Beneath the Elm Leaves

"A Zhi, will you marry me? In this summer of crisp elm leaves, in this obscure city of Yu, will you marry this man whose name ends with Yu?"

An Yangyu knelt on one knee before Nan Zhi and held out a bouquet. Inside was a ring he had made for her himself. He had injured his hands countless times making it, all so he could give her the very best.

"An Yangyu, you said... I won't marry you." Nan Zhi mischievously split one sentence into two. "Then who would I marry?"

That midsummer, that elm tree, recorded all of his love for her.

That winter, that wedding, recorded all the longing she held for him.

Their love began and ended beneath the elm tree. At least, it came full circle.

Theme: Unrequited love