The Moon Upon My Heart - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Sunset

Her ears, too, quietly turned red.

Ji Fengyue was overjoyed. She pulled her beloved down onto the sofa with her, nuzzling her face incessantly like a child who hadn’t grown up.

Watching her, a smile touched Shen Wangshu’s lips, and she allowed herself to be held.

Though it was childish, it was youthful, lively, and full of vitality so much better than their past life. If possible, Shen Wangshu wanted to keep Ji Fengyue happy forever.

After a while, Shen Wangshu rubbed her aching eyes. “Fengyue, my eyes are still a bit sore. Can I take a short nap in your guest room?”

Ji Fengyue’s eyes lit up. Letting go, she said happily, “Xiao Yue, just sleep in my room! I live here alone, so there isn’t really a guest room. I haven’t even prepared the sheets or covers for the other bed.”

“Alright then. It would be quite a hassle to tidy up a guest room now.”

“Xiao Yue, you said it yourself just now you’re going to sleep with me these next few days!”

“Uh…” Shen Wangshu looked at Ji Fengyue’s expectant expression and asked hesitantly, “Right now?”

Ji Fengyue nodded repeatedly, a brilliant smile breaking across her face. “Yes! I was too excited last night and didn’t sleep well. I’m actually really sleepy now too!”

Shen Wangshu was speechless. She couldn’t see any sign of sleepiness in Ji Fengyue; the girl was clearly high on adrenaline and excitement. She definitely wouldn’t be able to fall asleep in bed.

Yet, she could only comply helplessly. “Okay, let’s rest for a bit together.”

Ji Fengyue’s bedroom was even emptier than their school dorm, almost devoid of clutter. Only the desk by the bed held a laptop and a few finance books.

Shen Wangshu swept a glance over them, silently marveling that it was “so like her,” before being pushed by Ji Fengyue to sit on the bed.

“Xiao Yue, the air conditioning is on. Lie down first. I’ll boil two eggs to roll over your eyes; it’ll make them feel much better.”

Before Shen Wangshu could even say thank you, Ji Fengyue had dashed out the door. Watching her retreating back, a blurry meme of a dog chasing a ball popped into her head, making her laugh out loud.

Even though it felt a bit disrespectful to her friend to think that, she really was quite cute.

Lying on Ji Fengyue’s bed, Shen Wangshu felt surrounded by her scent. An inexplicable sense of security washed over her, making her feel more at peace here than in her own home.

As soon as she closed her eyes, drowsiness flooded her mind, and she soon drifted into a hazy sleep.

Not long after, Ji Fengyue returned with two peeled hard-boiled eggs. Sensing movement, Shen Wangshu opened her bleary eyes. Seeing her looking so drowsy she could barely keep them open, Ji Fengyue’s heart turned into a soft puddle.

Ji Fengyue sat on the edge of the bed and coaxed her half-asleep beloved softly, “Xiao Yue, move over a bit. Let me roll these over your eyes; it’ll feel very comfortable.”

“Mhm…” Shen Wangshu instinctively moved toward Ji Fengyue’s lap. Guided by Ji, she rested her head there. It was soft and carried her warmth. Shen Wangshu adjusted her position subconsciously and fell into an even deeper, more stable sleep.

Ji Fengyue gently rolled the eggs over Shen Wangshu’s eyelids, her expression more tender than ever. If Shen Wangshu could have opened her eyes to see her friend’s face right then, she would have certainly sensed her feelings.

It was a gaze of tender affection that one only shows to a beloved a look of satisfied joy and love. It was the same expression Shen Wangshu often wore when she quietly watched Ji Fengyue.

Unfortunately, Shen Wangshu was sleeping soundly. Wrapped in Ji Fengyue’s aura, she had the most peaceful sleep she’d had since her rebirth.

Waking up to find herself lying on her crush’s lap, only to open her eyes and see the person she liked staring intently at her face… It was no exaggeration to say Shen Wangshu’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

“Hm? Xiao Yue, another nightmare?”

Shen Wangshu shook her head repeatedly and sat up quickly. She didn’t dare meet Ji Fengyue’s gaze; her heart was racing so fast she feared it would show on her face.

“Why aren’t you sleeping? Didn’t you say you were sleepy?”

“Because you look so cute when you’re asleep, I couldn’t bear to close my eyes.”

Shen Wangshu’s eyes widened. “What did you say?”

“Pfft. I meant every word, Xiao Yue.”

Ji Fengyue massaged her numb thigh and leaned toward Shen Wangshu to act spoiled. “My leg is so numb. Xiao Yue, help me rub it.”

Shen Wangshu’s attention was successfully diverted. “Honestly, if you were uncomfortable, you should have woken me up. Why endure it?”

Ji Fengyue’s smile was radiant. “Because you were so cute, I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Shen Wangshu gave her thigh a firm pinch, not taking her words seriously at all. “Then stop acting like a baby with me.”

“Ow, ow, ow! Xiao Yue, that hurts! Gentler, please, it really hurts.”

“How are you becoming more and more like a child? So immature,” Shen Wangshu muttered under her breath, though she didn’t apply any more pressure. Ji Fengyue looked at her and smiled without a word. Of course, one can only be childishly immature when there’s someone willing to pamper them.

“Xiao Yue, do your eyes still hurt?”

“Thanks to Dr. Ji’s treatment, they feel fine now.” Shen Wangshu shook her head and asked, “Anyway, it must be late. Shall we go out for dinner?”

Ji Fengyue smiled and agreed. After tidying themselves up a bit, they headed out together.

They didn’t ride a bike or take the bus; they just walked slowly side-by-side. It was the 6:00 PM rush hour. Even in the old district, the traffic was heavy; no vehicle was as convenient as walking.

The midsummer evening arrived late. By the time they finished their meal with chatter and laughter, the horizon had only just begun to show a faint orange hue.

As they strolled by the river, the deep blue of the sky was gradually dyed into shades of pink and purple. The summer breeze brought in large clouds that, under the glow of the setting sun, reflected exceptionally romantic tones.

The image of the sunset was mirrored on the undulating surface of the river, complemented by the willow branches swaying in the evening wind. The atmosphere was peaceful and serene, drawing many people out for post-dinner strolls.

Compared to the deserted early morning hours, the riverbank was now bustling with people walking and jogging. Groups talked and laughed, and many children played and chased each other. It was incredibly lively.

Shen Wangshu loved this atmosphere, especially with Ji Fengyue by her side.

Perhaps it was the glow of the sunset or the breeze by the river, but her heart felt very calm. Whether it was the unrequited love she had to give up or the predetermined fate of her family relations, nothing could ripple the placid lake of her heart anymore.

“Xiao Yue, today’s sunset seems especially beautiful, don’t you think?”

“Mhm, it’s lovely.” Shen Wangshu turned to smile at Ji Fengyue. “I like it too.”

Ji Fengyue cleared her throat, her gaze drifting. She asked somewhat shyly, “So, can I take a photo to remember it? I want to take one of you.”

Shen Wangshu paused and tilted her head in confusion. “Of me?”

Ji Fengyue nodded repeatedly, her face full of anticipation and a rare shyness. It was as if she also felt it was strange to make such a request, but she made it nonetheless.

“It’s just… didn’t you say it in the aquarium today? To that uncle… about keeping the ‘Moon’ in your camera… Ahem, I thought that sentence was very romantic. I also want to keep the things I like in my camera, as a permanent memento.”

Shen Wangshu didn’t think much of it and agreed casually.

She stood by the roadside with her habitual smile, letting Ji Fengyue adjust the phone angle left and right. She didn’t know how many photos were taken, but looking at Ji Fengyue’s expression, she seemed very satisfied, her smile growing even brighter.

“Do they look good? Let me see.”

Ji Fengyue tapped on the one she liked most to show her. Shen Wangshu nodded. “The atmosphere here is indeed good. Fengyue, let me take one of you too.”

Ji Fengyue let her take a photo as well, but in Shen Wangshu’s opinion, Ji Fengyue was much more photogenic. However, Ji Fengyue’s reaction to her own photo was even more indifferent, as if she didn’t care at all.

Originally, Shen Wangshu didn’t think much of it, but Ji Fengyue actually set the photo she had just taken as her phone wallpaper right in front of her. While her eyes were still glued to the screen, she asked with feigned nonchalance, “Xiao Yue, can I take photos of you often from now on?”

“I don’t mind, but why?”

“It’s just… I just think you’re very cute and want to capture it…” Ji Fengyue took the initiative to hold Shen Wangshu’s hand, but she turned her head away, not daring to look at her.

However, Shen Wangshu saw clearly that her ears were flushed deep red and it definitely wasn’t from the sunset.

Shen Wangshu was completely stunned. “Uh, y-yes?”

“!” Ji Fengyue turned back in surprise, hugging her beloved with extreme excitement and nuzzling her face happily. The overly intense reaction left Shen Wangshu even more dazed.

“Xiao Yue, I’ll definitely work hard to improve my photography skills. I promise every photo I take of you in the future will be beautiful!”

“Oh… oh…”

Ji Fengyue calmed down slightly and let go sheepishly, no longer hugging her, but she still insisted on holding her hand. Not only that, she held it even tighter, as if afraid Shen Wangshu would let go.

Only then did Shen Wangshu realize belatedly that the “thing she likes” Ji Fengyue had mentioned was actually her.

Her ears, too, quietly turned red.

The river, reflecting the pink and purple sky, rippled under the rising summer breeze. Neither of them dared to look at the other as they walked home in silence.

The summer evening was simply too long. On the long road home, the warm light of the horizon still managed to hit their faces, making them even more afraid to look at each other.

Fortunately, the glow of the sunset covered the flush on their faces. By unspoken agreement, they bypassed the incident, and neither brought it up again.