‘SEE YOU MORNING’ 004 Beautiful Night Scene

Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing drove to a Motel No. 6. The ambient lights surrounding the spherical motel cast a soft green hue over their car, while the sole red glow of the brake lights added a warm tone to the atmosphere.
The two stepped out and entered through the base of the spherical structure. As they moved inside, the lawn lights around the motel gradually dimmed. The interior of the building spanned three levels: the first floor housed kitchen facilities, bathrooms, and storage for clothing, bedding, and provisions; the second floor served as the bedroom; and the third featured a glass-floored observation restaurant, all adorned in minimalist modern decor.

"What’s available for dinner?" Qin Wenjing asked a robot receptionist near the entrance.
Lights in the food cabinet area across the room slowly brightened. Qin Wenjing gestured to Li Haojun, and they selected a few items before carrying them up to the third floor, placing them on a couple’s table by the side. A table lamp mimicking candlelight gently illuminated the space.
Qin Wenjing opened the ceiling sunshade, leaving only the glass dome overhead, revealing the starry sky.
"Sit," she said, gesturing toward the table.
"Please sit," Li Haojun echoed, motioning to the same table.
They took their seats, exchanging silent glances until Qin Wenjing smiled first.
"What are you thinking about?"
Li Haojun hesitated, unsure of her meaning. Before he could reply, she glanced at the candle and the flame illuminating one side of his face, then lowered her eyes and murmured,
"It was with you before too," her voice tinged with a sigh.
Li Haojun opened his mouth but found no words.
Qin Wenjing suddenly turned away, standing up. "I’ll go get us something to drink," she said, already walking toward the staircase.
Through the glass floor, Li Haojun watched her descend. Dim stairway lights flickered along the handrail, illuminating her petite figure briefly with each step before fading—a fleeting glow like fireflies. The sight stirred his heart, recalling the time they had lost and the fragility of this moment.

Soon, Qin Wenjing returned with a bottle of white wine. Seizing the opportunity, Li Haojun quickly took it from her. "Let me handle it, let me handle it," he said.
After uncorking the bottle, he poured wine for both of them. As they raised their glasses, he tapped hers lightly.
"Thank—," he began, then stopped, realizing the word felt misplaced. Setting his glass down, he circled the small table, knelt beside her, took her other hand, and gently kissed the back of it. They embraced.

A candlelit dinner where words were unnecessary unfolded beneath the stars. Her tenderness met his humility; her sharp wit harmonized with his earnest integrity.
After finishing her meal, Qin Wenjing stood. "I’m going downstairs to shower. Take your time," she said.
"Alright," he replied, watching her descend. Something felt off, and he hurried after her, catching her arm at the staircase. She turned, puzzled.
"I’ll adjust the water temperature for you," he explained.
"Sure, thank you."
Li Haojun removed his shoes and entered the bathroom. He filled the floor with water, checked for slipperiness, and tested the temperature to ensure no sudden scalding. Satisfied, he turned to find Qin Wenjing watching him from the doorway, arms crossed, head tilted with a faint smile.
Seeing her expression, relief washed over him. How could he fail someone who cared so deeply?

Through the frosted glass of the bathroom, her silhouette was faintly visible. Li Haojun sat on the edge of the bed, observing quietly—not out of intrusion, but concern. He feared any accident might steal her from him again. Losing his memories had already cost him too much of their past; he would not let mishaps claim more.

Soon, Qin Wenjing emerged, having bypassed the motel’s towels and bathrobes. She wore her own pajamas, carrying personal toiletries. Spotting Li Haojun still waiting by the bathroom door, she smiled and handed him her kit.
"You should rinse off too."
"Alright," he said, taking it and stepping inside.

Facing the wall, hot water streamed from his head down his body, soothing his skin and stirring his soul. What came next, he did not know. All he could do was cleanse himself thoroughly, for her sake.
Aware of the glass’s slight transparency, he glanced toward the bedroom—she wasn’t watching. Turning toward the third floor, he saw her lying on the chaise longue, gazing at the stars. He dried himself with his own underwear instead of the motel’s towels, washing and spinning it quickly before putting it back on.

Ascending the stairs softly, he met Qin Wenjing’s gaze as he reached the top.
"Joining me?" she said.
"Mm," he replied, lying to her left on the chaise. His right arm curved gently around her neck. Night deepened; the moon was absent, leaving only a sky dense with stars. Silhouetted against the horizon, dark tree lines framed the Milky Way’s radiant sweep.

She turned, damp hair brushing her shoulders, resting her right hand on his chest and draping her leg over him. Her soft breaths whispered into his ear.
Li Haojun stroked her back.
"How long were we together before my accident and amnesia? I’m curious—I truly don’t remember."
"Ab—," she paused. "About ten years."
"How did we meet? Through this company?"
"No. We’ve known each other since childhood."
"Neighbors?"
"Sort of."
"What do you mean, 'sort of'?"
"Neighbors and classmates."
"Oh. Okay."
"But how does 'ten years' fit in?"
"That’s how long we’ve been partners."
"What about before that?"
"Before that? I didn’t know where you’d vanished to."
"Wait—we’ve known each other since childhood, right?"
"We parted after university."
"Why?"
"It was... my fault, I think. I—" Qin Wenjing hesitated.
"You don’t have to explain if you don’t want to. I’m just trying to piece together my past," Li Haojun said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"Want to know your past? Call me Mom."
He turned; she was grinning at him.
"Mom!" he joked, leaning as if to nibble. She burst into giggles. When she calmed, she said,
"I didn’t see how deeply you loved me. Maybe it was youth’s blindness, or not knowing what I wanted—or how to choose."
"It’s not your fault. We’re together now," he said, kissing her cheek.

Beneath the stars, Li Haojun cradled Qin Wenjing’s face. Their eyes met as he kissed her lips tenderly, then passionately. His right arm tightened around her back, his left encircling her waist. This fragile woman had haunted his heart since his memories of her began two months ago, yet her presence felt etched into his very being long before.

He longed to fulfill her every need.
Gently, he entered her, filling her with his devotion. She welcomed him, arms locked around his waist, guiding him deeper. Sweet kisses, cool as spring water—Li Haojun rolled, pinning her beneath him to reach the core of her longing. But he froze, then pulled her atop his chest, whispering,
"Could you get pregnant?"
She said nothing, only smiled up at him before settling her head against his chest.
"Thump-thump," she murmured, gazing at him. "Long ago, you’d let me rest here, listening to your heartbeat. I was so young then—I didn’t understand what it meant."
"When was that?" he asked softly.
"When we were childhood sweethearts."
"But you’re 42, I’m 36. When could we have been 'sweethearts'? I might not have existed yet," he mused.
"You forgot—you paused midway."
"Oh, right," he conceded, unable to argue.
"Otherwise, how do you think you lived those years?" She smirked, sliding her head down his chest.
Li Haojun muttered, calculating: "You’re six years older now. To be 'sweethearts,' I couldn’t have been more than three or four years younger. So—was I unconscious for two years? Three? Or did you not tell me—"
Before he finished, Qin Wenjing had shifted her head to his lap, taking it into her mouth. She smiled up at him. You have a mouth to ask, but she has one to answer, he thought, stroking her hair instead.

Slowly, she took it deeper until he could no longer hold back—surrendering his love, his body, the tremor in his voice, his shuddering release. She crawled to his ear and whispered,
"All those years... this is how you lived them."
Li Haojun held her close, asking no more. Faced with a partner both enchanting and ethereal, tender yet playful, devoted and unwavering, everything else faded into silence.