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墨書 Inktalez
Summoning the courage to seek out Gu Lan was easier said than done. For several days, I lingered outside Gu Mansion, yet I never found the strength to step inside. I feared the disappointment in his eyes, worried he might not want to see me, and dreaded that the rift between us had become irreparable.
That evening, as I approached Gu Mansion once more, I unexpectedly spotted Gu Lan walking out alone. He seemed a bit thinner, a hint of melancholy etched on his brow as he strolled slowly along the riverbank in front of the estate. The moonlight poured down like water, casting a long shadow behind him.
Seeing his solitary figure made my heart ache suddenly. All my hesitation and fear vanished in that moment. I took a deep breath and hurried after him.
“Brother Lan!”
Hearing my voice, he paused and slowly turned around. Our eyes met. A flicker of surprise crossed his gaze before it transformed into something more complex—joy, confusion, and perhaps a hint of cautious probing?
“A Mian?” His voice was slightly hoarse.
“I…” A thousand words lodged in my throat, and I didn’t know where to begin. In the end, all I could manage was a soft apology: “I’m sorry.”
He seemed taken aback by my unexpected apology, staring at me for a moment before quickly striding over. His tone was urgent: “No, A Mian, I should be the one apologizing. On your birthday, I shouldn’t have lost my temper with you. The situation at Linglong Pavilion was also mishandled by me, which led to your misunderstanding.”
“I don’t blame you,” I shook my head, feeling my eyes redden. “I was too impulsive and didn’t listen to your explanation; I even said such hurtful things…”
“It’s all in the past now.” He interrupted me, looking at me with gentle eyes. “As long as you’re willing to talk to me, that’s enough.”
His tone carried a sense of relief as if he had regained something precious, making my heart swell with emotion.
“What did my father say to you that day?” I couldn’t help but ask.
He fell silent for a moment before quietly replying, “Father mentioned that the situation at Border Defense is unstable and that the court intends for me to go into military training early. Perhaps… I’ll have to leave the capital soon.”
I understood now why he had seemed so troubled at that time.
“How long will you be gone?” My heart tightened at the thought.
“It’s uncertain. Maybe a year… or even longer.” His voice bore a weight of seriousness.
My heart sank further. He would be leaving? For such a long time? We had just begun to clear up our misunderstandings…
“A Mian,” he looked at me earnestly, “before I leave, there are some things I want to clarify with you.”
My heartbeat quickened as I anxiously watched him.
In the moonlight, his eyes shone brightly as if filled with starlight. “At the Flower Viewing Banquet, when I said our families’ matters would be decided by us, it wasn’t just a temporary measure. The hairpin from Linglong Pavilion was indeed meant for you; I only borrowed Ruo Han’s name because I feared you might still be upset and refuse to accept it.”
He paused for a moment, his voice becoming deeper and more tender. “A Mian, from childhood to now, you have never been just a sister to me.”
Boom! My mind went blank, and all I could hear was the thunderous beating of my heart.
He... what is he saying...?
“I like you.” He looked into my eyes, each word clear and resolute. “Not as a brother loves a sister, but as a man admires a woman. I have liked you for a long time.”
The moonlight, the river, the evening breeze seemed to freeze at that moment. I stared at him, captivated by the unmasked affection in his gaze, feeling as if I were dreaming.
“I...” I opened my mouth but found myself too overwhelmed to speak. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, but this time, they were tears of joy.
Seeing me cry, he seemed flustered. “A Mian, please don’t cry... Did I scare you? If you…”
I suddenly threw myself into his arms, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist and burying my face in his chest. I murmured, “No... I’m not scared... I’m... I also…”
I also... like you.
I didn’t say the last part out loud, but he seemed to understand. His stiff body slowly relaxed as he reached out and embraced me tightly.
His embrace was warm and solid, carrying a reassuring scent of pine. I could hear his strong heartbeat right next to my ear, thumping in rhythm with mine.
We held each other quietly, feeling each other's presence. All misunderstandings, barriers, and insecurities vanished in that moment.
“You silly girl,” he said softly, lowering his head to nuzzle the top of my hair with his chin, his voice filled with deep affection. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
I looked up at him through teary eyes. “Then why didn’t you say it sooner?”
He smiled helplessly and reached up to wipe away my tears with his warm fingertips. “I was afraid of scaring you. Afraid that if you always saw me as your brother, breaking through that barrier would mean we couldn’t even be friends.”
“Not at all!” I sniffled and whispered back defiantly. “I never... always saw you as my brother.”
He chuckled softly, the vibrations resonating through our bodies. “Is that so? Then why did someone avoid me before?”
My face flushed red as I playfully hit him. “Don’t tease me!”
He took my hand and gently kissed it near his lips.
My face grew even warmer.
“A Mian,” he looked at me with an incredibly serious expression. “Wait for me to come back. When I return from Border Defense, I will ask Uncle Su and Aunt Su for your hand in marriage, okay?”
“Mm!” I nodded vigorously, tears welling up again but unable to suppress the smile forming on my lips.
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