Date

“Just... just that... k-kiss me.”

Chen Mian looked down at Flora, reaching out to pinch her cheek. Right now, her face was incredibly red, and her eyes were veiled in a thin mist. She looked a bit nervous, like a little animal that had finally gathered up all its courage.

Chen Mian lowered his head again, gently kissing Flora's soft lips.

Flora's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingers clutching his clothes slowly relaxed.

.......

“Mr. Chen Mian, will you wash my hair for me in the future?”

“I will.”

“Then will you dry my hair for me?”

“I will.”

“Will you eat the meals I cook every day?”

“I will.”

Hearing this, a satisfied smile spread across her face, and her eyes shone brightly.

“Is there anything else you want?”

“Hmm... I haven't thought of anything else yet~ I'll tell you when I do.” Flora blinked, a hint of playfulness creeping into her eyes.

“I'm supposed to be the landlord here.”

“That's true! Then how about I wash your hair instead?”

“I'd better do it.”

The two sat for a while longer as the night grew cooler. Flora looked up at him, then at the colorful specks of light around them, her voice carrying a smile. “Mr. Chen Mian, shouldn't we head back? You have to get up early for practice tomorrow, and I need to get up early to make breakfast.”

“Okay.” Chen Mian nodded and stood up, helping Flora to her feet before storing the blanket back into his storage space.

He then turned around, gently pulling Flora into a hug. Lowering his head, he whispered near her ear, “Do you want another kiss?”

Flora's face flushed crimson instantly. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “...Yes.”

Quite some time passed before the two slowly parted.

“...Mr. Chen Mian, can we wait a bit before we go...? My legs are a little weak,” Flora whispered, her face red, her voice even softer than usual.

“I'll carry you.”

The corners of Flora's mouth curled up slightly. She slowly stepped closer and rested her hands on his shoulders. “I'm ready~”

Chen Mian crouched down, supporting the back of her knees to lift her onto his back. Flora was very light, her body resting gently against his back.

“Are you holding on tight?”

Flora wrapped arms around his neck, resting her chin gently on his shoulder, her voice cheerful. “Holding tight~”

Carrying Flora on his back, Chen Mian walked slowly through the night toward the apartment.

“Mr. Chen Mian, am I heavy?” Flora asked softly, leaning against his back.

“Not at all.”

“That's good~” Flora giggled, then pressed her face gently against his back. “I had a wonderful time today.”

“What about you, Mr. Chen Mian?”

“I did too.”

“That's great~” Flora said with a soft chuckle, then leaned gently against his back and fell silent.

The two made their way quietly toward the apartment. Gradually, Flora's breathing evened out, and her grip around his neck loosened slightly.

Seeing this, Chen Mian slowed his pace, walking as steadily as possible.

When they reached the apartment entrance, he hitched Flora a bit higher on his back, turned his head, and whispered, “Flora, we're home.”

Flora let out a sleepy murmur but didn't move, her breathing quickly becoming deep and even again.

Chen Mian chuckled softly at this. He pushed the door open, stepped inside, and carried Flora upstairs. A sliver of light still shone from beneath Louise's door, accompanied by the faint rustling of turning pages.

He pushed open Flora's door, walked to the bed, and gently sat her down on the edge.

Flora's arms were still wrapped gently around his neck. Only after a moment did she slowly let go, opening her eyes sleepily. Her voice carried a distinct drowsiness. “Goodnight, Mr. Chen Mian.”

“Goodnight, Flora.” Chen Mian helped her lie down, gently pulled the blanket over her, and then stepped out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

The corridor was quiet, and the light in Louise's room had also gone out. When Chen Mian returned to his room, he found a cup of steaming Moonlight Grass tea sitting on the windowsill, with a note slipped underneath.

On the note was Louise's elegant handwriting: “Someone seems to be in a pretty good mood today? No need to thank me. Just give me a gas stove to take apart tomorrow, and... you owe me another favor~ Goodnight.”

Chen Mian chuckled, picking up the note to fold it and put it in a drawer. Then, he picked up the Moonlight Grass tea, took a sip, and looked out at the moonlight, his expression softening.

Once he finished the tea, Chen Mian quietly lay back down on his bed and closed his eyes.

.......

Flora woke up before the sun was even up.

Lying in bed, she pulled the blanket up to her chin, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling. After a long while, she reached up to touch her lips, then quickly ducked back under the blanket, burying her face in the pillow. Her face was so red it felt like it was on fire.

Her mind was completely filled with the scenes from earlier, her heart beating incredibly fast. She rolled over, wrapping the blanket a bit tighter around herself, then rolled back. She was now completely wide awake.

After a while, she simply sat up. Her light brown hair fell messily over her shoulders, and she cupped her burning, flushed cheeks with both hands. “Was I too bold...?” She shook her head, an involuntary smile gracing her lips. Lying back down on the bed, she pulled the blanket up to cover half her face, leaving only her lively eyes exposed. “I... kissed Mr. Chen Mian...”

She closed her eyes, only to open them again a moment later. “I can't sleep at all...”

Flora sat up again, combed her hair, and slowly opened her door. Glancing at Chen Mian's closed door, she walked quietly into the bathroom, and a short while later, entered the kitchen.

Flora decided to bake a honey cake—the most ordinary kind of small cake, just like the one Chen Mian had made for her in Wigtan.

She bent down to preheat the oven, cracked the eggs, sifted the flour, and stirred the batter, humming an unfamiliar little tune under her breath.

Just as everything was ready and she bent down to slide the cake pan into the oven, a very soft footstep sounded behind her.

Flora paused, the tips of her ears flushing slightly.

Having lived here for so long, she had long since learned to distinguish who it was just by their footsteps.

“Morning,” Chen Mian's voice came from behind her.

Flora closed the oven door and quickly turned around.

Chen Mian was leaning against the doorframe, wearing a thin gray coat and smiling at her.

“...Morning.” Flora felt her heart rate pick up again.

“What are you making?” Chen Mian walked over and asked softly.

“Honey cake.” She lowered her head, pretending to adjust the oven's temperature dial. “I just learned how to make it. It's the kind of cake you made in Wigtan, Mr. Chen Mian... I wanted you to try it.”

Chen Mian reached out to ruffle Flora's hair, asking softly, “Did you get up this early just to make this?”

“Yes... I couldn't sleep.”

Chen Mian's hand paused on her head, then slid gently down her loose, flowing hair. “Why couldn't you sleep?”

Flora kept her head down, pretending to watch the batter in the oven intently. She whispered, “...My mind was a mess. As soon as I woke up, every time I closed my eyes, all I could think about was what happened last night. I couldn't sleep at all.” Her voice grew softer and softer toward the end.

“Then how about I cook with you?”

“Okay!”