66 Flying Kites

Yu Mei didn't think that Pei Nan was going to show up the next morning, so she had already planned on sleeping in. Who knew she would be so wrong. Just as the sun was rising, Pei Nan arrived.

Chu'mei was busy getting Yu Mei's breakfast so she wasn't there when Pei Nan made his surprise visit.

Pei Nan slowly walked up to the sleeping Yu Mei. His first thought was, her sleeping position was ugly. Legs stretch like a "v" with one foot dangling from the bed. Not to mention the drool on the side of her mouth. The longer he stared at this scene, the more human she began to look. He was so used to seeing his other women sleep like a statue with perfect posture. This woman suddenly became cuter as every second passed. Pei Nan's lips suddenly curved into a smile without him noticing.

*Cough*

"Chu'mei, water." A hoarse voice Yu Mei demanded as she stretched her hand, waiting for the cup to be placed in her hand.

A few seconds later.

"Chu'mei!" she called out once more. [Not here?] Yu Mei slowly opened her eyes. The blur became clear and it was not Chu'mei standing next to her but her so called husband, Prince Nan. Without thinking, Yu Mei quickly closed her eyes back up and rolled to the other side, back facing him. [Wake up Yu Mei! This is a horrible dream. Wake up!] After calming herself down, she rolled back and peeked. The Pei Nan in her dream was still standing in front of her. She silently sighed in her heart just as quickly as her eyes closed back again.

Pei Nan sighed too. Without permission, he sat on the edge of the bed. [Yu Mei, you dare play pretend with me?] At first Pei Nan felt awkward. He didn't know if he should've came or not but one day without seeing her was brutal. Too brutal! Now that she was playing ignorant with her, he felt like picking on her.

"Yu Mei, if you don't wake up in the next three seconds, I'm going to kiss you." In a soft yet authoritative voice, he threatened her.

"One…two…"

[Surely he won't really?] Yu Mei didn't want to wake up and see him. She could clearly still remember their kiss. Too awkward. But why was he coming closer to her. She didn't need to open her eyes to know that he had started leaning forward. Inch by inch he came closer to her.

"Thr…"

"I'm up!" Yu Mei quickly rolled all the way to the wall of the bed, making sure to wrap herself in the blanket as she angrily stared at Pei Nan. Pei Nan simply smirked. "If you had just gotten up when I had asked you to, this wouldn't have happened." Pei Nan got up from the bed and turned away with his hands clasped behind his back. "I'm giving you five minutes to get ready."

"5 minutes only?" Yu Mei was shocked. 5 minutes was too short.

"4 minutes?" Pei Nan turned his head to confirm.

"Okay. Okay! Five minutes." Yu Mei quickly rolled back to the front and jumped out in less than three seconds. Seeing how silly she was, Pei Nan almost let out a chuckle. Good thing he was good at keeping a straight face. "When you are done, come outside." In his all so commanding voice, he told her before taking his leave.

When the door opened, Yu Mei was a little confused. Had he always had a butterfly kite in hand? How did she not notice?

Still limping, Yu Mei slowly stepped out of her room. When Pei Nan saw her struggle, he immediately walked over to help her. Of course he wanted to run over but as a prince, keeping his composure was a must. Without asking, Pei Nan placed his hand on Yu Mei's arm and supported her until they were in her backyard. This time they didn't go as far as the blossom tree, just a mere few feet at most.

As Pei Nan continued to help her walk, Yu Mei couldn't hold in her curiosity any longer. She tilted her head his way and asked, "What is that in your hand?"

Of course she knew what it was but she wanted Pei Nan to say it. After all, this was a rare sight to see. Pei Nan carrying a girly pink and blue butterfly.

Pei Nan took a long sigh. "Not only are your bones fragile, you are even going blind." He sarcastically spoke, making Yu Mei pout. "Your highness is no fun. Fine! What is that kite for?"

Once again, Pei Nan let out a sigh. Is there something else you can do with a kite other than fly it?

"Yu Mei, you are becoming more foolish every day. Stop playing and read more often."

This again made Yu Mei flustered. He was truly not fun. Yu Mei flung her arm out of his grasp and crossed her arms. "If your highness is going to be like this, I'm heading back." Yu Mei didn't get to make a full turn when she was stopped by Pei Nan. He had his hand around her wrist softly.

"I didn't mean to. I was just…I was…" Yu Mei blinked innocently as she waited for his reply. Pei Nan this time was the one to feel flustered. Must she look at him like that? "I…seeing that you are bored, I had Fei Ning buy a kite." Pei Nan let out. After speaking, he mentally scolded himself. Earlier he wanted to say, "I was only teasing you" but who knew her innocent look would distract him. Not to mention, saying that Fei Ning bought it. He was the one who spent all the effort choosing it. Now he was never going to get the credit for it.

But his lie made Yu Mei smile though. "Okay! I'll take it. Thank you." Yu Mei reached for the kite in his hand. Even if she didn't like Fei Ning, what did the kite do wrong to her? She had no reasons to not take it.

The moment her eyes landed on the kite, she was mesmerized. The craftsmanship and design was on another level. "Whoa~ Consort Ning has good taste."

Pei Nan let out a smug smile. Of course he had good taste. Who was he? Prince Nan, future emperor. Everything he did was perfect.

"But…don't people usually fly kites when it's sunny and windy. It's almost winter." Yu Mei pointed out.

Without warning Pei Nan reached for the kite. Luckily Yu Mei could read his expression. She quickly put it behind her back. "What are you doing?"

"If you don't want to fly it, I'll take it back."

"Winter is good. Winter is the perfect time to fly kites. Isn't that right?" Yu Mei quickly changed her statement. Feeling good about himself, Pei Nan let her slide this once.

Pei Nan had been staring at her trying to get the kite to fly for a good ten minutes. Nothing. Yu Mei could not get the kite to go in the air. Finally he could not stand to watch her any longer.

Yu Mei on the other hand did not want to embarrass herself. When did she ever have time to fly a kite? Who knew it would be so hard? Didn't you just hold it by both wings and toss it? It was too late to ask Pei Nan. He would make fun of her for sure.

While she was still fighting with herself, Pei Nan had already made his way over to her. "Let me show you." Yu Mei felt chills up her spine. He was standing behind her. He had stood so close to her she felt his breath on her neck just now.

It was a good thing he couldn't see her facial expression. Yu Mei was literally holding her breath with both her eyes wide open. She didn't know how to react when Pei Nan slid both his hands between her arms. He was sly, making sure to touch her waist in the process. "What are you doing?" she stuttered.

"Teaching you." His gentle voice made Yu Mei nervous. She hadn't been this nervous in a long time.

Pei Nan placed his hands on top of hers and carefully guided one towards the bridle of the kite. "You have to hold the kite by the bridle, not the wings."

Yu Mei gulped. Was it just her or did Pei Nan's voice get softer and more erotic than she remembered. [Focus Ju Ming, he is only teaching you how to fly a kite. But his hand is so warm.] Yu Mei quickly shook her head back and forth a few times. She had truly gone mad!

Pei Nan didn't need to look at her face to tell she was flustered. Her shaky hands had told him so. [So I can move you afterall…] Pei Nan finally felt accomplished. He didn't believe Yu Mei lost all feelings for him.

He slowly closed the distance of his chest to her back and placed his chin on her shoulder like real lovers. "What are you doing?" Yu Mei wanted to use her hands to move his head but he firmly held both her hands. "Teaching you to fly a kite? What do you think I am doing?" he asked innocently.

[Taking advantage of me!] She wanted to yell. "Well…continue then." She demanded.

Pei Nan chose to ignore her ill temper. He guided her hand down to the string. "Slowly let some string loose."

"Is it really going to work?"

"We'll see." Pei Nan was confident in himself.

Yu Mei did as he instructed. In no time, the kite was in the air. "It's really flying. Your highness, it's really flying." Yu Mei shouted happily as she turned her head to look at him. That's right; he still had his head resting lazily on her shoulder. How did she forget? The tip of her nose brushed his. Yu Mei was too stunned to move. Pei Nan too did not make a move. The two continued to stare at each other for what seemed like forever.

Pei Nan couldn't leave her crystal clear eyes as if he had been trapped the moment he set his eyes on them. Had she always had such beautiful eyes? What else about her was beautiful? He was suddenly curious. His eyes slowly went down to her nose. The bridge of her nose was perfect for her oval face. Then his gaze fell upon her glossy lips and he lost it. Remembering their kiss not too long ago, he wanted to kiss her once more.

Yu Mei felt her heart beat faster and faster as she watched his hand move towards her face. Before she knew it, the palm of his hand was placed on her right cheek. She felt her cheeks burn up when his thumb slowly caressed her cheeks.

Pei Nan didn't know what had gotten into him. It was like his body was reacting against his mind. His body advanced, inching closer and closer to her. Her lips were right there, right in front of him.

Yu Mei closed her eyes tightly and firmly gripped on the kite in her hand. He was right there, she could feel his breath. She could smell his scent of sandalwood.

He was actually going to kiss her.

Pei Nan's lips almost touched hers. He was almost there.

*crash* *shatter*

Both Pei Nan and Yu Mei jumped, startled. Both their heads turn towards the direction of the noise.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to." A shocked Chu'mei shook both her hands as she knelt down to pick up the broken plate pieces.

Pei Nan released Yu Mei. "I'm heading to court. Let Chu'mei help you back." Pei Nan quickly escaped the awkward situation. Yu Mei didn't stop him either.

As she looked at her clumsy maid, she didn't know if she should be thankful or mad...