He could envisage it in his mind’s eye, the way she rode, free and spirited across the open plains.

Mongolia was a country with plenty of flatlands; she could ride to her heart’s content, flailing her switch as she urged her steed on.

The canter of hooves grew distant, and the picture he drew of her behind unseeing white gauze grew ever so vivid.

It was good weather, with nary a cloud in sight.

Qin Shu had never felt so free. She had ridden a horse before, but never in such an open setting where the plains stretched as far as the eye could see. She soon forgot her ill mood, swept away by the wind whipping her hair and the laughter bubbling in her throat.

An hour later, Qin Shu returned saddled on her horse. She was covered in sweat, a rosy glow colouring her cheeks.

She swung off the horse and skipped toward Chao Yan. “Do you want to ride a horse?” she asked, a vibrant smile lighting her features.

Chao Yan shook his head. “I can’t ride a horse.”

“That’s a pity. Riding a horse can relax your mood and relieve your worries. It’s wonderful,” Qin Shu said regretfully.

Chao Yan could tell from her tone that she was in a very good mood. He could not help but smile. “When I’m better, I’ll try riding a horse.”

“Okay,” Qin Shu nodded. Chao Yan could not see, and he seemed unwell. If he wanted to ride a horse, he should wait until he felt better.

Chao Yan took a few cautious steps forward and sat when he was sure there were no bumps or jagged rocks around. The prairie would make a good bed.

Qin Shu joined Chao Yan on the soft carpet of grass. She rested her hands over her head and closed her eyes, embracing the sense of freedom the prairie lent her. The sky was her quilt and the earth, her bed.

Chao Yan inhaled deeply. The smell of wild grass and the tickle of frolicking flowers teased him. Qin Shu lay beside him. It felt right.

Perhaps this was what she meant at that time; to live a life without regrets.

He called out softly, “Baby.”

Qin Shu turned on her side to face Chao Yan. He had always called her ‘Baby’ since their first meeting. She did not know why he would address her as such, nor could she recall him giving her any explanation for it either.

She hesitated for a fraction of a second. “What’s wrong?”

“Is the sky in the city as blue as the sky out here?” Chao Yan asked, a touch of longing creeping into his voice.

Qin Shu gazed up at the azure sky. The weather was good, unobstructed by clouds for thousands of miles. It was the most vivid shade of blue she had ever seen.

“It’s better out here than in the city. The air is clear, the sky is blue, and there’s nothing to block the view. I think I’m in love…”

A picture automatically formed in Chao Yan’s mind as Qin Shu put her thoughts into words. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

An endless blue sky with fluffy white clouds and luscious green grass framed a picture of Qin Shu as she lay beside him, happy and content. If he could reproduce the image he conjured, there was no doubt in his mind that it would be a masterpiece, a magnum opus. It would serve as a memento when they went their separate ways.

Unfortunately, even if he took a picture, it would be useless. He was blind. He would never be able to see the beauty he so wished to make real except in the lonely confines of his mind.

He suddenly made a request. “Baby, I want to watch the sunrise.”

Qin Shu looked at Chao Yan. His pale skin looked sickly, almost transparent. Something about him seemed fragile, vulnerable even, and she did not know what to think. She could not glean any hints from his expression since more than half his face was covered in gauze. Still, from his eager tone, it sounded like something he was looking forward to experiencing.

“Alright,” she acquiesced.

Chao Yan smiled, genuinely happy that she agreed to this favour. “Baby, you’re the best!”

Qin Shu was stunned. She stared at Chao Yan for a long time. He was a changed man in her eyes, and she barely recognised him through his genial words.

She suddenly thought of someone. She thought of Jun Li. He had a pair of purple eyes. His gaze was always kind and gentle, with a touch of mystery added to the mix.

Chao Yan’s lips were curled in a faint smile. Coupled with his pleasant demeanour and mellow tone, he was a font of healing, a bastion of comfort she never thought he could be.

When they left Qi Manor, Jun Li’s illness had not been rooted out. He still relied heavily on Su Ying to go about his day. It made her wonder how he was doing.

She thought of her mother. The day of her parents’ wedding was fast approaching. Although it was for the sake of formality, it did not lessen its importance.

But…

She did not dare to think further. She wanted her father and mother to live happily together.

…

…

Qin Shu got up early the next day to watch the sunrise. When she exited her room, she found Chao Yan ready and waiting for her at the table. It was obvious that he had just washed up.

She shuffled over, asking, “What time did you get up? Have you been long?”

Chao Yan slowly stood up. “I just got up not long ago. I’ve asked the chefs to prepare some food while we wait for sunrise.”

“Okay.” Qin Shu’s attention was drawn to the food boxes on the dining table. They reminded her of boxed lunches, except for the breakfast variety. They would be convenient for them to carry with them.

Qin Shu took the initiative and carried their boxed breakfast as she said, “Let’s go.”

Chao Yan reached out, tugging at Qin Shu’s sleeve. “May I hold your hand?” he asked.

Qin Shu immediately shot his request down. “No.”

“Then, please hold my sleeve.”

Chao Yan did not show any dissatisfaction at being rejected. His voice retained its warmth, seemingly unphased. His well-defined fingers held onto her sleeve like a lifeline as he followed her at a leisurely pace.

It was pitch black outside the yurt. Stars adorned the night sky, winking in and out from brightness, while the moon dipped into the western horizon.

Chao Yan had found a good spot to watch the sunrise the previous day. Watching dawn break from the open plains differed from watching it atop a mountain.

When they arrived at the spot Chao Yan had picked, the eastern sky showed a faint dusting of white light.

“Let’s sit down and wait,” Qin Shu said.

“Okay.”

Qin Shu helped Chao Yan sit down. After which, she opened their breakfast boxes. Inside each box was a pair of sterilised chopsticks for them to use. She handed Chao Yan his box and said, “Let’s start eating while we wait. There’s still some time before sunrise.”

“Okay.” Chao Yan agreed, accepting the box of food cheerfully.

He asked the chefs to prepare Chinese food: crystal shrimp dumplings, fried buns, and red bean rolls. These were all Qin Shu’s favourites.

What she liked, he liked too.

The two of them began eating slowly.

Qin Shu was starving. Seeing that her boxed breakfast contained all her favourite dishes, she quickly dug in.

Each bite was better than the last. It truly was authentic Chinese cuisine.

Chao Yan knew her like the back of his hand, so it was not surprising that he would know what she liked eating.

Halfway through breakfast, the sun burst over the horizon, emerging through a fog of clouds, swiftly growing in size.

She clenched her chopsticks excitedly and said, “Chao Yan, it’s sunrise! Quick, look!”

Chao Yan paused midbite. He could not see a thing being blind, but he could imagine what it must have looked like to elicit such a response from Qin Shu. Being with Qin Shu as they shared this experience was enough for him.

Qin Shu knew that he could not see. As for why he insisted on watching daybreak, she did not ask. Perhaps, he just wanted to experience the sun on his skin as its first rays heralded the coming of light to the world.

It would be better if he could see it.

She suddenly thought of her phone. She put down her chopsticks and food box in her hand, took out her phone, and turned on the camera function.

The phone’s pixel was very good. It could take pictures of things and scenery very well.

She stood up and went behind Chao Yan, taking pictures of him and the moment when the sun rose. Then she took pictures of his side profile. Perhaps when he could see, she would show him the photo.

The sun inched its way up into the sky, gradually banishing the darkness of night.

By then, Qin Shu and Chao Yan had finished their breakfast. They washed down their hearty meals with glasses of milk and the awe-inspiring vision of the rising sun.

While drinking his milk, Chao Yan could not help but lament that it was their second-day camping in Mongolia and that he had only a day left with Qin Shu.

When the sun had completely risen, he said, “Baby, tonight, let’s eat a roast sheep.”

Qin Shu was in a good mood, so she readily agreed. “Sure, I’ve eaten roast sheep in restaurants but never out in the open plains like this. I’m sure it’ll taste better out here.”

Chao Yan was pleased that Qin Shu was receptive to his suggestion, so he continued, “I’ll invite a local chef who specialises in roasting sheep to cook it for us. That way, it’ll taste more authentic.”

Qin Shu shook her head. Chao Yan truly knew how to enjoy life. He was not afraid of burning money, going so far as to hire a local chef to roast a whole sheep for an authentic dining experience.

–

That night, Chao Yan had people set up several bonfires, lighting up the area.

The bonfires were not lit on the ground but on special shelves.

The tools and seasonings used to roast the whole sheep were brought by the chef himself. The sheep were caught and killed on the spot. After cleaning them, the chef began to marinate them before roasting them.

Qin Shu sat next to Chao Yan and poured him a cup of warm water. “Drink some water.”

Chao Yan did as he was instructed, sipping a few mouthfuls.

The two sat there, drinking water while waiting for the roast sheep to finish cooking.

An hour later, the rich aroma of roast sheep filled the air, causing many people to drool uncontrollably.

“Baby, let’s drink some wine later. I’ve heard that wine goes well with roast sheep,” Chao Yan said.

Qin Shu did not refuse. “Sure.”

In fact, within these three days, as long as Chao Yan did not go overboard, she would agree to all his requests.

Chao Yan had been nothing but accommodating, and his requests were never out of line. He catered to her every want, always listening if she did or did not want something to eat or drink. It would be a poor showing on her part if she did not act as the proper guest while he hosted her. More so since she had agreed to his terms.

Half an hour later, the chef cut up the sheep and served its meat in wholesome portions for them to eat. Yin Shi brought a pot of wine and poured a cup for Chao Yan and Qin Shu.

Qin Shu picked up a piece of sheep meat and put it into her mouth. It was piping hot and tasted a little spicy. The chef had done an excellent job preparing the roast sheep, and the meat was fragrant.

She ate and drank to her heart’s content.

Chao Yan did not have much of the roast sheep, but he drank a lot of wine.

Chao Yan drank two more cups of wine and turned his head. Looking around almost dazedly, he asked, “Baby, may I kiss you? On your forehead, on your cheek…”

Chao Yan was drunk, and his words came out slurred as if he were talking to himself.

Qin Shu did not hear Chao Yan’s question. She was too busy enjoying her roast sheep and wine.

The drunk Chao Yan heard no response, so he took it as her tacit acceptance. He stood up, supporting himself using the table’s edge and wobbled in Qin Shu’s general direction.”

He may have been blind, but he was by no means an invalid. He grabbed her by the shoulder and leaned in for a kiss.

Qin Shu was enjoying her wine when she felt a weight on her shoulder. She turned around in confusion and was stupefied by the events that followed.

She felt a pair of lips brush against her own, carrying the heavy scent of alcohol. It was heady in a way she could not describe, but it made her reluctant to shy away.

Although Chao Yan was drunk, he could tell he had kissed Qin Shu on her lips, not her forehead. Yet, that simple fact seemed to spur his courage, and he dove in hungrily, wanting more.

Originally, he wanted to kiss her on her cheek. In his inebriated state, he did not expect Qin Shu to turn around, thus resulting in a kiss on her lips.

Time stopped.

Although Qin Shu had drunk a little too much, she was not drunk. Chao Yan’s sudden kiss startled her so badly that she acted on instinct. She swung her hand, slapping Chao Yan hard. Everyone present was stunned by the action. They did not know what had happened.

Qin Shu had not held back. The slap was so strong it caused Chao Yan, who was already physically weak, to collapse on the ground in a heap. For a moment, he remained that way, not daring to raise his head.

“You are utterly shameless!”

Qin Shu tossed her wine glass aside and glared at Chao Yan before stomping back to the yurt. She could not be bothered to see if he was alright.

No wonder he wanted her to drink. He wanted to take advantage of her. Fortunately, she was not drunk. Otherwise, she would not have known what he intended to do before it was too late.

She wiped her lips fiercely with the back of her hand and quickened her steps.

Yin Shi was stunned, but that lasted for a second. In the next, he was beside his master, trying to help him up.

Chao Yan’s fair cheeks were red and swollen. A distinct palm print marred his face, and blood dribbled out of his mouth. It contrasted sharply with his pale complexion and made him look worse for the wear.

He was in a rather sorry state.

Yin Shi looked at his master’s appearance, and his heart ached terribly, tears forming in his eyes. “Master, are you alright?”

Qin Shu’s harsh slap had sobered him greatly, but it did not stop his head from spinning or the burning pain he felt on his cheeks.

After a while, the feeling of disorientation dissipated.

Only then did Chao Yan speak. “I’m fine. Help me up.”

“Right away, Master.” Yin Shi hurriedly helped Chao Yan onto a chair.

“Master, please rest for a while.”

Chao Yan pursed his lips and did not say anything. He held the chair with one hand, panting.

There was still one more day.

He sighed. “Yin Shi, help me up.”

Yin Shi regarded Chao Yan worriedly. “Master, why are you doing this?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Chao Yan answered.

He was just cherishing this last bit of time with her.

Just one day.

One more day before he would tread a future without her.

At his master’s insistence, Yin Shi supported Chao Yan back to the yurt.

Chao Yan walked very slowly, quite unsteady on his feet. If not for Yin Shi’s help, he would not have been able to walk the distance back himself.

Qin Shu returned to her room to wash up.

She did not think her anger was misplaced. Anyone who was suddenly kissed would have reacted in one way or another, she, perhaps, more violently than others.

After brushing her teeth, she washed her face with cold water and studied her reflection in the mirror. Tomorrow would be the last day.

One more day before it was all over…

Just then, a familiar voice sounded from outside her room.

“Baby, I was drunk. I didn’t mean to come on you like that. Can you forgive me?”

Chao Yan stood outside the door flap with one hand supporting himself on the door frame. He did not lift the curtain, not wanting to anger her further.

Qin Shu stepped out of the bathroom, shooting a dark look at the curtain separating them. The door was a simple flap made of cloth and could be opened with a flick of a hand.

He could have entered at any time, but he had not, and that drew a frown from Qin Shu, who did not know his intentions.

Chao Yan said again, “Baby, don’t be angry…”

Qin Shu stood in her room, glaring at the curtain partitioning the yurt’s rooms. She had no intention of lifting the barrier between them.

“Tomorrow is our last day together. Please don’t be angry.”