Till The End Of The Moon [SEASON- 2]

22. A kiss.

By the river, under moonlight.

The moon spilled silver across the rippling water as Miang Tao and Li Susu sat side by side, lost in the quiet magic between words. The cold wind brushed against their cheeks, but neither of them seemed to mind. They talked as if time had stopped-like this moment could be the last, or maybe the beginning of something long overdue.

Li Susu hesitated before asking softly, "Miang Tao... have you ever loved anyone?"

He turned to her, eyes unreadable in the moonlight. For a moment, he didn't speak. He only looked at her-as if searching her face for something familiar, something lost.

Then he closed his eyes.

Images surged forward like a flood:
Ye Xiwu's shy glances across palace courtyards.
The burnt rice she nervously offered him-and the way he ate every bite without complaint.
Her letters, waiting for him during endless wars.
And finally, lightning tearing through the sky, her figure collapsing-gone.

He opened his eyes and found Li Susu still watching him. Her gaze was soft, curious, like she had seen something in him shift.

Miang Tao offered a bitter smile. "Love... There has to be someone to love first. And I never had anyone. No one to love, no one to hate. Just... me. Alone. For as long as I can remember."

Li Susu looked at him gently. "Have you thought of moving on? Letting someone in?"

He shook his head. "No. Not now."
Then, under his breath, so soft it nearly disappeared into the wind, he murmured,
"Maybe now I don't need to... because you came back."

She didn't hear him-but when she saw he had no one in his heart, a small smile lifted her lips.

The silence between them stretched, quiet but warm. Slowly, the wind picked up, and Li Susu began to shiver. Miang Tao noticed, but didn't move until she said with a soft laugh, "Let's go. It's cold."

"No, no," he teased, lips curving. "You wanted to see the moon, didn't you? Stay. Look at it. What's the hurry?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "You stay then. I'm going. Seems like you're carved from stone, not even feeling the cold. But I'm human-and freezing!"

He laughed and stood. "Alright, alright, I'm coming! Why so fiery all the time?"

They walked back side by side, smiling. She rubbed her arms for warmth, and he watched her-his gaze lingering not out of duty, but because he couldn't look away.

Back at the house, they found Jiang asleep. They smiled at the sight-then quietly lay down on their beds. The silence was full of something new now. Within moments, they drifted to sleep.

---

Morning light through the window...

Miang Tao woke before the others. He looked at the two figures still sleeping and, for a moment, just watched. Peace wasn't something he was used to-but this scene, this moment-it felt like home.

He got up and began preparing breakfast.

Soon, Li Susu stirred. She kissed Jiang's forehead and stood, walking quietly toward the scent of food.

She found Miang Tao already cooking. He glanced at her, didn't speak. She stepped beside him, began helping.

They worked shoulder to shoulder, backs almost touching.

Without turning, Miang Tao asked gently, "Something on your mind?"

"Yes," she said. "I've been meaning to talk to you."

"Go ahead."

"We've stayed here almost a week. I hope it hasn't troubled you."

He stopped and turned to her. "Not at all. I've never had trouble with you staying."

"But how can we stay longer?" Her voice was quiet, unsure. "We're not... anything to you. We have no right."

He looked at her fully now, his voice steady, but tender. "Who says we need a reason to stay together? You-Jiang-being here... these days were the best I've ever had. I had someone to eat with. To talk to. Someone who saw me."

She lowered her gaze. "But we're not family."

He stepped a little closer. "Since when did friendship not count? Since when did warmth need a name? You said you live alone with Jiang. I live alone here. Isn't that enough?"

Li Susu didn't reply, but her silence was not rejection-it was reflection.

He understood, and didn't push further.

---

A few moments later, the food was ready. They set it on the table together, and Li Susu went to wake Jiang.

She knelt beside her and caressed her hair. "Jiang, sweetheart... wake up. It's morning."

Jiang stirred slowly, blinking. Her sleepy arms wrapped around Li Susu in a quiet hug.

Then, still half-asleep, she turned and toddled over to Miang Tao-and wrapped her arms around his legs.

Miang Tao's heart warmed. He knelt and said, "Good morning, Jiang. Did you sleep well?"

She nodded shyly and scampered off.

As Li Susu stood behind him, watching, something bloomed quietly in her chest. But then-Miang Tao turned to her.

He stepped forward, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek.

His fingers lingered.
His voice was soft, a whisper. "You asked how to stay with me..."

And without waiting for words, he leaned in-his lips brushing just below her ear, the barest kiss at the curve of her neck.

It wasn't bold.
It wasn't rushed.
It was full of memory and longing, and something like hope.

Li Susu's breath caught. Her eyes fluttered closed for a second-but when she opened them again, he had already stepped back, giving her space.

"I just wanted you to know," he said quietly, "even without a name for it... this matters to me."

She didn't speak. But her smile returned, softer this time. A yes without saying it.

___________________________

Chapter ended.
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