Chapter 35 — Spring Arrives
Spring arrived like a promise kept.
The tree pushed out new green. The rabbit lantern looked less lonely against the brighter sky. The academy children ran in the lane, shouting poems and gossip.
One afternoon, Shen Yanci returned from the academy with a small bundle wrapped in cloth.
He placed it on the stone table.
“What is it?” I asked.
He hesitated, ears reddening.
“A gift,” he said.
I unwrapped it and found a simple hairpin—carved wood, polished smooth, with a small pomegranate blossom etched at the end.
My throat tightened.
“It”s not expensive, he said quickly, as if apologizing.
I laughed softly. “It”s perfect.
He looked at me, eyes warm.
Then, slowly, he reached out and slid the hairpin into my hair.
His fingers lingered for a breath too long.
“You know,” he murmured, voice low, “when I first saw you at the academy gate years ago” I thought you were too brave.
I blinked. “Too brave?”
He nodded slightly. “You kept walking into places you weren”t welcomed.
I smiled faintly. “That sounds like a bad habit.”
“No,” he said softly. “It was a good one.”
My chest tightened, warmth spreading.
“And now?” I asked.
Shen Yanci’s gaze held mine.
“Now,” he said, voice steady, “I”m glad you walked into my courtyard.
I swallowed, eyes stinging.
Outside, the wind stirred the leaves.
Inside, candlelight wasn“t needed in the afternoon”but the room still felt bright.
I reached out, took his hand, and squeezed.
“Shixiong,” I said softly.
He flinched at the title the way he always did—then smiled.
“Yes, shimei?” he replied, voice teasing for once.
I laughed, breath shaky, and leaned forward until my forehead touched his.
“We made it,” I whispered.
Shen Yanci’s hand tightened around mine.
“Yes,” he said, voice warm. “We did.”
Spring arrived.
Not because a man finally said “next year.”
But because I stopped waiting for it.
And chose it myself.