Leaning against Huangfu Jue’s chest, listening to the man’s heartbeat, the tiny bit of discomfort in his heart gradually melted away like ice and snow.
Dad loved him so much, loved Mom so much, there must have been a reason when he left them, just like that dragon.
Thinking this, he stretched his little arms, embracing the man’s waist.
His arms were still too small and too short, too short to wrap around his father’s waist, but his heart was filled with peace.
Listening to the insects and his father’s heartbeat, he gradually closed his eyes and entered into sweet dreams.
Seeing this, Gan Yuan stood up and made up the small bed in the RV for the little guy.
Huangfu Jue responded softly, carefully lifting the little guy into the vehicle, placing him on the small bed. She then helped him take off his shoes and socks, pulled up the thin blanket, and grabbed a pillow to prop against the side of the bed to prevent him from accidentally falling off.
Both of them watched the little guy for a moment, then Huangfu Jue bent down to gently kiss his face. He took her hand, and together with Gan Yuan, they stepped out of the vehicle.
Going back to the campfire, Huangfu Jue placed the fresh fish on the grill. The flames crackled as they cooked the fish, and he looked around.
"This feeling, it’s like six years ago."
Six years ago, they were trapped beneath the ski slope of the Alps Mountains due to an avalanche.
It was daytime then, but the bright moon on the white snow was just like the moonlight from Yaoyang this evening; he had grilled fish for her back then, too.
"Yes!" Gan Yuan picked up her cup and took a sip of wine, "Very similar, just that... there’s a bit more fish."
That day, without tools, he had spent a great deal of effort to crack the ice, and in over an hour, he had caught only one fish, which of course couldn’t compare to today.
Gan Yuan turned her face towards him, "Actually, I’ve always wanted to ask you a question."
"That day, why did you give the fish to me?"
At that time, they had lost contact with the outside world. Neither of them could be sure how long rescue would take.
Having a bit more warmth meant one could survive a little longer. Though it was just one fish, it meant a much greater chance of survival.
That day was their first meeting, complete strangers; he had no reason to offer it to her.
Huangfu Jue handed the cooked fish to her, "Because you’re a woman."
She took the fish, lifting her eyebrows slightly.
Passing her the fork, Huangfu Jue casually helped to tuck the windblown hair behind her ear.
Gazing at her face, his thoughts seemed to drift back to the valley blanketed in snow.
He clearly remembered that day she wore a vibrant red ski suit, streaking past him on the ski track like a flame.
It was the Alps Mountains’ most challenging ski slope, a place not even experienced skiers would challenge lightly, but it was his favorite spot—because it was tranquil.
He could enjoy that tranquility alone every time, but that day, someone broke that quiet.
Halfway down, someone suddenly rushed past, flamboyantly streaking by his side.
That person was Gan Yuan. From that day on, she boldly crashed into his world, like a flame leaving deep traces on the snow track and in his heart.
Perhaps out of curiosity, or perhaps because of the pride ingrained in his bones... or maybe a bit of both.
He wanted to see who it was that could surpass her on that track.
So, he chased after her, and then he surpassed her.
She wasn’t willing to give up, chased in return, and surpassed him.