Chapter 41
The courtyard was washed in pearl-colored morning light when Poppy slipped outside with her notebook. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of dew on stone. She sat on the low bench, smoothing her page for the fifth time, waiting.
Mingxi arrived without hurry, his steps soft on the flagstones.
“You are early,” he said.
“You told me yesterday you’d teach me this morning,” Poppy replied, a little shy, a little proud. “I didn’t want to waste any time.”
A subtle warmth touched his expression, not a smile, exactly, but something gentler than neutrality.
“Then let us begin.”
He sat beside her, keeping a respectful distance, his posture relaxed but attentive.
Poppy drew a breath. “Despite yesterday,” she said carefully, “I hope to do this properly.”
“Minghua was not unkind,” he assured. “She said your effort was sincere. That is what mattered.”
That eased the tightness in her chest more than she expected.
“I don’t want to be the reason people switch languages for me all day,” Poppy said quietly. “Everyone—your siblings, the elders—they keep adjusting for me. I want to honor them. And you.”
“Then we begin with courtesy,” he said. “And with greetings.” He held out one hand, demonstrating the cadence with elegant clarity. “For formality and respect, nínhao.”
She repeated it. It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t bad either.
Mingxi inclined his head. “Good.”
Poppy exhaled, feeling her shoulders relax. “Okay. And… thank you?”
“Xièxiè.”
She tried.
His brow twitched infinitesimally—the closest he’d ever come to laughing in her presence.
“Your effort is noted,” he said.
“Oh, gods, that bad?”
“Your tones wandered,” Mingxi said gently. “But they can be guided.”
He tapped the table twice—the rising tone, the falling tone. Poppy mirrored him, listening more than forcing.
“Better,” he said.
She smiled, relieved. “I want to be respectful. Truly. I want to show your clan that I’m trying.”
“You already have,” he said softly. “Intent carries more weight than flawless pronunciation.”
Her throat tightened unexpectedly. “Will you teach me how to address the elders properly? Not just greetings… but how not to accidentally insult someone.”
“You could not insult them,” Mingxi said and then amended, “Not intentionally.”
She raised a brow. “That’s… not reassuring.”
He exhaled—a quiet, warm breath that brushed the line between a sigh and a laugh.
