During The Blizzard (Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love)

Canto 25: Enchantment

"In the subtle dance of shared glances and unspoken words, the delicate petals of affection between Yin Guo and Lin Yiyang began to unfurl, painting a canvas of blooming emotions in the silent chapters of their journey."

Translator: Wuxia Studio, Editor: Twins Fantastic

Lin Yiyang hunched slightly to match her height, his head dipping to catch a whiff of her perfume. Light, sweet, and fruity, it lingered like a memory after his six-hour journey, from New York to Washington.

The train ride, punctuated by transfers to buses and subways, had stretched into a wearying seven hours. Every week, the twelve-hour round trip felt like an eternity, a stark contrast to the swiftness of a flight back to China. He closed his eyes, the city noises sharpening around him as if his hearing strained to compensate for the visual void.

In the dimly lit billiard room, the echoes of the snooker match lingered. Curious patrons peppered the temporary referee with questions, their eagerness to play palpable. The air thrummed with the low hum of conversation and the rhythmic click of billiard balls from another table.

The boss, hunched over a stack of discs Lin Yiyang had copied, cued up a song.

The melancholic strains of "Obvious" by Westlife drifted through the open doorway, blending with the gentle hum of conversation and the rhythmic click of billiard balls from within. The song was recommended by Lin Yiyang and mirrored the unspoken feelings simmering between him and Yin Guo. The lyrics spoke of a love unrequited, a yearning hidden beneath the guise of friendship, a sentiment that resonated deeply within Lin Yiyang.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the music, inquiring about the availability of his private room.

"Not allowed," the boss's voice boomed from inside. "No one will use it except for Lin and his girl."

Yin Guo felt his chin almost resting on her shoulders. "Can I have a hug?" he asked in a low voice.

Her soft heart wavered, but she playfully declined, "No," a light smile playing on her lips.

He caught the playful tone in her voice, a smile tugging at his own lips. He tilted his head, his gaze burning into hers. If eyes could convey intense emotions, Lin Yiyang's did just that.

Two young men, their laughter echoing off the walls, emerged from the corner, heading towards the billiard room. Lin Yiyang and Yin Guo, pressed against the left door, instinctively shifted to avoid them. The cramped space and their towering figures made the inevitable unavoidable. Yin Guo felt a jolt as her shoe heel was nudged. With a polite smile, she took a small step forward.

Lin Yiyang, amusement dancing in his eyes, countered, "No, and here  you're still leaning on me?"

Yin Guo's cheeks flushed a light pink. Caught between playful banter and a yearning for something more, she stammered, "I, uh, I just didn't want to be in the way."

Lin Yiyang's gaze softened, the intensity replaced by a hint of understanding. He leaned in slightly, his voice barely a whisper, "Neither do I."

Yin Guo turned towards the dining car, her gaze lingering for a moment. "How about... hot dogs?" she suggested, her voice laced with a hint of weariness. Staring at the boss for what felt like an eternity, she knew she always had to take charge.

Their palms were slick with sweat, both hers and Lin Yiyang's. The tension was palpable.

Noticing the little girl's dejection, Lin Yiyang called out to Melo. "Could you please fetch our clothes?" he asked politely. The request was met with immediate action, the clothes delivered as if eagerly awaited, hidden behind the door.