The Blossom We Found under the Cherry Tree

Chapter 6: Letters of Love

     Zhe Yuan sat in his study at the Imperial Palace in Longjing, the winter chill seeping through the ancient walls. Snowflakes danced outside the window, painting the landscape in a serene white. The Fenghuanese version of Bird and Storm lay open on his desk, its pages worn from frequent reading. His acting career was on indefinite hiatus, his days now consumed with parliamentary duties. Yet, despite the heavy responsibilities, his thoughts often wandered back to Yinghua.

     The book transported him to a different time, a time when his heart was light and his world seemed less complicated. Reading Yinghua's words, narrated from her perspective, felt like she was whispering her innermost thoughts to him. He could almost hear her voice, soft and filled with emotion.

     He remembered the first time he saw her at the airport—how she had spilled coffee on him, her face flushed with embarrassment. Her beautiful red hair, her tan skin, the way she looked down when she was shy. Every detail was etched into his memory. Their night he found her in his trailer, the quiet walks near Golden Lotus, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. Each moment spent with her had been a cherished memory.

     The night she went on stage in Kiyonara was still vivid in his mind. She had looked stunning in her dress, her hair cascading down her back as she fell. The last text he sent her, still saved in his archives, haunted him: I wish I'd known I found a blossom under the cherry tree that day. He had never found the courage to delete it. Even when he found her crying in the gardens, her face illuminated by the summer moonlight, was a memory he couldn't shake. Her final "thank you" in the throne room, the last time he saw her—her back walking away, red hair swaying with each step.

     Zhe Yuan clutched his chest, the pain of her absence almost unbearable. Reading her thoughts, understanding the hurt and betrayal she felt, mirrored his own pain.But everything was different now. The carefree Zhe Yuan she knew was gone, replaced by a shell of his former self. He was now a prince destined to rule his country, engaged to a woman he barely knew. If preserving Yinghua's happiness meant enduring this fate, he would do it.

***

     A year later, in early spring of March, stability between the two countries was finally achieved, prompting the northern threat to retreat. Zhe Yuan had been diligently fulfilling his duties, but he couldn't forget the life he once had. He convinced his father and grandfather that his involvement in the media would help earn the trust of their people. Reluctantly, they agreed, allowing him to return to the entertainment industry.

     One chilly evening, Zhe Yuan made his way to the premiere of Bird and Storm, a show he had eagerly anticipated. Director Lian, who had taken the helm, informed him she hadn't been able to contact Yinghua directly. Her publisher had handled all approvals, stating that Yinghua had sold all her royalties and copyrights six months ago. This revelation repressed Zhe Yuan's hope that Yinghua might even attend the premiere.

     He didn't find her there.

     In April, a new headline caught his attention: "The Blossom We Found under the Cherry Tree"—Shan Yinghua's latest novel, written entirely in Arashian. This stirred unrest among Fenghuanese fans, who scrambled to find translated snippets.

     Zhe Yuan knew immediately what the novel meant, and who it was for. Written in Arashian or not, he knew those words all too well. The title echoed his last message to her, a poignant reminder of their shared past. He knew he had to find her. She had to still be there, in Zhuyun.

     Determined, he arrived at Zhuyun airport, his emotions barely contained. Paparazzi and fans flocked him, surprised by his sudden appearance. He maneuvered through the crowd, desperate to find the exit. In his haste, he bumped into someone. The cold seeped into his coat as the smell of coffee hit him.

     It was her.

     Yinghua stood before him, her coffee cup empty, her eyes wide with shock. She was just as beautiful as he remembered, perhaps even more so.

     "Zhe Yuan..." she began, the crowd buzzing around them.

     Whispers filled the air: "Who's that?" "Did she just spill coffee on him?" "No, I think he ran into her."

     Zhe Yuan muted out the noise, his focus solely on her. "Yinghua, I can be selfish too. The entire world could go to war, and I wouldn't mind marrying you despite it. I love you, I always have, ever since I saw you under that cherry tree. Nothing has changed." His voice was filled with emotion, his eyes pleading.

     Tears welled up in Yinghua's eyes. "Me too," she replied, her voice choking with emotion.

     Zhe Yuan took a step closer, his eyes locked on hers. Slowly, he reached out and cupped her face gently in his hands, his touch warm and reassuring. Yinghua's breath hitched, her heart racing as she leaned into his touch. The noise of the crowd faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in a world of their own.

     He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a tender, tentative kiss. The sensation was electric, a rush of emotions flooding through them both. Yinghua closed her eyes, letting herself be swept away by the moment. She could feel the love and longing in his kiss, a promise of everything they had been through and everything that was yet to come.

     As they pulled back, their foreheads resting against each other, they shared a breathless smile. The connection between them was stronger than ever, a silent vow that they would face whatever the world threw at them, together.

     "I love you," Zhe Yuan whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.

     "I love you too," Yinghua replied, her tears now falling freely, but they were tears of joy and relief.

     As they stood there, amidst the chaos of the airport, they felt the weight of the world lift from their shoulders. For the first time in a long while, they were just Zhe Yuan and Yinghua, two people in love.