That night, Qian Lan and Xuan Lin didn't return to their rooms. Instead, they sat side by side on the tower steps, gazing at the starry sky.
"Xuan Lin," Qian Lan suddenly spoke. "Do you still remember Master Mo's piece?"
"'Tonight, the Wind is the Keeper of Dreams'?" Xuan Lin asked.
Qianlan nodded. "I want to sing for you."
Xuan Lin paused, then smiled. "Okay."
Qian Lan cleared her throat and began to sing softly. Her voice was gentle and tender, like the night breeze drifting through a pine forest, or moonlight resting on a calm lake.
Tonight... I am your guardian of sleep...
Stepping away from the distant mountains' folds...
Canyons between skyscrapers... on the 13th floor...
I know that window, glowing yet weary...
Xuan Lin listened, his eyes growing moist. He had never heard Qian Lan sing before and never imagined her voice could be so beautiful.
Xuan Lin spoke, his voice low and warm.
Tonight... I'm your guardian of sleep...
Stepping away from the distant mountains' folds...
Canyons between skyscrapers... on the 13th floor...
I see your window, glowing yet weary...
The two sang on, trading lines and harmonizing until dawn broke.
It was their first duet. Their voices remained forever beneath the starry sky of Mingsnow Ridge, etched into the hearts of everyone who heard them.
[End of Volume I]