Xu Liang stirred in his bed, unable to sleep as the moonlight filtered through the thin silk curtains, casting pale shadows on the floor. 
"He is waiting for me," he murmured to himself, feeling a deep pull within his chest. The mansion was cloaked in silence, save for the faint rustling of the plum blossoms in the garden outside. 
It was the third hour of the morning, and all lay still in their slumber.
"He waits in the garden," Xu Liang whispered again, his heart quickening. The urgency swelled within him. "I must go now."
He moved quietly, careful not to disturb the silence. His movements were swift yet deliberate as he dressed in the shadows, slipping into his dark robes. The dim halls of the estate stretched long before him, and with a single glance, he melted into the darkness, avoiding the eyes of the household that might yet awaken.
His every step echoed softly, the polished floors creaking beneath him. A few servants may already be stirring, preparing for the day to come, but he could not linger. If they discovered him missing from his quarters, it would raise suspicion. But that mattered little now—he had to go.
In the cool night air, he approached the stables, where his horse, a proud bay named Qianli, awaited him. 
The horse greeted him with a gentle nicker, sensing his presence even before Xu Liang reached him. "Qianli," he whispered, brushing his hand over the horse’s sleek neck, "by your name, we shall travel miles tonight." 
He quickly fastened the bridle, his hands moving with practiced ease. Qianli, named for his ability to travel a thousand miles without tiring, was his loyal companion, as eager for the ride as his master.
Xu Liang kept his movements calculated as he led his horse quietly out of the stables, careful to avoid any stray eyes. 
Outside, beneath the vast expanse of the night sky, Xu Liang mounted Qianli, feeling the strength of the horse beneath him. "We ride to the west," he whispered into the night. 
The cool breeze kissed his face as Qianli began to trot, the rhythmic sound of hooves on the dirt path blending with the soft rustling of the trees. The path to the lotus garden was well known to him, the ground still damp from the evening dew.
"Run, Qianli," Xu Liang urged, his voice low but commanding. "Lin Hua waits for me."
As if understanding his master’s urgency, Qianli quickened his pace. The slow trot turned into a gallop, and soon the world around them blurred. 
The wind roared in Xu Liang’s ears, tugging at his robes as they flew across the quiet landscape. The moonlight cast a silver glow upon the fields, and the distant mountains seemed to race alongside them.
He leaned forward, gripping the reins tightly, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. The pounding of Qianli's hooves mirrored the rapid beat of his heart. With every stride, they left behind the constraints of duty and expectation, fleeing into the night where only freedom and the open road awaited.
In the distance, he saw the flickering lamps of the garden lanterns, a small but bright glimmer in the dark. Relief washed over him. 
He was close now—close to the Lotus Garden, and closer still to seeing Lin Hua. His mind swirled with questions. What would happen when they met? What would become of them?
He had imagined this moment many times since they last spoke, but the reality of it now weighed heavier on him. His pulse quickened as the garden drew nearer. What would he say? What could he say? 
He finally reached the edge of the Lotus Garden and dismounted from Qianli. Leading the horse quietly to a small stable near the entrance, he tied the reins, offering a brief pat to his faithful steed before turning toward the garden. 
The first light of dawn was only just beginning to pierce the sky. The lanterns, dimmed with the approaching daylight, flickered faintly, casting soft shadows over the path.
The cool air was alive with the sounds of nature: the gentle rustle of trees, the occasional flap of a bird’s wings, and, in the distance, the soft lapping of the swan lake. 
The faint scent of lotus blossoms filled the air, mixing with the morning dew and the delicate fragrance of flowers all around. 
Xu Liang walked slowly, the sensation of the blooming lotuses teasing his senses as he wandered deeper into the garden.
But where was Lin Hua?
Xu Liang frowned, his eyes scanning the landscape. He had said he would be waiting... had he not? A flicker of doubt crossed his mind. 
Had Lin Hua fallen asleep? Did he perhaps think Xu would not come? His steps grew more deliberate as he ventured further into the garden, his breath hitching when he noticed the violet lotus, standing tall and beautiful, just as it had on the night they last spoke. 
The sight tugged at his heart, reminding him of why he had come. The promise, the urgency of it—it all felt so real now.
And then he heard it. Footsteps.
Xu Liang turned quickly, his breath caught in his throat. 
There, standing at the edge of the garden, was Lin Hua. He seemed not to have slept at all. His hair was slightly tousled, his eyes bright yet calm in the early morning light. 
Had he waited all night? Xu’s heart thudded loudly in his chest. He tried to open his mouth, to call out, but no words came. 
Lin Hua was more handsome now than ever before. His presence was like the morning itself—fresh, beautiful, and full of life. 
In his hands, he held a single pink lotus, its delicate petals almost glowing in the twilight of dawn. 
Why does everything feel so romantic now Xu thought, his heart racing. The soft wind stirred Lin Hua’s robes as he stepped closer, his gaze locked on Xu’s. 
Xu could feel Lin Hua’s breath, soft and warm against his skin as he approached.
What should he do? Step back? Move away? Or stay? The closeness made Xu’s head spin. 
Was this real? Could it be that Lin Hua had felt something for him all this time, just as Xu had? Was this the romantic tale spun by the legends of Xi Hu lake, the fantasy Lin Hua had spoken of that night?
Without a word, Lin Hua raised the pink lotus, holding it with the utmost care, and slowly placed it behind Xu’s right ear. His fingers lingered there for a moment, his touch light and delicate, as though fearing the flower might fall. “Lovely,” Lin Hua whispered, his voice soft and warm, like the breeze that rustled the lotus petals.
Xu’s heart pounded so hard he thought it might burst. His breath came in short, rapid bursts, as though he had just run a long race. “Am I?” he asked, his voice shaking, uncertain. He could hardly believe this was happening.
Lin Hua’s eyes met his, deep and searching. Xu could see the emotion there—the same doubt, the same longing that he felt himself. 
Lin’s throat moved, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he, too, was trying to find the right words. But words were not needed. Instead, Lin Hua leaned forward, slowly, almost hesitantly, until his lips met Xu’s.
The kiss was gentle at first, soft as the petals of the lotus in his hair. Xu no longer thought of propriety, of the strict morals imposed on him. All that mattered now was the love he felt—the love he had denied for so long. 
He didn’t care about the expectations placed upon him, or the marriage that awaited him the following week. That world seemed far away now, distant and unimportant.
Lin Hua deepened the kiss, his hand sliding to Xu’s waist, pulling him closer. Xu responded in kind, his heart soaring as he kissed Lin Hua back, their lips moving together in a perfect, unspoken rhythm. 
The sweetness of the moment overwhelmed him, casting a spell that made him forget everything—everything except Lin Hua, here in his arms.
Lin’s strong arms lifting him effortlessly off the ground as if Xu were weightless. 
For a moment, Xu gasped, his heart racing not just from the kiss, but from the sensation of being lifted into the air. 
He clung to Lin Hua, who held him securely, their bodies moving in a silent, graceful rhythm as though they were dancing beneath the fading lantern light. 
Suddenly, the tranquility of the moment was interrupted by a sudden fluttering of wings. A flock of swans from the nearby lake took flight, their calls piercing the quiet dawn as they flew overhead. 
Startled, Xu and Lin broke their kiss, looking up as the swans disturbed the peaceful waters, sending ripples across the lake. 
Xu, still breathless and slightly dazed, met Lin Hua’s gaze. The two smiled and laugh.