"Then, would you be willing to entrust that soil to me? Let me see if it truly cannot bloom or bear fruit."

  "Thank you for your concern," she mimicked his tone.

  He fixed his gaze on her, and she smiled so gently. Her half-closed eyes opened, and she looked out at the vast green fields beyond the car window, her thoughts seemingly far away. The sky outside was painted with vibrant hues of sunset, the fading light casting a warm glow. In an instant, twilight descended, and the distant mountains and trees were shrouded in a misty haze, resembling a watercolor ndscape shrouded in fog.

  They stopped in front of a restaurant in the countryside, which had an elegant name:

  "Vilge Retreat." It was nestled on the slopes of Beitou, with a unique architectural style blending Chinese and Japanese elements. The building featured winding corridors, small railings, and an elegant, intimate dining room that overlooked a valley.

  They chose a small room with a table positioned in front of a rge floor-to-ceiling window. Beyond the window was a small, covered corridor with railings, offering a perfect view of the mountains. The evening mist deepened the mountain's somber hues, while the setting sun partially hid behind the distant peaks, casting the whole scene in a soft, golden light.

  "How is it?" Bai Peiwen asked.

  "So beautiful!" Han Yan leaned on the railing, taking a deep breath. She involuntarily stretched her limbs, standing in the wind. The wind blew up her clothes and ruffled her hair, and she softly recited the lines of a poet from the past: "A handful of willow smoke, dusk shadows veil the tiled roofs, do not approach the small railing, the sunset lights up the endless mountains."

  Bai Peiwen looked at her without blinking. That day, she wore a pure white dress, with a slim waist and a wide skirt, standing in the wind, floating like a fairy. Was this the same woman, once wrapped in blue cloth, who had fainted in the tea-drying field? He felt light-headed, his mind hazy. Listening to her softly recite, "Do not approach the small railing; the sunset lights up the endless mountains," he felt more moved, enchanted. Standing next to her, he couldn't help but wrap his hand around her waist, which was so slim it barely filled his palm.

  "Have you read many poems?"

  "Yes, I like them," she said. "Life is often bitter for me, so I read poems. Whenever I am troubled, I recite poems aloud. The more I recite, the deeper I sink into that beautiful sentiment. Then, I feel detached from everything, my mind becomes clear, and all my worries disappear."

  He gazed at her deeply. What a graceful and captivating young girl! Could her world be barren? What a fertile ground that would be! He had to step into it; he had to possess it, to be the sole master of this fertile nd!

  "Han Yan!" He called her name with deep emotion.

  "Mm?"

  "Do you think I am vulgar?" he asked, feeling crude and insignificant in her presence.

  "How could that be? You are strong, you are meticulous, you live in the world, and you have transcendental thoughts. You are the most profound person I have ever met."

  His heart was filled with these few words, overflowing, the blood rushing through his body, his mind swaying, his breath becoming rapid.

  "Really?" he asked.

  "Really," she said seriously.

  "Then, can you open the door to your world for me?" he asked, holding his breath.

  "I don't understand what you mean." She turned her head to one side, pointing at the garden below, where flowers and trees were plentiful. "There are roses. Do you smell the fragrance of the roses? I love roses, especially yellow roses. I always dream of having a rge garden full of roses."

  "You will have a rge garden. I promise you that. But don't change the subject. You haven't answered me."

  She looked at him, her gaze strange.

  "I told you, I don't understand what you mean."

  "Then let me make it clearer..."

  Before he could finish his words, the waiter brought the food. Han Yan quickly turned around and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window, saying:

  "The food is here; let's eat! I'm hungry."

  Bai Peiwen looked at her in frustration, but she was already sitting back at the table, smiling at him sweetly. He let out a long sigh through his nose and had no choice but to return to the table. They began eating, and his gaze remained fixed on her face. She seemed completely unaware, silently smiling sweetly. After a long while, he broke the silence and suddenly asked, "You like poetry. Do you know a particur poem?"

  "Which one?" she asked, tilting her head with an innocent gaze.

  He looked at her, then slowly recited:

  "Among the flowers, with cold eyes,I regret coming to seek spring too early.I know this life; I know in this life I will see you.Naturally unparalleled,I don't believe in longing;I don't understand it.If I understood longing,I would surely be on the same branch as Han Ping!"

  She looked at him, her eyes shimmering with a slight drunkenness from the wine. Her gaze was soft and slightly intoxicated, her cheeks faintly flushed, and her lips moist and red. The smile that lingered on her lips was innocent, almost childlike.

  "I don't know. What does it mean?"

  He stared at her, a little angry. But her expression was impossible to stay angry at. He took a deep breath and said, "You're teasing me, Han Yan. I feel like you're enjoying my pain. I never realized you could be such a cruel little thing!"

  Her eyeshes fluttered down, and the smile slowly disappeared from her lips. She looked at the cup and pte in front of her for a long while before slowly lifting her head. The smile was gone, as was the innocent expression. In its pce was a pleading, earnest look, and a thin yer of tears glistened in her rge eyes.

  "I don't want to tease you, sir, and I don't want to make you suffer, sir. If you ask me how I feel about you, I can honestly say that I admire you; I worship you! But let's not talk about anything else. We can be friends. One day, you'll meet a girl better than me..."

  "What do you mean?" He stared at her, suddenly realizing. "Oh, I understand. You think I just want to py with you. It's my fault for not making my intentions clear. Han Yan, let me ask you honestly, do you have... even a little bit of feelings for me?"

  She turned her head away, whispering, "Please, let's not talk about this."

  "Han Yan!" He pressed her again, more urgently. "You have to answer me!"

  "No, Mr. Bai," she said, shaking her small head in surprise. "Please don't pressure me, I beg you!"

  "Han Yan—"

  "Please!" She looked up at him, her eyes full of a deeper pleading. That look silenced him, and he stared at her pale face, which had turned white from fear, her dark, sorrowful eyes, and her trembling lips...

  He couldn't bring himself to press her any further. With a deep sigh, he lowered his head in resignation and said, "Alright. I guess my luck isn't very good today. Let's not talk about it, but don't think I'll let you go, Han Yan. I will never let you go in this life."

  "Sir!" She called out once more.

  "Enough, I don't like that form of address," he muttered to himself, frowning. "As if she doesn't know your name." Turning back to her, he continued, "Alright, cheer up. At least, let's enjoy our meal!"