Xiao Feng and Tang Tang exchanged knowing smiles. She didn't dislike him as much as she'd thought; both could sense it.
"Then let's go."
"Why are you still carrying your bag?"
"You'll know in a moment." Xiao Feng deliberately kept her in suspense. Tang Tang didn't ask further, following him with her hands empty.
They walked as if strolling. It was described as a small hillside, but due to commercial development, the paths were well-maintained and not particularly steep. They followed the small stone path to the gentle slope Xiao Feng had mentioned.
The hilltop was covered in lush green grass dotted with wildflowers. The grass wasn't deep but appeared very lush, and Tang Tang was immediately captivated by the scene.
Xiao Feng opened his backpack, took out a clean cloth, and spread it on the ground. "Sit down. A friend told me the sunset is most beautiful from here."
Tang Tang's heart fluttered. Before the fireflies, there was the sunset. It was truly everything a girl's heart could imagine of beauty.
Shyly, she said nothing, no longer the playful girl from earlier. She sat quietly beside Xiao Feng, while he acted completely naturally.
As soon as Tang Tang sat down, he reached into his bag again, searching for something. Tang Tang curiously peeked, unable to make out what it was. By the time she realized, Xiao Feng was already holding a bottle of bug spray and cotton swabs.
"Put some of this on first. Soon, not only will there be fireflies, but mosquitoes will arrive too." Tang Tang chuckled. Xiao Feng's simple jest instantly dissolved the awkwardness between them.
He understood how Tang Tang felt. From the moment she stayed at his house, he sensed her dislike for him, but it was limited to the title of fiancé.
It made sense. Who wouldn't be unhappy if they returned home to suddenly be told they had a fiancé? Few would willingly accept it.
This wasn't ancient times where everything was dictated by parents. He understood that much. Yet, despite the reluctance she sometimes showed, Tang Tang had treated him courteously during their interactions those past few days.
Moreover, she understood the rules of living in someone else's home and did not act like a spoiled young lady. Xiao Feng felt reassured.
After applying the bug spray, Tang Tang looked up. The sun was slowly setting behind the mountains. Since they were sitting off to the side, the sunlight wasn't too harsh.
The sun descended quickly, the lingering rays disappearing, leaving behind a warm, red orb that touched the heart, much like everything about Xiao Feng today.
The temperature, the warmth, was just right. There was no piercing glare, only the sun's uniquely warm embrace. "It feels quite good being with this person," Tang Tang thought to herself, stealing a glance at Xiao Feng.
Xiao Feng knew she was looking at him but, sensing her shyness, didn't respond immediately. He pretended not to notice, his gaze fixed on where the sun was setting.
Soon, the sun dipped below the horizon. The air began to cool. Xiao Feng took another shawl from his bag and handed it to Tang Tang.
"It's different in the mountains than outside. It gets cooler once the sun sets. You can wear this for now."
"Okay." Tang Tang accepted the shawl softly, her demeanor now that of a demure young lady, a far cry from her spirited self that morning.
They waited for a while. Twilight descended, and tiny specks began to appear in the grass. At first, Tang Tang thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but then she noticed the specks growing brighter.
They became distinct points of light, like tiny stars, slowly rising and fluttering amongst the grass. Tang Tang, excited, reached out and grabbed Xiao Feng's arm.
Xiao Feng was also surprised. He hadn't expected Tang Tang to be so close to him. Watching her happily like a child made her even more endearing.
"Shall I catch one for you?"
"Can you catch one?" Tang Tang's eyes, full of joy, met his, making him unable to refuse. No matter how elusive the fireflies were, he was determined to catch one for Tang Tang tonight.
"Easy peasy, leave it to me." With that bold declaration, Xiao Feng leaped into the grass. Misjudging the distance in the dim light, he tumbled head over heels the moment he entered, causing Tang Tang to burst into laughter.
Xiao Feng laughed, rubbing his head, and got up from the grass. "Mistake, mistake. I'll definitely catch one for you." Having made another grand promise, Xiao Feng pressed on with renewed vigor.
He tried catching them with his left and right hands, attempting to trap the fireflies like swatting mosquitoes. But as if teasing him, each firefly nimbly escaped between his cupped palms.
After busy half an hour in the grass, Xiao Feng hadn't caught a single one. Just then, Tang Tang gently cupped her hands together and slowly placed them into the grass.
At first, the fireflies sensed something approaching and flew away. But when Tang Tang stopped moving, they slowly gathered again.
Carefully, Tang Tang gently closed her hands a little more, trapping a small firefly in her palm.
She quietly called Xiao Feng over and extended her hand. Their heads came together as they quietly watched the little firefly.
Because Tang Tang hadn't fully closed her hands, the firefly didn't feel trapped and, as if playing, circled within her palm.
They stared intently at the firefly, their eyes unblinking. As the firefly was about to fly away, Tang Tang kept her hands in the same position, their gazes following the firefly's flight path.
Only when the firefly rejoined the swarm, indistinguishable from the others, did they snap back to attention.
They looked at each other and realized how close they were, their noses almost touching. Startled, Tang Tang quickly pulled away.
Xiao Feng sheepishly rubbed his head. "I startled you, sorry." Tang Tang adjusted her shawl. "No, no, it's my fault."
"Are you cold? If you are, we can head back." Xiao Feng changed the subject, mindful that it was getting late and not entirely safe to be out.
Tang Tang nodded. "Yes, we should go back. Xin Xin will wake up soon." Both were a bit flustered with shyness, but they shared a secret smile.
She was not like a pampered young lady, but rather easygoing and sweet, pure like a little girl.
And he, on the other hand, was the head of Xiao's Group, a formidable figure in the business world, yet before her, he was as cute as a child, easily embarrassed by his mistakes, and fidgety like a kindergartener.