Going with Gao Lide to inspect the tea garden was merely their excuse. It wouldn′t be long before Gao Lide would realize they had disappeared. Slipping out of the tea garden, they walked hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, slowly making their way to the bamboo and pine forest on the hillside. Han Yan often picked some tender bamboo and pine branches, enjoying pcing roses with bamboo and pine in a vase. The delicate beauty of the roses and the strong elegance of the pine and bamboo created a unique charm. Nestled in the shade of the pines and bamboo, Han Yan would often sing a beautiful little song:

  "We are together,Swearing never to part.Side by side among the flowers,Hand in hand by the water.

  Singing together before the mountain,Whispering softly beneath the moon.The sea may dry up and the rocks may crumble.But deep love and determination never waver!

  The sun and moon may wax and wane.But my love for you has no end!Yearning and loving again,Swearing never to part!"

  Han Yan sang with such a soft and beautiful voice, her eyes gazing at him with deep affection. Her face shone with a bright glow. He would suddenly stop in his tracks, tightly gripping her hand and shouting, "Oh! Han Yan! My love, my heart, my wife!"

  In the countryside, under the autumn sun, they often wandered together all day.

  Under the pine and bamboo bridge, the stream flowed gently, and the wooden bridge had rustic railings. Local residents often suggested repcing it with a concrete or stone one because of the passing cars and the age of the wooden bridge, fearing it might not be stable. However, Han Yan loved the charm of the wooden bridge with its "small bridge, flowing water, and homes" feel.

  Sitting on the railing, they had once watched the sunset side by side. Under the bridge, they had also picked up small pebbles like children, as Han Yan wanted to use the pebbles to fill flowerpots for growing daffodils. Along the flowing water grew patches of reeds, their feathery flowers swaying in the wind, giving off an air of independence from the world. Han Yan weaved through the reeds, her smile enchanting, her clothes fluttering, coming and going like a tireless little fairy.

  They also visited the Songzhu Temple, where they solemnly lit incense and made many wishes. Kneeling before the Guanyin statue, he bowed his head, his long eyeshes gently lowering as he csped his hands. In her captivating voice, she prayed softly but clearly: "Please bless all the people in the world who love, and may they find happiness like we do; please bless all the young girls, and may they receive a sweet love! And please bless us, bless us to never quarrel, never turn against each other; bless us to love each other more deeply as time goes by!" She stood up, and he held her hand, saying solemnly:

  "I tell you, Han Yan, with the gods as witnesses and the heavens as my judge, if one day I wrong you, may the heavens punish me! May I be cast into the eighteen yers of hell!"

  She pressed her hand against his mouth, quickly saying, "I believe you; no need to swear!"

  The Goddess of Mercy looked down at them with a gentle smile. Neither of them were religious believers, but in that moment, they both felt a devout feeling, as though some divine presence was watching over them.

  In the evening, it was the lovers' time. In the garden, they captured the moonlight together, their steps crushing the flower shadows, their shoulders touching, their affection boundless. She counted the stars in a daze; she collected the night dew. He ughed at her, calling her a little night goddess. Then he caught her, and as the moonlight made their shadows merge into one, he said, "Look, I've swallowed you!"

  "You've melted me," she whispered, a contented sigh escaping her. "Melted into your love, your affection, your heart."

  And so, cradling her face, he kissed her deeply. He too melted, melted into her love, her affection, her heart.

  And so, three days passed by. Three days of being oblivious to the world! During these three days, everyone wisely kept their distance; even Old Madam Bai secluded herself in her room, making every effort not to disturb them. This brought comfort to Pei Wen and gratitude to Han Yan. They no longer had any hidden worries; no more shadows hanging over them.

  They were simply lost in savoring their cup of rich, fragrant, and intoxicating love. This cup of love was so sweet that Han Yan once excimed, "I was so foolish! I used to be so afraid of love, I always thought it would hurt me."

  Bai Peiwen wrote a funny little poem about this remark:

  "Love is a cup of specially brewed fine wine.Drink it!Don′t wrinkle your brow!It won't burn your tongue; it won′t hurt your mouth!It will only make you dazed, lightheaded, and dreamy.with no moment of awakening!"

  How sweet and intoxicating those three days were. Then Bai Peiwen returned to work, overwhelmed by the pile of tasks that had accumuted during his absence. Those three days—sweet, intoxicating, and unaware of the world—were now behind them.