Listening to the teasing of the old lady, Yan Huan couldn't help but smile slightly.

But looking at the peach blossoms blooming above, the old lady sighed softly and said,

"Sometimes I wonder, if this tree had a spirit, would it resent me."

"Resent you?"

"Yes, even though I planted it just to admire its beautiful flowers. It tried so hard to bear fruit, yet I have never tasted them..."

Yan Huan looked at the regretful old woman before him and suddenly realized that her true regret wasn't about this peach tree but her husband who had passed away.

After all, you can choose not to look at or eat the flowers and fruits of a peach tree.

But the fruits of human emotions cannot be...

Thinking deeply, Yan Huan's expression suddenly froze.

He gazed blankly at the peach tree blooming in the night breeze before him, inevitably glancing at the green fruit in the old lady's hand.

"..."

He remained silent for a long time, neither speaking nor shifting his gaze.

"What's wrong, young man?"

Yan Huan lowered his eyes, forced a smile, and said,

"...Nothing, I suddenly felt this peach tree is very beautiful, much like my... girlfriend."

"Is it... she really is a lovely and beautiful child..."

The old lady chuckled but then suddenly remembered something and reminded Yan Huan,

"Oh, young man, there is something I forgot to tell you today."

"Hmm, go ahead."

"Today, when you and Kuixiang Hayashi were playing on the mountain, I saw the news broadcast on TV."

As she spoke, the old lady took a small piece of paper from her pocket, with a string of phone numbers from Ying Country written on it,

"The TV broadcasted a search notice for you two, offering a reward. The photos and information match, and a contact number was provided."

"It must be someone very powerful looking for you two; many TV stations are simultaneously broadcasting it..."

Yan Huan glanced at the piece of paper in the elderly hand, noting the phone number, followed by the contact's name:

"Sakuragi Miss."

Just a glance, and Yan Huan knew who was looking for them.

"The person looking for you is very resourceful; today Tokyo TV Station rebroadcasted the missing notice several times, not to mention other stations...

"I think if you call her and let her know you're here, perhaps the matter that would take seven days to finish in the town could be resolved by tomorrow...

"Then you might be able to leave tomorrow."

Yan Huan looked at the white paper clutched in the elderly hand, silent for a long time.

"..."

It was only after a long time that he gently reached out...

Yet he didn't take the piece of paper, instead taking the peach held in the old lady's other hand.

Seeing the young man taking the peach, the elderly lady was slightly stunned.

"Thank you for the peach, granny."

Holding the peach, Yan Huan finally smiled and said.

"...Hehe, it's okay."

Looking at the young man holding the peach, the old lady seemed to understand his choice.

Immediately, she shook her head and quietly put the piece of paper away again,

"Well, good night, young man, I'll sit here for a while longer."

"Alright, good night, granny."

Yan Huan nodded, turned around, and walked toward his room with An Le.

By the moonlight, he looked down at the fuzzy-peach in his hand.

Then, he opened his mouth and without hesitation, bit deep into the peach flesh.

"Splat!"

Instantly, the juice from the peach exploded in his mouth, scintillating on his tongue.

"..."

Unexpectedly for Yan Huan...

It was sweet.

...

...

"Tweet-tweet... chirp-chirp..."

In the morning, unknown birds perched upon the branches of the peach tree within the shrine yard.

In the delicate pinks of early spring, they danced like tender sprouts.

An Le was awakened by such sounds, her lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, beckoning her from a delightful dream she was reluctant to leave.

She hadn't slept so peacefully like this for many days.

Though her limbs felt numb, in her dreams that soul-pervading pain when the tentacles broke often swept over her, haunting her with nightmares.

Either swallowed by the tentacles or completely losing all senses...

Like a vegetative state, unresponsive no matter how her parents, Xiao Huan called her.

Yet, for some reason, she slept peacefully last night, feeling refreshed after a long time.

"Mm..."

Even so, she whimpered adorably, stretching out a small lazy motion.

She rubbed her eyes, dispelling the haze from them.

Upon opening her eyes, she saw Xiao Huan sleeping peacefully, embracing her face-to-face.

His face was handsome, especially while asleep.

Tempting one to steal a kiss.

"Eh?"

Only now did An Le suddenly remember she had slept with Xiao Huan last night...

Her cheeks instantly blushed, her heart beating faster.

Yet she remained motionless, fearing any small movement might wake Yan Huan.

In this way, to extend this beautiful moment, even if only for a second.

Her eyes blinked, intently examining every detail of Yan Huan.

Brows, lips, Adam's apple, collarbones, and...

Eh eh?

It was true after all, boys really do unconsciously...

An Le's face grew redder, staying still although her curious eyes wandered sneakily beneath the covers.

Would that mean while Xiao Huan is asleep in the morning, I could...

As long as I switch to auto-mode?

"..."

No, no, no, what are you thinking, An Le...

An Le was speechless with herself, wishing she could erase her memory and discard some useless mind clutter.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.