The evening sunlight bathed the garden in a warm glow, casting soft shadows over the flowers and trees. Xie Lian stood amidst it all, a gentle smile lighting up his face as he spoke, gesturing animatedly with his hands. Hua Cheng stood a step behind, his gaze fixed on Xie Lian, absorbing every detail—the way his eyes sparkled, the way his laughter seemed to blend with the breeze.

Hua Cheng wasn’t paying attention to the words. It didn’t matter what Xie Lian was saying; just seeing him like this, so alive and happy, was more than enough. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Hua Cheng’s lips as he leaned in slightly, captivated. For him, the entire world had faded, leaving only this one perfect moment. And Xie Lian, catching Hua Cheng’s gaze, paused mid-sentence, his smile softening as he looked back, warmth in his eyes that needed no words.