Chapter 105 The Battle to Protect Our Marriage (2)
Lin Langyi returned to the hotel, and Yuan Chuyu's message arrived as scheduled.
Although he was often too busy with work, he was never absent when she needed him, and when she didn't need him... he would gently and completely embrace her like an all-pervasive stream.
For example, if the two of them are separated, even if it's just for one night, he will definitely send a message if he has the chance to touch his phone.
Y: [I just finished here and am on my way back to the hotel.]
Y: [Did you have fun today? Why didn't you post any photos?]
Lin Langyi didn't take many photos all day, as she was busy skiing. Now, after flipping through the photos, she only sent a few landscape pictures.
Yuan Chuyu quickly sent another message, a voice message, his voice gentle and soothing:
Is it convenient to video chat now? I'd like to see how you are.
Whenever the two of them are separated for a long time, he does this, as if they are a loving couple with a deep affection for each other.
Lin Langyi had already learned from experience that the separation period should not exceed three days. After three days, he would try to find time to ask about her situation every day, and then express his wish that he could have a five-minute video call.
Okay, I'll tell Sisi.
Since it was a video call, Lin Langyi greeted Hang Qian, who lived with her, walked to the bar area of the suite, leaned against a high stool, and made a video call.
The camera angle was low, and when Yuan Chuyu answered the call, only his long, pale neck and his neat, austere suit were visible in the shot. Only when the car moved slightly and swayed did a glimpse of his slightly raised chin be revealed.
Like a beauty emerging from a bath, he slowly adjusted the camera upwards. Even at such a dreadful low angle, his superior and smooth features could not be concealed, like a precious golden branch and leaves.
The first thing Yuan Chuyu did was to lift his eyelids and glance almost imperceptibly at the environment behind her.
It's like judging the authenticity of a painting.
"Do you live with Hang Qian?"
"Yeah, we can even have some late-night chats in the girls' dormitory."
He looked away and smiled, "Well, the two of you living together can help each other out."
During their casual chat, Lin Langyi's WeChat suddenly started popping up with new messages one after another. She replied a little slowly, and subconsciously leaned closer to the screen to tap on the messages with her finger.
Yuan Chuyu, on the other end, naturally noticed her absent-mindedness and asked, "What's wrong? If something's wrong, I'll call you back later."
Lin Langyi didn't respond to him immediately. She was completely unfamiliar with this ID, and it didn't even have a note. She only remembered him when she saw the two money transfers she made at the top of the page.
Oh, the coach she just found, that Cheng Yanjin.
Cheng Yanjin sent a lot of photos, as well as a complete video of crossing the big air platform.
She is the main character in every single picture.
Please do not disturb if you are abroad: [The ski resort offers drone photography services. I selected some photos and bought them; you can keep them as a souvenir.]
Actually, the photos aren't very good; they're just standard random snapshots taken in a scenic area, relying on quantity to win.
It's obvious that Cheng Yanjin specifically retrieved and purchased it after the event.
Lin Langyi was multitasking, simultaneously sending the photos to Yuan Chuyu, who wanted them, and replying to Cheng Yanjin in the chat box:
Thanks, it's pretty good.
Remembering that he couldn't even afford to eat, Lin Langyi added, "By the way, how much is it? I'll transfer it to you."
【don't want. 】
Two angry pufferfish emojis followed.
He typed very quickly, sending one message after another: "[The photos are just so-so, not as good as the ones you post on your WeChat Moments. These are the ones I've selected.]"
I'll rent a drone tomorrow, and we'll film it ourselves.
[Or I have a high-definition head-mounted action camera here; we can use that to record tomorrow.]
You'll be coming tomorrow, right? What time? I can wait for you in the hotel lobby.
[Rest well today. You only soaked in the hot spring for a short time. Did your muscles relax? You can soak longer after tomorrow.]
In the blink of an eye, a barrage of messages bombarded her. Lin Langyi could barely keep up with his typing speed with her best efforts, but unfortunately, she was also video chatting with her fiancé at the same time. With her mind split in two, she felt cold and indifferent everywhere.
Cheng Yanjin was fine. He had spent a long time rehearsing his words on the sofa before sending them, and now he had just poured them out in a flurry of nervousness. His heart was pounding so hard that he was almost at his limit, so he wouldn't criticize her for replying too quickly or too slowly.
But Yuan Chuyu was different.
His gaze lingered on her distracted face, like a snake slowly awakening in the shadows, gradually drawing closer to her.
"Friend?" he asked.
"Uh-huh."
Lin Langyi's fingers swiped up and down the screen, unaware that her fiancé was truly skilled. Just by observing the subtle facial expressions on her face when she received a message, he could guess whether it was work-related or personal.
Yuan Chuyu's fingers traced the middle of the video, casually caressing her cheek through the screen. The platinum cufflinks occasionally reflected a cold, noble luster in the night, creating an indescribable feeling.
He said gently, "He seems very anxious to find you... It's already this late."
"It's nothing important." Lin Langyi didn't reply to Cheng Yanjin immediately, but completely closed his message interface and casually mentioned, "It's today's ski instructor, trying to sell me something."
Yuan Chuyu nodded reservedly to indicate that he understood. As he saved the stack of ordinary photos she had just sent him to a separate album on his phone, he continued her topic:
"Your skiing skills are so good, that instructor must really like a student like you who doesn't cause you any trouble... Hmm, where's the photo of you two together?"
Now that you mention it, Lin Langyi also remembered that the photos Cheng Yanjin sent were all of her.
The two of them were together the whole time.
“He’s not photogenic,” Lin Langyi made up a reason. “When I choose photos, I can only be the main subject.”
He's a male coach.
Yuan Chuyu thought calmly that Lin Langyi would never judge the appearance of someone of the same sex, whether in public or in private.
The car sped through the night, the streetlights towering along the roadside casting warm yellow light that flickered through the window onto his profile. He didn't continue the conversation.
"It's normal," he told himself. "It's nothing, just a brief and boring encounter in the vast sea of people, after which we'll never see each other again." He just missed her so much that he ridiculously felt jealous of a ski instructor who had spent the whole day practicing with her.
She was smiling so happily in the photo, full of life, bursting with the vitality of spring like the morning sun, while he could only glimpse a trace of warmth through the rigid photo that captured the moment.
He really missed her... Yuan Chuyu placed his left hand over the cuff of his right hand, and the cufflinks underneath gradually warmed up with his body heat.
That was a gift she bought for him: a pair of gold French cufflinks with a cross-shaped center that resembled a miniature rose.
She loved buying him cufflinks as gifts, in all sorts of styles and at fluctuating prices. He knew it was because they were simple, like the kind of gift guys would choose for holidays when they didn't want to put in too much effort but couldn't go wrong—just buy a popular lipstick.
She even unknowingly bought duplicate cufflinks, a pair of dark blue cufflinks surrounded by diamonds, their iridescent sheen reflecting the luster of the sea, like a pair of cat's eyes.
At that time, she used the same words when giving gifts twice. Yuan Chuyu then realized that this was probably a sales pitch to persuade her to swipe her card, and she had taken it and used it on him, just like she had plagiarized and cobbled together a "course paper" for the final exam.
But he still happily accepted the matching cufflinks, because she was looking at him with a smile, her cunning and lively eyes more like cat eyes than the cufflinks themselves.
I really like it.
I love it.
I really, really like her.
Yuan Chuyu repeatedly stroked the cufflinks with his fingertips. Since she came to his side, he had never used any other cufflinks, and the more they were separated, the more he felt this way.
Seeing the object evoked memories of her; the possessiveness he usually concealed and the determination to slowly and patiently pursue her all seemed like fragile bubbles. He carried her sentiments, wanting to hear her voice, see her face, and hope she would show him the same light and carefree sweet smile she wore in the skiing photos.
Lin Langyi suddenly smiled at the camera.
Yuan Chuyu's fingers, which were resting on his wrist, suddenly curled up. He suddenly felt that the tie around his neck was tied too tightly, as if someone was choking him, making it difficult to breathe.
He tightened his jaw and tilted his head slightly, his Adam's apple brushing against his shirt collar slowly and heavily, trying to relieve the tension.
As he slightly twisted his neck, his gaze remained fixed on her on the small screen. Her eyes were fixed on the slightly higher horizon, and she smiled... She was still replying to other people's messages, half-hearted.
On the other side of the screen—
Cheng Yanjin was really too noisy, like a chirping little bird. Lin Langyi wanted him to be quiet, so she replied perfunctorily with an "ok".
To her surprise, the other person was not at all dissatisfied with her token evasion. On the contrary, they were even more encouraged and inspired, and threw over a long ski training plan that was obviously prepared in advance and tailored to her personal situation.
However, he was too careless when copying, and accidentally posted the sentence in parentheses at the end: "Cheng Yanjin, you absolutely cannot let her fall, that's a big no-no!!!"
Lin Langyi read the message quickly, and by the time he retracted it, he had already scanned the last sentence and couldn't help but laugh.
Cheng Yanjin quickly resent the message after deleting the parentheses, and even added several emojis in an attempt to make the message "The other party withdrew a message" appear in the chat box.
Pearl: [You're putting in so much effort?]
Please don't bother me if you're abroad: [I'm in such dire straits, sister, please have pity on me and let me do your business. I promise I'll take responsibility for you.]
Meanwhile, Cheng Yanjin, his face flushed, typed out the last few words, "I will take responsibility for you," then immediately covered the screen with half of his palm, turning his head away and glancing haphazardly at the air, trying to calm his wildly beating heart.
Across from him, Guan Pengkun, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, was still giving orders: "Don't send messages so quickly! Let them sit for a while before sending them!"
"You posted so quickly, it's obvious you're willing to give it away for free! If you run into someone who knows how to train dogs, you don't know how much suffering you'll endure."
Cheng Yanjin retorted immediately: "Stop talking nonsense. What do you mean by 'knowing how to train dogs'? She seems like a very kind and innocent girl. She may not even have ever been in a relationship."
Guan Pengkun: "You have to listen to me, brother. I have a girlfriend, do you? You don't! Listen to the advice of us experienced people, okay?"
Cheng Yanjin wouldn't listen to any of it.
Although he covered the screen with his palm, new messages vibrated, and he turned the notification sound to the maximum; he couldn't possibly miss her message.
Covering it is the same as closing your eyes and making a wish over a candle.
A loud notification sound rang out in the room. Cheng Yanjin's body jolted, and he eagerly opened his hand:
pearl: [ok]
Cheng Yanjin stood up abruptly, full of vigor: "No girlfriend? You'll have one soon!"
He was still wearing his bathrobe, his hair was slightly damp, and he quickly lost interest in the hot spring after Lin Langyi and his group left. He returned to his room and remained silent, sitting alone on the sofa fiddling with his phone, typing and deleting words, without even touching the entire sumptuous meal that had been packed and brought back.
Guan Pengkun initially feigned indifference and didn't announce the start of dinner, but the aroma of the food Lin Langyi ordered kept wafting out. He sat for a long time, only to see Cheng Yanjin frowning and staring intently at his phone, ready to fight. He thought to himself that it wouldn't hurt to eat a little first.
Cheng Yanjin didn't even look up, leaving no room for negotiation: "Put it down. Did you think you could just touch it because it's for food?"
Guan Pengkun exclaimed, "Wow! You're really acting like a possessive dog now that I called you Jin Gou?"
Cheng Yanjin curled the corners of his lips, his body practically overflowing with pink bubbles. The indigo towel covering his head drooped down on both sides. He grabbed one, tilted his head, and pressed his cheek against it, showing off, "Don't you know who this is for?"
His behavior was so abnormal that his brothers couldn't possibly fail to see what he was thinking.
He gave Cheng Yanjin a lot of advice, but Cheng Yanjin was used to doing things his own way. He only liked to make his own decisions, and the only thing he listened to was, "You have to find an excuse to appear in front of her."
So, even though he was embarrassed, Cheng Yanjin still awkwardly admitted that he was a penniless nobody and sent that "sister".
Lin Langyi's straightforwardness pleased him. He told himself that a good start is half the battle, and since things were going so smoothly from the beginning, he was sure to have a wonderful ending.
"Alright, eat now." Having finished his important task, Cheng Yanjin finally had an appetite.
When he stopped, he realized that his stomach was completely empty since dinner, and he was starving.
Therefore, dishes related to her naturally taste even better.
Cheng Yanjin's phone was placed next to his left hand. He would pick up a piece of food with his chopsticks, glance at it, put it in his mouth, and glance at it again. While chewing, he was completely focused on his phone, just like a teenager addicted to the internet.
"She's quite good at ordering food, and the dishes taste good."
Guan Pengkun almost choked, looking at Cheng Yanjin with a complicated expression: "It wasn't you, brother, she ordered it, she didn't make it. You're praising her like it's some kind of daughter finally being able to walk on her first birthday... Is that how you praise someone?"
Normally, Cheng Yanjin, who's easily provoked, would have already snapped back, but right now all his senses are focused on his phone. The only thing he can concentrate on is tasting the food in front of him, so he has no time to pay attention to the barking dog.
"Don't get too caught up in this." Seeing his absent-minded look, Guan Pengkun couldn't help but remind him seriously, "Do you know she's single?"
This question is like a downpour that breaks through the clouds, drenching you and instantly clearing your mind.
Cheng Yanjin's smile faltered for a moment, then his brows furrowed tightly.
He turned his head and finally looked at Guan Pengkun, saying with certainty, "She's definitely single; she's not wearing a ring."
Guan Pengkun immediately retorted, "Please, she's skiing. Forget about the ring, she has pierced ears but isn't wearing earrings, and she probably isn't wearing a necklace either, right? What can a ring prove?"
"Besides, she seems quite young. Just because she's not married at this age doesn't mean she doesn't have a boyfriend, right?"
Cheng Yanjin's eyebrows furrowed: "She definitely doesn't have a boyfriend either."
How did you know?
“She…” Cheng Yanjin’s tone weakened. He wanted to say that she didn’t have her boyfriend with her this time, but that reason was too far-fetched, so far-fetched that he himself felt it was stupid.
Guan Pengkun cautioned, "She's beautiful and rich, so she'll never lack suitors."
Cheng Yanjin's aura immediately turned somber.
He sat on the sofa, his back slightly bent, his elbows resting on his knees, staring at the floor pattern for a long time without making a sound.
Guan Pengkun slowed down his chopsticks, and the atmosphere suddenly became heavy. He regretted that he had poured too much cold water on the situation.
"It's nothing... I was just saying it casually, don't take it to heart. Besides, think about it carefully, with your qualifications, it's practically a guaranteed win—"
"Even if you get married, you can still get divorced." Cheng Yanjin suddenly spoke up, and what he said left everyone speechless.
Guan Pengkun immediately stopped talking, staring blankly at his somewhat unfamiliar brother.
"If he's just a boyfriend, then it's even simpler." Cheng Yanjin said casually, but his left hand slowly clenched into a fist, his heart far from calm.
I should ask her, if I have the chance.
...
Cheng Yanjin finally quieted down, and no new messages popped up in the chat box. Lin Langyi looked into Yuan Chuyu's eyes through the screen: "Hmm? What did you say?"
Yuan Chuyu was not dissatisfied with her absent-mindedness; at least, no emotion could be seen on his face.
Inside the carriage, he remained as charming as ever, saying gently, "I told you I ordered you river perch fillets, veal puff pastry dumplings, and bouillabaisse, with scallops and lobster added. It's a tangy and savory flavor. You definitely won't like cheese fondue."
Indeed, it's too greasy. How can such a sweet and delicious ingredient as cheese be made into such an unpalatable food?
The dishes Yuan Chuyu ordered were all on Lin Langyi and Hang Qian's shopping list, but they had been eating radish stewed with mutton and pork ribs for several days and hadn't gotten around to these dishes yet.
He is so considerate.
Lin Langyi was pleasantly surprised. Yuan Chuyu was just that kind of person. Sometimes she would wonder if he didn't sleep with her because he didn't like her, but most of the time, he showed absolute thoughtfulness and care, which made it easy for people to confuse whether he was just like that by nature or if he really had some feelings for her.
But she quickly put such a trivial question out of her mind. Whether it was due to her nature or love, being well taken care of was always pleasant. Being comfortable was the goal, and the starting point was not important.
At times like these, she would only be satisfied that she had found a charming and virtuous fiancé, because when people are in love, they show their love, but if one day they no longer love each other, then their true nature will be revealed.
Therefore, one should seek out people whose nature is inherently pure and noble.
Having someone like that as a roommate would be great, especially since she has a good chance of sleeping with him someday.
Lin Langyi rested her chin on her hand and asked him expectantly, "Did you just order that?"
"Hmm... I ordered it two hours ago." Yuan Chuyu sighed helplessly. "Unlike domestic and international food delivery, it's not as convenient."
Lin Langyi was amused. She lived in the Snowstorm Villa, so delivery was naturally slower there: "And with all the service fees, it's ridiculously expensive."
“Ah, that’s not a problem.” Yuan Chuyu replied casually, raising his eyebrows slightly.
This statement sounds infuriating at first, but when Lin Langyi not only received a comforting late-night snack, but also a necklace worth 35 million dollars, she raised her opinion of her generous fiancé.
She received a huge bouquet of roses that was so large it couldn't even fit through the door. In the center of the bouquet was an exquisite brocade box, which contained the necklace.
It was too big, obviously made to be extra large. Lin Langyi couldn't bring the flowers into the suite and could only regretfully leave them in the corridor against the wall.
She stepped back and managed to get the whole bouquet in the frame, took a few photos, and then closed the door.
"Do you like the necklace?" Yuan Chuyu had already returned to his hotel room. He took off his coat and hung it in the closet, keeping his phone camera in sight no matter where he went.
Lin Langyi left for a short while, and when she returned, she was wearing a Birkenstock red stand-up collar cashmere coat with a black leather buckle at the collar, and even the belt was tied tightly.
Even her soft voice in the bathroom had a lingering charm because of the faint echo, as if she were speaking while pressing the sustain pedal of a piano.
She put her fingers in her belt and, smiling, asked instead of answering, "Is anyone around?"
Although he knew that Yuan Chuyu had high requirements for independent space, he was a workaholic and there was no guarantee that someone would come looking for him later.
Lin Langyi guessed correctly. Interesting. Although the two had only known each other for a short time, it was easier for her to figure out who he was than to unbuckle his belt.
Out of sight of the camera, Yuan Chuyu had just turned on his laptop; a brief remote online report was to follow shortly.
"Nobody's here. What's wrong?"
"Let me show you the necklace and see if it looks good." A soft light above Lin Langyi's head cast a dreamy glow on her smile.
She used her fingernails to pry open the leather buttons on the stand-up collar, and the coat collar instantly collapsed.
Her fair neck and beautiful, delicate collarbone were exposed.
Large areas of skin were exposed, without any soft, comfortable sweater underneath.
Yuan Chuyu slowly sat up straight and leaned back, his eyes darkening.
He saw her slip her fingers back into her belt and loosen it with a flick.
Under her open coat, she wore a pure black strappy bikini with a dazzling pure gold front buckle.
He had bought her a swimsuit on Xishaxi Island that time, and she later asked him which store it was. So, that time, the two of them went to buy the swimsuit together.
Much later, he realized that it was impossible for her not to know the swimsuit brand; she had just made up an excuse to ask him to go shopping with her.
Just like now, he knows perfectly well that he has been lured into a trap by those who are willing, but he is still tempted by the honey on the trap and falls right into it.
"Is the necklace pretty?" she asked him with a smile.
The necklace was completely invisible to me.
Yuan Chuyu closed the notebook completely, his Adam's apple bobbing restlessly. The dark, obsessive wildness inside him pounded against the chains, and he could hardly keep up his act in front of her.
"nice."
The sound came out, but it was hoarse and deep.
"It looks good." Lin Langyi nodded with a smile and slowly put her coat back on.
That burning gaze almost pierced through the coat that was trying to conceal the truth.
"Did you wear this when you went to the hot spring at night?" This was his second question, his voice hoarse.
"No, that one was wet, how could I wear it back?" Lin Langyi stuck her index finger into the gold front clasp, flicked it out, and it snapped back against her skin with a "smack." "It's dry, see?"
The topic had completely strayed from the necklace, but the two of them tacitly understood each other.
Lin Langyi thought to herself that she had already laid the groundwork for their reunion after a short separation. If she couldn't sleep with Yuan Chuyu when she went back this time, she would really have to start a thread to nag him.
"Zhuzhu, if you dislike someone, you wouldn't try on clothes for them like this, right?"
"Huh?" Lin Langyi had just tied her coat belt back and was bending down to undo her necklace when she heard him say this.
"When we kissed before... you didn't dislike me, did you?"
The necklace clasp was really hard to untie. Lin Langyi tried for a long time, then brushed her long hair down to her chest to cover her vision.
She was surprised: "I don't dislike it."
Yuan Chuyu's gaze was slightly unfocused. For the first time during a video call with her, he avoided looking directly at her. His lips were slightly parted, and he deliberately slowed his breathing. The red on his earlobe had spread to his neck.
"Okay, then you should get some rest." He reached out and blocked the camera, as if covering her eyes to prevent her from seeing his lapse in composure. "I have a short online meeting later."
Lin Langyi: ?
What an oblivious, clueless straight man!
Take your computer with you and go over there!
Lin Langyi straightened up expressionlessly, abandoning even the necklace she was halfway through untying, and reached out to cut off the video call.
It took Yuan Chuyu a long time to remove his hand from the screen, which had already automatically locked and turned black.
He is not in a good condition to work right now.
He postponed the meeting and got up to walk to the bedside. There was an incongruous beige nightgown on the pillow, the fabric slightly wrinkled, as if it had been squeezed and kneaded in someone's hand.
Lin Langyi has many loungewear pieces; this is just one of them. She says she spends a third of her life in bed, so she has high requirements for the quality of bedding and pajamas.
When traveling, she preferred to wear long sleeves and trousers to insulate her skin from unfamiliar bedding because it was inconvenient to take the dress with her to sleep in a hotel. So, he secretly took the dress with him.
She always talked about the ylang-ylang scent on him, but didn't she also have a captivating fragrance?
At times like this, Yuan Chuyu possessed an inviolable aloofness. Moreover, due to his extreme restraint and suppression, his face revealed an indifference and resistance akin to floating ice on the sea.
The crimson hue at the corners of her eyes and ears resembled a much larger iceberg or reef hidden beneath the sea surface.
With that face, he bent down and buried his face completely in his nightgown without saying a word.
*
When Lin Langyi woke up the next day, she felt like her whole body was falling apart.
She lay down for a while, picked up her phone, and saw that Cheng Yanjin, like a clock that chimes the hour, sent a "Good morning" message every half hour starting at six in the morning.
Lin Langyi scrolled straight to the end and posted, "My muscles are sore, I'm not skating today."
It was as if the other side had been monitoring the messages; the next second, he sent them one after another:
"Then we won't ski today, I'll be your tour guide."
We can go ice fishing, snow tubing, and snowmobiling. I'm a very stable snowmobile rider, so you won't get motion sickness.
【There's also a snow hut festival tonight where you can eat roasted mochi and drink iced sweet wine inside the snow huts. You guys wanted to try it yesterday at the hot springs but didn't get to, so let's go try it today.】
I've been here for almost half a month now, and I know every nook and cranny of every alley.
Please buy me money, I'm really short on cash.
Lin Langyi lay flat on the bed, holding her phone upright as she read those paragraphs twice... Hmm, there's a plan B too.
She merged and forwarded these chat messages, then turned to Hang Qian, who was lying motionless on the bed, and asked, "Want to go out and play?"
Hang Qian couldn't even lift her arms. She said weakly, "I can only participate in activities while lying flat now."
Lin Langyi got up: "Then I'll bring you some food?"
"Yibao, you are the best treasure in the world."
While the two girls were talking, Cheng Yanjin sent several more pitiful "please" emojis.
Lin Langyi then replied, "I need to get some food for my friend first."
A large and substantial transfer followed by the money indicated agreement to "hire a tour guide".
Upon hearing that Hang Qian wasn't participating, Cheng Yanjin, forgetting even about collecting payment, immediately launched into a hypocritical three-part attack:
Oh? That's such a pity.
【However, rest is indeed very important. Luckily, I'm in the restaurant right now, so I'll bring it up to you.】
Is there anything you'd like to eat?
Less than half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.
Lin Langyi went to open the door and saw Cheng Yanjin, who was fully dressed and ready to go.
He was dressed very lightly today, in a loose and casual zip-up hoodie, underneath which was a slightly tight black quick-drying tracksuit that immediately revealed his eye-catching physique.
With each breath, my chest muscles heaved and swelled, making me feel incredibly alive.
Lin Langyi was held captive for ten seconds before she could finally shift her gaze from his chest and abdomen to his face.
He even used hair wax. Yesterday he had a messy, short haircut, but now he has a carefully styled, clean and simple look, with every curl meticulously styled.
He couldn't hold on for more than two seconds after they made eye contact.
Lin Langyi, a straightforward woman, asked: "Aren't you cold?"
"It's not cold."
If he weren't afraid that his intention to prioritize style over warmth would be too obvious, he wouldn't even want to wear this hoodie.
The most realistic bare-leg artifact is actually bare legs, and isn't that the same idea he has?
I won't wear it even if I'm frozen purple!
Lin Langyi didn't understand but respected her decision, and asked again, "What about your scalper friend?"
Cheng Yanjin answered fluently, deceiving and bluffing: "He also slipped and his back ached, and he couldn't get up."
After saying that, he had to put down others, hypocritically saying, "He's not like me; his physical strength is average."
Lin Langyi: ...Oh.
She took the various sizes of takeout boxes from his hands; he had bought so much that she had to carry them in two separate trips.
Hang Qian showered her with compliments.
Cheng Yanjin stood obediently at the door, not taking a single step into the room.
When Lin Langyi turned around, the serious expression on his face disappeared, and he looked steadily toward the door.
It was a large bouquet of vibrant, fresh roses; I wondered who it was for.
He had actually arrived outside the room long ago. Before Lin Langyi mentioned buying breakfast, he had already reserved breakfast for her and her friend.
He meticulously planned today's itinerary from morning till night, including eating, playing, and traveling. He wrote down detailed plans for every place and every shop on his phone, and stayed up all night to prepare for it, feeling both excited and apprehensive.
But the moment he stepped into the corridor, he saw the bouquet. It was so vibrant, so red it looked like scalding blood, that no one could ignore it.
Cheng Yanjin stood in front of it for a full ten minutes, making up countless excuses for it.
It might be from the next room, but the guest there is allergic to pollen, so it was placed closer to Lin Langyi.
It might also be a gift for Hang Qian.
At the very least, if it really was someone who sent the flowers to Lin Langyi, the fact that this bouquet is now left outside the door shows her determination to reject unwanted suitors.
Cheng Yanjin deliberately ignored the size of the flowers, thinking that she must not like the other person, which was why she didn't bring the bouquet into the room.
But because of this bouquet of flowers, Cheng Yanjin suddenly didn't dare to ask her if she had a boyfriend. He was afraid of hearing a tragic truth, and even more afraid that the question would be too obvious and make her realize it and immediately distance herself from him.
He doesn't have the right to ask this question yet; the timing and the context are wrong.
In the final second before knocking on the door, he made up his mind:
Let's not put the cart before the horse. First, treat her well and make her happy. Make her look better than anyone else, and then ask this question.
Cheng Yanjin, the little man in his heart who had been hurt by the flower thorns, mustered his spirits and gave Lin Langyi, who had reappeared, a bright and cheerful smile.
...
Lin Langyi definitely had a great time.
So this is what they call a tour escort?
Cheng Yanjin's plan was detailed and interesting, and his service was attentive. He helped with queuing, buying tickets, and even carrying my bag.
He was only carrying a hiking backpack, and when he wanted to take Lin Langyi's bag, she hesitated for a moment at first.
But this hesitation seemed to have a different meaning in his eyes; he thought she didn't trust him, so he immediately took out his passport from a hidden compartment in his bag and handed it to her, saying sincerely:
"Here's my passport, you can keep it. I'm really not a scammer."
Amazing... Some people actually hand over their ID card as collateral when they meet someone.
Lin Langyi awkwardly held up the open passport, on which was written "Cheng Yanjin" in large letters.
So that's what it was.
She vaguely felt that the name sounded familiar, but after thinking about it, she realized that she had never encountered it in business before, so it probably wasn't important.
Cheng Yanjin in the photo looks a bit more youthful than he does now, but perhaps because he's not smiling, he looks rebellious, like the kind of cool school bully who's always on the lookout.
Lin Langyi looked up, and the big dog standing in front of her immediately smiled at her, revealing two rows of neat, bright white teeth, like a puppy wagging its tail wildly to welcome its owner home.
His passport was covered in stamps; a quick glance revealed that he had been traveling to various countries almost constantly.
Lin Langyi returned the passport: "I don't distrust you."
Having successfully obtained the right to carry the backpack, Cheng Yanjin continued his efforts and soon had more and more things in his hands.
He took Lin Langyi to try some local delicacies. If they were particularly delicious or unique to China, she had to try them. Even if they were particularly bad, he would try to persuade her to experience life by eating them. Lin Langyi couldn't resist his offensive at all. It was like being pounced on by an extremely enthusiastic dog. She couldn't refuse his hospitality.
"No, I really can't finish it." She held up the canola roll in her hand.
The next second, Cheng Yanjin naturally took the wrap from her hand, glanced at her face, and said confidently, "That means you don't like this. It's okay, I'll take care of it."
He finished it in just a few bites.
Lin Langyi didn't even have time to stop him, grabbing his sleeve and saying, "I bit him!"
Whether it was a misperception or not, after she finished speaking, Cheng Yanjin stuffed the last bit into his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it.
They ate even faster...
He had a cup of hot chocolate he was temporarily holding for her in his left hand, and a steaming hot pancake in his right. He cleverly changed the subject: "I once saw a video on how to tell if a girl likes to eat, doesn't like to eat, or is too full when she's shopping at a food street."
"You didn't like it just now, did you?"
Lin Langyi choked and nodded.
He immediately put on a smug expression, as if he had won the lottery.
That's why his last-minute cramming was effective; he studied the guide video no less than ten times yesterday, which is why he achieved such impressive results today.
Cheng Yanjin handed over the hot chocolate in his hand: "Shunshun."
Lin Langyi held the cup, which could also be used as a hand warmer, with both hands and held the small pancake to her lips: "Take a bite."
Lin Langyi glanced at the food, bit off a small portion, and nodded firmly while puffing out his cheeks.
Cheng Yanjin also tried one and wanted to feed it to others, but Lin Langyi had already taken one for herself.
Slightly disappointed, he freed his hand, thought for a moment, and then squeezed his head in again: "I want to try one more."
This time, he finally swallowed one with satisfaction, right there in her hand.
He ate it so quickly that he didn't even taste it properly. He only remembered the sweet, buttery aroma of the pancake lingering in his mouth, and how fluffy and soft it was when he bit into it, as if he had sunk into a ball of sweet cream.
Cheng Yanjin looked at her with lingering interest: "Don't worry, I have a good appetite. Just think of me as Shennong testing hundreds of herbs. I can handle anything that you don't like or can't eat."
When strolling through a food street, you really need a companion like this.
Lin Langyi enjoys trying all sorts of new things, so she was naturally happy when Cheng Yanjin said that.
"Then I'll manually separate them later, I won't bite anymore, sorry."
Cheng Yanjin looked away... He didn't seem happy with the suggestion.
But his emotions were always high and passionate, not to mention that Lin Langyi had bought him a gift.
It was a chain of cultural and creative bookstores, filled with all sorts of trinkets. Cheng Yanjin was never interested in these jingling little ornaments.
But according to the travel guide I made, this store might be popular with girls.
He led Lin Langyi inside and followed closely behind her, realizing for the first time that shopping with a girl could be such an interesting experience.
Although he didn't understand the point of spending time comparing a light yellow croissant fridge magnet with a caramel one, since they weren't edible and there was no difference in taste between them being slightly more caramelized.
But he stared intently at Lin Langyi, repeatedly examining and comparing her weight. She even tossed and turned the pine cones between her hands, like a meticulous little squirrel considering which one to move.
In the end, the caramel color won the squirrel's favor.
Having made her decision, she flashed a cheerful smile, her dimples appearing on her cheeks, making her look incredibly charming.
Cheng Yanjin felt like he had become a croissant stuffed into an oven, hot all over, and he was being puffed up by the hot air inside, exuding a sweet aroma.
Lin Langyi selected many souvenirs along the way. She even bought a small plush toy of a groundhog wearing a red scarf and playing an accordion. When you press its belly, it will play accordion music.
It was clear that she had many good friends, and Cheng Yanjin couldn't help but think proudly, "Of course, who wouldn't like her?"
Finally, Lin Langyi chose a complete set of mountain cups.
The bottom of the glass has undulating mountains, making it seem as if a mountain-shaped ice cube has been added when drinking vodka—a truly ingenious design.
There was nothing wrong with it, but he saw that she had taken a picture of the wine glass and shared it with someone.
It's unclear whether it's a man or a woman. The profile picture is simple and there's no nickname, but in the chat window, the two video-chatted for more than forty minutes last night.
Lin Langyi typed: 【It's beautiful! I brought it back and put it at home.】
At home.
Cheng Yanjin thought of the roses outside the door for no reason at all; it was just his random thoughts.
The other party did not reply.
Lin Langyi didn't seem to care much. After sending the message, she immediately locked the screen, put her phone in her pocket, and walked to the next shelf.
Cheng Yanjin frantically told himself that it was probably just a "home" where he lived with his parents, and not to overthink it.
The next shelf is filled with watches, all from Switzerland.
The watches Lin Langyi picked up and put back were all men's watches with youthful designs.
Cheng Yanjin's heart sank every time she picked up the men's watch, until it plunged into the cold seabed.
He lowered his head, staring at the unevenly colored floor tile beneath his feet, and remained silent.
Lin Langyi quickly went around to the back; she didn't like the somewhat cheap-looking watches there.
Do you like Swiss Army knives?
Cheng Yanjin didn't realize at first that she was talking to him.
Until she gently bumped his arm.
"What?" He looked up blankly.
Lin Langyi held a military knife in each hand and patiently asked again, "Which one do you like?"
Folding knives are his favorite collectible category.
Cheng Yanjin's lips parted slightly: "How did you know—"
“Here,” she suddenly pointed to the callus at the base of his little finger, “this was made by using a knife, wasn’t it?”
Her fingers pressed against him, as if they were manipulating a loose wisdom tooth growing on his heart, causing a persistent, aching pain.
"Besides, isn't your phone's screen saver an antique knife?"
Lin Langyi is best at noticing these small, insignificant details; she always makes people feel that she cares for them deeply.
Cheng Yanjin's emotions about the male cousin vanished instantly, his throat tightened, and he even felt like crying.
Lin Langyi resumed her usual squirrel-like routine, looking at the Swiss Army knives over and over again, finally pointing to a black Victorinox knife: "How about this one? It seems to be the latest model. Victorinox has a century-old history, um... although I don't really understand it."
Cheng Yanjin has one, of course, but it's just an entry-level folding knife brand. He also has the ancestor of Victorinox knives, an old antique from the Industrial Revolution, which is his favorite.
But now he was extremely fond of the military knife that Lin Langyi was holding. The shiny, reflective black hilt looked like a gun aimed at him, with the dark barrel aimed at his brow, scoring a precise shot.
"I like it," he said.
"Okay, let's call it a day then!"
Lin Langyi went to pay the bill, and Cheng Yanjin, as usual, wanted to pay but she stopped him.
He quickly replied, "The money you paid for me included the cost of food, lodging, and transportation."
Lin Langyi nudged him away with her elbow: "But I have to pay for the gift; it's the thought that counts."
As Cheng Yanjin walked out of the cultural and creative store, he held a military knife in his hand, his smile impossible to hide.
He lagged half a step behind Lin Langyi, secretly took a picture, and quickly posted it on his WeChat Moments.
"Here, this is for you too."
Suddenly, a hand reached out in front of him. Cheng Yanjin, feeling guilty, quickly locked the screen. He looked up and saw Lin Langyi handing him a bell.
That's a Swiss cowbell ornament; a golden bell hangs beneath the red, black, and white flag, and when you shake it gently, the bell rings out with a clear and melodious sound.
Lin Langyi explained with a smile, "I was afraid you already have a Swiss Army knife, so if I gave you this gift, wouldn't I just blend into the crowd?"
Cheng Yanjin seemed to have turned into a dog with a bell on its leash, stammering as he asked, "Then why did you give me this...?"
Lin Langyi inwardly gasped, realizing she had accidentally taken too much when paying the bill.
But she couldn't say she bought it randomly, so she made up a story: "Because you have a very strong figure, and this bright red color is just as passionate as your personality."
If Guan Pengkun were here, he would definitely have commented sharply: "Jin Gou, she said you're as strong as an ox, so she bought you a classic red bullfighting jacket."
But Guan Pengkun wasn't there; only Cheng Yanjin, who was completely bewildered by the flattery, was grinning from ear to ear and immediately wanted to find a way to hang up on his phone.
After that, Cheng Yanjin was completely immersed in sweetness.
As planned, they went snow tubing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. Because Lin Langyi had praised his figure, Cheng Yanjin racked his brains trying to get her to hold him around the waist while they were riding the snowmobile. He even hoped that they could slide up and down and he could touch her abs and pecs.
He came in his battle uniform today!
But Lin Langyi was too proper, remaining unmoved like an old monk who had seen through the vanities of the world.
No matter how Cheng Yanjin secretly posed and tensed his muscles to achieve the best tactile sensation, her hand never moved.
Why?!
Cheng Yanjin even cleverly took an extra motorcycle ride, but still suffered a crushing defeat.
When he got off the motorcycle, he was still doubting himself... Was it because he hadn't been exercising lately that he had lost his figure?
"This is so much fun!" Lin Langyi exclaimed.
Even better than being a tour guide was having a super hot and enthusiastic guy invite her to ride a motorcycle with his arms around her waist.
It feels really good.
If it weren't getting dark and it weren't almost closing time, she would definitely have asked to come again.
The evening was the Snow House Festival, which is not actually a Swiss custom at all, but for some reason Cheng Yanjin took a liking to this event and confidently said that he would take care of it.
He built the igloo himself.
Because of the tight schedule, he rushed out last night and called a few skiing friends to do the hard work together. They used storage boxes to compact the snow into snow bricks and then stacked them one by one to build a round snow house.
Fearing that it would be damaged by mischievous children if built in a crowded area, Cheng Yanjin chose a slightly secluded location for the ice fishing site, where the land was sparsely populated.
Lin Langyi was very excited when she saw the snow house. Inside, there were thick wool blankets and many different kinds of small lanterns.
The warm yellow light shines through the arched doorway, looking from afar like a snow lantern from a fairy tale world.
"I called Sisi and asked her if she was coming."
"Okay, then I'll go get my afternoon's spoils." After settling Lin Langyi in, Cheng Yanjin went to get the fish that had already been processed and prepared into a delicious dish.
Stepping out of the snow house, it was already completely dark. Only some of the indoor ice fishing spots still let in light, and the world was desolate.
Cheng Yanjin was fully equipped, wearing a headlamp, and quickly went and returned.
Just before we were about to return to the igloo, a group of tourists were walking out. Leading them were two children laughing and playing. Their parents called out from behind, and the children ran even faster, laughing, like cats chasing mice.
Cheng Yanjin was carrying a full tray of fish in both hands, trying to avoid the child rushing towards him. But in times like these, they had an uncanny understanding, and the two of them moved to the left at the same time, causing the child to crash solidly into Cheng Yanjin.
"thump".
"Thump".
Two sounds.
The child was knocked to the ground and fell down. Before falling, he instinctively grabbed Cheng Yanjin's coat to steady himself, but still couldn't maintain his balance.
During the struggle, Cheng Yanjin's phone slipped out of the shallow pocket of his coat, fell onto the ice, and couldn't stop, sliding directly into a gap in the ice next to him, where a rough warning barrier made of tree branches had been carved out.
"Oh my god, you need to apologize to them." The parent quickly stepped forward.
The child got up and honestly apologized.
But Cheng Yanjin seemed to have lost his mind.
He stood motionless, still stiffly holding the baking tray in his hands, only his neck turned to the side, looking at the rectangular hole drilled open.
It was like a bottomless, dark well, completely still and undisturbed.
"It's nothing," he heard himself say, his voice very low.
After the group apologized and were about to leave, Cheng Yanjin suddenly squatted down, put down the plate he was holding, took off his coat and casually hung it on the corner of the tree branch fence. He adjusted the brightness of his headlamp and then bent down to enter the restricted area.
Before anyone could react, he squatted down without hesitation, braced himself against the ice with his hands, stretched out his long legs, and slid into the water through the ice hole as cleanly and decisively as a fish.
The icy chill felt like a thousand needles, seeping into his very bones. He finally heard the parent's panicked voice, which was almost cracking as they cried out.
The water seal is like entering another world; you can't hear anything anymore.
I can't lose my phone; it still has a bell attached.
...
Lin Langyi heard a commotion outside the snow house, with flashlights flashing wildly before finally coming together.
Not knowing what was going on, she walked a dozen meters away when the beam of a flashlight flashed across her coat hanging on a branch, and her expression immediately changed.
Lin Langyi rushed to the crowd, crouched down and squeezed in. The explanations from all sides poured into her ears and flowed out, leaving no trace in her brain.
Her face was tense, and the fragmented flashbacks were all first aid knowledge such as "call for emergency help", "shine lights at the cave entrance", and "use ropes to pull the person who fell into the water". Before she could react, her body had already automatically done the first two things.
Just as I was about to turn back to borrow a fishing rod or something, there was a sudden "whoosh" sound at the edge of the ice, and an arm suddenly grabbed the ice.
Lin Langyi squatted down beside her, and the water splashed on her legs like migratory birds taking flight.
She turned her head sharply and saw Cheng Yanjin's head pop out of the dark hole, his other arm reaching out and desperately clinging to the ice.
He held his phone in his hand, and the red flag of the Swiss Newbell peeked out from between his fingers, turning a dark red after being soaked in water.
Lin Langyi bent her knee, her left calf completely pressed against the ice, turned sideways and reached forward, grabbing Cheng Yanjin's hand.
He looked up at her with his wet face, his carefully styled hair plastered haphazardly to his forehead, and his light-colored pupils seemed to be veiled by a layer of washed gauze, staring at her intently with a wet gaze.
It was like holding a piece of ice; the biting cold instantly cleared Lin Langyi's mind.
She turned her head and shouted to the crowd, "Rope!"
Impatient, she quickly took off her coat, wrung it out haphazardly, threw one sleeve at him, and hurriedly backed away. But Cheng Yanjin pressed his entire forearm against the ice and pushed himself up, causing the bulging veins to bulge out instantly. Without even pulling up his sleeve, he climbed out of the water in no time.
Lin Langyi stared at him in astonishment. Cheng Yanjin was kneeling on the ice, panting heavily. His exposed skin was stiff and white, and the hot air he exhaled seemed like the mist before ascending to immortality. Even at this moment, he was still able to explain to her with a clear mind: "The ice is very thick and won't break. It's okay."
"I can go winter swimming."
“I once went to Russia and even had an ice water baptism.”
"Well, it should only take me three or four minutes to get down here. It's relatively close to shore and not deep. I know what I'm doing. I didn't just jump in on a whim."
Her voice trailed off as Lin Langyi's expression grew increasingly grim.
"Take off all your wet clothes," she said coldly.
Cheng Yanjin cautiously glanced at her expression, not daring to say a word, and quickly did as she was told.
The blankets from the snow house were brought over by someone, and Lin Langyi roughly covered them over his head.
Cheng Yanjin obediently wrapped himself up like a ball. Since his mother passed away, his family had been unable to control him. If anyone gave him a hard time, he would only become more stubborn.
But Lin Langyi gave him a cold shoulder—how wonderful!
She's like the kind of owner who's gentle and sweet until she grabs a cat that's run out the window, but then slaps it hard as soon as she drags it inside.
Occasionally, when her actions were too rough or violent, Cheng Yanjin would just think to himself with a happy smile: Ah, she cares about me so much! I know that concern can lead to confusion!
The ambulance was still on its way. Cheng Yanjin repeatedly emphasized that he really didn't need to go on duty, but Lin Langyi ignored him and temporarily took him into the snow house for further emergency treatment.
Strong liquor works faster than warm water. Lin Langyi grabbed his chin and made him drink a few mouthfuls first. As he frowned and hissed, she tugged at his blanket.
"Take it off little by little, let me see."
"What?" Cheng Yanjin's cheeks, which were stained from the strong liquor, finally regained some color when viewed under the light.
Lin Langyi peeled off one of his arms. This man was clutching his phone tightly in his hand as if he were sick. She raised his arm a little higher and carefully examined his skin for any ulcers or broken skin.
No, she just poured strong liquor on it and rubbed her skin with a little force.
Cheng Yanjin was quickly examined and massaged part by part by Cheng Yanjin. She took off his clothes when she asked him to, and turned around when she asked him to. She paid special attention to his cheeks, ears, fingers and other parts.
His face grew increasingly red, his breathing became disordered, and the skin she had treated glowed with a warm pink, as if he were on fire.
The most important parts of the body during hypothermia, the chest and abdomen, were tormented by her for a long time. Cheng Yanjin tilted his head back, his eyes wide open, looking at the white roof of the snow house. A gurgling sound like a cat or dog whining came out of his throat. Gradually, the sound began to become lingering and poignant. Low, unbearable panting and groans were squeezed out intermittently, like a patient with a high fever that was difficult to cure.
He felt as if his brain had been frozen, but his body felt as if it were being roasted and turned on a stove, with her fingers bringing a tingling, yet unsatisfying, electric current to every place they touched.
He had thought about it for a long time, and he actually managed to get her to touch his abs and pecs at this moment in this way.
The warm water arrived, but Cheng Yanjin was dizzy and didn't even know when it came until Lin Langyi soaked a towel and placed it on his face.
These are just normal and correct first aid measures for frostbite.
However, the warm water vapor presses against the nasal cavity and trachea, making breathing difficult. The predicament of losing sight and squeezing out oxygen amplifies the other senses infinitely.
Her palms were placed on his chest and abdomen, slowly moving up and down along the muscle lines. Cheng Yanjin trembled uncontrollably from the touch.
Whether it was a reward or torture, his breathing became heavier and heavier, and his body seemed to have slipped out of his control. He thought with embarrassment, could a blanket really hide his lowly desires?
She pressed her hand on his lower abdomen one last time; the wine was all poured.
Cheng Yanjin reacted strongly, arching his back like a shrimp, curling up his legs, and turning away from her as if fleeing.
The towel slipped off his face, and he gasped as he quickly covered his face with it, his pupils trembling and darting rapidly beneath his eyelids.
I was so excited I was almost dizzy.
In his confused state, he heard her chuckle softly and stopped.
"Heh, you're really alright now."
Cheng Yanjin opened his eyes. He was feeling a little uncomfortable, but she suddenly stopped touching him, so that discomfort turned into another kind of dissatisfaction that was emanating from his body.
His eyes were fixed on the snow wall, trying to understand the meaning of the person behind him with his completely deactivated brain.
Lin Langyi stood up, creating a gust of wind. This slight movement of air instantly dispelled the fog in his mind. Without thinking, Cheng Yanjin suddenly sat up and grabbed her wrist.
"where you go?"
His movements were so exaggerated that the blanket he was holding slipped off and piled up around his waist and hips.
He couldn't wear wet clothes, and there was nothing under the blanket. The fine, short fibers, having absorbed the moisture from his skin, gained weight and rubbed against areas his body couldn't bear, like the last straw that broke the camel's back.
His expression must have been quite intriguing, which is why she wore that ambiguous smile.
"Don't go..." His voice trembled along with his body as he pleaded with her, "Please, please?"
Lin Langyi: "Aren't you alright now?"
"I have something to do."
What do you want?
Do you have a boyfriend?
Lin Langyi looked down at him, seeing his bare skin radiating youthful vigor as if he had been soaking in a hot spring the night before. He saw that Lin Langyi's spirited face couldn't hide any emotion—happiness, joy, sadness—all of which were clearly and distinctly expressed to him like a barometer, without any need for guessing.
She is a completely different person from her reserved and tactful fiancé, Yuan Chuyu.
A fiancé and a boyfriend are not the same thing, right?
Furthermore, she only has so little time left before returning to China, and if Cheng Yanjin is really as he says, it's questionable whether he can even unblock the black card and go back.
She thought it was just a chance to make friends during the trip, and she didn't believe he would fall head over heels in love in such a short time. She figured that when Cinderella's midnight bell rang, they would say goodbye.
Lin Langyi smiled slightly and said in a light voice, "I don't have a boyfriend."
The next second, she was pulled down forcefully.
Lin Langyi slumped onto his lap, and Cheng Yanjin quickly leaned in and kissed her on the corner of her mouth before wrapping his arms around her completely.
She could see the flickering lights inside the snow hut as she leaped over his shoulder, and she could feel his chest heaving with joy. She slowly added the next sentence:
"But I have a fiancé."
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