The sunrise over the sea was far more magnificent than the one atop Thunderfall Mountain. When the first ray of sunlight peeked over the edge of the horizon, the entire sea was dyed gold and crimson, like an enormous bolt of silk set ablaze by the morning light. The shimmering ripples on the water were like countless beating hearts, each rise and fall proclaiming the arrival of a new day. Shen Xiu sat on a reef, while Liu Qingyan still slept against his shoulder, her breathing steady and deep, a faint smile lingering at the corner of her lips as though she were having some sweet dream.
He did not wake her. He sat there watching the sunrise over the sea, feeling the morning light gradually grow warmer as it brushed across his face like soft, warm feathers. Waves lapped against the reef, making a gentle, rhythmic sound, as though accompanying this tranquil morning. Smoke had already begun to rise from the distant fishing boats, where people were starting to cook. The faint aroma of rice porridge and salted fish drifted through the air, vivid and warm.
Liu Qingyan's eyelashes fluttered lightly before she opened her eyes. She blinked blearily at first, then saw the golden sea before her. She paused, then smiled, her voice carrying the languid softness of someone freshly awake. "The sunrise is beautiful."
"Mm." Shen Xiu lowered his head to look at her and reached out to tuck the loose hair at her forehead behind her ear. "You're awake?"
"I'm awake." Liu Qingyan stretched, straightened up from his shoulder, and moved her somewhat stiff neck before returning the outer robe draped over her to him. "You didn't sleep all night?"
"I did." Shen Xiu put on his outer robe and rose to his feet. "When I