"Mom, let's sneak a peek. They've been gone so long. Something must be going on..."
Rustling footsteps sounded from behind the trees.
Shen Yeqing opened his eyes, a rare flicker of irritation at the interruption crossing his usually smiling gaze.
Knowing full well that Xie Mi didn't want to be discovered, he frowned slightly and was about to turn around when she unexpectedly grabbed his collar and pulled his head back down.
In an instant, they were close enough for their breaths to mingle.
Shen Yeqing froze briefly, his heartbeat thrown into disarray.
Then Xie Mi barked imperiously.
"Xie Lian, get lost!"
The cautious, restrained footsteps instantly dissolved into a panicked scramble.
The mother and son sneaking toward them were so startled that they didn't dare answer. They turned and stumbled away.
Listening to the chaotic footsteps fade into the distance, Xie Mi stopped hesitating.
She gently tugged Shen Yeqing's collar to make him lower his head, then rose onto her toes, tilted her head, and kissed him on the lips.
Shen Yeqing's fingertips twitched. His heart pounded like a drum, and for a moment, all he could hear was his heartbeat and the wind.
His slightly cool lips gradually warmed, and the intense emotion in his eyes slowly gave way to a fathomless smile.
He raised a hand to gently encircle Xie Mi's waist, slowly closed his eyes, and deepened the tender, lingering kiss.
The maple grove fell utterly still. In that moment, only their heartbeats remained.
When the kiss ended, Xie Mi settled back onto her heels and drew away from his lips, but kept looking up at him.
Her lovely eyes curved into crescents, her smile bright and radiant.
"Old Shen, you smell so good."
Shen Yeqing laughed silently, his expression full of amusement and fond