Chapter 8 Temperature Difference (Part 2)

Shi Banxia felt the blood rush to her head and her ears were ringing.

On her phone screen, a new photo update she posted on her social media account was displayed—the very photo she had put in the "happy with" section.

—The first preview image in the video is a candid shot of Ji Rendong's profile!

What made Shi Banxia even more embarrassed was that she posted it on her public account, 【Ban·Xiast】, which has a lot of works and fans.

Shi Banxia's camera has a built-in social media app that uploads photos directly to the platform.

Uploading directly is too risky, and Shi Banxia wouldn't be that careless. She would always turn off upload permissions before uploading.

Shi Banxia was somewhat troubled. She didn't have time to guess whether her assistant had accidentally changed the permissions when taking over the account.

Rather than bypassing her permissions and posting the photo directly, she cared more about the photo of Ji Rendong.

The comment notification sound kept going off:

"When did Sister Banxia start taking portraits?! The atmosphere in the photos is amazing!"

"Teacher Xia's new photos have amazing composition and lighting!"

"Xiaxia's photos are really good!? A photographer I used to really like, @【Wintering._】, also posted a set of glacier photos like this~ but she hasn't updated for over a year... (Apologies for being rude, I'll delete this if it attracts criticism)"

【Wintering._】?

While browsing the comments section, Shi Banxia accidentally clicked on this user's profile and discovered that she had liked many of this photographer's works...

Wait… this user followed me?!

"I really can't go on..."

Shi Banxia's fingers trembled as she swiped the screen, trying to delete the post, but the polar network crashed again, and she couldn't click the "delete" button no matter what she tried.

"What's wrong?"

Ji Rendong removed her equipment and saw Shi Banxia standing there in a daze. Somewhat worried, she walked over and followed Shi Banxia's helpless and desperate gaze to the screen.

I also saw that photo.

The air froze instantly. Shi Banxia prepared herself for an awkward silence, or worse—Ji Rendong's displeased accusation.

"Sister Rendong, I accidentally uploaded your photo... I'll delete it right away!" Shi Banxia was somewhat incoherent, her fingers tapping randomly on the screen.

The expected accusations did not come. Ji Rendong took Shi Banxia's phone and scrolled through the surging comments, her expression calm.

After a long while, Ji Rendong returned the phone to Shi Banxia. With her other hand, she flicked Shi Banxia's forehead and said, "No need to apologize. This photo... is quite good."

Shi Banxia exclaimed "Ouch!" and covered her forehead, stunned for a moment.

Ji Rendong's voice was somewhat helpless, yet gentle, and even carried a hint of... indulgence...?

Shi Banxia cautiously asked, "But, I didn't ask you... Is it okay?"

Ji Rendong nodded. "Okay. Let's go inside first, it's cold outside."

Shi Banxia then realized that the two were still standing outside the door, and immediately pulled Ji Rendong into the house.

Back at the research station, Shi Banxia followed behind Ji Rendong. Ji Rendong heard the footsteps behind him and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Until the training was over, Shi Banxia belatedly realized that she was more used to staying by Ji Rendong's side than she had imagined.

I've traveled to so many places alone, and I've clearly gotten used to traveling alone.

Shi Banxia still unconsciously moved closer to that anchor point that made her feel at ease;

Their gazes couldn't help but linger on Ji Rendong a little longer.

Ji Rendong enjoys teamwork, but it's undeniable that she initially didn't really like Shi Banxia.

—During training, his distracted drawing and messing with her personal coffee machine were truly... speechless.

Ke Ji Rendong discovered that in less than two weeks, Shi Banxia's traces had seeped into her life:

She had grown accustomed to Shi Banxia's smiling face and voice, as well as her sparkling eyes and her stubborn, unyielding spirit.

Sometimes she felt that Shi Banxia's curly hair made her look like a large dog, and her energetic demeanor was actually kind of cute...

Shi Banxia followed Ji Rendong to the door of the room.

"Come in." Ji Rendong stepped aside.

Shi Banxia nodded and skillfully walked into the room and sat down.

Did they just gloss over the dynamic events like that?

Shi Banxia was restless and still couldn't delete the post. She could only keep refreshing the homepage, waiting anxiously for the network to be restored.

Ji Rendong, unusually, took out her phone and started operating it while looking down at the screen. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Shi Banxia's pitiful, tearful expression and chuckled softly.

Upon hearing Ji Rendong's laughter, Shi Banxia's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked up to observe Ji Rendong's expression.

Just a few seconds later, her phone beeped again, and she nervously opened it.

【Wintering._: Thank you @[Banxiast] for the wonderful work, and thank you everyone for your support of polar scientific research. //[Banxiast]: ... (image)】

Shi Banxia froze, then suddenly looked up at Ji Rendong in disbelief.

She never imagined that Ji Rendong was actually Wintering_!

"Sister Rendong...you are Wintering...?" Shi Banxia's voice was filled with excitement.

Ji Rendong didn't directly admit it. She nodded and turned her phone screen towards Shi Banxia. More than a year later, this account had been updated again:

In the soft morning light, Shi Banxia's silhouette was surrounded by a velvety edge of light, while the sled dog beside her wagged its tail excitedly toward the dawning sky.

Shi Banxia's eyes sparkled, "Sister Rendong! You took this?! Senior Nanxingwan only said you were in the photography club... this is practically professional level!?"

Ji Rendong felt a little embarrassed by Shi Banxia's gaze, so she turned her head away.

"...I haven't taken photos in a long time..." Ji Rendong's ears were a little hot. "Your photos and energy remind me of the passion I had when I was young. Thank you."

Shi Banxia mustered her courage and grasped Ji Rendong's hand.

"Sister Honeysuckle! You must team up with me for filming in the future, okay?! I have so many questions for you!"

Ji Rendong's breath hitched slightly, and her gaze, as if drawn, met Shi Banxia's sparkling eyes. She didn't let go, but gently stroked Shi Banxia's fingers, her voice soft, "Okay."

Realizing her actions were too intimate, Shi Banxia blushed slightly and released her hand, saying, "Mmm!"

The warmth of Shi Banxia's "hmm" hadn't yet dissipated when the lights in the room went out without warning.

Silence returned, and the unique darkness of the polar region instantly engulfed the room.

"The power is out?" Shi Banxia exclaimed instinctively.

Almost simultaneously, she heard a gasp beside her, which then became rapid and erratic.

Shi Banxia felt a pair of cold hands frantically groping in the darkness. Then, those hands touched Shi Banxia and grasped her wrists.

The force was so great that Shi Banxia's wrist ached.

"Sister Rendong...?" Shi Banxia's voice was hesitant. She immediately realized that during training, Mu Xueqing had mentioned that Ji Rendong had mild claustrophobia due to some past events...

"It's possible that the generator at the station has malfunctioned..." Ji Rendong's voice trembled noticeably, a stark contrast to her usual cool and gentle tone.

Ji Rendong tried to remain calm, but the cold sweat on her palms and her trembling body betrayed her fear.

"It's alright, Sister Rendong, Sister Xueqing will fix it soon," Shi Banxia said softly, placing her warm hand on Ji Rendong's cold hand and patting it soothingly.

The emergency light in the corridor shone through the crack in the door. In the dim light, Shi Banxia could barely see Ji Rendong with her head down and her shoulders trembling slightly.

Shi Banxia's heart skipped a beat. The usually cautious and calm senior was now tightly holding Shi Banxia's wrist in the darkness, revealing his vulnerability and helplessness for the first time.

"Sister Rendong, let's sit down first." Shi Banxia gently helped Ji Rendong to sit down on the edge of the bed.

Ji Rendong did not let go of Shi Banxia's hand, but instead rested her head on Shi Banxia's shoulder, following Shi Banxia's strength.

Fear and darkness overwhelmed her reason, and emotions burst forth. Ji Rendong's voice trembled, "...Banxia..."

The call and Ji Rendong's unconscious dependence made Shi Banxia's heart skip a beat. Ji Rendong's vulnerability, revealing his trust, stirred Shi Banxia's protective instincts and simultaneously intensified the ambiguous atmosphere in the confined space.

"I'm here," Shi Banxia said softly, gently wrapping her arms around Ji Rendong's shoulders and awkwardly pulling him into her embrace.

In the darkness, every breath and movement is magnified infinitely.

Shi Banxia could clearly feel Ji Rendong pressing his forehead against her neck, and the warm breath he exhaled made her feel itchy.

Shi Banxia stiffened for a moment, but quickly relaxed and gently wrapped her arms around Ji Rendong.

Shi Banxia could feel Ji Rendong's body relax slightly in her embrace, but his breathing was still a little disordered.

Shi Banxia remembered there was a desk lamp on her desk. She groped for it and just as she stood up, Ji Rendong suddenly tightened his grip on her clothes.

"Don't go..." Ji Rendong blurted out, her tone unusually flustered. Realizing her loss of composure, Ji Rendong lowered her head slightly, but still did not let go.

Shi Banxia felt a pang of tenderness in her heart. She chuckled to herself in the darkness where Ji Rendong couldn't see clearly, then quickly sat back down next to Ji Rendong and hugged her again. "Okay, I won't go anywhere."

Shi Banxia's reassurance and embrace were warm and strong, which finally put Ji Rendong's mind at ease.

"Sister Rendong, when did you follow my account?" Shi Banxia asked softly to ease the tense atmosphere.

Ji Rendong was silent for a few seconds. Perhaps she felt relieved, or perhaps the darkness gave her the courage to speak her mind. Her voice was no longer strained. "A month ago."

"Your resume includes your account information." Ji Rendong hesitated for a moment, then added, "Your photos are not only excellent, but they also... have a light in them, a warmth..."

“Just like the warm sun, just like you…” Ji Rendong said softly.

This comment stirred something in Shi Banxia's heart, like a tiny electric current sparking a flame in the ambiguous air.

Unconsciously, Shi Banxia hugged Ji Rendong even tighter. Ji Rendong didn't say anything, she remained close to Shi Banxia, ​​breathing in her warm and reassuring scent.

In the darkness, Shi Banxia shared her photography experiences: chasing camels, photographing swimming fish, watching birds in flight…

Ji Rendong listened quietly, noticing that Shi Banxia's eyes flickered in the darkness, momentarily lost in thought.

Ji Rendong pursed her lips and softly called out, "Banxia..."

Before Ji Rendong could continue speaking, the lights came back on, and the two remained in an intimate embrace.

The air seemed to freeze. Ji Rendong's eyes still held a trace of uncertain fear, but more than anything, they held a complex and tender emotion.

The distance is too close.

Shi Banxia saw her reflection in Ji Rendong's eyes, and Ji Rendong also felt the other's warm breath.

Ji Rendong blinked, and she finally saw Shi Banxia's face clearly.

That slightly flushed cheek was laid bare before him, and Ji Rendong's gaze unconsciously drifted downwards—falling upon Shi Banxia's lips…

A note from the author:

Xia doesn't like physical contact, but she seems to really enjoy hugging and pinching Xiaodong, hehe.

P.S.: I'm quite busy right now, so I'll update daily when I have time! If I don't have time, I'll update the next day at the latest! Thank you for your understanding.