Amid the chaotic noise, a loud, deliberate cough suddenly rang out. “Tsk, mind your manners, huh.”

They pulled apart. Feng Ning turned her face away, clearing her throat.

Cuntou, all smiles, looked them up and down teasingly. “Hold it in a bit, this is a place to eat.”

After a bit of joking around, the man left. Uncharacteristically, Feng Ning felt a little embarrassed. The tips of her ears turned red. She turned and looked straight at Jiang Wen.

He too tried hard to appear calm, though a thin flush of bashfulness had surfaced on his face as well.

Not long after, another person came by to tease them, laughing, “Ning-zai, still eating? There’s a hotel five hundred meters out the door, right side — hurry up.”

Feng Ning stayed unfazed, mumbling a few vague sounds to shoo the person off, then popped a grilled wing into her mouth.

A few minutes later, under the table, Feng Ning suddenly kicked him. “Alright, stop being shy.”

Jiang Wen’s eyes snapped up, glaring at her.

He glanced at her face a couple times, then turned his head away, eyes drifting elsewhere. His mind was a jumble of confusion, and he covered it up by saying, “Can you wipe your mouth.”

“What’s wrong with my mouth.”

“You know what.”

Feng Ning sipped her beer, unbothered. “What, we already kissed, and now you’re getting picky?”

Jiang Wen: “?”

She continued, oblivious to the mood. “There’s still so much left, aren’t you going to eat?”

Jiang Wen forced out a few words. “I can’t eat.”

“Why are you wasting food? You need to fix that habit.”

Feng Ning scooped up a potato skewer, then a cartilage skewer. “Fine, I’ll take care of it then.” Watching her devour the food, Jiang Wen’s pink bubble of romance shattered into pieces.

His face flushed red, then pale, feeling somewhat defeated. “Who else pours their heart out to someone and then just eats barbecue afterward, Feng Ning, are you even a woman?”

“Who says you can’t eat barbecue after pouring your heart out?”

Feng Ning saw nothing wrong with it at all. “I’m in such a rare good mood, my appetite’s great too, of course I should eat more while I can.”

Jiang Wen: “…”

They pushed open the restaurant door and stepped out into the wind. Feng Ning shrank into herself a bit, burying her face in her scarf against the cold, hands tucked into her pockets.

The two walked side by side down the street, roughly an arm’s length apart.

Passing a small convenience store, Feng Ning stopped. “Wait here for me.”

She came back out after a moment, tearing open a pack of mints, popping two into her own mouth, and handing some to Jiang Wen.

He took them and put them in his mouth.

Very fresh, a bit cool.

The mint had dissolved, and Jiang Wen said, “Give me a tissue.”

Feng Ning dug one out of her bag and handed it over.

Jiang Wen took the tissue, reached up, and wiped the corner of her mouth for her.

Feng Ning went still.

As he pulled his hand back, his movements slowed. His fingers lingered for a moment, then he couldn’t resist pinching the flesh of her cheek.

Feng Ning yelped in pain and swatted his handsy paw away.

Jiang Wen looked satisfied.

Their hands naturally clasped together, and Jiang Wen paused for a moment before tightening his grip.

As they kept walking, they drew a bit closer, their arms occasionally bumping.

Jiang Wen quietly sank into this small, sweet moment.

Before long, Feng Ning spoke up, calling his name. “Jiang Wen.”

He turned his head. “Mn, what’s up?”

Feng Ning said, a bit awkwardly, “Dead of winter, and we’re holding hands like this without gloves — it’s pretty cold.”

Jiang Wen: “…?”

As she spoke, Feng Ning tugged her hand loose, pulling it out. “How about this instead.”

Jiang Wen said nothing, then angrily pulled her hand back, stubbornly interlocking their fingers again.

The air was dry and cold, so she simply tucked both his hand and hers into the pocket of her coat. “This way it’s warmer.”

By five or six in the evening, light snow began drifting down from the sky. Being New Year’s Day, the festive atmosphere was thick, and the entirety of East Street was strung with lights, warm and lively. They walked through the crowd, looking no different from any ordinary couple.

Wandering aimlessly onward, her phone buzzed — a call from Zhao Weichen.

Feng Ning answered with her free hand.

“Ning-jie, Shuang Yao told me you’re back?”

Feng Ning made an affirmative sound. “Yeah.”

“How many days?”

Feng Ning thought about it. “Not sure, probably heading back tomorrow, I’ve got work the day after.”

Zhao Weichen made a couple of acknowledging sounds. “So what’s the situation right now?”

“With a friend.”

Zhao Weichen exclaimed, “What friend? You even ditched me and Shuang Yao.”

Feng Ning admitted plainly, “Boyfriend.”

Hearing that word, Jiang Wen startled.

Zhao Weichen cursed twice in surprise. “For real? Boyfriend?? Who? Do I know him, is this guy reliable.”

“Keep your voice down, why are you so worked up.”

“What do you mean not?!” Zhao Weichen confirmed again. “You’re really off the market? This is way too sudden, I wasn’t mentally prepared at all. No way, I gotta come check this out.”

Feng Ning held the phone a bit farther away, glancing at Jiang Wen. “Want me to send him over?”

Jiang Wen shook his head.

“He’s not up for it.” Feng Ning brushed Zhao Weichen off. “Never mind, just leave it, be smart and don’t interrupt our couple time.”

The call ended, and Feng Ning asked, “What are we doing now?”

Jiang Wen was quiet for a moment, then answered in a voice barely audible: “Shower.”

“What?” Feng Ning hadn’t caught it. “Shower?”

“Mn.”

She let out an “ah.”

Jiang Wen frowned slightly and explained to her, “I didn’t shower yesterday, I smell terrible.”

Feng Ning pulled her own collar up to sniff, then sniffed her sleeve too, and indeed there was a strong smell of barbecue. Considering Jiang Wen’s cleanliness obsession, she asked, “So should we just book a flight back now? There’s nowhere to shower here, and no change of clothes either.”

Jiang Wen refused. “We leave tomorrow.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

Jiang Wen: “Go buy clothes now.”

Feng Ning couldn’t believe it. “Say that again?”

So, Jiang Wen said it again: “Now. Let’s go buy some.”

Seeing his expression wasn’t joking, Feng Ning said, “Isn’t that a bit much?”

Jiang Wen looked at her.

His face said it clearly, in two words: it’s necessary.

…

…

Feng Ning genuinely didn’t know what to say.

Though she couldn’t understand this kind of behavior, considering they’d only just gotten together less than two hours ago, she thought it over and decided to indulge Jiang Wen.

The two of them hailed a cab to a nearby shopping district.

They walked into a random store, and an attentive clerk introduced them to the season’s trendiest new arrivals. Feng Ning’s eyes wandered, and something occurred to her. “Jiang Wen, come to think of it, I don’t remember ever seeing you wear a puffer jacket.”

Back in high school, she’d basically never seen him wear one.

Jiang Wen: “Not really a fan.”

“Why?”

“Doesn’t look good.”

Feng Ning: “…”

“Then you can try a different style today.”

Feng Ning browsed the racks, picking out a few pieces, tossing them to Jiang Wen to try on.

In the end, when he changed into a short black puffer jacket, Feng Ning’s eyes lit up.

She pushed Jiang Wen in front of the mirror, standing next to him to admire the look together. “See, aren’t you actually handsome? So Korean-style. Looks like the ace of some popular boy band.”

Several female clerks giggled like blooming flowers, chiming in enthusiastically nearby.

Being appraised so openly by Feng Ning’s unabashed gaze made Jiang Wen extremely uncomfortable.

No matter how he looked at it, it felt wrong, and he moved to take it off.

The clerk said to Feng Ning, “Oh, this piece is unisex — how about you both get one, make it a couple’s outfit?”

Jiang Wen’s hand paused mid-motion of taking off the jacket, looking at her.

Feng Ning nodded. “Sure, get me one too, I’ll try it on.”

Soon, Feng Ning was wearing the same style as Jiang Wen. The two of them, one tall, one shorter, stood together.

Looking in the mirror, Feng Ning experienced for the first time what it meant to be outclassed in presence.

She’d always been quite confident in her own looks, but standing next to Jiang Wen’s face, she genuinely felt herself pale into something almost common by comparison.

She stroked her chin thoughtfully. “With this baby face of yours, you could pass for a high schooler and people would believe it. If we walk down the street holding hands, will someone report me for messing with a minor?”

Jiang Wen couldn’t stand her twisted sense of humor. “Can you not talk nonsense all day.”

When he paid at the register, Feng Ning stood beside him.

Once outside, her voice carried a teasing edge. “Why were you in such a hurry to pay just now?”

Jiang Wen looked straight ahead. “Would you rather split the bill with me?”

Feng Ning sighed with feeling. “Turns out watching someone else pay for you is such a satisfying thing.”

Jiang Wen glanced sideways at her.

The corner of Feng Ning’s mouth curled up, unable to hide the smugness in her voice. “And such a handsome one too, I’m feeling pretty proud of myself.”

They went to Watsons and bought a few disposable undergarments and a travel set of bath products. Feng Ning thought of a question. “Where are we going to shower?”

Jiang Wen: “Hotel.”

Feng Ning made an “oh” sound. “Booking a room, huh — do you actually want to shower or is there some other motive?”

“You can wait in the hallway while I shower.”

Jiang Wen said coldly, “Actually, I’m more worried you might get ideas about me.” *

Who would have thought that two twenty-six, twenty-seven-year-old professionals booking a hotel room together would be purely for a shower — it’d be embarrassing to even say out loud.

When Jiang Wen came out of the bathroom, Feng Ning was sitting cross-legged by the large floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the city’s beautiful night view.

Her freshly washed long hair hadn’t fully dried yet, the puffer jacket draped casually over her shoulders. The curtains were open, and her silhouette, along with the scattered points of light outside, were reflected on the glass.

Jiang Wen, drying his hair with a towel, momentarily lost focus.

Feng Ning also caught his reflection in the glass, and turned her head. “You’re done?”

Jiang Wen nodded.

Feng Ning waved him over, patting the cushion beside her. “Come sit.”

This was a small balcony jutting out from the room, high up, offering a wide view — most of Nan City spread out before them.

Light snow was still falling, the city lights dazzling, cars streaming below, people coming and going. The room’s heating kept things warm and cozy, and Feng Ning loved this kind of feeling. She gazed out unconsciously for a while, then turned her head.

She startled.

Jiang Wen sat right across from her, one hand resting on his bent knee, leaning against the wall behind him. He watched Feng Ning silently.

“Why are you staring at me so mushily.”

Jiang Wen maintained the same posture, not moving, watching her. “Are you shy?”

Feng Ning laughed. “You’re not even shy, why would I be.”

She scooted further in, inviting him. “Come sit with me.”

Jiang Wen sat down beside her, and Feng Ning suddenly said, “Am I good-looking? You were staring for so long just now.”

Jiang Wen laughed softly. “You really do flatter yourself.”

Having used the same brand of body wash, the two of them leaned close together, their scents mingling.

Feng Ning stretched her legs out lazily, feeling an inexplicable sense of security.

She hadn’t slept since the night before, and now, relaxing, she yawned, her speech starting to blur. “…I think I’m getting a bit sleepy.”

“Go sleep in the bed?”

Feng Ning tilted her body. “I like curling up here, it feels safe.”

The wall light cast a dim orange glow. Jiang Wen pressed her head against his shoulder. “Then sleep like this.”

“I still want to chat with you.”

Jiang Wen: “About what?”

“Tell me about your life abroad these past few years. Studying at Yale, did you get a full scholarship?”

“Mn.”

“Learned to cook for yourself?”

“A little.”

“Like what?”

“Baking bread.”

Feng Ning couldn’t help laughing again. “That’s not much progress at all. So besides studying, what else do you like doing?”

“Watching movies, browsing bookstores, driving to watch the sunset.”

“Pretty romantic, actually.”

…

…

The two of them talked back and forth, one sentence after another. In the night like this, Jiang Wen’s voice was gentle and low. Feng Ning, lulled by it, found her eyelids slowly drifting shut without her noticing.

The snow stopped by dawn; a blanket had been laid over her.

Feng Ning’s body slid down, her legs folding in, curling up on her side like a little shrimp, her breathing far steadier than before.

The night stretched long. Not sure how much time had passed, Feng Ning opened her eyes.

Jiang Wen was very close.

She looked up at him from below.

He was handling work emails, his profile lit faintly by the phone’s glow, brow slightly furrowed in concentration. Sensing movement, Jiang Wen turned his eyes toward her.

Groggily, she asked, “How long did I sleep?”

Jiang Wen checked the time. “Not long.”

Watching her sit up, Jiang Wen said, “You’re not sleeping anymore?”

“Mn.” Feng Ning rubbed her eyes, turning her head to look — outside, the snow had stopped, leaving a blanket of white across the rooftops and ground.

Feng Ning took Jiang Wen’s hand, feeling how cold it was, and pulled it into the still-warm blanket, cupping it for a while.

Feeling a bit thirsty, Feng Ning got up, stepping over Jiang Wen to grab a bottle of water from the table, twisting the cap open and taking a sip.

At midnight, having finished the water, she returned to sit beside Jiang Wen.

There was still lingering warmth in the blanket; the soft ends of her hair swept across his wrist, and Jiang Wen caught a strand between his fingers.

Feng Ning felt a sharp tug of pain and sat up, swatting his hand away. “What are you doing.”

He said nothing.

Feng Ning studied Jiang Wen’s expression. “What, thinking of something sad again?”

“Besides you, what else would make me sad?”

“Well, I suppose I should feel proud of that.” Feng Ning laughed. “You know, the first time I met you, I thought — how does a person like this even exist in this world, eyes on top of his head, looking down on everyone, couldn’t get any more arrogant. And in the end, I ended up becoming your one and only heartbreak in this life — I guess that counts as an achievement.”

Jiang Wen lowered his face, his expression unreadable, his voice light and even. “My confidence was completely destroyed by you.”

She knew what he meant. Feng Ning thought it over for a moment. “You should have more confidence in yourself. With a face like yours, I’m no nun — given enough time, anyone would fall for you eventually.”

She sighed at length. “I was just young and foolish.”

Seeing Jiang Wen still not speaking, Feng Ning suddenly bit his earlobe.

Jiang Wen covered his ear. “What’s wrong with you.”

Watching him shudder from her bite, Feng Ning felt great, laughing recklessly.

Seeing this, Jiang Wen leaned in too, biting her lip back in retaliation.

He really did bite her.

After biting, he pulled back hastily.

Jiang Wen’s breathing turned tight, a bit ragged.

Feng Ning kept provoking him. “Hm? That’s it?”

Almost the moment she finished speaking, Jiang Wen gripped the back of her head, his entire body pressing down over hers. His throat bobbed violently as his lips and tongue tangled with hers, again and again, relentlessly savoring her. Swallowing, breath scorching against each other.

Feelings held back for so long spilled out all at once. His heart spasmed uncontrollably, pounding wildly out of control.

A very thorough, deep kiss.

Not sure how long passed before Jiang Wen’s movements finally slowed. He released her, opening his eyes to look at her expression.

Only two, three seconds passed before he leaned in again, unable to stop himself.

Jiang Wen lowered his head, extending the tip of his tongue to lick her lip once.

Wanting to do it again.

She felt like she was suffocating, pushing him back slightly, her chest rising and falling, breathing lightly. “Big guy, let me catch my breath.”

Feng Ning propped herself up on one hand against the cushion, forced to lean back by him.

After a long while, she recovered.

Feng Ning’s eyes were glossy, her lips damp and red. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Jiang Wen leaned against the wall, not moving, still watching her.

“What, gone mute again?”

After a moment, he answered in a low, slightly hoarse voice, “I haven’t had enough.”