Winter came suddenly in Fengcheng this year. In the time it took to attend a few meetings and sign a few documents, the first snow fell from the sky.

The sudden change in weather added pressure to traffic. On the main road in the city, Fu Xuanliao was annoyed by the long line of cars ahead. His tone when answering the phone was not good: "If you have something to say, say it. If not, get lost."

Gao Lecheng knew what was going on as soon as he heard it, and said in a cheeky tone, "Traffic jam? Sigh, I'll let you get a pilot's license..."

"You fly a plane from the south of the city to the west?"

"West of the city? Why aren't you reporting to Old Shi's family in the east of the city?"

"Shi Meng changed the location again at the last minute."

"It was the same last time... Oh, I see, it's a date."

Fu Xuanliao frowned: "Shut your mouth."

Gao Lecheng not only didn't shut up, but laughed heartily: "Your ice beauty has become smarter. She no longer attacks blindly, but knows how to use techniques. I'm afraid our CEO Fu's heart is going to be lost."

"I'm not like you, falling in love with every girl I see."

Speaking of the person he's been pursuing lately, Gao Lecheng was quite distressed: "This is the first time I've met a woman who doesn't like flowers or handwritten love letters... Are all of your Ice Beauty's friends a little abnormal?"

Fu Xuanliao was speechless: "Then why did you chase after him so eagerly?"

"It's something new! This is the first time in my life a woman has been so fierce to me," Gao Lecheng said excitedly.

Fu Xuanliao gave a forced smile: "Then you're probably a masochist."

The caller clearly had something to say, so Gao Lecheng cut to the chase: "Mr. Fu, are you free this weekend?"

The car in front didn't move an inch. Fu Xuanliao let go of the steering wheel and leaned back in his seat to rest: "My parents are going back to China tomorrow."

"Never mind then, picking up your aunt and uncle is more important. How about next weekend?"

"I should be free."

"It's that thing, our family recently opened a resort in the suburbs."

"Are you inviting me out?"

"Hmm, by the way, take your ice queen..."

I think you have ulterior motives.

"Haha, you know that's good. If you could also bring his agent along..."

“I can’t guarantee that,” Fu Xuanliao said. “You know, I’m the one being controlled by him, not the other way around.”

"Don't say that. Anyone with eyes can see that he's being led by the nose by you." Gao Lecheng first flattered him and then threw out a sugar-coated bullet. "Actually, I have something interesting to tell you. How about we make a deal? I'll tell you, and you help me make an appointment."

"About what?"

"Your ice..."

"Then let's not talk about it."

"You really don't want to hear it? Only I know about this, and if you miss this opportunity, you might not get another chance."

Gao Lecheng was a master at building suspense, managing to pique even someone's interest when they weren't initially interested.

After hesitating for a moment, Fu Xuanliao said, "What if I hadn't managed to get you an appointment..."

"Success depends on human effort, but fate has other plans. If I didn't get to make the appointment, I'll just consider myself unlucky," Gao Lecheng said magnanimously.

“Alright then.” Fu Xuanliao, with his businessman’s mind, knew this deal was a sure thing. “Tell me, I want to hear what makes it interesting.”

Upon arriving at the address sent by Shi Meng, Fu Xuanliao discovered it was a shopping mall.

Anyone would feel resentful about traveling across most of Fengcheng to a regular shopping mall on the day of the first snow. Plus, it was a weekend and there were so many people that parking was a real hassle. When Fu Xuanliao took the elevator up, he saw a face reflected in the window that was as black as the bottom of a pot, as if the person wasn't there to go shopping but to smash up the store.

This anger reached its peak after receiving Shi Meng's call.

"What? You're at the South Gate?" Fu Xuanliao looked around the mall. "Which gate is the South Gate?"

“There are signs outside the mall,” Shi Meng said. “I’m in front of a shop that sells roasted chestnuts.”

Fu Xuanliao was dumbfounded: "You want me to go out and look for you?"

"Um."

This shopping mall covers a huge area. If Fu Xuanliao is unfortunately located at the north gate, he may have to take a long detour to get to the south gate.

It was still snowing outside.

"Can't you come in?" Fu Xuanliao tried to struggle.

"No." Shi Meng said firmly, "Come here."

Forced to his fate, Fu Xuanliao had no choice but to grit his teeth and rush out. Seeing the words "North Gate" on the sign, he angrily headed south against the wind.

There is a large square in front of the shopping mall, with colorful lights hanging on the surrounding trees and railings.

The first snow always gives people a romantic first impression. Many couples hold hands, hug each other, or take photos here. Fu Xuanliao, who was walking among them, seemed out of place. He was tall and big, dressed in black clothes and pants. At this moment, he looked more like someone who had come to seek revenge.

As they approached, a group of young people were seen breaking into the street, blocking the way. A crowd of onlookers gathered around to watch. Fu Xuanliao tried several times to squeeze through the crowd, but was stopped by sudden applause, cheers, and the commotion of the crowd.

With the sign for the roasted chestnut shop right in front of him, Fu Xuanliao completely lost his patience, stood in the crowd, took out his phone, and made a call.

The call was answered quickly; Shi Meng was clearly outside as well, and the sound of whistling wind could be heard through the receiver.

"Shi Meng." Fu Xuanliao practically spat out the words through gritted teeth, ordering, "Turn your head."

Then the person holding the black umbrella turned around.

The blurry lines before my eyes quickly converged, as if a long-malfunctioning autofocus program had been repaired. The scenery that had just passed by had left no impression on my mind, but the scene before me was exceptionally clear—

Shi Meng was wearing a white down jacket that was too big for his size, and he was completely wrapped in a black and white world. Snowflakes fell on the ends of his short black hair, and the red spots on his lips and nose from the cold were the only different colors in the painting.

No, there's also the way his eyes lit up when he saw me.

Fu Xuanliao saw that guy, who was not used to being in crowded places, raise his arm and wave at him, as if afraid that he would not see him, and then wave it left and right twice.

The anger that had almost reached his head was instantly extinguished. Fu Xuanliao even waved his hand in response uncontrollably. When he realized what a stupid thing he had done, his face darkened even more.

Once inside, Fu Xuanliao took the warm paper bag from Shi Meng and realized that he had been waiting outside to buy this bag of roasted chestnuts, as there had been quite a long line outside the shop earlier.

"It's still hot," Shi Meng said.

It means to eat it while it's hot.

Last week, we met at the drive-in movie theater. Shi Meng had prepared snacks in advance. At that time, Fu Xuanliao felt that something was wrong. Now, seeing other couples around who had bought chestnuts, and the boyfriends peeling them for their girlfriends, he finally understood what was going on.

Perhaps Mengzhen mistook this for a date, so she took great care of him as a "gentleman."

This realization made Fu Xuanliao feel very uncomfortable. After the two entered the restaurant and sat down, he placed the peeled chestnuts in front of Shi Meng across from him and said, "Try some first."

His original intention was to regain the initiative, but unexpectedly, when he picked up that bright yellow chestnut, it was as if he were holding a priceless gem. He looked at it again and again before bringing it to his mouth, and almost couldn't bear to eat it.

I cherish it even more than that ice cream I had at the amusement park last time.

Since he had already given it to her, in order to appear indifferent, Fu Xuanliao forced himself to ask, "Is it good?"

"Delicious." Shi Meng rarely reacted so quickly, replying swiftly, "Very delicious."

Fu Xuanliao sensed something was subtly changing, like microorganisms stirring in a petri dish.

He began to attribute this change to the change in setting—after all, in public, Shi Meng would restrain his temper, and he himself could not easily lose his temper, just like at the Shi family dinner table, where he could only keep smiling in front of everyone, as if it were a way to cultivate his character.

Anyway, if they fight behind closed doors, no one will know even if the world turns upside down.

Thinking this way made him feel much better. After dinner, the two went upstairs to sit in the tea bar. Feeling bored, Fu Xuanliao casually asked, "Is this a new outfit you bought?"

Shi Meng was doodling in a small, hardcover notebook when he heard this. He looked down at his clothes and said, "Yes." Then he looked up at Fu Xuanliao and asked, "Does it look good?"

Anyone who has spent a long time with Shi Meng knows that, apart from imperative sentences, almost everything he says consists of affirmative and negative sentences. Therefore, Fu Xuanliao was caught off guard by his coherent and natural counterattack.

His dark pupils seemed cold, yet when stared at, they possessed a tangible, intense heat.

Finding that avoidance wouldn't work, Fu Xuanliao could only pick up his cup, take a sip of tea, and muffle his voice inside the cup: "Mmm."

It is indeed beautiful; Fu Xuanliao is not good at lying.

Shi Meng, falling into the white, is like a flower inserted in a porcelain vase, with a slender stem and petals of a different kind of white, as if the inside is transparent, which is why it is so pure.

When Shi Meng is drawing, he is very focused. He holds the pencil, which he has sharpened to only five or six centimeters long, in his palm and scribbles on the paper with his slender fingers. Occasionally, he will look up at the ornaments on the bar counter that he is copying, his eyes slightly narrowed, and he will see every bit of light and shadow carefully.

Probably no one would be willing to pluck this vibrant flower.

Thinking this, Fu Xuanliao glanced at his palm, which had cruelly pinched the vital point of this beautiful flower several times, attempting to destroy it.

Fu Xuanliao realized how ironic it was that he had subconsciously used the word "cruel".

If we categorize things by degree, stealing someone else's hard work, and going to any lengths to get what you want and keep it by your side, completely disregarding the self-respect and wishes of others, is clearly the cruelty that crushes everything.

I must be crazy to feel sorry for him.

Fu Xuanliao angrily withdrew his gaze, propped his chin up, and looked through the passersby outside, at the wooden walls, and at the tea leaves floating in the cup.

I just won't look at this seemingly pure but actually scheming black-hearted lotus.

Shi Meng was unaware of the rich inner thoughts of his companions. When he entered the room, he noticed the Chinese-style alcove lamp by the door and thought it was very beautiful. He immediately took out paper and pen to copy it.

If it were someone else, they would immediately take out their phone to take a picture, but Shi Meng is used to recording what she sees with her paintbrush. Once she gets into it, she becomes completely absorbed in it and only remembers that there is someone sitting opposite her when she is finishing the painting.

Fu Xuanliao has never been a patient person; in the past, he would have lost his composure long ago in this situation. Today, however, he is unusually quiet…

Shi Meng put down his pen and notebook, carefully leaned over to observe, and then concluded that it was because he had fallen asleep.

The hand that had been supporting her chin now rested flat on the table, pressing down on a face that was furrowed even in sleep. Shi Meng tilted her head slightly, aligning her gaze with Fu Xuanliao's, looking at his sharply defined facial features, his high, prominent nose, and his thick eyelashes that could only be seen when his eyes were closed, almost greedily over and over again.

Only at this moment was Fu Xuanliao gentle. He wouldn't say anything hurtful, nor would he look at him with eyes that seemed to harbor resentment.

Shi Meng wanted him to stop hating, but how could he not hate? The misalignment of light can make the same scene present two completely different effects, just like the facts that are obscured due to different angles. People will only believe the tip of the iceberg they see.

So even quiet moments feel precious, like they've been stolen.

Shi Meng reached out his hand, thinking that even just for a second, he wanted me to hold his hand without worrying about being shaken off.

Even if it's just for a second.

Fu Xuanliao had actually woken up before being touched.

He was always very vigilant, and no matter how tired he was from work, he would never fall into a deep sleep in public. However, this short nap, though brief, gave him a dream.

On a cicada-filled afternoon, in a classroom filled with drifting dust, his vision was limited to a narrow slit, his eyelids heavy, as if he had just woken up and couldn't open them.

In the brief moment between struggling with drowsiness, he heard footsteps approaching from afar, light and somewhat timid. They sat down opposite him very quietly, and with a rustling sound, lifted the textbook that he had covered his head with to block out the noise.

Shallow yet slightly rapid breaths sprayed onto the top of his head, getting closer and closer, and Fu Xuanliao could hear the pounding of a heartbeat in his eardrums.

Just as he looked up, intending to catch the "attacker" red-handed, the scene before him suddenly changed, and a lot of noise rushed into his ears.

The dream and reality seamlessly intersected. In an instant, Fu Xuanliao seized the outstretched hand, grabbed the other's wrist, and slammed it onto the table.

The sudden turn of events startled Shi Meng quite a bit. His eyes widened, and he reflexively stepped back. Fu Xuanliao scrutinized him with a critical gaze, and Shi Meng lowered his eyes guiltily, trying to cover up his embarrassment by saying, "You're awake."

Once Fu Xuanliao understood the situation, he didn't make things difficult for her. He let go of her hand and asked vaguely, "How long have I been asleep?"

Shi Meng withdrew his hand, closed the notebook, and stuffed it into his pocket: "Twenty minutes."

After dinner and tea, on the drive back, Fu Xuanliao gazed at the night view through the windshield, which was exactly the same as when he arrived. As if he hadn't yet transitioned from the sweltering dream to the reality of snow, he murmured, "It's snowing."

Shi Meng arrived by taxi and was now sitting in the passenger seat, also looking out the window.

Fu Xuanliao seemed to hear Shi Meng hum "hmm," but then again, he seemed not to.

He recalled the first snowfall last year when he was reviewing documents in his office. He heard the excited cheers of a female employee outside, but when he looked out the window, he felt completely lost.

The year before last and the year before that were no different. In order to revive the company, which was heavily indebted and on the verge of bankruptcy, the entire Fu family did everything they could. As the only son, Fu Xuanliao could not stand idly by. After returning from abroad, he went to factories, attended meetings, traveled around to do business, and participated in business negotiations... until he gradually took over the company and became a decision-maker. The rapid pace of growth he experienced was remarkable, but he also missed out on countless opportunities.

Many memories that were once very important to him have gradually become blurred, and some fragments that he recalls unintentionally even make him doubt whether he has misremembered them.

For example, the scene that recently reappeared in his dream—although he didn't look up at the time, in Fu Xuanliao's existing memory, it was Shi Mu who "ambushed" him in the classroom. However, just now, the moment he grabbed Shi Meng and met those clear eyes, he wavered for no reason, becoming less certain.

Following the path of the first snow and retracing back the years, Fu Xuanliao suddenly grasped an important point.

"Eight years ago..." he asked the person next to him eagerly, "Where were you on Christmas eight years ago?"