Poppy felt her throat thicken. “She sounds kind.”
“She was.”
His jaw softened. “I think she would have liked you.”
A breath caught in her chest. “What makes you think so?”
Mingxi lowered his eyes, considering his words before speaking—as he always seemed to do around her.
“You laugh easily,” he murmured. “Even after everything.”
Poppy smiled faintly. “I don’t think I laugh easily at all.”
“You do,” he said. “Most people simply never tried to see it.”
The wind shifted, blowing her hair into her face. Mingxi reached up and then paused, hand hovering an inch from her cheek.
“May I?”
Poppy nodded.
He brushed the stray strands back with a gentleness that made her breath shake. His fingers grazed her cheekbone—light, careful, reverent. The sound of the waterfall deepened around them, the mist glowing brighter.
Her heartbeat felt like a secret she hoped he couldn’t hear.
Mingxi lowered his hand reluctantly. “We should go back before dinner.”
She nodded, though part of her wished they could stay here forever.
The walk back was quiet—the kind of quiet that held warmth instead of distance. Mingxi walked slightly closer than before. Once, their hands brushed. Neither spoke about it.
By the time they reached the Shen residence, lanterns had begun to glow along the eaves. The scent of stew and jasmine rice drifted through the open windows. Xu Yunlian waited at the door, eyes soft with welcome.
“Come,” she said warmly. “Eat. You both look tired.”
Minghua barreled into the hallway moments later, arms full of bowls. “Poppy! Did you tell Mingxi the healers taught you to make burn cream? Doesn’t it smell weird? Did you ruin your sleeves? I ruin mine every time.”
“Minghua,” Mingxi said with quiet warning.
“What? I’m being supportive.”
Dinner was warm and full of chatter—Minghua excitedly recounting the day, Mingjun smirking into his tea every time Mingxi glanced at Poppy, Xu Yunlian gently ensuring Poppy ate enough, Mingzhao observing with approval and something like protection.
It felt like being wrapped in a quilt of voices.
A family she didn’t know she’d missed.
Later, when she returned to her pavilion, the lanterns were soft and the night air cool. Her room smelled faintly of herbs from the healing grove, grounding her in a way she didn’t expect.
Before she closed her door, Mingxi paused in the doorway.
“Rest well,” he said quietly. “You did good work today.”
“So did you,” she replied.
He blinked—surprised, warmed—and then bowed his head. “Good night, Poppy.”
She fell asleep with the sound of the waterfall still echoing in her chest.
