Chinese New Year

Fortune held Sage firmly as she ran towards the gazebo. It was late yet Liking Ji had asked her to come out.

On getting to the gazebo, she almost gasped with surprise. It was decorated with candles, what was the special occasion?

Lixing Ji turned to see Fortune staring with wide eyes. He smiled and walked towards her.

"This...what is this?" She asked. He took her right hand and kissed it. He didn't utter a single word and it made her wonder. "Are you playing a prank on me?" She asked and he laughed.

"You seem to have a short term memory!" He said which confused her. "Come!" He led her to the gazebo and sat her down. Fortune was still confused. She started searching her memory for what today was. 'It's not my birthday, it's not his birthday, it's not Sage's birthday and it's not the day we met either so, what is it?' she couldn't wrap it up and just decided to ask. "Hey, what are we celebrating?" Seeing her eager face made him laugh.

"It's the Chinese New Year, silly!"

"Ooh!" She snapped her fingers "Now I remember, the maids said something about the Chinese New Year but I didn't know when it was. I still don't know how to count the dates of this time." She said "So, isn't there supposed to be some kind of banquet?" She asked and he nodded "There is?" He shook his head " I'm confused!" She confessed.

Lixing Ji reached for her hand and stroked it gently with his thumb.

"There was supposed to be a banquet but I cancelled it. I wanted to make your first New year here a beautiful one. Just you and me, my queen!" He smiled lovingly. His words warmed her heart and she blushed.

"You, when did you learn such lines? You didn't speak like this before!" She said

"That's because I didn't think it was necessary but after you came back, it came to me that you had a broad yet silly mind!"

"What does that have to do with the lines?"

"Well, since you have a broad mind, my little gestures won't work anymore." He winked and she completely understood. Her face flushed to different shades of red.

"You rouge!" She let go of Sage and got up. She didn't know what came over him recently, he had been acting differently. Then all of a sudden she heard him laughing.

"I think I succeeded in making you mad!" He said and got up. "You are my all and I would do anything to make you feel at ease. I don't want you missing your world or ever having the thought of going back, so I want to occupy your every moments. Will you let me do that?"

She felt touched. So this was what this was all about. Well, he had been worried for nothing because she never had the thought of leaving. She smiled.

"You call me silly yet you act sillier." She chuckled and took both his hands in hers. " I've told you before, I'm not going back no matter what happens. You don't have to worry about anything, I'll be by your side for as long as I breathe, okay?" She assured and that made him glad.

He touched her face lightly and held her chin. His gaze fixed on her small, soft and tender lips. Fortune knew he wanted to kiss her so instead of waiting to be kissed, she took the lead. Getting on her toes, she hooked her hands round his neck and planted her lips on his. Lixing Ji didn't hold back, he held her waist steadily and savoured the moment. This was the assurance he was looking for.

Fireworks exploded in the sky. Fortune pulled out from the kiss and hugged him.

"Happy New Year!" She wished and turned to the fireworks while her head rested on his chest.

"Happy New Year, my silly little girl!" He kissed the top of her head and watched the fireworks with her.

This was all an emperor could ask for. This was all a silly modern girl could dream of and this was all a cat could ask for. The sight of her master's love and happiness.