During The Blizzard (Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love)

Canto 35: Prelude

"We stand at a crossroads, hand in hand, yet unsure if the path we take together leads to a sunrise or a sunset."
    - Meng Nayeon, Harmonies Of The Heart

Translator: Wuxia Studio, Editor: Wuxia Studio

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Lin Yiyang shrugged off his jacket, tossing it haphazardly onto the coffee table. Beneath it, a simple white T-shirt clung to his frame.

He caught sight of the flush creeping up her cheeks, a clear sign she was reliving the memory. His hand twitched, yearning to reach out, but he held it back.

The day before yesterday, the summer heat had been stifling, prompting her to switch to lighter clothes. Little did she know, the temperature would take a drastic plunge today. She'd borrowed a bulky coat from a clubmate, intending to change back at home before venturing out. Life, however, rarely followed plans. She rushed here, the cold biting into her like an angry wind. Even now, her hands remained icy, a lingering reminder of that unforeseen chill.

Lin Yiyang's sharp elbow grazed her cheek as their bodies pressed together on the cramped sofa bed. He leaned closer, his warm breath whispering against the bridge of her nose and lips. He cupped her chin, fingers brushing a stray curl, his desire evident in the way his eyes darkened. He wanted to kiss her but hesitated.

Instead, he dipped his head, planting a soft kiss on her chin, then trailing down to the sensitive skin behind her ear. Her breath hitched, and a shiver ran down her spine.

Earlier that day, at Union Station, Lin Yiyang knew he was a goner the moment he saw her. Her worry etched lines on her brow, her eyes mirroring a profound distress. It was the sincerity in her eyes that hit him the hardest. A raw honesty that demanded reciprocity, a connection that left no room for ambiguity, no easy retreat.

A cynical smile played on Lin Yiyang's lips as he contemplated his future with Yin Guo. He could envision a smooth, effortless relationship, free from the complexities of commitment or the sting of heartbreak. Yet, even if she were to despise and discard him someday, a pang of longing would resonate within him. Even if she elicited his empathy, prompting him to retreat, his affection for her would remain unyielding.

He believed in the unwavering pursuit of what he desired, a trait that had shaped his life up to that point.

As their lips met, a wave of innocent wonder washed over Yin Guo. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart hammered against her ribs, echoing the intensity of their first kiss.

A pang of empathy struck Lin Yiyang as he recalled his classmates in their university dorm, a couple separated by the vast distance between Beijing and Sichuan. Every few months, they'd embark on arduous journeys, their fares enriching China Railway's coffers. Upon reunion, their classmates would become inseparable, clinging to each other like drowning sailors, each stolen moment precious, each second cherished.

Theirs was a love fueled by rarity, where every encounter held the electrifying thrill of a first meeting. Kisses exchanged, hesitant yet passionate, felt like uncharted territory.

And now, Lin Yiyang found himself mirroring their story. He gathered her close, his touch a warm current spreading through her body. He trailed kisses across her neck, her forehead, the sensitive shell of her ear, and the whisper-soft strands of her hair. Their breaths mingled, their gazes locked, a whirlwind of emotions swirling around them.

"Hold on," she gasped, her voice breathless. "Let me book a hotel first, I'm afraid.." Her voice trailed off, a hint of panic creeping in. "I'm afraid there will be no more empty rooms later."