Chapter 278: Midnight and Moonlight

Runze’s POV

"Wake up, birthday boy."

Bael stirs on the sofa, blinking slowly as he pushes himself up against the cushions, his dark hair slightly rumpled. The faint golden glow of a single candle reflects in his eyes as he focuses on the small fruit cake held in my hands.

"Happy thirtieth birthday, Bael," I say softly, stepping close as he sits up.

A slow, genuine smile breaks across his face, his eyes locking onto mine with an unshielded, relaxed warmth that he only ever shows me.

"Make a wish," I whisper.

He leans forward, his eyes fixed on mine for a quiet second before blowing out the small golden flame. The moment the spark dies, Bael reaches up, catching my wrist gently to take the plate from my hands and set it on the table. Before I can move back, he pulls me down by the waist onto his lap.

His hand catches my chin and pulls my mouth down to his.

The kiss is deep, warm and possessive. His tongue pushes past my lips with slow deliberate heat, stroking against mine like he has all the time in the world and plans to use every second of it. His other hand slides beneath the hem of my shirt, warm palm pressing firmly against the small of my back and pulling me tighter against him until there is no space left between us.

I tangle my fingers into his soft hair and pull him closer, a quiet sound slipping from my throat as the kiss grows wetter and hungrier. The quiet room fills with our uneven breathing while his tongue keeps moving against mine, thorough and claiming.

A fussy snuffle from the baby monitor breaks through the silence, slowly shifting into a soft whimpering cry.

We pull apart with a breathy laugh, Bael’s hands lingering on my waist.

"Her timing is incredible," Bael murmurs, his raspy voice thick with lingering affection.

"I’ll get her," I smile, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before sliding off his lap.

I step into the adjoining room and lift Siying from her crib, cradling her small weight against my shoulder. When I carry her back into the living room, Bael is standing by the counter holding a small plate with a single slice of cake and one fork.

As I pace back and forth across the living room, humming a low lullaby, Bael steps right beside me. He cuts a small piece of cake and brings it gently to my lips. I take the bite without fully breaking my stride, leaning my shoulder against his chest as I pass.

For the next ten minutes, we move together in effortless domestic rhythm—me pacing to soothe Siying, and Bael hovering at my side, feeding me bites of his birthday cake until her tiny eyelids flutter shut and her breathing settles into a deep, rhythmic rise and fall.

I carry her back to her crib, tucking her in securely before pressing a light kiss onto her forehead. When I turn around, Bael is standing right behind me in the doorway. He pulls me back against his chest, wrapping his arms securely around my waist as we both look down into the crib.

"I don’t think I’ve ever felt this at peace," Bael whispers into my hair, his chest expanding with a quiet, deep breath. "Standing here with both of you... it feels like everything I ever fought for was so worth it."

I turn around in his arms, looking up into his gaze. "I still have your main gift."

I walk over to my travel bag, pull out the wooden box I brought from my study, and hand it to him.

Bael takes the box, looking down at the dark, polished wood before carefully lifting the lid.

Inside rests a handcrafted miniature of the Glass Observatory & Tea Library, its delicate walnut framing and clear glass panels catching the warm light of the room.

Bael’s expression changes almost immediately.

He sets the box on the table and leans closer, his fingers carefully tracing the tiny interior layout, the miniature shelves, the long reading table, and the daybed tucked against the glass. His gaze moves toward the miniature hill beneath it. For a long moment he says nothing, only studies every detail as if committing it to memory.

"Runze..." His voice softens as recognition settles in. "This is for the estate?"

I nod, stepping closer. "For the hill behind the mansion."

He looks at me, waiting.

I smile.

"You always say you want to be home."

Something flickers across his expression.

I lean closer to the model, watching him take in every detail.

"So I thought you should have somewhere here that feels like an escape without actually having to leave home."

Bael looks back at the miniature.

"It’s a tea library," I continue. "There’ll be floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the hill, shelves for books, a tea table, and a daybed by the window. You can read there, listen to music, or take Siying with you when you want some time with her."

I smile, glancing at the tiny daybed by the glass.

"And I suppose I’ll end up there with you more often than not."

Bael laughs softly. "I suppose you will."

"You’d complain if I didn’t."

That earns a quiet laugh from him.

"I absolutely would." His smile deepens as he looks back at the model.

Then his fingers stop.

At the front edge of the wooden base, a small brass plaque catches the light. Bael turns the model slightly and reads the inscription beneath his breath.

*For Bael. With the people he loves.*

He remains quiet for a long moment, his thumb slowly brushing over the edge of the plaque again and again. When he finally looks up, his eyes are darker, softer, and more open than they have been all evening.

"I wanted to give you a place that belongs to the life we’ve built," I say softly. "Somewhere you can sit with a book, drink your tea, watch Siying grow, or just spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing."

Bael carefully closes the wooden box and sets it aside before pulling me into his arms.

His embrace is so tight that I feel the steady pressure of his chest against mine. He lowers his face into the crook of my neck, and when he finally speaks, his voice is rough.

"You really thought about all of this."

I wrap my arms around him and smile against his shoulder. "Of course I did. It’s your birthday."

He lets out a quiet breath that almost sounds like a laugh, but his arms tighten around me instead.

"I don’t think I’ve ever received something like this."

"Good," I murmur. "Then I chose well."

He pulls back enough to look at me, his expression softer than it has been all evening.

"You did."

His thumb brushes slowly across my cheek before he leans down and kisses me, slower this time, lingering.

"Thank you, Runze," he says as he pulls back a little.

I smile. "Happy birthday."

His arms settle around my waist again, holding me close.

"I love you."

The words are simple, but the way he says them makes my throat tighten.

I reach up and touch his cheek. "I love you too."

***

A short while later, we change into swimwear and step out into the private inner courtyard. The cool mountain night air touches my skin, but thick, inviting steam rises from the heated outdoor pool, lit from below by underwater lamps.

I sit down at the edge of the stone steps, letting the hot water submerge my legs while I lean back on my hands, watching Bael dive smoothly into the deeper end.

He surfaces farther out, sweeping his wet hair back from his face. The soft lantern light and silver moonlight outline his broad shoulders and muscular chest as he cuts effortlessly through the clear water.

Away from his responsibilities and the constant demands of the company, he looks completely different. Striking, even. A familiar, magnetic pull stirs deep in my chest as I watch him.

Bael turns toward me, swimming back with smooth, powerful strokes until he reaches the steps where I’m sitting.

He rests his hands on the stone ledge on either side of my thighs, trapping me gently between his arms. Water droplets glisten across his chest and shoulders under the moonlight. He looks up at me, his dark eyes trailing slowly over my face before fixing on my mouth with raw, unmistakable intent.

"Runze," he asks softly, his low voice vibrating in his chest. "Can I ask for an extra birthday gift?"

Looking down into his eyes and realizing we are thinking the exact same thing, I lean forward and wrap my arms around his wet shoulders.

"Yes," I whisper against his ear. "I was just thinking of the same thing."