Xu Liang's mind buzzed with quiet excitement as he left his room, his voice barely above a whisper as he wondered aloud, "Where's Lin Hua?" He hesitated for a moment, opening the window to peer down into the garden below.
The bamboo lanterns cast a soft, golden glow, perfectly aligned to illuminate the night garden. He smiled to himself, a small chuckle escaping his lips as he mused, "Is he sleeping yet?"
The air was still, the night tranquil under the gaze of the full moon. The stars twinkled faintly in the velvet sky, while the sweet scent of lotus flowers wafted up from below, mingling with the cool breeze.
Xu Liang slowly descended the stairs, his steps light, almost as if he were gliding. As soon as his feet touched the garden path, he broke into a soft run, his heart lightened by the serenity of the moment.
The night seemed to hold a magic of its own—a calmness that swept over him like a gentle wave. The lotus blooms shimmered under the moonlight, their delicate petals opening as if to greet him.
The scent was intoxicating, a mixture of jasmine, lotus, and something else entirely—a smell that spoke of memories long forgotten but deeply cherished. His senses were heightened, and for the first time in what seemed like ages, Xu Liang felt utterly at peace.
The garden, bathed in the soft glow of the lanterns, was a masterpiece, but it was more than just a beautiful setting—it was his sanctuary.
The full moon overhead bathed the swan lake in silver light, casting reflections that shimmered across the water like scattered jewels.
The night seemed alive with the possibility of freedom, a freedom he only dared to claim in the stillness of these moments. It was here, under the night sky, that he allowed himself to be truly, undeniably Xu Liang.
He laughed softly, spinning in place, feeling the weight of expectations lift from his shoulders. His father had once remarked that Xu was "too unlike other men," too sensitive, too enamored with beauty. But in this garden, in the company of flowers and moonlight, he embraced it fully.
His appreciation for the delicate and the celestial, for the quiet beauty of life, made him who he was, and he no longer felt the need to hide it.
"The lotuses," he murmured, his eyes tracing the blooms as they swayed ever so slightly in the night breeze. "They're like my audience... silent, understanding." He laughed again, spinning once more, feeling the soft fabric of his robe flutter around him. "They see me. The real me."
Xu Liang danced, his movements fluid and graceful, as if the lotuses themselves were partners in his waltz beneath the moon.
He twirled and moved with abandon, the quiet garden becoming his stage, the night his witness. The more he danced, the more the weight of pretense fell away.
In the eyes of these silent blooms, he could be anything—everything. He could be himself. The thought was liberating, and he danced until his body glistened with sweat, until the stillness of the night was interrupted only by the soft ripple of water as the swans began to stir.
"I'll dance more... Until Lin Hua dances with me," Xu Liang whispered to himself, smiling softly at the thought. He imagined Lin Hua’s hands, strong yet gentle, holding his own, guiding him across the floor.
His hands would find their way to Xu's waist, steady and reassuring, and together, they would spin, gracefully, like the elegant swans that glided across the lake. The image filled him with warmth, a fleeting happiness that tugged at the corners of his lips.
He had heard so many stories—princesses and princes falling in love with commoners, their hearts entwined in a whirlwind of romance, leading to a happily ever after.
He could picture it: He as the noble prince, Xu as the quiet commoner, and their love overcoming all obstacles. It was a sweet, comforting fantasy, one he often indulged in when the night was still, and the world seemed far away.
But then, the fantasy began to wane. His smile faltered, replaced by a pang of reality.
"But this dream of mine," he murmured, a heaviness settling in his chest. "I am but a man who feels troubled." He stared at his hands, the very hands he imagined Lin Hua holding, and a flood of doubt crept in. "Slowly, I am captivated by him, by everything he is. But I am not a woman. Nor is this a fairytale."
The realization hit him with force. Unlike the stories of princes and commoners, his tale wasn’t one of grand romance or destined love. It was one of longing, of uncertainty, of feeling something that seemed impossible in a world that didn’t reflect his desires. The happy ending he dreamed of was clouded by the reality that love, for him, didn’t follow the same script.
He stopped, breathing heavily. Without a second thought, he began to run. His feet barely touched the ground as he raced toward the Xi Hu's edge, the cool air brushing against his flushed skin.
When he reached the shore of Xi Hu, he paused, gazing out at the expanse of the lake. The moon reflected off the water's surface, casting an otherworldly glow that made everything seem ethereal. It was as if the world beyond the garden ceased to exist, and all that mattered was this moment—this peace.
"It’s so peaceful," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the gentle lapping of the water.
"How about a swim in this late of night?" He looked down at the water, the temptation tugging at him, the promise of release from the expectations that weighed him down during the day.
Here, beneath the moon, beside the lotus-filled lake, he could be whoever he wanted to be. Here, in this brief window of time, Xu Liang was free.
The garden behind him lay still, as though holding its breath, waiting for him to make his next move. But for now, Xu Liang stood on the shore, savoring the calm, savoring the quiet rebellion of the night.