The night sky was as black as ink, and a vast expanse of heavy snow was falling.
In the lower right corner of the photo, there is a girl wrapped in a bulky white down jacket, with her shoulder-length black hair draped over her chest.
Even though her facial features were blurred into a mess, you could still see the bright smile on her lips.
Lin Zhenzhen had just arrived at the hotel when she received Zheng Rong's call.
Zheng Rong arranged the room and airfare himself; the seven-star hotel was located in a prime location in the East City.
“Gong Yao’s maternal grandfather’s house is not far from where you live. If you look out from the balcony, at the nine o’clock direction, it’s on the mountain next to that red building.”
Lin Zhenzhen's gaze followed his direction and indeed saw a tranquil hill hidden in the dazzling and bustling city street scene.
“Gong Yao grew up in Dongchang and can be considered a local. He is very familiar with the food and entertainment in this area.”
"But he won't be staying in Dongshi for more than a few days. He'll probably be returning to Jinshi around the third or fourth day of the Lunar New Year. If you want to make plans with him, you'd better hurry."
Lin Zhenzhen stood on a high place, looking down at the lights of thousands of homes outside the window.
She didn't speak, and Zheng Rong didn't urge her either.
The floor-to-ceiling windows completely shut out the outside noise; Lin Zhenzhen could even hear the faint sound of the central air conditioning running.
Why do you think I'm sure I can get him to go out with me?
A soft chuckle suddenly came from the other end.
"It's okay, don't feel guilty. I didn't expect either of you to make any progress."
"Just consider it as making friends. After all, you two are alumni and seem to get along quite well."
“You’re spying on me.” Lin Zhenzhen used a statement, not a question.
She knew that the Zheng family had been keeping an eye on her all these years.
I just didn't expect Zheng Rong to bring this up in public and say it in such a nonchalant tone.
“To call it surveillance would be a bit harsh; it should be called concern,” Zheng Rong said slowly. “After all, you’re still young and don’t understand the wickedness of people’s hearts.”
“My father is usually busy with work, so he specifically instructed me, as your older brother, to take good care of you.”
Lin Zhenzhen lowered her eyes and tightened her grip on the phone: "I see. Thank you so much for your concern, brother."
"Hmm, good girl." Zheng Rong flicked the nearly burnt-out cigarette between his fingers, as if he couldn't understand her sarcastic tone.
"Xiao Zhen, you must always remember that we are your family, and only we are truly dedicated to your well-being."
Family.
Family.
Family.
Lin Zhenzhen clenched her molars, her middle fingernail digging deep into her palm, leaving a blood-red mark.
No, that's not how it works.
None of you are; I only have one family member.
Lin Zhenzhen suddenly opened her eyes wide, stared at the night sky, and murmured softly.
"Mother."
Zheng Rong's lips curled into a satisfied smile. He raised an eyebrow, crushed the cigarette in one swift motion, sighed, and said helplessly, "What, thinking of Auntie again?"
His tone was undeniably relaxed: "So many years have passed since that accident, how come you still haven't gotten over it?"
"An accident?" A chilling crimson light flashed in Lin Zhenzhen's eyes.
"Then you should get some rest. Goodnight, little sister."
Zheng Rong seemed to sense something and hung up the phone first.
Lin Zhenzhen held up her phone, staring blankly at the pitch-black night sky.
"Mom, I'm sorry."
Tears slid down her cheeks, landing silently on the soft cashmere carpet, and eventually disappeared.
After a long while, Lin Zhenzhen wiped her face, picked up her phone again, and opened her chat window with Gong Yao.
The other person patted her on the shoulder ten minutes earlier and asked if she had come to Dongshi.
Lin Zhenzhen took a deep breath and typed with trembling fingers: [Yeah, just got off the plane. So cold, phew~]
[Haha, what a coincidence! I just arrived in Dongshi tonight too, and I was frozen stiff as soon as I got off the plane.]
[Yes, I originally planned to come and play in the snow during the Spring Festival holiday, but I didn't expect it to be so cold. Sorry to bother you.]
Lin Zhenzhen clicked on the emoji bar on the right and added a mischievous Minion sticking out its tongue.
She continued, "So you're from Dongshi?"
Gong Yao: [My mother is from Dongshi, and I grew up here, so I guess I'm half a Dongshi person.]
Seeing the word "Mom" appear on the screen, Lin Zhenzhen felt a sharp pain in her heart again.
Her eyes were lowered, and the cold light from the screen flickered, as if coating her face with a thin layer of ice.
[Oh, I see. You must be very familiar with this area. Do you have any recommendations for places to visit alone?]
This time, it took several minutes for them to reply.
[Did you come alone?]
[Yeah, being alone makes things a bit difficult; it seems like nothing is very convenient.]
After typing this message, Lin Zhenzhen put down her phone and quietly watched the "typing is in progress" message flash repeatedly above the chat window.
A moment later, the white information bar finally popped up.
[If you want to play in the snow, I can take you to the ski resort in the mountains. I've been there before; it's less crowded.]
Lin Zhenzhen replied expressionlessly: [That's not a good idea.]
[What's wrong with it?]
[It's a holiday, after all. Wouldn't going skiing with me interfere with your time with your family?]
Gong Yao sent a voice message directly. His voice was light and cheerful, like a mountain stream breaking through the ice on a winter night, clear and captivating.
"Don't worry, it won't affect anything. The ski resort is near my house, and if you're not shy, my whole family can come with you."
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