Compared to the crowded restaurants, the evening campsite by the river and the homemade evening meal, it is more like a romantic invitation hidden in nature. The scent of grass mingled with the burnt aroma of the bread, the setting sun tinted the river surface orange-pink. There was no exquisite presentation, only the two of them bustling about in the gentle evening breeze, making the heart slowly ferment in the glow of the sunset and the fireworks.
One week in advance, preparations began: You ordered folding tables and chairs as well as a mini oven, while she made a list of ingredients – including her favorite butter bread, strawberries, as well as your favorite sausages and lemon tea. On Saturday afternoon, you carried the heavy camping bags and headed towards the river. The sunlight still carried a warm feeling, and the river breeze gently blew through her hair, like a layer of golden gauze wrapped around it.
You chose a piece of grassland close to the river to set up the tent. You crouched down to build the tent, while she laid out the picnic blanket nearby and occasionally handed you nails and ropes. “Is this support frame installed upside down?” You frowned at the instructions. She came closer and looked, then smiled and poked your arm: “Idiot, it should be fastened this way.” She reached out to help you adjust the support frame, and her fingertips accidentally touched the back of your hand. Both of you paused for a moment, then smiled and looked away.
When the tent was set up, the sun began to set. You took out the mini oven, lit the charcoal fire, and placed the buttered bread slices on it. The bread quickly got a crispy edge, and the butter melted on the surface, emitting a sweet aroma. She sat on the picnic blanket, washed the strawberries and put them into a bamboo basket, then took out the lemon tea that had been chilled in advance and poured it into a glass: “Come and try the bread, is it burnt?” You picked up a slice and took a bite, it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. “Just right! Even tastier than the bread from the bakery.”
As the sausage was sizzling and oozing oil on the grill, the setting sun had already sunk into the river, and the sky had changed from orange-red to pinkish-purple. The clouds looked like dyed cotton. You were sitting on folding chairs, holding the sausage and eating it with great relish. The river breeze blew in with moisture, neither cold nor too hot, just right. Suddenly, she pointed at the river surface and said, “Look, there are fish jumping!” You followed the direction she pointed and saw only ripples. When you turned around, you noticed that her side face was glowing red under the sunlight, even more beautiful than the setting sun.
After finishing the main course, you lay on the picnic blanket and watched the stars. She rested her head on your leg and played with a piece of dogtail grass in her hand: “Next time, let’s bring a small hot pot? In winter, sitting in the tent and eating hot food will definitely be very comfortable.” You stroked her hair and nodded: “OK. Also bring a projector. We can watch movies in the tent at night.” Suddenly, she sat up and took out a small box from her bag: “For you. I forgot to take it out earlier.” When she opened it, it was a leaf-shaped keychain. “I picked it up on the grass earlier. Whenever you see it, you’ll remember today’s sunset.”
While packing up, the moon had already risen. You were carrying the camping bag, and she was holding the bag full of garbage, walking slowly towards the parking lot. Suddenly, she stopped and hugged your arm: “Today was really so much fun. It was more interesting than going to any restaurant.” You lowered your head and kissed her forehead: “As long as I’m with you, anywhere is interesting.”
The beauty of camping by the river and having a sunset dinner date is not about having luxurious equipment, but rather being in the embrace of nature, where you can see the other person at their most relaxed state – the frowning expression when the bread gets burnt, the cheering expression when seeing the fish leap, and the star-counting pose on the picnic blanket. These moments filled with wind and light are as warm as the setting sun and as gentle as the river water, hiding the flutter of love within each gentle evening breeze, gently blowing into each other’s hearts.