It was already 6 PM when Qin Yu'er opened her eyes, her cultivation finally completed. As the soft hues of the setting sun bathed the hill in warm orange light, her gaze naturally fell on Mo Fan and the little girl.
Mo Fan was leaning against a tree, his head slightly tilted to the side, his eyes closed in a rare moment of rest.
The little girl was snuggled up in his arms, her tiny body rising and falling with each peaceful breath. The sight tugged at something in Qin Yu'er's heart, a mixture of amusement and warmth blooming within her.
She chuckled softly, finding the scene both adorable and oddly heartwarming. With light, careful steps, she walked toward them, the grass beneath her feet muffling her approach.
Kneeling beside them, her gaze first fell on the little girl. Nestled securely in Mo Fan's arms, her expression was one of absolute contentment.
Qin Yu'er couldn't resist; she reached out to gently stroke the little girl's silky hair before her fingers wandered to her cheeks. She gave them a gentle pinch, marveling at how soft and puffy they felt.
"Such a sweet little thing," she murmured under her breath, her lips curling into a fond smile.
Her eyes then shifted to Mo Fan, her expression softening further. A stray strand of his bangs had fallen onto his face, brushing against his closed eye and causing him to frown slightly even in his sleep.
Typical Mo Fan, always restless even when he's supposed to be at peace, she thought with a small smirk.
Leaning closer, she tried to brush the offending strand aside, only for it to stubbornly fall back into place. She pouted, determined not to give up. After a few failed attempts, she sighed in frustration, removed her own hair clip, and carefully secured the strand in place.
"There. Much better," she whispered, a small smile of satisfaction gracing her lips.
But as she lingered there, her playful demeanor began to fade. Her hand, which had been about to withdraw, instead hovered for a moment before gently cupping his cheek.
A strange tightness blossomed in her chest as her fingers lightly traced his skin. The warmth of his face beneath her hand felt both comforting and unsettling, stirring emotions she wasn't sure how to handle.
Her voice softened, barely audible, as she murmured, "Why… do you... push yourself so much for me..."
Qin Yu'er was well aware of how tirelessly Mo Fan had been working on the city's reconstruction and expansion. The exhaustion etched on his face was impossible to miss, even though he tried to hide the dark circles under his eyes with a light layer of makeup.
Despite his overwhelming responsibilities, he still managed to carve out time from his relentless schedule to ensure her safety during her breakthrough. It was a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Qin Yu'er.
_He's always like this,_ she thought, her gaze softening as she glanced at him. _Even when he's barely holding himself together, he'll go out of his way for me._
The thought warmed her heart, but it also stirred a pang of guilt. She knew the sacrifices he was making, and yet, he never once complained.
The cool evening breeze rustled the leaves around them, but neither Mo Fan nor the little girl stirred.
Her fingers grazed his cheek, tracing the faint lines of his jaw, and her breath hitched. His warmth seeped into her palm, grounding her in the moment.
Slowly, almost tentatively, her thumb moved closer to his lips, her fingertips brushing against them with a feather-light touch.
Ba-thump!
Ba-thump!
She found herself leaning in, her heart pounding louder with every inch that closed between them.
The world around her faded, leaving only the sound of her own breath and the soft rise and fall of his chest.
_Thank You, Mo Fan._