Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

"Back then, we were still siblings. How could I have such absurd thoughts? I suppressed them and hid those feelings in the deepest part of my heart, only daring to protect you as your older brother."

Wen Zhimiao's voice softened, carrying a hint of her past struggle, "But the more I suppressed it, the stronger the longing became. That day..."

Wen Zhimiao stopped abruptly as she spoke, her face flushed crimson, her ears burning hot, and her fingertips unconsciously gripping Liu Yunshu's sleeve, as if she found it difficult to speak.

Liu Yunshu naturally knew which day it was, and deliberately moved closer to him, her nose brushing against his chin, her tone teasing: "What happened that day?"

He looked away, his Adam's apple bobbing twice, his voice barely audible: "N-nothing...nothing..."

How could Liu Yunshu let go of the opportunity to tease him? She reached out and hooked her arm around his neck, forcibly turning his face back to her, her eyes gleaming with cunning.

"Really nothing? Why do you seem shy to me, brother? Did something unforgettable happen that day?"

She deliberately leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against Wen Zhimiao's lips, causing him to catch his breath.

Looking at her face so close to his, Wen Zhimiao's heart pounded even harder, and her cheeks flushed even more. She simply closed her eyes and remained silent.

Seeing his shy and embarrassed expression, Liu Yunshu felt an irresistible itch in her heart.

She nestled into Wen Zhimiao's arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, and whispered in his ear, her breath sweet and fragrant: "Brother meant using my hand... that night, right?"

Wen Zhimiao suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils contracted sharply, and the blush on her cheeks instantly spread to her neck, even the tips of her ears were so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

He stared blankly at Liu Yunshu, who had a sly look in his arms, opened his mouth but couldn't say a word for a moment, feeling as if his heart was about to pound into his chest.

"How...how did you know..." His voice was terribly hoarse, tinged with helplessness and embarrassment.

During those days, he hid in Huguo Temple to chant sutras, trying to suppress his inappropriate thoughts about her, but the more he restrained himself, the deeper his desires became.

Until... he always thought she was unaware.

Seeing his helpless expression, Liu Yunshu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and gently stroked the skin on the back of his neck with her fingertips: "I woke up that night."

Wen Zhimiao was struck dumb, frozen in place, even forgetting to regulate her breathing.

He stared intently at the sly smile in Liu Yunshu's eyes, and the absurdity of that night flashed through his mind.

"You...you're awake?" His voice trembled, his eyes filled with helplessness, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground.

"I...I didn't mean to, I was..."

He was eager to defend himself, but didn't know how to phrase it. The more flustered he became, the redder his cheeks became.

Seeing that he was so anxious that he was incoherent, Liu Yunshu softened and stopped teasing him.

She reached out and gently smoothed his furrowed brow, her tone softening: "I know, brother didn't do it on purpose."

She gently kissed the corner of his mouth. "Brother just loves me too much, that's why he lost his temper for a moment. I'm not angry, on the contrary... I'm quite happy."

Wen Zhimiao suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief.

His initial panic and helplessness gradually gave way to surprise and delight. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice still trembled slightly: "You...you're serious? You don't blame me?"

"What's wrong with you?" Liu Yunshu nestled in his arms, her fingertips gently tracing the fabric of his shirt.

"If I didn't like you, I would definitely be angry. But I also have my brother in my heart, so how could I blame you?"

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling, without a trace of disdain, only genuine affection.

"When I woke up that day, I saw my brother looking so restrained yet in pain. I felt both heartache and joy. Heartache for you making things difficult for yourself, and joy for you caring about me so much."

Wen Zhimiao stared at her blankly, the shyness and unease that had been building up in her heart instantly vanishing, leaving only warmth and relief in her heart.

He reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms, with such force that it felt as if he wanted to embed her into his very bones.

He rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice low and choked with emotion: "Shu'er... thank you."

Thank you for not blaming him for overstepping his bounds, and thank you for also being in love with him.

"The next day, I went to Linglong Pavilion to buy jewelry. I immediately fell in love with that hairpin. The shop assistant said it was a token of love from a man to a woman. That's when I remembered it. But I still want to give it to you."

At this point, Wen Zhimiao looked down at Liu Yunshu, her eyes filled with tenderness.

"It suddenly snowed that day, and I thought to myself, since we can't grow old together in this life, it's good to share a snowfall together."

"But Yunshu, it seems that heaven is particularly kind to me. First, there were doubts about your background, and then there was your heartfelt confession to me. Things I never dared to hope for before have now come true."

Wen Zhimiao could no longer control his emotions, and lowered his head to kiss her lips tenderly and sincerely.

The previous eagerness and fervor have faded, replaced by a delicate and meticulous appreciation.

It was as if all the forbearance, anticipation, and relief that had been hidden deep in his heart for so long were melted into this kiss.

Liu Yunshu responded obediently, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and pressing her face even closer.

The scent of dried grass in the cave mingled with the crisp, clean fragrance of ink emanating from him, creating a sense of complete peace.

After an unknown amount of time, the two slowly separated. Wen Zhiming's forehead was pressed against hers, her breath slightly rapid, and the tenderness in her eyes was so deep it was impossible to ignore.

"Shu'er, I have been calm, restrained and law-abiding in the first half of my life, but since I met you, all the rules have become exceptions and all the restraint has crumbled."

He gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips, his movements as tender as if he were handling a rare treasure: "I promise you a lifetime of peace and security with the rest of my life."

Wen Zhimiao's voice was deep and firm, his fingertips caressing the corner of her lips, his eyes filled with undisguised affection.

"On the sixth day of the third month, I will marry you in grand style with a ten-mile-long red bridal procession and an eight-bearer sedan chair. For the rest of my life, I will be with you through every meal and every season, day and night, and I will never let you suffer the slightest grievance."

"If you disobey this promise, then I shall..."

"Shh..." Liu Yunshu hurriedly pressed her index finger to his lips, a soft light appearing in her eyes.

"I don't need you to swear an oath. If you betray me, I will take action myself."

Wen Zhimiao was amused by her words, which were both coquettish and serious. She took the hand that was pressed to her lips and gently kissed her fingertips, her eyes filled with tenderness.

"Alright, if that day ever comes, you can do whatever you want with me. But rest assured, I will never give you that chance."

Looking at the genuine affection in his eyes, Liu Yunshu smiled sweetly and leaned closer to him, saying, "Of course I believe you."

The cave fell silent, save for the soft rustling of the wind through the plum branches outside and the steady, intertwined breathing of the two people.

After an unknown amount of time, the light outside the cave gradually dimmed, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the gaps in the cave entrance, casting long, narrow shadows on the ground.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

On the sixth day of the third lunar month, the Wen family mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Red silk was laid out from the main gate all the way to the inner courtyard, and even the magnolias in the corner of the wall were adorned with festive cheer.

Firecrackers went off one after another outside the mansion. The eight-bearer sedan chair was painted shiny and its vermilion curtains were embroidered with mandarin ducks in gold thread, making it particularly eye-catching in the morning light.

Liu Yunshu sat upright in front of the dressing table, and Madam Wen personally combed her hair.

In the gilded mirror, the young girl wore a bright red wedding dress, her skin as white as snow, accentuated by her phoenix coronet and embroidered robe. Her eyes and brows revealed an undisguised shyness and anticipation.

"Shu'er, you look so beautiful today. It's Zhi Miao's good fortune to marry you."

Madam Wen held the peach wood comb and gently combed her black hair. Her eyes were slightly red, and her tone was full of tenderness and relief.

Looking at the few strands of silver hair at Madam Wen's temples in the mirror, Liu Yunshu gently placed her hand on the back of her hand, her voice soft and sweet:

"Mother, I'm lucky to have met my brother and to have received your and Father's love and care."

Wen Qingqing, holding the phoenix crown, chimed in with a smile, "Yun Shu, you look so beautiful, you're sure to make all the girls in the capital envious! Brother Zhimiao must be getting impatient; I just saw him pacing back and forth at the gate."

Liu Yunshu's cheeks flushed slightly, but she couldn't help but smile.

Just then, the wedding officiant's clear voice called out from outside: "The auspicious time has arrived—"

Madam Wen quickly and steadily placed the phoenix crown on Liu Yunshu's head, carefully adjusted its position, and then straightened the tassels of her wedding robe: "Alright, my good daughter, it's time to get into the sedan chair."

Madam Wen held Liu Yunshu's hand, her voice filled with reluctance but even more so with relief, "From now on, when you go to your husband's family home—oh, this is your home—you must live a good life with Zhimiao, and tell us more if anything happens."

Liu Yunshu nodded, her eyes slightly warm, her voice trembling with emotion: "Mother, I understand."

The matchmaker smiled and stepped forward, carefully helping Liu Yunshu to her feet: "Bride, take it easy, we can't miss the auspicious time."

Wen Qingqing leaned closer and quietly slipped her a purse embroidered with twin lotus blossoms: "Yunshu, this is for you, to keep you safe."

Liu Yunshu took the purse and held it in her hand, following the matchmaker step by step as they walked out.

As she walked through the corridor draped with red silk, the servants along the way smiled and bowed to congratulate her. The deafening sound of firecrackers could not drown out the joy in her heart.

As they approached the gate of the mansion, Wen Zhimiao, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, stood there.

He stood tall and straight, his dark hair tied up, a brocade belt around his waist. His usually aloof eyes were now filled with a smile and tension, and his fingertips were slightly clenched.

Upon seeing Liu Yunshu approaching, the light in his eyes instantly shone.

He quickly stepped forward, but due to the rules, he could only reach out and gently support her arm at the wedding attendant's signal.

His palms were warm and strong. Liu Yunshu looked up at him and, through the tassels of his phoenix crown, saw the genuine joy in his eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened.

"The bride is getting into the sedan chair!" the matchmaker announced loudly. Wen Zhimiao carefully helped Liu Yunshu into the eight-bearer sedan chair and personally lifted the curtain for her.