One Mid-Autumn Festival, when the osmanthus blossoms in the courtyard were already in full, riotous bloom, Shen Miao was reviewing account books from various branch stores with several accountants. When she came across the ledger for the hot spring hotel she had newly opened the previous year in Qixian County, she belatedly realized: she had... never gone on a honeymoon with Xie Qi.
The Yunmeng Mountain hot springs in Qixian had been discovered as early as the Tang Dynasty. Nestled against towering mountains and facing the winding Qi River, the place was a breathtaking sight—mountain shadows pressing upon the warm, shimmering waters, while the hues of the water seemed to soak into the contours of the peaks. Shen Miao was instantly captivated. Building a hot spring resort here, with winding paths leading to secluded spots and pavilions scattered among pools of varying sizes, would surely attract visitors.
Crucially, Qixian wasn’t too far from major cities like Bianjing, Luoyang, and Zhengzhou, making it perfect for the wealthy and leisurely to take short trips. Once the idea took root, construction began in earnest. Shen Miao oversaw the work several times but had never actually taken a dip in the springs herself.
She lifted her head from the mountain of ledgers piled on the long desk and glanced outside. In the courtyard, Xie Qi lay resting on a folding bed beneath the osmanthus tree, his arms pillowing his head.
Blossoms rained down from the tree, covering his chest in a golden dust.
Shen Miao was admiring the sight when Qilin, having grown bored of playing with Thunder’s tail, suddenly leaped onto the bed. The cat stepped from Xie Qi’s shoulder to his stomach, then treated his long legs like balance beams, padding from the left to the right.
Xie Qi, half-asleep under the weight of the cat, didn’t shoo it away, merely drifting back into slumber with a drowsy sigh.
Shen Miao sipped her tea, amused, until Qilin suddenly stretched, kneaded Xie Qi’s thighs a few times as if testing their softness, then—without warning—jumped squarely onto his groin and planted both plump paws down with force.
"Pfft—!" Shen Miao spat out her tea.
The accountants all looked up in unison, puzzled.
She quickly turned away, laughing awkwardly as she blocked the window with her body. "Gentlemen, please carry on. I’ll step outside for some air—wouldn’t want to disturb your work."
She stood and left, considerately closing the door behind her.
Outside, Xie Qi had already bolted upright in pain, grabbing the wide-eyed culprit by the scruff. He was fully awake now.
A moment later, Xie Qi stomped back inside, the fat cat tucked under his arm, his face still heavy with sleep. Spotting Shen Miao by the window sipping tea, he shuffled over and wrapped his arms around her from behind, grumbling into her shoulder, "Qilin is not a good cat."
"Meow!" Qilin wriggled free and indignantly swatted Xie Qi’s leg with its tail before strutting off, head held high.
Shen Miao bit back a laugh and turned to hug him, feigning ignorance. "What happened?"
"...Nothing."
His sulky tone only made her want to laugh harder. The warmth of his breath against her skin softened her heart further. "Xie Qi, let’s go on a trip tomorrow. Just the two of us—no kids, no Yan Shu. We’ll ask Auntie to look after everyone. What do you say?"
Xie Qi instantly forgot his earlier misery, eyes lighting up as he leaned in to kiss her. "Yes. Nothing could be better."
And so, the decision was made on a whim.
After a leisurely journey spanning several days, they arrived in Qixian. The hot springs were nestled halfway up the mountain, where Shen Miao had built a row of elegant, upturned-eave buildings that rose and fell with the terrain, half-hidden in the mist. Even from the foot of the mountain, the place looked like a secluded paradise.
Since the resort wasn’t officially open yet, the springs were warm and undisturbed, the forest silent, the crisp air blending seamlessly with the scent of pine and cypress that always clung to Xie Qi.
The mountain was already staffed with workers. Shen Miao chose a small courtyard at the highest point, its latticed windows framing a view of sheer cliffs and bamboo groves. The yard was adorned with artfully arranged rockeries and a small hot spring pool edged with stones. A few towering maple trees stood nearby, their fiery leaves a stunning contrast against the tranquil emerald waters.
Maple leaves floated on the jade-green surface of the spring, the clear water bubbling gently, its warmth perfuming the air until even the moonlight seemed to grow drowsy with it.
Hand in hand, Shen Miao and Xie Qi explored the courtyard, both thoroughly pleased.
As night fell, they wasted no time slipping into the pool. They had earlier asked the staff to bring a grill, two baskets of charcoal, a selection of meats and vegetables, and assorted seasonings.
The grill was set up right by the pool. Shen Miao skewered a whole lamb leg and set it roasting slowly, then split several eggplants and leeks, slathering them with garlic sauce before grilling them alongside. A handful of peanuts and red dates were tossed onto the edges of the grill for good measure.
Afterward, the two shamelessly sank into the pool together.
They’d had plenty of shameless moments since marrying. Though Xie Qi still blushed easily, his endurance had improved—he no longer collapsed at the slightest provocation.
But today...
Shen Miao hung her towel on the rack by the pool and slid into the steaming water. Xie Qi, who had entered first, was already submerged in the misty warmth, only his shoulders visible above the surface, glistening as he stared at her intently.
He must have been a shrimp in a past life—his entire body was flushed pink again.
The moment she settled against the edge, he wordlessly swam over, his hand slipping beneath the water to grasp her wrist. With a gentle tug, he flipped her effortlessly, buoyed by the water, until she was straddling him.
Soon, he was the one leaning against the pool wall, while she sat in his lap.
The Mid-Autumn moon was always radiant, its silver glow so vivid that even the lanterns hanging from the bamboo poles seemed dim in comparison.
Most of the mountain was shrouded in darkness, save for their little haven, where warm golden light spilled through the branches.
Moonlight bathed their entwined bodies, their reflections rippling on the water’s surface. The light was so clear that Shen Miao could see the restrained desire in Xie Qi’s eyes.
Both of them were flushed from the heat of the springs.
"Shen Miao," he murmured, his voice thick with humidity, sending a shiver up her spine, "let me hold you."
His hands slid to her waist, lifting her slightly before pulling her closer, his lips brushing against her collarbone.
He was like the autumn breeze laced with osmanthus—soft, sweet, and impossible to resist.
Sometimes, Shen Miao regretted her past actions.
Back when Xie Qi was still an innocent pup, she had made the mistake of nipping his throat. Now, the "Shen Miao-trained" Xie Qi had developed a habit of doing the same to her.
A kiss first, then the gentle scrape of teeth.
He was born in the Year of the Tiger—how had he ended up more like a puppy?
Shen Miao clung to his neck, tilting her head back as his kisses left her trembling and dazed, her thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind.
Her vision blurred into a drunken haze.
The warm water churned around them, the moon’s reflection fracturing into endless ripples. Steam rose, veiling them from the moonlight as the sound of lapping water filled their ears, drowning out everything else.
Long after, Shen Miao still clung tightly to him, her eyes closed.
Xie Qi held her close for a while longer, gently brushing away the damp strands of hair sticking to her cheeks before pressing another tender kiss to her lips. Only when Shen Miao gradually regained her senses did he finally smile.
It took her a moment to open her eyes, her gaze still hazy with lingering pleasure, the world before her misty as if veiled. She gritted her teeth, wanting to scold him, but the words came out soft as water: "…Aren’t you going to pull out?"
Yet Xie Qi shook his head, his arms still encircling her, holding her close against him.
Unable to resist, Shen Miao gave up and lazily rested her head against his shoulder.
The two remained entwined like this, silently gazing at the moon, which now seemed to glisten with moisture. Drowsy from the warm water, Shen Miao felt the night breeze carry a maple leaf onto the surface. As his embrace grew tighter, brimming with unmistakable longing, she finally asked, "Ninth Brother… do you ever find this kind of life with me dull?"
She had many responsibilities, and days where she could spend entire hours with Ninth Brother were rare. Sometimes, when she worked late at the shop, he would come to fetch her with a lantern in hand.
Holding the lamp, its warm yellow light pooling at his feet, he would wait for her in silence. Every time Shen Miao stepped out, exhausted, and saw Xie Qi standing there—waiting to bring her home—her eyes would sting with emotion.
Of course, they had their quarrels too. Even if they had argued earlier in the day, Ninth Brother would still come for her without fail, rain or shine.
In the quiet of the night, there was someone who willingly waited for her, always waiting.
And so, at times, guilt would stir in her heart.
"Why would you say that?" Xie Qi cupped her face, his deep eyes reflecting the moonlight of this very night. He kissed her again, his breath damp and warm as he murmured, "Ah Miao, being with you—I could spend every dawn and dusk by your side and still crave more. There has never been a dull moment. You needn’t feel sorry for me. Love isn’t measured in hours or days, only in the sincerity of the heart."
"Meeting you made me realize I’ve never truly wasted a single day of this life."
"This lifetime of mine…"
His words burned so fiercely they made her heart tremble. Shen Miao laughed and covered his mouth, only for him to catch her finger between his teeth, giving it a playful nip.
"Every moment, I thank the heavens for bringing you to me."
—The End—
