Winter break dating

The New Year's Eve celebration at Nangang Central Plaza is always packed with people.

Xu Ying stood under the streetlamp by the fountain, stamping her feet to keep warm. She was wearing that red scarf today—a prize Zong Heng won playing basketball last week, which he casually tossed to her, saying, "Red suits you." In her down jacket pocket, her phone screen lit up and went off for the tenth time.

21:47.

He said he'd be there at 9:30, but he's late again.

She exhaled a puff of white breath, watching it dissipate in the cold air. Couples were everywhere around her; a girl was tiptoeing to tie her boyfriend's scarf, and he took the opportunity to steal a kiss on her cheek. Xu Ying quickly looked away, her earlobes subtly turning red.

My phone suddenly vibrated.

[Turn around]

Two simple words, without even punctuation—typical Zong Heng style. Xu Ying's heart skipped a beat, and her scarf billowed in an arc as she turned around.

Ten steps away, Zong Heng stood in the crowd, one hand in his pocket. He wasn't wearing his school uniform; his black overcoat was open, revealing a gray turtleneck sweater underneath. The streetlights cast varying shadows on his sharply defined face, his jawline taut, as if he had just rushed from some important occasion.

Just as Xu Ying was about to speak, she was bumped into by a drunkard who had pushed his way through the crowd, causing her to stumble. Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her shoulder, and the familiar scent of mint mixed with tobacco enveloped her.

"Watch where you're going." Zong Heng's voice rang out above him, tinged with obvious displeasure. The drunkard was startled by his gaze and muttered as he walked away.

Xu Ying then noticed that he was carrying something in his right hand.

"Hot cocoa?" Her eyes lit up.

Zong Heng released her and shoved the paper cup at her: "I added your favorite mint syrup." The water droplets condensed on the cup dampened his fingertips, shimmering under the light.

Xu Ying warmed her hands with the cup, then secretly glanced at him: "How did you know I'd come to the square?"

"The note you exchanged with Lin Xiaoyu during yesterday's self-study period." He raised an eyebrow. "I sat behind you."

"You were peeking!"

"You were passing notes so loudly." Zong Heng suddenly leaned down, his nose almost touching hers. "Xu Ying, passing notes in class is a offense."

His breath carried a faint scent of mint, and Xu Ying instantly blushed from her cheeks to the roots of her neck.

The giant screen in the square began playing a New Year's Eve special, and the crowd gradually gathered towards the center. Zong Heng suddenly grabbed Xu Ying's wrist: "Come with me."

"Where to? There are so many people—"

She was interrupted before she could finish speaking. Zong Heng led her through the crowded streets, winding her way through the throngs, finally stopping under the eaves of a closed bookstore. The location was slightly elevated, offering a clear view of the large screen without being swallowed up by the crowd.

"How do you know about this place?" Xu Ying asked curiously, looking around.

Zong Heng didn't answer, but reached out and straightened her crooked scarf. His fingers inadvertently brushed against her chin, the cool temperature making Xu Ying shiver slightly.

"cold?"

"fine..."

The next second, Zong Heng pulled open his coat and wrapped her inside. Xu Ying was caught off guard and bumped into his arms, hearing his strong heartbeat through her sweater.

"It's not cold this way." His voice was muffled, as if he were explaining or trying to convince himself.

Xu Ying froze, afraid to move. Zong Heng's body heat seeped through the fabric, mingling with the faint scent of laundry detergent. She suddenly noticed a black earring in his left ear—she had never seen him wear one before.

"Newly bought?" she pointed.

Zong Heng's expression suddenly turned strange: "It's the old man's birthday banquet; he insisted I wear it."

Xu Ying then noticed that his attire was indeed more formal than usual today. She remembered that her homeroom teacher had mentioned last week that Zong Heng's father was a director of a certain group.

"You...aren't you going home?"

"Hmm." Zong Heng clearly didn't want to talk more, and instead pinched her cheek. "Focus on the countdown."

The numbers on the big screen started to jump: 00:10:00.

Zong Heng suddenly turned around and cupped her face in his hands. His thumbs brushed against the corners of her slightly reddened eyes, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "Xu Ying, when have I ever lied to you?"

"Five, four, three..."

The countdown echoed across the square, and the crowd began to shout in unison. Xu Ying looked up at the big screen, her heart pounding faster with each tick of the numbers.

Zong Heng's hand had somehow slipped to her waist, and he pulled her closer to him.

"Two, one! Happy New Year!"

Brilliant fireworks exploded in the night sky, illuminating half the city. Amid cheers, Xu Ying felt Zong Heng lower his head, his warm breath brushing against her ear:

"Xu Ying, let's be together next year too."

Before she could respond, a soft touch touched her lips. Zong Heng's kiss was light, tentative and cautious, completely unlike his usual arrogant self. Xu Ying gripped his clothes tightly, tasting the sweetness of the mint.

Fireworks burst overhead, their intermittent bursts of light casting long shadows of the two. When they parted, Zong Heng's ears were bright red, but he forced himself to remain calm.

Xu Ying was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground, but Zong Heng suddenly burst into laughter, picked her up, and spun her around.

The sound of police sirens came from afar; it turned out that the rooftop they were standing on was a VIP area reserved for some important figure. Zong Heng grabbed Xu Ying and ran, the two weaving through the crowded streets like Romeo and Juliet fleeing a disaster.

By the time they reached the subway entrance, Xu Ying was already out of breath. Zong Heng suddenly hugged her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head: "Xu Ying."

"Um?"

"Happy New Year."

His voice was gentler than ever before. Xu Ying turned around and found that Zong Heng's eyes reflected the lingering fireworks, shining brightly.

The first snowflake fell at that moment, landing precisely on his eyelashes. Xu Ying reached out to touch it as if possessed, but Zong Heng grabbed her wrist.

"One more kiss?" he asked, pushing his luck.

Xu Ying blushed and shook her head, but Zong Heng had already lowered his head and kissed her. This kiss was much more passionate than before. He held the back of her head with one hand and wrapped the other around her waist, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

As the New Year's bells rang for the second time, Xu Ying vaguely thought: This would probably be the most unforgettable New Year's Eve of her life.

The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier, pattering against the glass.

She caught a cold the day after returning from New Year's Eve. Xu Ying curled up in bed, her forehead burning hot, her nose bright red, and she sneezed three times in a row. She took out her phone; the screen showed 12:37 AM. The last message was from Zong Heng an hour earlier: [I got the medicine, wait.]

Just as she was about to reply, she suddenly heard a muffled thud outside the window, as if something heavy had fallen onto the balcony. Immediately following was a click—the soft sound of the window being pried open.

Xu Ying jumped in fright, grabbed the bedside lamp, and stepped barefoot onto the cold floor. The curtains were suddenly flung open, and a dark figure nimbly slid in.

"who--"

"Shh, it's me."

The familiar voice instantly deflated her. Zong Heng shook off the snowflakes covering his body; ice shards still clung to his black windbreaker. His eyelashes were frosted, yet he smiled with a roguish air: "Surprised?"

Enraged, Xu Ying threw the desk lamp at him: "Are you crazy? This is the third floor!"

Zong Heng easily caught the desk lamp and casually placed it on the desk: "It's troublesome to register to use the main entrance." He took off his wet coat, revealing only a thin black sweater underneath, showing off his well-defined forearms.

"You..." Xu Ying was about to speak when she suddenly sneezed.

Zong Heng frowned, strode over, and placed his icy hand directly on her forehead. Xu Ying shivered from the cold, yet she craved the coolness of his palm.

"You have a fever." His voice turned somber. "Lie back down."

Xu Ying was pushed back onto the bed by him, and only then did she notice that he was carrying a plastic bag in his right hand, filled with medicine boxes. Zong Heng pulled a thermometer out of the bag and, without saying a word, shoved it into her mouth: "Suck it."

His fingers brushed against her lips, carrying the scent of wind and snow. Xu Ying obediently held the thermometer in her mouth, gazing at his handsome profile under the light. There was a fresh bloodstain on his brow bone, as if he had been scratched by a tree branch.

"You're injured," she said vaguely.

Zong Heng casually rubbed his brow bone: "I scraped it when I was climbing over the wall, it's just a minor injury." He took out fever reducers, cold medicine, anti-inflammatory drugs, and even a box of throat lozenges from the bag and lined them up on the bedside table.

Xu Ying stared in disbelief: "You robbed a pharmacy?"

"I don't know which one will work," he said, taking the thermometer out of her mouth and looking at it under the light. "38.5°C, not bad."

Outside the window, the wind and snow howled, but the room felt strangely warm because of his presence. Zong Heng took out the last item from the bag—a cup of still-steaming milk tea.

"I just happened to be passing by a bubble tea shop, so I bought this." He shoved the bubble tea into her hand. "Ginger milk pudding, it'll warm you up."

Xu Ying held the warm cup, the perfect temperature radiating from her fingertips. Suddenly, her nose stung with tears—this milk tea shop was in the east of the city, at least a forty-minute drive from her home.

The humming sound of a kettle came from the kitchen.

Xu Ying leaned against the headboard, listening to Zong Heng rummaging through cups in her kitchen. He moved very quietly, but occasionally the crisp sound of porcelain clinking could still be heard.

"Where did you put your sugar?" His voice came from the kitchen.

"To the left of the wall cabinet," Xu Ying called out, "What do you need candy for?"

Zong Heng returned with a glass of freshly prepared cold medicine, the dark brown liquid steaming. "The medicine is too bitter, add sugar."

Xu Ying wrinkled her nose: "I'm not a child..."

"Open your mouth." Without waiting for a reply, he held the cup to her lips.

The smell of medicine wafted towards her, and Xu Ying instinctively leaned back, but Zong Heng held the back of her head. He narrowed his eyes: "Will you drink it yourself, or should I feed you?"

"I...I can do it myself!"

She took the cup, held her breath, and took a big gulp, her face contorting with bitterness. Suddenly, Zong Heng grabbed her chin and shoved something into her mouth.

The sweet strawberry flavor explodes on your tongue instantly.

"Throat lozenges," he said with a slight smile, "a reward for a good boy."

Xu Ying, with a candy in her mouth, felt her cheeks burning. Zong Heng sat by the bed, so close that she could smell the scent of wind, snow, and mint emanating from him. His black hair was still damp, sticking out messily, which made him look less fierce and more gentle and domestic.

"Your hair..." She reached out as if possessed, her fingertips touching his cold hair ends.

Zong Heng froze for a moment, but didn't dodge.

Xu Ying gently brushed aside the damp stray hairs on his forehead and suddenly noticed that the tips of his ears were red. This discovery made her heart race—even the arrogant Zong Heng could be shy.

"Stop fooling around." He grabbed her mischievous hand, his voice a little hoarse. "Drink your medicine."

Xu Ying obediently finished the rest of her medicine, sticking out her tongue from the bitterness. Zong Heng then took out a piece of candy from his pocket, but this time he didn't give it to her directly. Instead, he held it between his fingers and waved it: "Want some?"

Xu Ying nodded.

"Take it yourself."

She reached out to grab him, but Zong Heng suddenly raised his arm. Xu Ying missed and fell into his arms. Zong Heng chuckled softly, the vibration of his chest coming through the thin fabric of his clothes.

"Throw yourself into my arms?" he whispered in her ear, his breath hot enough to make her ears tingle.

Xu Ying blushed and tried to get up, but he pressed her down on her lower back. Zong Heng unwrapped the candy, this time holding it in his mouth and bringing it close to her: "It's sweeter this way."

His lips almost touched hers, the scent of strawberries mingled with a faint tobacco aroma filling the air between them. Xu Ying's heart pounded, and she was about to close her eyes—

"Click".

The sound of a key turning came from the front door.

The two froze simultaneously.

"My mom's back!" Xu Ying jumped up from Zong Heng's arms in a panic.

Zong Heng remained surprisingly calm, quickly popping the candy into his own mouth and wiping the medicine stains from the corner of her mouth: "What's the panic?"

The footsteps grew closer, and Xu Ying paced anxiously, yelling, "The wardrobe! No, the balcony! Hurry—"

"Yingying? Why aren't you asleep yet?" Mrs. Xu's voice came from the living room.

Zong Heng suddenly pressed Xu Ying back onto the bed, pulled the blanket over her tightly, and then quickly stood in front of the desk, picked up a math notebook, and pretended to look through it.

The moment the doorknob turned, Xu Ying's heart leaped into her throat.

When Mrs. Xu pushed open the door and entered, she was visibly taken aback by the scene inside: "And this is...?"

"Hello, Auntie." Zong Heng stood ramrod straight, his voice impeccably polite. "I'm Xu Ying's classmate, here to deliver some study materials."

Xu Ying then noticed that her math notes had been spread out on the table at some point, with several pens neatly placed next to them, clearly indicating that she was in the middle of a tutoring session.

Mrs. Xu looked at Zong Heng suspiciously: "Studying so late?"

"The key points for the final exam," Zong Heng said without changing his expression, "are that Xu Ying is sick and has missed class, so I'll help her catch up."

His expression was so honest that even Xu Ying almost believed him. Xu's mother's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them, finally landing on the half-finished ginger milk tea on the bedside table.

Zong Heng followed her gaze and calmly explained, "It's for dispelling the cold."

Looking at her daughter's flushed cheeks again, Mrs. Xu finally relented, "Well... thank you. But it's too late now, classmate..."

"I'm leaving now." Zong Heng closed his notebook, gave a polite bow, and said, "Goodbye, Auntie."

He turned and walked out, and as he passed Xu Ying's bedside, his fingertips quickly scratched her palm. Xu Ying clenched her fists, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest.

As Mrs. Xu saw Zongheng to the door, she suddenly asked, "Classmate, what's your name?"

"Zong Heng." He paused, then added, "The 'Zong' in 'religious studies,' and the 'Heng' with the 'king' radical."

Mrs. Xu nodded thoughtfully.

The moment the door closed, Xu Ying let out a long sigh of relief, only then realizing her back was completely soaked. She took out her phone and sent Zong Heng a message: 【Did you get out safely?】

Three minutes later, her phone vibrated. She opened the window and saw Zong Heng standing by the streetlight downstairs, snowflakes swirling around him. He looked up and held up his phone.

A message pops up: "[Check your pocket.]"

Xu Ying reached into her down jacket pocket and pulled out a box of throat lozenges and a note. The note, scrawled in a flamboyant hand, read: "Take your medicine three times a day on time. If you dare not rest properly, I'll climb through the window and deal with you."

She couldn't help but laugh out loud, and when she looked up again, Zong Heng's figure had already disappeared into the snowstorm. Only the footprints under the streetlights proved that he had really been there.

Outside the window, the snow was falling even harder.

Xu Ying stood by the window, watching Zong Heng's figure gradually disappear into the swirling snow. She lowered her head and stroked the mint candy; his hasty handwriting on the wrapper seemed to carry warmth, making her fingertips tremble slightly.

When I miss you, I eat candy.

She chuckled softly, unwrapped the candy, and popped the mint into her mouth. The crisp sweetness melted on her tongue, like his arrogant yet tender kiss.

The snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier, the halo of the streetlights being cut into hazy patches by the snowflakes. Xu Ying was about to draw the curtains when she caught a glimpse of an unfamiliar black sedan parked at the street corner. The window was half-rolled down, and she could vaguely see figures moving inside.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The car was so quiet, as quiet as a beast lurking in the snowy night, and the road Zong Heng had just walked on was directly opposite that half-open car window.

Xu Ying subconsciously took out her phone and quickly sent a message to Zong Heng:

There's a car behind you that hasn't moved.

As soon as the message was sent, she saw the car's headlights suddenly turn on, the blinding white light piercing through the snow, the engine roaring as it slowly followed the direction Zong Heng had left in.

Her fingers gripped the window frame tightly.

Zong Heng's phone vibrated, and he replied quickly:

"Never mind, close the window."

Those four simple words instantly chilled Xu Ying's blood.

Zong Heng walked through the snow with his hands in his pockets, followed slowly by a black sedan. The sound of its wheels rolling over the snow sounded like a malicious chuckle.

He had already discovered it.

The car stopped at the street corner the moment he stepped out of Xu Ying's residential compound. The glint of the camera lens behind the window and the barely audible shutter sound made him instantly understand the other party's intentions.

—His father's man.

Zong Heng sneered, then suddenly stopped and turned to face the car.

Snow fell on his brow bone and shoulders, but his eyes were colder than the snow.

The black sedan also stopped, and the window was rolled down completely, revealing the face of a middle-aged man—Old Chen, the Zong family's driver and one of his father's most trusted informants.

"Young Master, the Master sent me to pick you up." Old Chen's tone was respectful, but his eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.

Zong Heng didn't move, his voice as cold as ice: "Have you taken enough pictures?"

Old Chen remained unfazed: "I was just following orders."

"What orders? To spy on me?" Zong Heng sneered. "Go back and tell him to stop using such underhanded tactics."

Old Chen paused for a moment, then suddenly handed an envelope out of the car: "The master said that once you read this, you will understand the importance of this matter."

Zong Heng didn't take it. The envelope was blown open by the wind and snow, revealing a photo inside—a picture of him kissing Xu Ying in the square that night, and his back as he climbed over the wall into her residential area.

"Threatening me?" Zong Heng's eyes suddenly turned cold.

Old Chen sighed, "Young Master, why are you arguing with the Master over a girl? Miss Lin will be returning from England next month, and the Master hopes you..."

"You want me to marry into your family?" Zong Heng interrupted him, suddenly grabbing Old Chen's collar with such force that he almost pulled the man out of the car window. "Go back and tell him that if he dares to touch Xu Ying again, I don't mind showing the Lin family what kind of person their future 'son-in-law' is."

Old Chen's face turned pale. Zong Heng had already let go of his hand and turned to leave in a hurry.

A series of deep footprints were left on the snow, which were quickly covered by fresh snow.

Xu Ying didn't sleep well all night.

Her dreams were filled with that eerie black car and the chill hidden behind Zong Heng's words, "Don't worry about it." As soon as dawn broke, she got up to call him, but his phone was switched off after three attempts.

She bit her lip and opened their chat history. The last message was from last night: "Never mind, close the window," and then there was no further communication.

—I might be going away for a few days after the New Year.

——Family affairs.

His words from last night suddenly echoed in her mind, and Xu Ying gripped her phone tightly.

What family matters did he need to hide from her? What family matters would lead him to be followed on a snowy night?

The snow outside the window had stopped, and the sunlight shining on the snow stung her eyes. Xu Ying took a deep breath and pulled out another number from her contacts—Cheng Hao, Zong Heng's best friend.

The phone rang several times before being answered. Cheng Hao's voice was sleepy: "Hello?"

"Cheng Hao, this is Xu Ying." She asked directly, "Is Zong Heng home?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"He didn't come back last night." Cheng Hao's tone suddenly became cautious. "What's wrong?"

Xu Ying's heart sank: "Did he tell you... what happened at home?"

Another silence followed.

“Xu Ying,” Cheng Hao finally spoke, his voice low, “there are some things I can’t say, but… be careful lately, don’t go out alone.”

The phone call ended, leaving Xu Ying standing by the window, her whole body cold.

In the afternoon, Xu Ying decided to go out to buy medicine.

She wrapped her scarf tighter around herself and had just reached the entrance of the residential complex when she felt a gaze fixed on her back. Turning around, she saw several girls in school uniforms standing in front of the convenience store, chatting and laughing, seemingly perfectly normal.

But as she turned into the pharmacy, she saw through the glass door that one of the girls had raised her phone, with the camera pointed directly in her direction.

Xu Ying's palms instantly became sweaty.

Pretending not to notice, she deliberately took a longer route after buying the medicine, slipping into a crowded bubble tea shop. Through the mirror inside, she confirmed that the girl had indeed followed her and was now standing across the street pretending to take a selfie.

Xu Ying took a deep breath, suddenly turned around and rushed out the back door, disappearing into a small alley.

She ran fast, her heart pounding in her chest, only stopping when she was sure she had shaken off the other person. Her back pressed against the cold wall, she shakily pulled out her phone and sent Zong Heng a voice message:

"Someone is following me."

Almost immediately, the phone rang.

Zong Heng's voice was terribly hoarse: "Where?"

“Minsheng Lane.” She gasped for breath, “A girl, wearing the uniform of No. 3 Middle School…”

"Don't move," he interrupted her, the background sounds of hurried footsteps and wind. "I'll be right there."

After hanging up the phone, Xu Ying hugged her arms tightly, when she suddenly heard the sound of high heels clicking on the ground coming from the alley entrance.

"Xu Ying, right?" a strange female voice rang out.

She looked up and saw a woman with exquisite makeup standing at the end of the alley, waving the phone of the "female student" from before, the screen showing a photo of her that had been secretly taken.

"Let me introduce myself," the woman smiled, "I am Lin Yuan, Zong Heng's fiancée."

Xu Ying's breath hitched for a moment.

Lin Yuan approached step by step, her high heels clicking. Her red lips curved into a smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes; it was like a velvet-covered knife.

"What, he didn't mention me to you?" Lin Yuan shook her phone, the candid photo on the screen stinging Xu Ying's eyes. "It seems Young Master Zong doesn't care about you that much."

Xu Ying gripped the medicine bag tightly in her hand, forcing herself to stand firm:

"I don't know you, and I have no interest in hearing what you have to say."

She turned to leave, but Lin Yuan suddenly reached out and grabbed her scarf.

"What's the rush?" Lin Yuan leaned close to her ear, her perfume overpowering. "You think he'd really defy his family for you? Don't be naive. He'll eventually go back to America to inherit the family business, and you—"

She ran her fingertips along Xu Ying's school uniform collar and scoffed, "Can't even afford a decent piece of clothing."

Xu Ying abruptly shook off her hand.

"You followed me just to say this?" Xu Ying looked directly at her, her voice surprisingly calm. "If Zong Heng really wanted to marry you, you wouldn't be standing here threatening me right now."

Lin Yuan's smile froze on her face.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from the alley entrance.

"Xu Ying!"

Zong Heng's voice was like a sharp blade cleaving through the stagnant air. He strode over, pulled Xu Ying behind him, his chest heaving violently, and sweat beading on his forehead, clearly indicating he had run all the way.

Lin Yuan took a half step back, her expression instantly turning aggrieved: "Aheng, I just..."

"Who gave you permission to touch her?" Zong Heng's voice was terrifyingly low.

Lin Yuan's face turned pale, but she forced herself to raise her chin and said, "My uncle asked me to come and see who has bewitched you so much."

Zong Heng suddenly laughed.

He released Xu Ying's hand, stepped forward, and looked down at Lin Yuan: "Go back and tell him that if he sends anyone to harass Xu Ying again, I will sell the financial loopholes of Lin's Pharmaceuticals to our rivals."

Lin Yuan's pupils constricted sharply: "You...how did you know?"

"roll."

Lin Yuan staggered backward, her high heels getting stuck in the gaps between the paving stones, almost causing her to fall. She awkwardly grabbed the wall for support, gave Xu Ying one last glare, and then turned and fled out of the alley.

The alley quieted down, leaving only the sound of their breathing.

Xu Ying looked down at the tips of her shoes; snow water seeped into her canvas shoes, and her toes were numb with cold. She suddenly felt tired, too tired to speak.

Zong Heng turned around and grasped her cold hand: "Where did she touch you?"

Xu Ying shook her head and withdrew her hand: "I'm fine."

Her avoidance made Zong Heng frown. He raised his hand to touch her face, but she turned her head away.

“Xu Ying.” His voice deepened.

“You knew all along.” She finally looked up, her eyes reddening. “You knew about the arranged marriage, you knew we were being followed, but you didn’t say a word.”

Zong Heng's jaw tightened: "I don't want you to worry."

“But I’m more worried now!” Her voice echoed in the alley, startling the sparrows on the eaves. “Those people can follow me today, and they can find my house tomorrow! What exactly does your father want to do?”

Zong Heng was silent for a moment, then suddenly took off his coat and wrapped it around her, before pulling her out of the alley.

"Where to?" she struggled.

"Let me show you clearly." He squeezed her hand. "After you see it, you can decide whether you want to be angry or not."

Zong Heng took her to an old apartment building in the suburbs.

The elevator stopped at the top floor, and he took out his keys to open the door. Xu Ying stood frozen in the doorway—the room, less than 40 square meters, was covered with photos and documents, all of which were investigative materials about Lin's Pharmaceutical.

“For the past two months, I’ve been investigating the Lin family.” Zong Heng pulled off a photo from his collar, showing a secret meeting between Lin’s father and a black market drug dealer. “They’ve killed people selling fake drugs. Once the evidence is exposed, the marriage alliance will be a joke.”

Xu Ying flipped through the documents in shock: "Does your father know about this?"

“He doesn’t care.” Zong Heng sneered. “The Lin family can help the Zong family open up the North American market, and that’s enough.”

The snow started falling again outside the window, landing on the rusty window frame. Xu Ying suddenly understood why he had been leaving early and returning late these past few days, and why he always had dark circles under his eyes.

She reached out and touched the photos, asking softly, "Why did you have to tell me this?"

Zong Heng hugged her from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head.

“Because you said we’d face it together.” His breath brushed against her ear. “Xu Ying, I won’t let go, but you still have a choice.”

He turned her shoulders, his gaze intense: "Now you know the worst-case scenario—you might have to make enemies of the entire clan, you might be harassed and threatened, even..."

"You might even lose?" she continued his question.

Zong Heng's Adam's apple bobbed, and he nodded.

Xu Ying looked at his tense face and suddenly stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

The kiss was light, yet it sent a shiver down Zong Heng's spine.

"I choose you." She stepped back a little, her nose brushing against his. "I'll accept defeat."

Outside the window, the wind and snow howled, while his heart pounded deafeningly.