Chapter 120 First Love
The next morning, Yun Zhan took Wen Sixue skiing.
The skiing in the North is the best in the world, and there are many ski resorts around. Wen Sixue was born in the North, but she had never skied before. When she came here in winter, her hands were always freezing cold, so she didn't like to touch the snow.
Now that conditions are better and she's warmer, Wen Sixue dared to hold snow in her hand for the first time and feel its icy coolness.
"Stand up there, I'll help you. Don't worry, you won't fall." Yun Zhan didn't bring her skis, so she placed the skis she had rented for Wen Sixue on the ground and then took her hand.
This was Wen Sixue's first time stepping onto skis, and the clumsy ski boots made her stagger as she walked.
"I'm a little unsteady on my feet, can you slow down a bit?" Wen Sixue nervously grabbed Yun Zhan's hand, holding it tightly and refusing to let go.
"Of course, I'll go slower."
Yun Zhan slowed down his movements.
Everything here was new to Wen Sixue, a joy she had never experienced before.
Yun Zhan patiently helped her put on all her protective gear, steadily supported her hand, and led Wen Sixue onto the gentle snow track.
"Don't be afraid, relax your body, and shift your weight forward." Yun Zhan's gentle and steady voice rang in Wen Sixue's ears.
Wen Sixue paid no attention to any techniques; all her attention was occupied by this novel experience.
She gripped Yun Zhan's hand tightly, leaning most of her weight on him. She was so scared that her palms were sweating.
This is the northern country, and most of the skiers here are foreigners. They are tall and slender, with high noses and fair skin. When Yun Zhan arrived, she even saw quite a few models. But in her heart, none of them were as beautiful as Wen Sixue.
From Yun Zhan's perspective, Wen Sixue's lips curled up, forming an irrepressible, smiling arc. With each breath, the girl exhaled a wisp of white mist that dissipated into the crisp air.
It's beautiful, more beautiful than snowflakes, more beautiful than roses, more beautiful than anything else in the world.
Yun Zhan held her hand tightly, not rushing to teach her complicated moves, and they glided slowly on the flat ground.
Wen Sixue's body was a little stiff, and she moved cautiously with every inch she moved. She stared at Yun Zhan in a panic, but when a breeze carrying snowflakes brushed her cheeks, her snowboard began to slide forward for the first time.
"Ah! Yun Zhan! It moved by itself."
An uncontrollable cheer of surprise escaped Wen Sixue's lips. She looked up at Yun Zhan with delight, hoping to receive the same enthusiastic response from her.
"Of course the skateboard will move; it's already good that you can maintain your balance."
Yun Zhan looked at her with a smile, his grip becoming even firmer.
So cute!
Wen Sixue wore a white knitted hat with a pom-pom decoration, which made her face look even smaller, and her skin was so white that it was almost transparent against the backdrop of the snow.
The cold wind of the north tinged her nose and cheeks with a faint blush, much like the plum blossom that Yun Zhan saw blooming in the snow last winter.
Seeing that Wen Sixue was gradually getting used to it, Yun Zhan slowly released his hand from her arm, leaving only the hand that the two were holding as the only connection.
"You need to learn to be independent before you can learn this."
"But I don't want to learn, I just want to be with you."
Wen Sixue suddenly stopped and looked at Yun Zhan seriously.
"Skiing is just a game, and it only seems so fun because you're here with me. If the price of learning to ski is letting go of your hand, then I don't want to play it."
Wen Sixue exhaled a breath of hot air, snowflakes landed on the tip of her nose, her fair skin glowing with a rosy hue. Her gaze was resolute, and she didn't seem to be joking at all.
"I won't let go of you."
She understood what Wen Sixue meant and knew that she would not leave Wen Sixue.
Losing support from the other side, Wen Sixue's body swayed instinctively, letting out a soft scream.
"Slow down..." Wen Sixue muttered, but not to herself; she was speaking to Yun Zhan.
Even if Yun Zhan didn't fully support her, she would still subconsciously call out Yun Zhan's name when in danger.
"Spread your legs a little wider, bend your knees, like this," Yun Zhan said, demonstrating with his own body to guide Wen Sixue in adjusting her posture.
Wen Sixue followed her example, bending her knees and clumsily separating her skis little by little. Just as she finally managed to find a bit of balance, fine snowflakes began to fall from the sky again.
A few snowflakes landed lightly on her long eyelashes, eventually melting into a glistening droplet of water.
Yun Zhan stood beside Wen Sixue, quietly watching her.
"So beautiful, so cute."
I think so too.
21. Looking from Yun Zhan's perspective, Yun Zhan was truly blessed.
Skiing had taken a toll on the two of them, and as the sunset painted the snow-capped mountains golden, they left the ski resort and headed to the ice and snow festival being held in the town at the foot of the mountain.
Night fell quickly, but the whole town was even more dazzling than during the day.
Along the street, crystal-clear ice sculptures were illuminated by built-in colored lights. The air was filled with the rich aroma of red wine and bread, mixed with the laughter of children. The surroundings were bustling and lively. Afraid of getting lost, Wen Sixue clung to Yun Zhan's arm.
"Don't worry, I'll go buy some food."
Yun Zhan held Wen Sixue's hand as they weaved through the bustling crowd. First, she bought a steaming bowl of meatballs, a local specialty. Yun Zhan carefully picked one up with a bamboo skewer, blew on it repeatedly until he was sure it wasn't too hot, and then offered it to Wen Sixue's lips.
Wen Sixue took a small bite, her eyes slightly squinting from the heat, her cheeks puffed out as she chewed.
Suddenly, several exaggerated exclamations of praise came from the side.
Several tall, young foreigners walked over. They had golden hair, clear blue eyes like lake water, and medium-length hair. They looked quite young.
Their enthusiastic gazes fell on Wen Sixue, and one of the bolder ones stepped forward and asked in simple Chinese, "You are very beautiful. Are you from the South?"
“Your eyes are beautiful,” another person chimed in.
They meant no harm; it was simply the kind of direct and enthusiastic appreciation that young people often have.
But for Wen Sixue, it still frightened her. She was used to the spotlight on the theater stage, but she was still afraid of being spoken to by men. Especially being surrounded by several tall, unfamiliar men and praising her in such direct language.
The young people became more and more excited as they talked, and some even took out their phones, gesturing that they wanted to take a group photo.
The encirclement they formed grew smaller and smaller. Wen Sixue almost instinctively took a step back, her grip on Yun Zhan's hand tightening suddenly, and a hint of helplessness and fear appeared in her bright eyes.
"Don't be afraid, I'll handle it."
Yun Zhan noticed her unease immediately.
She stepped forward and completely shielded Wen Sixue behind her.
This simple action blocked all gazes directed at Wen Sixue.
Yun Zhan was already tall, not much shorter than these boys. At this moment, she slightly raised her chin and calmly and sharply swept her eyes over the foreigners in front of her.
If they continue to pester her, she will get Wen Sixue away as quickly as possible. If they make any excessive moves, the nearest security personnel should be nearby. If she really has to take action... she might be at a disadvantage, so she should let Wen Sixue go first.
The blond, blue-eyed young men were suddenly taken aback by Yun Zhan's seriousness. Their smiles froze for a moment as they realized that their enthusiasm might have caused trouble.
The boy who spoke first scratched his head awkwardly, raised his hands, and explained in fluent Spanish: "Lo siento, solo creo que es muy hermosa. No te pongas nerviosa." (Sorry, I just think she's pretty. Don't be nervous.)
His companions also apologized, saying they meant no harm, and then wisely turned and left.
Yun Zhan's wariness only gradually subsided after those tall figures completely merged into the crowd and disappeared from sight.
Yun Zhan gently stroked Wen Sixue's head, straightened her fluffy hat, and said in his usual gentle voice, "It's alright, don't be afraid."
Wen Sixue was still a little stunned, the panic in her eyes had not completely dissipated, and her long eyelashes cast small shadows under the colored lights.
Yun Zhan put his arm around her waist and said in a low voice, "However, what they said is not wrong either."
"You're so beautiful. If I didn't know you and was just a local wandering around here, I definitely would have come up to you and talk to you too."
They praised Wen Sixue, and she would praise Wen Sixue in return.
Upon hearing this, Wen Sixue's fingertips trembled slightly. She didn't speak, but simply tightened her grip on Yun Zhan's hand.
The two walked in silence for a short distance, the snow crunching under their feet.
Wen Sixue lowered her eyes, intently contemplating the scene Yun Zhan had just described.
If it were Yun Zhan, would she be afraid?
After thinking for a while, Wen Sixue tugged at Yun Zhan's hand: "If it were you, I probably wouldn't be scared."
Wen Sixue met her gaze and continued, "On the contrary, I might... be quite happy."
"Hmm? Why?" Yun Zhan's curiosity was piqued.
Under the colorful lights of the ice lanterns, Wen Sixue's cheeks were slightly flushed, whether from the cold or something else, it was hard to tell.
“Because…” Wen Sixue paused for a moment, “Because I like you very much. I liked you the moment I saw you.”
Wen Sixue was lost in her memories: "When we first met, I saw you looking at me. I know you think I'm pretty and like looking at me."
Wen Sixue raised her eyes, and Yun Zhan's figure was clearly reflected in them.
"Actually, back then, I also thought you... were very beautiful."
"The second time you came was at night, and the lights were dim, but I saw you at a glance. You were different from everyone else. You just sat there quietly, doing nothing, yet you attracted my attention. Later, when I met you at school, I felt both happy and a little lost. I didn't want you to know about my background, I didn't want you to know about my shameful past."
"Maybe this is what people mean by falling in love at first sight."
That chance encounter at the theater was, from the very beginning, a two-way journey.
Wen Sixue has now truly considered it, and she thinks that if Yun Zhan were from the North, she would like him too.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
