29 Sprout and Peach 2 (2/2)
”En, I should arrive on the outskirts of Na'an before dark.” Khan Bojing stood up and slung his bag across his chest. The peach lantern from her hung on the back of the bag. One of his hand held his sword and the other opened, wordlessly waiting.
Li Wei ran the small distance between them into his embrace. Her arms tightly held onto his waist as if she wouldn't see him again for years. She never asked him before about his life while he stayed in Na'an. Again, she was realizing just how little she knew of him even if they were married once. She was afraid of the unknown. This was a part of the story she didn't know.
With a deep breath, she calmed herself down. Her worries were for her to keep to herself. There was no need to burden him any further. Just as he wanted, she would wait for his return. In this moment while she stood in his arms, his warmth brought her comfort. Her eyes closed and she snuggled against his chest. He was like the morning's sunshine on a spring day. She didn't want to let go, not just yet.
After a period of long silence, when she felt satisfied, she stood on her tip toes and leaned towards his ear. She whispered quietly, ”Peach?”
”Hmm?” His arms still held tightly onto her small waist as he allowed her to do as she wished.
”Don't get eaten by others.”
Khan Bojing's eyes widened in surprise. He gently pushed her body away so he could see her face. A pair of twinking eyes and a mischievious smile teased him. He tapped on her small nose twice. ”Sprout, you're quite naughty.”
”You're a good looking peach, I'm just worried.” She shrugged casually as if this was a very reasonable and normal statement.
This woman, he smiled in defeat and pulled her back into his arms. He rested his chin on her head as he told her the conclusion he came to. ”Let me tell you what, anything can happen tomorrow. But until we meet again, if you stay as an uncooked sprout, I'll make sure I stay as an uneaten peach.”
”Childish,” She said.
As if he already knew, he only took one glance at her face and pointed to her cheeks that had turned bright red. She could no longer say anything and only hid in his embrace.
His heart beat against her skin and his light chuckled fill her ears, but it was her heart that felt full. To be this close to him, to feel this happy before they said farewell, was better than anything she ever imagined.