Shi Nian returned to Huangfu Huazhang's castle, the entire castle had quieted down, evidently everyone was resting.
Shi Nian tiptoed inside, only to see Huangfu Huazhang sitting in the living room on the first floor. By the light of a tea lamp on a corner table, a book lay open on his lap, halfway through.
Shi Nian stopped: "You haven't slept yet?"
Huangfu Huazhang usually would never sit alone in the first-floor living room unless entertaining guests. The living room on the first floor was too spacious, too transparent; he preferred quiet, relatively enclosed spaces.
Huangfu Huazhang put down the book, stood up in the amber glow, walked through the ancient furniture, and came straight to kiss her.
She stiffened, not avoiding.
He lifted his head, looked at her face in surprise, then kissed her again. Until Shi Nian gradually softened.
He then breathed against her forehead: "What's wrong, my little girl?"
