The thunderstorm woke her up.
It wasn't fully light yet; the night sky was tinged with early grey. Thunderstorms, with their intimidating lightning and thunder, reminded her of those fierce, heavy downpours.
Lightning streaked across the night, then the rumbling thunder made the air quiver.
She lazily leaned into An Zhiyuan's embrace, counting the seconds between the lightning and thunder. The storm weaved a symphony around them, truly magnificent.
She felt a keen sense of vitality and profound peace, as if she was waiting for something. Yesterday, by its definition, had passed, but it seemed as though there was a chasm they had crossed between them, binding their emotions even more closely.
She turned her head slightly and saw the man she imagined to be asleep looking at her with a tender, lingering gaze, making her wonder if he had watched her all night like that.
"Morning!"
She leaned in for a good morning kiss, his stubble prickling her delicate skin.
