late at night

The sudden novelty can make people highly focused and excited, but then they will quickly fall into fatigue and drowsiness.

Baiyi went to bed early and very soundly that night.

Seeing the Christmas decorations the driver brought back from the city, Zhong Yunxi had no choice but to make them himself.

Tomorrow night is Christmas Eve, and Zhong Yunxi originally planned to decorate the Christmas tree with her tonight, but she was so sleepy after dinner that she couldn't keep her eyes open.

The housekeeper and maid offered to help him, but he declined. He rarely did things in Vietnam and Hong Kong that involved only physical action and not critical thinking. He enjoyed these moments.

In the past, when he came to northern Xinjiang in winter, he would only shovel snow and wouldn't care about festivals like this, much less do such handicrafts.

But Bai Yi came this year, and she likes these things.

His gift to Bai Yi was as simple and straightforward as ever: his personal manager selected luxury brands from all over the world, packed them all up, and loaded them onto a plane to fly with them from Vietnam to northern Xinjiang.

It was baffling and superfluous, since even if Bai Yi were dismantled here, everything would still have to be brought back to Yuegang, but Zhong Yunxi was willing to go through all this trouble. He didn't think Bai Yi's matter was futile.

The Christmas tree was a living spruce tree over two meters tall. When it was brought back, it had been cleaned up and was lush and green. He hung it with lights and ornaments little by little and piled the gift boxes he brought under the Christmas tree.

At room temperature, the spruce gradually releases the unique fragrance of pine trees, which is crisp and clear.

The fireplace was burning smokeless charcoal, which crackled softly from time to time.

It wasn't difficult, but it was very tedious. Zhong Yunxi didn't finish these tasks until almost 1 a.m.

Back in the bedroom, he hugged her from behind. Bai Yi seemed to sense him and turned over to snuggle closer to him.

Zhong Yunxi couldn't bear to wake her, so he just patted her back.

Even in northern Xinjiang, Zhong Yunxi's biological clock remained stubborn. When Bai Yi woke up, he had already shoveled snow and walked the dog during the blues hour before sunrise in northern Xinjiang.

When Bai Yi opened her eyes, it was almost eleven o'clock. She was a little dazed and even started to recall what time she had gone to bed last night. Had she actually managed to sleep until this late?

After washing up, she went downstairs and saw Zhong Yunxi wearing a turtleneck cashmere sweater, windproof pants, and a down jacket hanging on a hanger. She knew he had probably already done a lot.

She stared blankly, not understanding what was going on.

Zhong Yunxi asked with a smile, "What time is it?"

Bai Yi: ...

Is the watch broken?

Zhong Yunxi's smile widened: "You sleep in so late that you don't even reflect on yourself?"

She saw the Christmas tree in the living room and her eyes lit up. "When was it put up?"

“Last night.” Zhong Yunxi came over and pulled her to a restaurant for dinner.

She looked at the baked buns and milk tea, and realized, "This is breakfast, right? So there's a time difference between Xinjiang and Yuegang, isn't there?"

The aunt explained to her, "It's your first time here and you're not used to it. It doesn't get light until 10 a.m., so what you're eating now is breakfast. Lunch is at 2 p.m.

She glared at Zhong Yunxi.

During dinner, Zhong Yunxi asked her, "What do you want to do today?"

"Build a snowman."

"Use your imagination. Snowy days aren't just for building snowmen."

Bai Yi then said, "Let's ride a sled."

Zhong Yunxi nodded and smiled, "Okay, let Amir pull you."

Bai Yi: ...

Aren't you going skiing today?

Zhong Yunxi turned his head to look at her and seriously told her about the travel guide, "No rush, I'll accompany you first, take you hiking along the Hemu River to see the rime ice, take some photos for you, and then we'll go see the sunset in the afternoon."

"Can we not walk?" Bai Yi frowned when he heard about walking.

He laughed, "You might fall into the river while rafting to see the rime ice."

Bai Yi: ...

Zhong Yunxi stopped trying to scare her: "It won't be a long walk, we'll drive there."

It snowed for most of last night, and the resort was exceptionally quiet. Even the birds in the spruce forest were too lazy to come out and disturb the fresh snow.

The roads were clean, with no snow accumulation, as the resort had cleared the roads early in the morning.

As the car drove along, leaving the resort, there was an endless snowscape, and behind the spruce forest, the mist rose from the Hemu River.

Bai Yi drew simple sketches on the car window.

When she sees beautiful scenery or a suitable viewing platform along the way, she gets off to play in the snow and take pictures.

Zhong Yunxi flew a drone to help film her.

The two walked along the Hemu River to see the rime ice. The ice and snow wrapped around the needle-like leaves of the spruce trees, making them delicate and cold, and the light became as fragmented as if it had been reflected by diamonds.

Countless mushroom-shaped snowdrifts of varying sizes and adorable shapes float on the river.

When Bai Yi couldn't walk anymore, she would drag Zhong Yunxi's arm and call him "husband" in a coquettish manner.

Zhong Yunxi looked at her and smiled helplessly: "Come on, I'll carry you on my back."

Bai Yi asked him a series of questions from his back, "Do you come here every year?"

"Um."

"With whom?"

Zhong Yunxi couldn't help but laugh: "Get straight to the point if you want to know something, no need for preamble."

Bai Yi, wearing thick gloves, patted his shoulder and said, "Just answer whatever I ask."

“Yes, you came alone.” Zhong Yunxi patiently answered her questions.

Bai Yi leaned closer to him, "Just skiing? Do you also come to see the rime ice and take pictures by yourself?"

Zhong Yunxi looked down at his feet. The riverbank was too quiet. The spruce forest seemed to be frozen by the frost, and there wasn't even the sound of snow falling. Only Zhong Yunxi's shoes crunched on the snow with each step.

"Yes. I'll also come here to walk Amir."

This was the first time he had spoken to anyone about his past, about the things he had done on his own.

Bai Yi peeked out and gently touched his cheek with her lips: "Zhong Yunxi, I'm so good to you, accompanying you to such a freezing place."

Zhong Yunxi smiled silently, glancing at her sideways: "Well, Mrs. Zhong, I couldn't ask for more. Could you please be even nicer to me in the future?"

Bai Yi answered irrelevantly: "Is your birthday coming up after Christmas?"

“You remember?” Zhong Yunxi asked in surprise.

It was a pleasant surprise that Bai Yi remembered his birthday; he had never expected Bai Yi to remember it.

"Your ID number is on the marriage certificate, of course I remember it. It's the 27th."

She spoke casually, but Zhong Yunxi still found it rare, since his parents didn't remember much.

Bai Yi then asked, "Can my gift be both a Christmas present and a birthday present?"

Zhong Yunxi was only happy for two seconds before she made him laugh in exasperation.

"You're trying to save money on this?"

Bai Yi shook him, "You're not allowed to be picky."

Upon hearing her say that, Zhong Yunxi's heart softened before his words, and he replied, "Alright then."

In the end, Zhong Yunxi carried her back to the car.

After spending a long time in the cold outdoor environment, the body's instinctive need for carbohydrates is strong, so Bai Yi didn't ask Zhong Yunxi to urge her to eat.

After dinner, I noticed she was sleepy and didn't want to go back to the bedroom. She said the sound of the fireplace was so soothing and she liked listening to it.

Zhong Yunxi went upstairs and brought down a quilt for her to sleep on the sofa in the living room.

He then sat down to work, planning to take her to see the sunset in the evening.

Outside was a stunningly beautiful snowy wonderland, while inside was a cozy and comforting fireplace. Both soothed one's nerves to a state of unparalleled comfort, and Baiyi slept very soundly.

At dusk, the sunset and snow view from the third-floor terrace is breathtaking.

The pure white of the snow obscures all the colors of the earth, allowing the golden-pink sunset to reveal its pure, ultimate, and undisturbed magnificence.

Bai Yi wore a pure white bunny ear hat and down jacket, her fair and gentle profile, and her curled eyelashes were bathed in a golden halo from the setting sun, as if a soft-focus filter had been applied.

Then came the deep blues moment after the golden light faded.

Bai Yi glanced at Zhong Yunxi and felt that his expression and eyes had blended into the sky, making it almost impossible for her to see clearly.

"Zhong Yunxi." Bai Yi seemed flustered for a moment and involuntarily called out to him, very softly.

Zhong Yunxi turned his head to the side, and the glimmer in his eyes, against the deep blue sky, twinkled like a star.

He smiled and opened his arms: "Shall I come downstairs to open your Christmas presents?"

Bai Yi jumped into his arms and was held in his embrace. "I also have a Christmas present for you. Although it's not as many as the one you gave me."

Zhong Yunxi helped her finish the sentence: "But your feelings are priceless, aren't they?"

Bai Yi buried her face in his neck and laughed, "Do you have a problem with that?"

No. I wouldn't dare.

Zhong Yunxi always knew the standard answers to make her happy.

"Then you're not allowed to dislike it. You have to agree to whatever I give you."

Zhong Yunxi nodded. "When have I ever chosen you? Haven't you always been the one choosing me?"

After dinner, she first unpacked half of her own gift, then went upstairs to open her suitcase and brought down a small wooden box.

As usual, Zhong Yunxi was working on the small movable table next to the sofa.

Bai Yi handed him the wooden box, saying, "Your gift."

This wooden box was the same gift box Zhong Yunxi had given her. Zhong Yunxi took it with both hands, laughing and saying, "Reusing waste, huh?"

Bai Yi reached out and pushed him, then turned around and continued unpacking her pile of gifts: "I told you you're not allowed to dislike them."

Zhong Yunxi carried the box, pushed aside the movable desk, sat down in the single sofa by the fireplace, and slowly unpacked it.

A bottle of perfume, two books of poetry.

It was Neruda and Borges, the names he wanted. He turned to the last page, and as he wished, Bai Yi had written his name more than a dozen times.

The perfume is a light brown liquid with no brand. The self-adhesive label has the words "Er Su Jiu Ju" written in white ink.

The old story sounds like a lingering, gentle tale.

He looked up and saw a person sitting on the carpet, their lips slightly upturned as they busily unwrapped gifts in the soft glow of the Christmas tree's twinkling lights.

He turned on and pressed the showerhead.

Bai Yi had given him perfume before, but this one was different.

The fragrance is crisp and refreshing, with a warm and dry sandalwood scent and a serene floral aroma.

This is much more substantial than the bottle I received last time.

He is a night traveler carrying the weight of stars, moon, frost, and snow on his shoulders.

He flipped through the poetry collection and saw signs that Bai Yi had read it.

Old books, old situations. She secretly gave him her deep, hidden, and sensitive feelings.

"...

...

I'm desperately searching for my other half.

To be worthy of her

I searched the vast world.

I have forgotten her name.

I only remember the pain and tenderness.

And that sunset, in Texas.

He put the book and perfume into the box, got up, and went over to pick up Baiyi.

Bai Yi smelled the perfume on him and leaned close to his collar: "This one smells better, doesn't it?"

Zhong Yunxi carried her back to the armchair by the fireplace and asked, "Did you make this yourself?"

She denied it, laughing and saying, "I bought it; it was made in a small workshop."

Zhong Yunxi stopped talking, stroked her back and kissed her.

His lips parted and closed, gently sucking and grinding, like sipping cream, pressing against her lips, finely rubbing and teasing.

As soon as she opened her mouth, Zhong Yunxi took her lower lip into his mouth and sucked on it with increased force.

Zhong Yunxi patiently made her feel uneasy.

Her lips were moist and slightly numb, and she couldn't help but stick out her tongue and lick it into Zhong Yunxi's mouth. Zhong Yunxi seemed unwilling to waste any more time, so he held her tongue in his mouth and gradually pulled it out with force.

She couldn't stand being pulled like that and felt pain at the back of her tongue.

Zhong Yunxi's strength gradually increased, patiently yet irresistibly.

Just from kissing, I was already so flustered that my back was sticky and sweaty.

She felt Zhong Yunxi's hand slip inside her cashmere sweater, against her skin, occasionally grabbing her waist before quickly letting go.

His palms were dry and warm, and as he caressed her, she felt both itchy and comfortable. Her skin transmitted this sensation to her brain and spine, causing her to tremble slightly.

The single sofa wasn't spacious enough, so she curled up her legs and listened to Zhong Yunxi's shallow breaths.

Zhong Yunxi picked her up and carried her upstairs.

The snow and moonlight acted as each other's reflectors; the curtains in the room were not drawn, and the cold light spilled down with the snow.

Zhong Yunxi held her and reached out to pull the curtains with one hand, but she only let him pull them halfway: "It's snowing again, I want to see."

At first, the snow fell sparsely and gently, and she was also lazy, occasionally giving Zhong Yunxi a series of soft kisses, which Zhong Yunxi thoughtfully pleased her.

She didn't know when, but she opened her eyes weakly and groggily. The snow was falling heavily, covering everything, as if it could suffocate her. She felt as if she had been soaked by the heavy snow, her body dripping with moisture, yet she also felt like she had a fever, her mouth was dry and her mind was unclear.

When the snow stopped, she didn't know; she felt as if it had been snowing all night, in varying degrees, without stopping.

Zhong Yunxi almost never loses control or indulges in extreme behavior.

When he engages in extreme sports, the more extreme and dangerous the activity, the more restrained and clear-headed he becomes.

All his indulgences stemmed from Bai Yi.

Bai Yi freely spends his money, time, affection, and even his body and hormones; he has lost all self-control.

He reached for the box on the bedside table again, but when he found it empty, he didn't reflect on his actions. Instead, he regretted it for a few minutes. Why didn't he put a new box in? Did he not believe he could be so indulgent?

He now wishes he could yell at his past self, who had once restrained himself, "Do you need that half-box of condoms?"

As a result of this indulgence, my biological clock also became out of balance.

Awakened by the continuous vibrations of the messages, he subconsciously looked at the person in his arms. Bai Yi was sleeping very deeply, almost like a hibernation state caused by overload.

Only then did he feel a slight sense of regret.

I picked up my phone and glanced at it; it contained a few messages from Wen Ying.

"The management has resolved the issues related to the Sijian Biopharmaceutical and Chemical Drug Project."

"Regarding the traditional Chinese medicine sector, I want to cut the entire traditional Chinese medicine business unit, but the Sijian board of directors strongly opposes this, and I need the support of Leading Venture."

"Sijian Traditional Chinese Medicine started slowly, lacked advantageous projects, and couldn't afford to waste time. In the pharmaceutical industry today, if you don't focus on a vertical field, you'll be dragged down."

"Okay," he replied, tossing his phone onto the sofa at the foot of the bed.