Chapter 20 The intense rhythm of the travel semester is temporarily...
The intense pace of the semester came to a temporary halt when a rare snowstorm hit the Bay Area, forcing schools to suspend classes for several days. The heating in the apartment was on full blast, and Shen Shutong, curled up on the sofa, suddenly sighed.
"What's wrong?" Fu Jingchuan raised his head from his laptop.
"Nothing," Shen Shutong curled up his legs, "I just feel like I haven't left this place for a long time. According to the weather forecast, it's snowing in Switzerland now, and the sky is clear."
Fu Jingchuan was silent for a few seconds and closed the computer: "Want to go?"
"A little bit." Shen Shutong tilted his head to look at him, "It was just a casual remark. It's too hasty to arrange it now..."
"No rush." Fu Jingchuan had already picked up the phone. "The visa is ready. I'll check the air tickets and hotel now."
He was very active and started browsing quickly.
"There's a direct flight to Zurich the day after tomorrow morning. The return flight is a week away." He scrolled through the screen. "How about Zermatt? You can see the Matterhorn. The ski season isn't completely over yet, but the weather will be much better."
Shen Shutong leaned over to look at the picture of the snow-capped mountain town on his phone screen, his eyes lit up: "Are you really going?"
"Yes." Fu Jingchuan nodded and started filling in the information, "If you want to go."
"I want to!" Shen Shutong nodded immediately.
Fu Jingchuan was extremely efficient, arranging flights, hotels, and local transportation in less than an hour. He even took the time to make a simple packing list.
"You can rent ski clothes and equipment there," he reminded me. "You should mainly bring warm everyday clothes and hiking shoes."
Two days later, they were already on a flight to Zurich. The long flight was a bit boring. Fu Jingchuan spent most of the time reading materials or resting his eyes. Shen Shutong watched a movie for a while and then fell asleep.
As the plane landed, Zurich was bathed in the clear, cool morning sun. The air was chilly, a chill in the air. They boarded a train, and the scenery along the way gradually became covered in snow, with wooden huts dotting the mountains, like a fairytale.
It was already afternoon when we finally arrived in Zermatt. This car-free town lay quietly surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The air was cool and crisp, and the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn in the distance was clearly outlined, appearing particularly tranquil and majestic under the blue sky.
The hotel they booked was very warm and comfortable, with rooms having balconies facing the snow-capped mountains.
After putting down his luggage, Shen Shutong walked to the balcony and took a deep breath of the cool air: "It's so beautiful here."
Fu Jingchuan stood beside her and helped her tighten the collar of her coat: "Well. Let's go eat something first?"
There were plenty of restaurants in town. They found a traditional Swiss restaurant and enjoyed a steaming hot cheese fondue and grilled sausages. Afterward, they took a leisurely stroll in the falling dusk, getting acquainted with the area and renting ski equipment for the next day.
By the time we returned to our hotel room, it was completely dark. Outside the window, only a few lights and the even more tranquil silhouette of the snow-capped mountains lit up. The warmth in the room contrasted with the cold outside.
Shen Shutong opened the suitcase to get the toiletries, while Fu Jingchuan checked the heating in the room.
"You take a shower first." Fu Jingchuan adjusted the water temperature. "You've been flying for so long, relax."
Shen Shutong nodded, grabbed her pajamas, and went into the bathroom. The hot water washed over her skin, dispelling the fatigue of the long journey. When she finished, she emerged wearing soft cotton pajamas, her hair damp and draped over her shoulders, her cheeks slightly flushed from the steam.
Fu Jingchuan was sitting in a chair by the window, answering emails. He looked up at the sound. His gaze lingered on her steamy face for a moment before he stood up and said, "I'll go wash."
The bathroom door closed gently, and the sound of water came from inside. Shen Shutong sat on the edge of the bed and wiped his hair. Listening to the sound of water, his heartbeat inexplicably accelerated.
When Fu Jingchuan came out of the shower, he was wearing a simple gray T-shirt and trousers, and his black hair was a little damp. He saw Shen Shutong leaning against the side of the bed, seemingly looking at his phone, but his eyes were a little erratic.
He walked to the other side of the bed and sat down, then took a sip of the water on the bedside table.
"Take the first Gornergrat train up the mountain tomorrow morning," he began, his voice a little deeper than usual. "The light will be perfect for taking photos."
"Okay." Shen Shutong put down his phone.
There was a brief silence. Then the heater started to make a soft sound.
Fu Jingchuan turned off the bedside lamp on his side, leaving only the one on Shen Shutong's side.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
"Not bad." Shen Shutong lay down on his side, facing him. Fu Jingchuan also lay down, with a little distance between them.
He could smell the same body wash scent on her as his own.
Shen Shutong looked at his profile so close, and suddenly said softly, "Fu Jingchuan."
"Hmm?" He turned to look at her.
Her fingers curled up unconsciously, and then lightly touched the back of his hand on the pillow. Fu Jingchuan turned his palm over and held her fingers.
My fingertips were slightly cool, wrapped in his warm palm.
Fu Jingchuan closed his fingers, holding her hand more completely. His thumb gently stroked her knuckles.
Shen Shutong felt her heartbeat become clear in the silence. She moved closer to him, and the distance between them shortened.
Fu Jingchuan turned sideways to face her. His gaze fell on her eyes, then slowly moved down, passing over the tip of her nose, and resting on her lips. The room was dimly lit, and his eyes seemed particularly deep.
He lowered his head and kissed her lightly.
The kiss started out tentative, gentle and restrained. But soon, the intensity gradually deepened. Shen Shutong responded, his hands climbing onto his shoulders.
Fu Jingchuan's arm went around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Through the thin fabric of their pajamas, they could clearly feel the warmth and contours of each other's bodies. The air seemed to thicken, and the sound of their breathing became more audible.
During the intervals between kisses, Shen Shutong panted slightly, rested his forehead against his, and whispered, “…Is it okay?”
Fu Jingchuan didn't answer immediately, but kissed the corner of her lips again, and then responded in a low voice, his voice a little hoarse: "Okay."
Shen Shutong carefully covered him. The unfamiliar weight and heat enveloped him, and Fu Jingchuan closed his eyes, feeling her gentle guidance.
Clothes had been removed at some point, scattered by the bed. The exposure of skin to the air stirred a subtle shudder, but it was quickly dispelled by the warmth of the other person's body. The touch became direct and vivid, and every inch of skin that the palm of the hand touched felt like it was on fire.
There were brief pauses and fumblings, subtle adjustments, suppressed gasps, and involuntary hums. The mattress made a slight sound.
The wind outside the window seemed to pick up, sweeping across the eaves. The faint sound of bells could be heard in the distance.
When everything finally calmed down, both of them were covered with a thin layer of sweat. Shen Shutong stood up, placed a light kiss on his forehead, and then lay back down beside him.
Shen Shutong buried his face in the crook of his neck, breathing steadily. He could hear his equally rapid heartbeat gradually slowing down. The feeling of skin against skin was intimate and warm, with the laziness of after love.
Fu Jingchuan pulled the quilt over and covered them carefully. Shen Shutong adjusted to a more comfortable position in his arms, and his eyelids gradually became heavy.
Half asleep and half awake, she felt Fu Jingchuan seemed to hug her gently again, and his chin rubbed against the top of her head.
The heating was very comfortable, and outside the window was the quiet winter night in the Alps. They slept in each other's arms in a strange country...
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