It was snowing when Wanqiu went out in the morning.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, filling the entire space. Stepping outside, I was immediately transported into a vast, white, and icy world.
The snow must have fallen overnight; it was already ankle-high.
When I was renting a place, I always knew that people in urban villages and old neighborhoods were always busy making a living and had to get up very early.
By the time Wanqiu left for school, the snow was covered with irregular footprints and tire tracks of all sizes, snow water mixed with mud, or ice that had been pressed flat and reflected the light.
There is no place like this snowfield, untouched, flat and clean.
Wearing light yet warm boots, Wanqiu stepped into the snow. The soft, warm shoes wrapped around her feet, and no matter how many times she did it, it was always a novel experience for her.
When Wanqiu stepped on those brand-new, unmarked places, the soft crunching sound of the snowflakes made his heart tremble inexplicably.
Wanqiu used to dislike walking in the snow.
If there is a cleared road, Wanqiu will definitely choose the one that has been cleared.
If it snows, his shoes will definitely get wet.
When socks worn in multiple layers to keep warm get wet, the coldness seeps through the layers and reaches the soles of the feet.
Now, all you need to do is wear one layer of socks.
Wan Qiu circled the snow-covered ground, leaving behind a clean ring of footprints that belonged only to him.
On the other side of the snow, there were vehicle tracks. Wanqiu knew that they were the tire tracks left by her parents and second brother when they left for work that morning.
It's now covered with a thin layer of snowflakes.
Wanqiu also carried a small bag today.
The small bag contained several cards given to it by her father, as well as a lot of cash.
Dad said, "When you go out with friends, don't be stingy with money. Don't mind buying them things they like."
Mom said, "Don't get sick, don't catch a cold, and call her directly if you need anything."
Wan Qiu pulled her scarf tighter around herself.
We can set off at the agreed-upon 12 o'clock.
Wanqiu heard the sound of the door opening, looked up, and saw the person coming out of the door.
It is Chu Yigui.
Unlike Wan Qiu, Chu Yigui seemed to prefer black clothes.
He was very tall, and the black color made him appear even taller.
She wasn't wearing a hat, and her black hair hung down, seemingly obscuring Chu Yigui's eyebrows and eyes slightly.
The only thing visible was a snow-white scarf that hung casually down, but it didn't obscure that face much.
Chu Yigui looked up and saw Wan Qiu walking a circle in the snow.
Chu Yi returned to Wan Qiu's side, and Wan Qiu looked up at him.
As if possessed, Chu Yigui also left a new circle of footprints next to Wan Qiu's footprints.
Wan Qiu looked at Chu Yigui's footprints and saw that they were clearer, larger, and wider than his own.
But it was wrapped up like that.
It was carefully wrapped up, without stepping on his footprints.
Wanqiu blinked.
Chu Yigui stretched out her hand, her fair and beautiful fingers, made even more striking by the black fabric, and slightly shook Wanqiu's hat.
Many white snowflakes fell from Wanqiu's hat.
Wanqiu looked up at Chu Yigui.
I hope he can see Chu Yigui happy today.
They met up with Zhou Peiyu in the lobby of a shopping mall.
We agreed to have lunch together and then go out to play in the afternoon.
Once inside the hall, Chu Yigui loosened her scarf and put Wan Qiu's hat and scarf into Wan Qiu's bag.
They arrived at just the right time, and Zhou Peiyu, who had been waiting for them, immediately brightened up when he saw them.
Many people.
Besides a few people from the dance class, there were also people Wan Qiu didn't recognize.
They were whispering amongst themselves, their eyes darting in their direction.
Wanqiu noticed that the way they looked at her younger brother seemed even more ardent.
Is it because the younger brother is handsome?
Wan Qiu thought so too.
"Everyone's here! Everyone's here! Let's go! I've booked a place to eat!" Zhou Peiyu's voice, as the organizer, led the way.
Wan Qiu held Chu Yigui's hand, as if he were leading Chu Yigui.
Wan Qiu's eyes followed Zhou Peiyu the whole time, and Zhou Peiyu kept smiling.
Chu Yigui kept staring at Wan Qiu, while Wan Qiu kept looking at the girl who was a stranger to him.
There are probably too many people.
Zhou Peiyu is friends with everyone, but for Wan Qiu, the only people she truly knows are Zhou Peiyu and Chu Yigui.
Wanqiu always held Chu Yigui's hand.
Wan Qiu would occasionally look up at Chu Yigui, and also noticed that Chu Yigui was always watching him.
Wan Qiu didn't feel awkward among these somewhat unfamiliar people.
Even if you don't speak, even if you just sit on the edge of the crowd.
But the feeling of being brought here as a friend was already precious enough to Wan Qiu.
Others seemed to always be looking at Chu Yigui, and many people would strike up a conversation with her.
This was also the first time Wan Qiu had seen Chu Yigui in public.
What school do you attend?
Are you really fourteen?
"You're so handsome! Do any girls at school like you?"
Wan Qiu looked at Chu Yigui, who seemed completely at ease amidst everyone's questions.
Chu Yigui still wore a smile and answered each question politely.
The person speaking to him was 'happy' as if radiating a warm glow from a fireplace on a winter's night.
But for some reason, Wan Qiulian's feeling of happiness towards Chu Yigui disappeared.
Even with his eyes closed, Wan Qiu couldn't feel any laughter in Chu Yigui's voice, which was tinged with laughter.
Chu Yigui clearly brought joy to the other person, so why wasn't he infected?
Zhou Peiyu suddenly sat down next to Wan Qiu: "Your brother is really popular. I knew he was handsome. Look, my sister and I are always looking at him."
Wan Qiu nodded: "My younger brother is very handsome."
“Of course, you’re very beautiful too,” Zhou Peiyu suddenly said to Wan Qiu.
Wan Qiu blinked and looked at Zhou Peiyu.
He was complimented on his good looks by others.
Just like my older brother said, as long as you study hard, you can become good-looking, right?
“Brother has always been handsome, but he’s just not very confident,” Chu Yigui said to Wan Qiu. He rested one hand on his head, turned his head and looked past Wan Qiu at Zhou Peiyu. “It’s so good that you can tell your brother so directly.”
Wan Qiu noticed that Zhou Peiyu seemed to pause for a moment, and her cheeks, which were slightly flushed from eating, seemed to turn even redder.
Zhou Peiyu immediately said, "Of course, Wan Qiu is good-looking, but she looks rather delicate. You are handsome."
A person from a nearby dance studio chimed in, "Yeah, Wan Qiu looks very delicate; he doesn't really look like a boy."
Wan Qiu was taken aback. Having gradually developed a sense of gender, Wan Qiu seemed to react to these words.
“My brother is a boy.” Chu Yigui put his arm around Wan Qiu’s shoulder. “He has a male frame and will grow taller. He just has very beautiful eyes that make him look androgynous. Things will change in the future.”
For some reason, Wan Qiu seemed to have heard Chu Yigui's words, and that inexplicable, strange feeling seemed to have been soothed.
"Are you really brothers? You don't look alike at all," someone asked.
Chu Yigui was about to say something, but Wan Qiu spoke first.
"Yes." Wan Qiu unconsciously gripped the hem of Chu Yigui's clothes beside him, and for some reason, he reacted with displeasure at these words. "My brother is my brother, and we have a very close relationship."
Chu Yigui lowered her eyes and saw Wan Qiu's subtle actions.
"You two seem to have a good relationship. My sister and I have a terrible relationship. Usually, families with siblings fight, right?"
“My brother ate my pudding before and pretended not to know, which made me so angry.”
"My sister is the same way. She keeps eating the things I buy without telling me."
"Me too...me too..."
“Last time my sister stole my clothes. She’s already overweight, and the clothes were too big for her. I was so angry that I hit her, and she hit me back.”
"I hate it when my sister touches my things..."
As Wanqiu listened to the people around him chattering about their relationships with their siblings, he felt utterly lost.
No quarrels, fights, or mutual dislike seemed to have never happened in the Chu family.
But it seems that this kind of thing is quite common.
"Would you two do this?" Zhou Peiyu turned to Wan Qiu and asked, full of curiosity.
Wan Qiu shook his head: "If my younger brother wants it, I can give it to him."
"You love your brother so much?" Zhou Peiyu laughed cheerfully. "I wish I had a brother like you."
Being praised is probably a good thing.
Wan Qiu thought to himself.
If it's a good thing, then my younger brother will be happy too.
Wan Qiu smiled faintly, looking happy.
Chu Yigui remained calm, as always.
However, his usually steady gaze wavered slightly when he noticed Wan Qiu.
It was like a wisp of wind that swept away the ice and snow.
They went out together, with Wanqiu walking at the back of the group as always.
Looking at his friends walking and talking ahead, Wan Qiu felt that they were much better than the backs of his classmates whom he had always watched.
However, Wan Qiu's side was not empty; Chu Yigui was there.
The snow has stopped.
The sky was still overcast.
Wan Qiu raised his head, and the people around him seemed somewhat dazed.
Chu Yigui was also looking at him.
At that moment, Wan Qiu actually felt that Chu Yigui's pupil color was actually very light, and therefore the dark light flowing in it seemed particularly clear.
Wan Qiu thought to himself unconsciously.
Is Chu Yigui unhappy?
He was clearly very happy.
Wan Qiu reached out and grasped Chu Yigui's hand again.
The little rabbit's glove insulated him from Chu Yigui's warmth. Wan Qiu took off one glove and held Chu Yigui's hand again.
Chu Yigui was not wearing gloves.
The warmth that Wan Qiu had been retaining in her cozy gloves was immediately transferred to Chu Yigui's slightly cool hand when she held it.
If happiness could be transmitted like temperature, that would be wonderful.
Even though the warmth was transmitted, Chu Yigui's hands did not seem to become warm.
On the contrary, Wanqiu's own warmth is gradually dissipating.
"Was the food good?" Zhou Peiyu slowed down and walked to Wan Qiu's side. Seeing Wan Qiu holding Chu Yigui's hand, she said, "You two have such a good relationship, don't you?"
Wan Qiu nodded: "My brother and I are friends."
"Is that so?" Zhou Peiyu asked indifferently.
When Zhou Peiyu looked around them, he suddenly stopped, and Wan Qiu stopped as well.
All that could be heard was Zhou Peiyu saying, "Hey, wait a minute, it seems like nobody's coming to the park here!"
Wan Qiu followed the gaze and indeed saw large expanses of flat, untouched white snow in the park.
"Shall we have a snowball fight?" everyone suggested with a smile.
It has been snowing for a while now, and the snow has piled up into small hills along the surrounding roads.
They crossed the road and entered the park, where Wanqiu could see many classmates' eyes shining as they looked at the snow.
Wanqiu doesn't know how to have a snowball fight.
But I've seen it.
When Chu Yigui saw her classmate grab a snowball from the ground and start attacking, she let go of Wan Qiu's hand, drawing Wan Qiu's attention.
"Go have some fun." Chu Yigui nudged Wan Qiu from behind and stood at a distance. "Put on your gloves."
Wanqiu does not have snowball fights.
Once they were pushed onto the battlefield, they were hit with several snowballs in succession.
The soft snowballs didn't hurt when they hit him; Wan Qiu clearly felt that he was just playing around.
These snowballs thrown at him will not pose any danger to him.
Wanqiu held a snowball in his arms, but had no courage to throw it at anyone else.
For Wanqiu, smashing things would bring bad consequences.
Zhou Peiyu reached Wan Qiu's side and suddenly snatched the snowball from Wan Qiu's hand, throwing it at the others.
Zhou Peiyu turned around and grinned at Wan Qiu: "Can I have all the snowballs you made?"
Wan Qiu nodded.
Bend down and concentrate on making snowballs.
Even though he didn't hit anyone.
But Wanqiu seems to have really participated in this game.
Although Zhou Peiyu is always on the go, he will definitely come to Wanqiu's side to collect the money Wanqiu has prepared.
The others happened to see Zhou Peiyu's movements and suddenly several people hurled things at Wan Qiu. Zhou Peiyu, who happened to be in front of Wan Qiu, was hit by the blows.
She screamed and laughed, but suddenly stepped on Wanqiu's snowball.
Suddenly, his foot slipped, and he fell directly to one side of Wan Qiu.
Wan Qiu subconsciously reached out to hug Zhou Peiyu, but his posture was wrong.
Wan Qiu fell to the ground in the snow, and Zhou Peiyu fell on top of him, pinning down Wan Qiu's legs.
The heavy clothing and snow made the fall less painful, but Wanqiu felt something strange coming from his ankle.
"Are you alright?" Zhou Peiyu immediately sat up and asked Wan Qiu.
Wan Qiu sat on the ground, still looking somewhat bewildered, and shook his head.
"Hey, you guys are going too far! I'll smash you to death!" After receiving Wan Qiu's affirmation, Zhou Peiyu grabbed a clump of snow from the ground and rushed towards the others.
Chu Yi returned to Wan Qiu's side and picked her up from where she was still sitting on the ground.
After this, I didn't make any more snowballs; I just stood there.
But Chu Yigui noticed that Wan Qiu slightly covered his face with his scarf and pulled down his hat.
Chu Yigui said, "Brother."
Wan Qiu's entire face was obscured, leaving only her beautiful eyes visible, and she was not looking at Chu Yigui.
"Are you alright?" Chu Yigui asked.
Wan Qiu shook his head and looked back at the group of people who were playing around.
He didn't say a word.
Chu Yigui's gaze was fixed on Wan Qiu.
Something was quietly flowing deep within his eyes.
Seemingly having had enough fun, Zhou Peiyu suggested that they go sing karaoke.
Wan Qiu and Chu Yigui remained at the very back of the group.
Chu Yigui kept an eye on Wan Qiu.
Wanqiu walked calmly and steadily.
She seemed to be afraid of the cold, as she kept tugging at her hat.
Chu Yigui reached out and grasped Wan Qiu's shoulder, applying a little force.
This allows Wanqiu to exert most of his strength on himself.
Sitting in the private room, Chu Yigui continued to look at Wan Qiu.
Wan Qiu didn't seem to be making any move to take off her hat and scarf.
"Wanqiu, aren't you hot?" Zhou Peiyu asked.
Wan Qiu hesitated for a moment before taking off her scarf and hat.
But Wan Qiu secretly glanced at Chu Yigui.
But he quickly looked away.
As if feeling guilty, they secretly concealed what had already been discovered.
Chu Yigui had been watching Wan Qiu and saw the position where he was pinned down.
Now Chu Yigui understands why Wan Qiu avoids his gaze.
For Wanqiu, this first gathering with friends was an exceptionally precious experience.
I absolutely do not want this gathering to end halfway through, or even worse, to fall apart because of my own actions.
This was Wanqiu's choice.
A small selfish thought arises as Wanqiu gradually searches for herself.
Chu Yigui believed that he should respect it.
Just like any other time, I have given absolute support and respect to the decisions made by others.
Do not get involved in the karma of others.
Do not influence other people's decisions.
He is not qualified to bear the consequences of affecting others.
If it's just a minor sprain, it's fine as long as you don't force yourself to exercise.
But this time, for some reason, the wound Wan Qiu had hidden under his clothes, which he couldn't see, made him feel like he had a fishbone stuck in his throat.
He has always done it this way, and he should do it this way.
Wan Qiu hoped he would do that.
But he couldn't help but notice Wan Qiu, the faint scent emanating from him, the way he secretly clenched his fingers, and he kept observing Wan Qiu's eyes and the way he held onto the hem of his clothes...
Finally, Chu Yigui let out a long sigh.
Chu Yigui sent a message, instructing the bodyguards around her to drive over.
Chu Yigui suddenly stood up and squatted down in front of Wan Qiu: "Brother, come up."
The people who were about to request songs were stunned: "What's wrong?"
Zhou Peiyu looked at the two of them in confusion: "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Excuse me, everyone, my brother is injured and I need to take him to the hospital." Chu Yigui said calmly to the others, then said to Wan Qiu, "Brother, get on, I'll carry you."
Chu Yigui saw Wan Qiu's gaze.
Like a feather falling from a flying bird, no matter how much it wants to stay in the sky, it eventually has to fall into the dust.
Wanqiu wasn't blaming anyone, but rather expressing disappointment in himself.
This was a day he had looked forward to, was happy about, had boasted about, and hoped to have a perfect day.
But Wanqiu listened to Chu Yigui.
He always has been.
Wanqiu lay on Chu Yigui's back.
Chu Yigui noticed that Wan Qiu was much lighter than other people her age, and she stood up easily.
At this moment, Zhou Peiyu suddenly remembered something: the strange pressing sensation when Wan Qiu cushioned her fall.
"Is he hurt? My God, why isn't he saying anything?" Zhou Peiyu immediately said to the people around him, "You guys have fun, I'll go check on him."
Before anyone could react, Zhou Peiyu immediately followed behind Chu Yigui.
Wan Qiu buried his head in Chu Yigui's coat.
An unusual quiet.
Chu Yigui carried Wan Qiu on his back, and Zhou Peiyu jogged a few steps to catch up with Chu Yigui.
"Where are you hurt?" Zhou Peiyu was also flustered, and a look of worry appeared on his face.
Chu Yigui did not answer Zhou Peiyu. When they arrived at the door, a black car was already waiting there.
The driver got out and opened the door for Chu Yigui. Chu Yigui bent down and put Wan Qiu inside, then got into the car from the other side.
Zhou Peiyu glanced nervously at the man in the black suit, gritted her teeth, and got into the passenger seat.
The driver turned to look at Zhou Peiyu, then turned back to ask Chu Yigui for advice.
Chu Yigui said, "It's alright."
The driver started the vehicle, and at the same time, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, connected to the car, and Yang Xiaoyu's irritable voice immediately came through.
"What happened? How did you get injured all of a sudden? Yi Gui, why didn't you answer the phone!"
Upon hearing this voice, Zhou Peiyu felt a surge of guilt and became tense.
Chu Yigui said, "I'm sorry, Mom, I was carrying my brother on my back, so I didn't have my hands to answer the phone."
Yang Xiaoyu didn't intend to dwell on the matter, but instead asked, "How did you get hurt? Where are you hurt?"
"You slipped and fell during a snowball fight, and you're injured... Mom, wait a minute, let me take a look." Chu Yigui said to Wan Qiu, "Brother, turn to the side so I can see your ankle."
Zhou Peiyu heard her heart pounding faster and faster. Was she really that badly injured?
Wan Qiu remained silent, but listened to Chu Yigui's words.
Chu Yigui held Wan Qiu's slender calves in her hands. She first lifted Wan Qiu's trouser legs and pulled up her socks to check the situation before removing Wan Qiu's shoes and socks.
When Zhou Peiyu saw Wan Qiu's ankle, he gasped in shock; it had become completely swollen without him even noticing.
Chu Yigui gently touched Wan Qiu's ankle a few times: "Brother, does it hurt?"
Wan Qiu shook his head.
"Are your bones sore?" Chu Yigui asked in a different way.
Wan Qiu shook his head again.
"How do you feel now?" Chu Yigui asked.
Wan Qiu remained silent for a long while before slowly saying, "No."
Chu Yigui stared intently into Wan Qiu's eyes, trying to discern something.
Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief without showing any emotion and said, "Mom, it should just be a simple sprain, but just in case, we should still go to the hospital."
Yang Xiaoyu immediately said, "I'll go back right now."
"No need, Mom. I'll call you if it gets serious," Chu Yigui said.
Yang Xiaoyu's anger almost reached into the car through her voice: "My baby's injured, and you're telling me not to go over there?"
“Brother is under a lot of pressure.” Chu Yigui’s gaze turned to Zhou Peiyu, who was sitting in the passenger seat and had turned around, her whole body stiff. “You’re making my brother nervous.”
Yang Xiaoyu suddenly fell silent.
In the quiet, Chu Yigui slowly said, "I'm sorry, Mom, I didn't watch my brother properly."
Yang Xiaoyu seemed to pause for a moment, and then her voice was much calmer: "No, it's okay, Yi Gui. I was just too excited. I'll calm down before I go. You take Wan Qiu to see her first, and remember to tell her what happened."
Yang Xiaoyu hung up the phone, and Zhou Peiyu, who didn't dare to breathe, looked terrified and bewildered.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know, I didn't mean to," Zhou Peiyu kept apologizing.
"It was just an accident." Chu Yigui looked up at Zhou Peiyu. "Please calm down. You'll affect your brother's mood."
Zhou Peiyu was taken aback and turned to look at Wan Qiu.
Wan Qiu lowered his head and remained silent.
More silent than ever before.
It was as quiet as a snowman in the sunlight, as if it might melt at any moment.
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