This was probably the first time in their two months together that Lu Xixiao had told her he liked her.

Zhou Wan froze, and before that sweet joy could reach her heart, she suddenly came to her senses, remembering they were still at the station.

The late-night station is full of people coming and going.

She suddenly struggled, pushing Lu Xixiao away.

Lu Xixiao looked down at her.

The young girl’s cheeks were bright red, her eyes moist from the kiss, her lips wet and rosy, silently testifying to his actions moments ago.

She seemed to notice the moisture on her lips and unconsciously licked them.

Lu Xixiao’s eyes darkened as he reached for Zhou Wan again.

Zhou Wan frantically pushed him away while trying to hide her face, stammering: “N-no, Lu Xixiao, there are so many people.”

Lu Xixiao laughed and kissed her forehead: “Such a shy one.”

She held Lu Xixiao’s hand: “Can we go outside first?”

Taking the escalator out of the station, Zhou Wan finally stepped into the soft snow.

She crouched down, scooping up some snow to play with in her palm.

After a while, her hands developed small red spots from the cold. Seeing this, Lu Xixiao stopped her from playing, threw away the snow in her hands, and brushed her palms clean.

“We’ll buy gloves tomorrow for you to play,” Lu Xixiao said, “Let’s find a hotel to sleep first.”

Zhou Wan froze.

Hotel, sleep.

It was early morning, and they did need to sleep.

But she hadn’t thought of this initially and suddenly felt uncertain.

Lu Xixiao saw her expression and smiled: “What’s wrong? You were kissing me earlier, now you don’t want to take responsibility?”

“What?” Zhou Wan’s cheeks flushed pink. “…What are you talking about?”

Lu Xixiao was in an excellent mood as he opened his phone to search for nearby hotels.

There weren’t many taxis on the street during New Year’s, but the nearest hotel was only a ten-minute walk from the station.

Along the way, Lu Xixiao kept stealing kisses from Zhou Wan, turning the ten-minute walk into twenty.

Zhou Wan had never seen him so clingy before. In her impression, Lu Xixiao was always the one who remained composed and casual in relationships. She felt both embarrassed and happy.

She didn’t reject his kisses. Though Lu Xixiao could feel her body tensing at such intimate actions, still unfamiliar with them, she still tilted her chin up and let him kiss her.

She didn’t know how to respond to the kisses, but every trembling breath was perfect.

Lu Xixiao held her and kissed her by the frozen river, his fingertips brushing her face: “Why so obedient suddenly?”

Zhou Wan lowered her head, blushing, and said softly: “Let’s go inside, it’s a bit cold.”

The hotel was right behind them.

Lu Xixiao smiled: “Why such a hurry?”

His tone was playful and ambiguous, carrying unclear implications.

Zhou Wan grew more flustered.

Walking into the hotel, there was only one drowsy woman at the front desk who barely managed to stay awake to say: “Double bedroom, 361 per night.”

Zhou Wan’s footsteps faltered.

Lu Xixiao glanced down at her, chuckled, and took out their ID cards from his pocket—he had kept Zhou Wan’s ID card since buying the train tickets.

Zhou Wan tugged at his sleeve, wanting to refuse.

Then she heard Lu Xixiao ask: “Do you have two separate rooms?”

The woman paused, looking them over again. They indeed looked very young, like students, especially the girl with her pink-tinged cheeks. Though she often saw university couples coming here, she instinctively felt they were different.

“Single rooms are 200 per night.”

Lu Xixiao made a sound of acknowledgment: “That’s fine, two rooms.”

As the woman entered their ID information, she mumbled: “I thought you two were a couple, both so good-looking. Are you siblings?”

Zhou Wan’s thumb pressed hard against her index finger as her body tensed.

“No,” Lu Xixiao lit a cigarette, unusually willing to engage in small talk, “She’s my girlfriend.”

“Then why stay separately?”

Lu Xixiao put his arm around her shoulders: “Because my girlfriend is young.”

The woman smiled: “Surprising to see someone your age being so considerate of your girlfriend. You’re a good man.”

“Can’t help it, we’re exhausted. If we shared a room tonight, we wouldn’t get any sleep,” Lu Xixiao bantered carelessly with a roguish air.

The woman smiled knowingly and handed over two key cards: “Third floor, I’ve arranged adjacent rooms. Take the elevator and turn right.”

“Alright, thanks.”

The hotel’s decor wasn’t fancy or refined. The elevator was covered with various posters and advertisements, with a mirror in front.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Lu Xixiao pulled Zhou Wan into another kiss.

“Mmph—” Zhou Wan hit him, “Lu Xixiao!”

He kissed her lips tenderly.

Feeling her compliance, Lu Xixiao moved to kiss Zhou Wan’s ear, his tongue tracing the blue veins visible through her skin. Zhou Wan trembled slightly at the intimate gesture.

She couldn’t take it and began struggling vigorously.

But she was no match for Lu Xixiao’s strength.

In desperation, Zhou Wan bit down on Lu Xixiao’s collarbone.

A faint red mark immediately appeared on his collarbone; if she had bitten harder, it might have drawn blood.

The pain finally restored some of Lu Xixiao’s rationality. He pulled his collar aside and looked down: “Quite a fierce bite.”

Zhou Wan leaned against the wall, trying to stay as far from him as possible, saying angrily: “Who told you to act like that!”

The young girl’s eyes had reddened; she was truly upset.

Lu Xixiao felt mischievous but remembered how she had cried the last time he teased her too much. He pressed his lips together, swallowing the teasing words that had been about to come out.

“I’m sorry,” he gently stroked Zhou Wan’s ear, watching the tip grow redder under his palm, and smiled, “Forgive me, okay?”

Zhou Wan felt his apology lacked sincerity entirely.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, she ran out.

Only after getting three meters away did Zhou Wan turn with a stern face and say seriously: “I’m going to sleep.”

Lu Xixiao was amused by her expression and raised the key cards: “How will you sleep when I have the keys?”

“…”

“Come here,” Lu Xixiao said leisurely, “I won’t kiss you.”

“…”

Zhou Wan slowly shuffled to his side.

Lu Xixiao took her hand, walked to the door, checked the room number, and swiped the card.

As Zhou Wan entered the room, he stepped in as well. Zhou Wan was startled and immediately grabbed his arm: “What are you doing?”

Lu Xixiao didn’t answer, walking straight in and turning on his phone’s flashlight to check every corner of the room: “This hotel probably doesn’t inspect much, I’m checking for hidden cameras.”

Zhou Wan paused.

He came out after checking the bathroom, turned off the flashlight, and flicked her forehead playfully, his voice teasing: “What were you thinking, young lady?”

“…”

“Your mind’s in the gutter,” Lu Xixiao said deliberately, “And you have the nerve to act suspicious of me.”

“…”

Zhou Wan pushed him by the arm toward the door, and out into the hallway. As she was about to close the door, she suddenly paused and looked at him through the narrow gap, saying softly: “Good night.”

“Mm.” He smiled, “Good night.”

Only Zhou Wan remained in the room.

The hotel’s soundproofing wasn’t very good; she could hear Lu Xixiao’s slippers shuffling across the floor next door and the sound of running water from his bathroom.

Having slept on the train earlier and now in a new environment, Zhou Wan couldn’t fall asleep right away.

She walked to the window to look at the snowy scene outside.

The station was near the city’s outskirts, where facilities weren’t well-developed and it wasn’t prosperous, but this didn’t diminish the beauty of the snow. The world was quiet, wrapped in silver.

Zhou Wan took out her phone and took a photo.

Opening WeChat Moments, she saw many friends had posted New Year photos—food, fireworks, or selfies.

Zhou Wan opened the snow scene photo, thinking about posting it, but then realized her classmates would surely ask where there was such heavy snow and who she went with. After hesitating, she set the post to be visible only to herself and typed:

[I like you so much.

Lu Xixiao, Happy New Year.]

Send.

This snowfall was a secret between her and Lu Xixiao.

And this Moments post was her secret.

In northern cities, it was still dark at seven in the morning.

The temperature was low, and even the air they breathed in was cold.

Zhou Wan woke up and called her grandmother first.

Not wanting her to worry, Zhou Wan didn’t tell her she was in K City, only saying she had gone out for something.

She had always been obedient, so her grandmother didn’t ask many questions, just reminding her not to catch cold.

After hanging up, Zhou Wan sat alone against the headboard.

There was no sound from the next room; Lu Xixiao probably hadn’t woken up yet.

Around ten in the morning, sounds came from next door.

Zhou Wan got up too, brushed her teeth, washed up, got dressed, and soon, the doorbell rang.

Zhou Wan saw Lu Xixiao through the peephole, opened the door, and smiled: “Good morning.”

“Been up for a while?” Lu Xixiao raised an eyebrow, his eyelids still drooping, “You’re in such a good mood.”

Zhou Wan looked at the dark circles under his eyes: “Did you not sleep well?”

“Too close to the station, the noise kept me from sleeping much.”

“Do you want to sleep more?”

“Never mind,” Lu Xixiao ruffled her hair, “Didn’t I promise to take you to play in the snow?”

There was a mountain ski resort nearby.

Lu Xixiao checked out and took Zhou Wan to the ski resort, where they rented two sets of ski suits, goggles, and skis.

On New Year’s Day, the ski resort was crowded with young people who came together and parents bringing their children.

“Do you know how to ski?” Zhou Wan asked.

“A little bit.”

When he was young, Shen Lan had taken him skiing in the north, and seeing that he liked it, would often bring him during New Year’s.

After Shen Lan passed away, Lu Xixiao never came again.

However, Lu Xixiao had always been naturally gifted at sports, and it didn’t take long for him to get familiar with it again.

As for Zhou Wan, she fell several times as soon as she got to the snow.

Fortunately, the thick ski suit protected her from getting hurt. Lu Xixiao stood beside her laughing, helping her up, then watching her fall again.

Looking at other couples nearby, the boys were all afraid their girlfriends would fall, holding their hands while skiing.

None were like him.

Eventually, Zhou Wan got angry, sat on the ground, and threw a handful of snow at him.

The loose snow fell on Lu Xixiao’s hair and shoulders. He wasn’t annoyed at all, instead smiling even more broadly, looking delighted at her misfortune.

“Want me to teach you?” His tone was lazy, “Kiss me once, and I’ll teach you how to ski.”

Zhou Wan looked away, muttering softly: “No way.”

She struggled to get up on her own, only to fall again after skiing a few meters.

Lu Xixiao smoothly skied to her side and stopped. He looked handsome in his ski suit and goggles, the white snow reflecting sunlight making his skin appear even paler.

He crouched down next to Zhou Wan: “Not hurt?”

“Not hurt.”

He raised an eyebrow, unusually yielding: “Alright, stop falling. Just let me kiss you once and I’ll teach you.”

He lowered the difficulty for Zhou Wan, from active to passive.

Lu Xixiao leaned in closer, and Zhou Wan supported herself with her arms behind her and leaned back, creating distance. He slid forward and fell into the snow.

Zhou Wan’s eyes curved in laughter.

“You…” Lu Xixiao pinched her cheek hard, “Getting bolder and bolder.”

He didn’t rush to get up, instead pulling Zhou Wan closer by the waist and biting her lip.

It was a bit forceful, and Zhou Wan winced in pain, hitting his arm with her fist. He chuckled: “Now you’re getting violent.”

“You bit me first.”

“Did it hurt?” Lu Xixiao touched her lower lip, “Let me see.”

As he moved to kiss her again, Zhou Wan pushed him away firmly. There were too many people around, and she didn’t have Lu Xixiao’s thick skin to ignore others’ gazes.

“You said just once,” Zhou Wan protested softly.

Lu Xixiao had never been one to lose his head over such things, nor had he ever been particularly enthusiastic about them, but somehow with Zhou Wan, he couldn’t help himself.

But the young girl was shy and would get upset if pushed too far, so Lu Xixiao stopped, helped her up, and properly taught her how to ski.

Although Zhou Wan wasn’t naturally athletic, she was a quick learner, and soon she could manage to ski a short distance by copying his movements.

The feeling of wind passing her ears was wonderful.

Before she was a pure expanse of white.

No painful past, no dark calculations.

Zhou Wan let herself slide down the slope, gaining speed as the wind grew stronger.

She didn’t see the protruding rock under the snow. Suddenly, her ski board tilted at an angle, and she couldn’t control the direction or speed, heading straight for some bushes.

“Zhou Wan!”

Lu Xixiao quickly skied toward her, and seeing she was about to crash into the bushes, he lunged forward, grabbing her as they both fell into the snow.

He protected her head with one hand, his back hitting a rock hard, making him grunt in pain.

Zhou Wan came to her senses from the shock and immediately asked: “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Zhou Wan reached to feel his back: “Did you hit your bone? I heard a sound.”

Lu Xixiao didn’t get up, letting Zhou Wan reach around from the front to touch his back, making it seem like she was embracing him. He chuckled, not minding the pain, and said leisurely: “Just a bump.”

“Why did you suddenly rush over like that?” Zhou Wan’s nose stung slightly, “If I fall, I fall. What if you had hit your head?”

He hadn’t stopped her from falling all those times before.

Because he knew the snowy ground wouldn’t hurt.

But in such a dangerous situation, he rushed over without hesitation to protect her.

“If I got hurt, you’d take care of me,” Lu Xixiao pinched her face, “Then you’d have to spend more time with me instead of going on dates with others at the library.”

“What are you saying?”

Zhou Wan was annoyed at his lack of seriousness but also felt touched, “Then I’ll spend more time with you during the rest of winter break.”

Lu Xixiao smiled: “Never mind, aren’t you about to have your competition?”

Zhou Wan paused: “Then after the competition is over.”

“Okay.”

Lu Xixiao discreetly moved his ankle, which was slightly sprained but not serious. He got up and asked, “Want to ski more?”

Zhou Wan didn’t dare, afraid of causing him trouble again, and shook her head.

It was already two in the afternoon when they left the ski resort. They found a local restaurant for a late lunch, wandered around for a while, and when evening came, took a taxi to the station.

They weren’t as lucky as before; there were no train tickets available, so they bought tickets for an intercity bus instead.

Though slower, it had the advantage of not having to take detours, and the time to get back to Pingchuan City was about the same.

They sat side by side, with Zhou Wan by the window.

Lu Xixiao had barely slept for two days, and soon after getting on the bus, he unusually fell asleep in such an environment.

Zhou Wan sat very straight, keeping her back stiff to make it more comfortable for him to lean on her shoulder.

The bus drove along the highway.

An orange sun was setting on the horizon, softening everything in its glow, making the world seem incredibly gentle.

Zhou Wan’s lips curved slightly as she took out her phone to photograph the sunset.

Then she paused, glanced down at Lu Xixiao, pressed her lips together, and switched to the front camera.

She carefully held the phone further away, trying not to move her shoulder to avoid waking Lu Xixiao.

The phone screen showed both of them. Lu Xixiao looked sharp even in sleep, like a sword, his features clean and fierce, but leaning on her shoulder, his bangs falling forward, softening those angular lines. Her eyes curved unconsciously as she pressed the shutter button, capturing the moment.

After taking the photo, she suddenly felt shy and guilty, quickly putting away her phone to look out the window.

…

It was nine o’clock when they returned to Pingchuan City.

Everything was as it had been, just as she remembered, but Zhou Wan felt those few hours had stretched as long as several months, yet were as romantically fleeting as an ephemeral bloom.

Lu Xixiao walked Zhou Wan home.

Outside her complex, he tilted his chin: “Go on in.”

Zhou Wan said softly: “You get some rest too.”

“Mm.”

Zhou Wan walked a few steps forward, entering the building. She looked back.

Lu Xixiao was still standing there, tall and straight, his expression distant.

That lonely aura had returned around him.

She couldn’t move her feet anymore, hesitated for three seconds, then turned and ran quickly back to Lu Xixiao.

He stood still, raising an eyebrow: “Why did you come back?”

Zhou Wan didn’t answer, running straight up to him, gently pulling down his collar, standing on tiptoe, and giving him a light kiss on the corner of his mouth.

To be precise, “bumped” would be a more accurate word.

Lu Xixiao’s lips went numb from the impact, his whole body freezing as tiny electric currents spread from his spine and fingertips throughout his body.

She lowered her head, face bright red, saying softly: “Good night, Lu Xixiao.”

Then she ran back like the wind, leaving only her red ears and neck visible.

By the time Lu Xixiao came to his senses, she had already disappeared into the building.

…

Zhou Wan had never done anything so bold before.

She ran to her front door before stopping, breathing heavily as she opened the door and went in.

Grandmother was watching TV and looked up at her state with a smile: “Why are you running so fast? Was a wolf chasing you?”

Zhou Wan was too out of breath to speak, pouring herself a glass of water and gulping it down.

Back in her bedroom, she thought about what she had just done, feeling embarrassed to the point of regret, thinking she had made a complete fool of herself.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated.

It was a voice message from Lu Xixiao.

Without listening, she knew it must be another teasing comment.

Zhou Wan’s face was too hot to listen.

After five minutes, when her heartbeat finally calmed down a bit, she played the voice message.

The youth’s voice was magnetic, carrying a depth and seriousness rare for his age, he said:

“Zhou Wan.”

“Spend every New Year with me from now on.”

He rarely spoke in such a serious tone, and Zhou Wan’s heart started racing again, like a heated chocolate lava cake, the sweetness spreading from her heart.

She ran to the window.

Lu Xixiao was still standing there, and after a while, he finally started walking in the direction of his home.