The lights of the city shimmered in the distance, soft gold and blue through the sheer curtains of Tang Rui's bedroom. The day had been filled with laughter, cake, and quiet promises. Now, night wrapped around them like velvet—still, warm, expectant.
Xu Jie stood near the window, the moonlight catching the edge of his jaw, casting soft shadows along his cheek. He turned as Tang Rui stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp from a quick shower, her face bare of makeup, more radiant than ever.
She wore a simple cotton nightdress, pale blue, brushing the tops of her thighs. It clung lightly to her body, hinting at the soft curve of her waist, the gentle rise of her chest. Her skin glowed in the dim light, delicate and inviting. It wasn't meant to be provocative, but something about her—fresh-faced, shy, and yet unwavering—left him breathless.
They had been dancing around this moment for weeks—months, really. Shared glances, silent tension, lingering touches. Tonight, the air between them shimmered with something undeniable.
Xu Jie crossed the room slowly, drawn to her like the pull of gravity. She met his gaze, lips parting slightly.
"Are you nervous?" she asked softly.
He smiled, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Only because I don't want to mess this up."
"You won't," she whispered, stepping closer.
He leaned in, and this time, the kiss was different. No longer tentative. It was deep, searching, full of the quiet longing they had carried for so long. His hands found her waist, drawing her closer. Her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers threading through his hair.
When they parted for breath, the air between them was electric. She looked at him with wide, vulnerable eyes. "Stay with me tonight."
He hesitated, his breath catching. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, her voice trembling just a little. "I've never been more sure."
Xu Jie kissed her again, slower this time, savoring the taste of her lips. As he moved his mouth gently along her jaw, then to the soft skin below her ear, he could feel the thrum of her heartbeat beneath his fingertips.
With reverence, his fingers found the hem of her nightdress and slowly began to lift it. The fabric slid upward, whispering against her skin as he revealed more of her with each movement. She raised her arms to help him, and he pulled the dress over her head, letting it fall silently to the floor.
She stood before him in soft undergarments, delicate and pastel. The moonlight painted her in hues of silver and blue. He reached out, hands trembling slightly, and touched her gently—first her shoulders, then the smooth curve of her arms.
Tang Rui's breath hitched as his fingers traced the path of her collarbone, down to the gentle rise of her chest. He wasn't rushed. He wasn't demanding. Every movement was an act of discovery, a silent promise of care.
She reached for his shirt, pulling it upward. He let her, watching her face as she unveiled him. Her gaze lingered on his chest, her hands warm as they explored his skin. When they finally came together again, bare skin to bare skin, it felt like falling into something sacred.
Xu Jie led her to the bed, his touch ever gentle. They sank into the cool sheets together, limbs entwined, hearts pounding. He kissed her again, not just on the lips but everywhere—the curve of her neck, the hollow of her throat, the line of her shoulder.
She arched toward him as his hands explored her back, tracing the line of her spine. Her body responded to him instinctively, each sigh and quiet gasp guiding him. He unhooked her bra with trembling fingers and slid it from her shoulders, revealing more of her to the moonlight.
He paused then, eyes searching hers. "You're so beautiful."
Tang Rui's breath caught, her cheeks flushed. "So are you."
As he leaned in and pressed his lips to the soft skin of her chest, Xu Jie—and deep within, Xu Ning—felt something shift. In all his lifetimes, all his knowledge and planning, nothing had prepared him for this moment. This vulnerability. This raw honesty.
He had loved before. Or thought he had. But never like this.
His mouth found the soft peaks of her chest, his kisses reverent, his hands never leaving her skin. Tang Rui moaned softly, her fingers tightening in his hair, her body arching to meet him. Her reactions were like music, guiding him further.
When his hand slipped lower, brushing across her inner thigh, she opened to him without hesitation. He touched her gently, learning the rhythm of her breath, the quiver of her voice. Her body responded to his touch like it had been waiting for him, and him alone.
And when she whispered his name, trembling with need, Xu Jie—and Xu Ning within him—knew he was giving something sacred. Not just his body. His heart. His soul.
She reached for him, pulling him down to her with the same aching tenderness. Her hands explored him, mapping every muscle, every breath, every shiver. Their legs tangled, their lips met again and again.
And then, with no more words needed, they became one.
It wasn't perfect. It wasn't practiced. But it was real.
Their bodies moved together in rhythm, guided by instinct and love. Every gasp, every sigh, every whispered name was a thread pulling them closer. Tang Rui's hands never left his skin. Xu Jie's kisses never stopped.
The world melted around them.
Time faded.
All that remained was warmth, and skin, and the unspoken truth that they had given themselves fully to each other.
After, they lay together in the hush of the night, skin still flushed, breaths slowing. He held her close, one hand stroking her hair, the other pressed gently against the curve of her back.
"Happy birthday," he murmured.
Tang Rui smiled, tears sparkling in her eyes. "Best one I've ever had."
He kissed her again—slow, lingering, full of meaning. "I love you."
She didn't hesitate. "I love you too."
In that quiet space, tangled in love and moonlight, they didn't need anything else. Because this was only the beginning.