was like an old mother sending off her daughter, with moisture in her eyes. Even He Sui, the father, wasn’t as moved as He Yan. He Xinying stood beside He Yan, observing her expression, and softly said: “Today is Young Master He’s wedding day. Why does sister look so sad?”

He Yan said: “I’m not sad; I’m overjoyed.”

Though she had family in her previous life, due to many reasons, she couldn’t be close to them. Even with He Xinying beside her, the true closeness between the sisters only began after the He family’s downfall in this life.

But He Yunsheng was different. From the moment she became “Miss He” and opened her eyes, He Sui and He Yunsheng became her “family” now. Though poor, they gave her warmth she had never experienced before. Now, the blue-clad youth who once awkwardly ate the pastries she handed him on the back mountain had finally grown into a mature man, with his beloved girl, becoming an adult.

When faced with something too perfect, people often feel a sense of unreality. Sometimes, He Yan suspected that everything before her was just a long, beautiful dream, fearing that when she woke up, it would all be gone.

He Yunsheng led his bride into the He family courtyard, and cheers erupted around them. The He family courtyard was crowded. She had many friends, and everyone wanted to join in the celebration of He Yunsheng’s marriage. Wang Ba and the others were naturally present, the instructors from Liangzhou Garrison had also come, as well as Bai Rongwei, Xiao Jing… Xiao Jue stood on her other side, like He Yunsheng’s elder brother, watching the newlyweds walk into the wedding hall.

Amid the festivities, Lin Shuanghe dramatically said: “Even Yunsheng is married, yet I’m still alone.”

Cheng Lisu patted his shoulder and said, “It’s alright, Uncle Lin, I’m alone too. We’re in this together.”

Lin Shuanghe: “…”

The newlyweds bowed in marriage, the banquet was lively, and He Yan drank too much.

She was quite restrained with alcohol except during festivals, because who knew if she might start reciting books once drunk. It was fine if Xiao Jue saw it, but if it spread to others, to the ears of the Fuye Army, who knew how they would view their general afterward? They would probably think she was naturally boastful, revealing her true form when drunk, needing to show off her talents.

But on the joyous day of He Yunsheng’s wedding, what should be drunk, must be drunk.

By the time Xiao Jue came over, He Yan was already drunk.

She sat at the table, saw him, and waved at him, calling: “Lord Xiao!”

Xiao Jue helped her up and said to He Sui: “Yan’er is drunk. I’ll take her home first.”

“Go ahead, go ahead.” He Sui also said: “It’s getting late. You two head back, and come back early tomorrow morning for Taotao’s tea if you have time.”

Xiao Jue nodded, supported He Yan out of the main hall, and reminded her, “There are steps. Watch your feet.”

He Yan turned her head, hugged him around the waist, and refused to walk further.

Xiao Jue took a deep breath and looked down at the person in front of him: “Miss He, let’s go home.”

“Lord Xiao,” she looked up at him, appearing not drunk at all from her appearance, and said: “Let me tell you a secret.”

“Go ahead.”

Behind them, the music and laughter from the wedding hall grew distant. The night wind was cool. He pulled He Yan’s outer garment tighter around her, and saw He Yan point to the moon on the roof, saying: “…I like the moon.”

He suddenly froze.

In his memory, there was a moment when she had said the same thing to him.

At that time, he hadn’t completely fallen in love with He Yan, but his heart was inevitably stirred. Her whisper in his ear was taken as a casual joke, not knowing how much truth was hidden in that joke.

If destined to hide in darkness, in places where moonlight couldn’t reach, she would stand far away, keeping secrets in her heart.

The woman before him gave him a big smile, her eyes bright as stars. She put her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear: “Let me tell you another secret.”

She stood on tiptoe and lightly kissed his lips.

“You are the moon.”

In that moment, the moonlight was as enduring as poetry and painting. All worldly affairs and myriad feelings couldn’t match this moment of eternity.

The moon is lonely and cold, hanging in the sky, until one day, it saw a traveler stumbling along countless dark paths ahead, walking alone. He casually shed a ray of light, illuminating a section of the road ahead for the traveler.

In that instant, he saw a world in full bloom, warm sun and a bright glow.

He Yan seemed extremely tired, leaning in his embrace, closing her eyes, and falling into deep sleep. He was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head to place a reverent kiss on her forehead before lifting her in his arms and walking out.

The autumn night was long, the courtyard grass lush and green. Moths flew to the candles, the wind seemed to sigh. The man walked out step by step, the curve at the corner of his lips full of youthful joy.

She didn’t know that the moon also had its secret.

She was the moon’s concern, the moon’s lover, the beginning of his heart’s stirring, and the endpoint of their companionship.

This was the moon’s secret.