Half an hour later, there were still quite a few wontons left in her bowl. Xia Ning was ready to leave when a few girls walked in. They recognized her right away.
“Excuse me, are you Xia Ning?” One of them summoned up her courage and asked.
Looking at these college kids, Xia Ning wanted to say no, but since she wasn’t wearing any disguise and there were only a few of them, she nodded. “Yes, it’s me.”
“Lemon, I’m a big fan. Could you sign this for me?” One of the girls took out a pen and a notebook and asked for an autograph.
Xia Ning took them with a smile, signed, then handed them back.
One of the girls asked curiously. “Lemon, why are you here alone?”
“I had a promotion event in town and thought I would eat some wontons afterward.” Xia Ning explained with a smile.
“Lemon, I hope you won’t mind me asking this. Do you have a boyfriend?” One of the fans asked.
Xia Ning only smiled at her, but didn’t answer.
The fan thought that Xia Ning was worried about her secret getting out, so she said in a hurry. “Lemon, I swear upon my dignity. Nothing you say here will ever get out. I promise.”
Xia Ning smiled. “You’ll be the first ones to know when I do get a boyfriend.”
“Great. Lemon, we’re always behind you!”
After saying goodbye to the fans at the wonton stall, Xia Ning headed back for the hotel. Before she knew it, flurries of snow began to drift down. Standing in the middle of the sidewalk, she looked up at the sky and felt like smiling. It was snowing again!
Reaching out to catch the snow, she watched as the translucent snowflake disappeared in her palm. Something clicked, as if everything around her had gone quiet.
She liked snowing days, for they reminded her of her happiest time, when she was the happiest person on earth.
The snow grew heavier and Xia Ning woke up from her reverie. She kept on walking. Just then, she saw a figure in black walk toward her. That moment, the street seemed to fall into the background and he was the only thing moving. He came for her, against the wind and snow.
He pulled her toward him when he was close enough and the next moment, she was in the warmth of his arms.
Leaning against his chest, his familiar smell filled her nostrils, which somehow settled her mind. She couldn’t help but move closer to him as if being attacked by the heat of his body.
That was the romantic moment she had used to long for. When she missed him the most, he arrived without announcement, giving her the biggest pleasant surprise in the world.
Happiness could be so simple. All it took was a hug and an encounter at the right time.
Many passersby turned their heads. The sight of a tall, handsome man caring for a woman in his arms in the snow, together with the night and the dim light from the streetlamps, was unbelievably beautiful.
Qiao Yu wrapped his arms around Xia Ning again when they got back to Xia Ning’s room. No matter how Xia Ning pushed him, he wouldn’t let go of her.
“Qiao Yu, cut it out!” Xia Ning whispered, then pushed him again.
This time, Qiao Yu caught her wrists. He then buried his face in her neck and sucked her skin hard. “No, I won’t!”
Xia Ning cursed inwardly at the sting. She would get a mark there tomorrow. Luckily, it was wintertime. She punched Qiao Yu lightly. “How did you get here? It’s so late and the weather is awful. Wait, is Enoch in bed?”
She thought she was dreaming when he showed up just then. It was a dream that would only happen in fairytales.
“Can we not talk about another man when we’re together?” Qiao Yu frowned.
Xia Ning was speechless. Excuse me? That “other man” was your son.