During The Blizzard (Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love)

Canto 22: Haunting

"Past glories cast long shadows, and buried memories can resurface with the sting of forgotten grudges."

Translator: Wuxia Studio, Editor: Wuxia Studio,

Yin Guo pushed open the apartment door, exhausted from hours of pirouettes and pliés. An unsettling emptiness greeted her. The silence clung to the air like dust motes, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy she carried from the billiard room earlier in her practice session.

Glancing towards the bathroom, a glint of metal caught her eye. It was the razor of Lin Yiyang. Curiosity gnawed at her. Could those delicate blades be harmed if left unattended? She hesitated, then leaned against the door, the cool wood seeping through her heated skin. Was it paranoia, or did the action hold a deeper meaning?

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, pulling her back to reality. It was WeChat, Lin Yiyang's name lighting up the screen. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she scrolled through their past messages. Brooklyn, with its sun-drenched beaches and laughter-filled lunches, replayed in her mind. Was it just a friendly outing, or had something more bloomed beneath the towering skyscrapers?

Yin Guo scrolled through their chat history, a blush creeping up her neck like a thief in the night. The last few messages seemed to hum with a hidden meaning, making her cheeks burn hotter. Was it just her imagination, or was there something unspoken simmering beneath the surface?

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, a confession burning on her tongue. Before she could type, another message arrived at a simple address:

Lin:DC train station.

Their parting agreement flashed before her eyes. With a shaky breath, she typed,

Xiaoguo: I'm here too at home.

Xiaoguo: Also regarding your messages last night, I don't have a boyfriend.

Before she could brace for the impact, Lin Yiyang's reply arrived, swift and sharp.

Lin: I know

Her breath hitched. How? Panic clawed at her throat.

Xiaoguo: Who told you? Did you ask my brother?

Lin Yiyang's next message sends a jolt through her.

Lin: If you had a boyfriend, you wouldn't go out with me today. Is it reasonable?"

Lost in the tangled web of their day and the blossoming emotions it had sparked, Yin Guo barely registered the door creaking open.

Wu Wei stood there, he carried a bag of takeout, the aroma promising warmth and comfort. But the sight of Yin Guo made him pause. She stood in the dim hallway, bundled in a cold suit, scarf, and hat like a traveler caught in a sudden blizzard. Her hair, windswept and wild, framed a face lit by the soft glow of her phone screen. A smile, half-hidden by the scarf, played on her lips.

"Are you back?" Wu Wei asked, his voice laced with surprise. The only light in the room was a single yellow bulb, casting long, distorted shadows. "Or are you going out?"

Yin Guo looked up, her eyes momentarily confused. She pulled down the scarf, revealing a flush creeping up her cheeks. "Just came back," she mumbled, the words barely audible.

Without another word, she retreated into the bedroom, leaving Wu Wei standing in the hallway, the takeout bag forgotten in his hand. He couldn't shake the feeling of witnessing something clandestine, a secret shared through stolen glances and whispered messages. Curiosity gnawed at him. What could have made her so happy, so secretive, in this dimly lit room?