“Brother, was I clever?”
Hearing the cheerful “All done!” from behind, Huo Lin instinctively took a step forward.
But the next moment, a cool yet soft sensation, like a nimble little snake, slipped unexpectedly yet naturally into his palm, skin touching skin.
Huo Lin paused slightly and turned his head.
He saw that Huo Kairan had already removed the eye-catching ruby earrings and was now wrapped in a fluffy, ankle-length snow-white down coat.
Around his neck was the light blue cashmere scarf Huo Lin had chosen, covering half his face, and on his head was a woolen hat with little cat ears.
Those eyes, usually carrying a hint of aloof pride, were now brimming with pure joy. The crescent-shaped bags under his eyes were plump from his smile as he tilted his head up to look at Huo Lin.
Huo Lin’s deep blue eyes flickered almost imperceptibly as he slowly closed his hand around the smaller one, wrapping it tightly in his palm.
“Your hands are so cold. Put your gloves on.”
“No” Huo Kairan immediately shook his head, the cat ears on his hat swaying along. “We’re going to play in the snow later anyway. The gloves will definitely get wet, and they’ll be uncomfortable.”
As he spoke, he eagerly grabbed Huo Lin’s hand, pulling him forward with a slight tug. “Hurry, hurry!”
The two walked side by side down the spiral staircase.
Seeing Huo Kairan’s high spirits, Huo Lin didn’t press the matter.
His thumb gently brushed over the faint red mark on the back of Huo Kairan’s hand a remnant from being splashed with hot water that morning.
His voice softened slightly. “Does it still hurt?”
Huo Kairan was taken aback for a moment, taking a few seconds to realize what he was referring to.
He raised his hand between them, wiggling it playfully. “It’s fine now. It just won’t fade. Hmm… It looks like a birthmark, and that’s kind of nice too.”
The water hadn’t been scalding, but Huo Kairan’s skin was special once a mark appeared, it never faded.
It was a rare condition, with a healing ability far below that of ordinary people.
This was why, despite their immense wealth and access to the finest medical resources even Zhang Zhen’s severely broken leg could be meticulously repaired with surgery, requiring only a recovery period before he could be up and about again Huo Kairan’s injured leg remained incurable.
Any wound on Huo Kairan’s body was an irreversible injury.
An accidental bump, a common infection, or even a minor cold could pose a fatal threat.
Like a work of art carved from the clearest crystal, he had to be placed in a temperature- and humidity-controlled display case, cushioned with the softest velvet, and meticulously cared for to avoid shattering.
“It’s not nice.” Huo Lin’s voice cut in abruptly as he tightened his grip on the cool hand, squeezing it so firmly that Huo Kairan could feel the oppressive heat from his palm and a barely perceptible tremor.
“It’s not nice. It’s ugly,” he added.
Huo Kairan: “…”
Keep talking.
A surge of inexplicable anger mixed with frustration welled up in his heart.
Huo Kairan pursed his lips tightly, yanking his hand out of Huo Lin’s grasp. He turned his face away, presenting the back of his head to him.
The villa’s door slid open automatically, revealing a world outside blanketed in silver.
In the courtyard, the snow had piled up deep, almost covering the soles of one’s shoes.
Xihai City hadn’t seen such a heavy, satisfying snowfall in years. Even the long-time employees of the Huo residence couldn’t help but feel a childlike excitement at the rare sight. Just moments ago, they had gathered in small groups in the yard, sneaking a break from work, molding snowballs and playfully throwing them at each other.
However, the next instant, when two familiar figures appeared at the entrance, all the laughter and chatter abruptly ceased.
Not only were the people at the company afraid of Huo Lin, but those at the old residence were even more so. They quickly lined up in a row, greeting him respectfully, “Mr. Huo.”
Huo Lin gave an almost imperceptible nod, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd.
No one dared to move without his permission, standing in the snow as if being punished.
Huo Kairan glanced at the expressionless Huo Lin beside him, inwardly thinking how tyrannical and unfeeling he was. He turned to the young people who looked as if they were facing a great enemy and said, “Go ahead and play. It’s a day off today, don’t mind us.”
Only then did the others feel as if they had been granted amnesty. They stole a glance at Huo Lin’s expression and, seeing no displeasure, dispersed, though their playful noises were noticeably much more subdued.
Near the glass greenhouse at the center of the distant garden, Aunt Liu, who had worked at the Huo residence for many years, wasn’t as restrained.
With sharp eyes, she spotted the two brothers appearing together and was pleasantly surprised. She enthusiastically waved them over, holding a carrot meant for a snowman’s nose. “Young master! Come over here and play! There are plenty of materials here we’re just missing a snowman’s head!”
Huo Kairan responded cheerfully and was about to step onto the thick blanket of snow.
But as the tip of his boot hovered above the threshold, he hesitated. Succumbing to his young master’s whims, he didn’t want his newly custom-made calfskin ankle boots to get wet and dirty from the snow.
A thought suddenly crossed his mind.
Huo Kairan tilted his head, putting on a look of genuine concern for his elder brother, and turned to Huo Lin. “Brother, do you want them to be less afraid of you?”
Huo Lin’s gaze shifted back from the distance. “No.”
“Huh?” Huo Kairan’s prepared speech stumbled.
Huo Lin’s eyes returned to his suddenly empty hand, where a faint, cool sensation seemed to linger. “What does their opinion matter to me?”
“Oh…” Huo Kairan grumbled inwardly, what a cold and heartless guy. But outwardly, he showed no sign of it. Instead, he appeared even more obedient and gentle. He blinked and tried a different angle. “Then do you want to appear taller and more majestic in just one second?”
Huo Lin watched him as he stood on tiptoe and gestured with his hands to indicate height.
Not understanding what he meant, he waited for him to continue.
Huo Kairan pretended to ponder seriously. “Look, if you carry me on your back right now then, in everyone’s eyes, you’ll seem incredibly strong! Exceptionally tall! And full of responsibility!”
Huo Lin’s expression remained unchanged, which made Huo Kairan’s heart flutter with unease. He began to worry if he had been getting a bit too carried away lately and if Huo Lin might be angry at his presumptuousness.
Unexpectedly, Huo Lin simply gave him a puzzled look, then turned around in front of him, slightly bending his knees and crouching down. “Next time, just say it directly.”
Huo Kairan was taken aback for a moment before immediately throwing himself onto Huo Lin’s back. He wrapped his arms around Huo Lin’s neck, entrusting his entire weight to him, and pressed his cheek against his broad back. “Brother! You’re the best!”
A faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered in the depths of Huo Lin’s eyes.
He firmly supported Huo Kairan behind the knees, exerted strength in his arms, and stood up effortlessly.
Winter clothing was thick and puffy; separated by layers of fabric, with back pressed against chest, one couldn’t really feel much of the other’s body contours or warmth.
All he could sense was the other’s shallow breaths, one after another, carrying a faint scent of medicine and orchids, brushing lightly and intermittently against his earlobes and the side of his neck.
Wrapped up warmly, Huo Kairan nestled his chin comfortably into the large, soft scarf, like a little animal that had found its den.
Being carried on someone’s back meant no need to exert himself, and he could enjoy the scenery from a high vantage point utterly content.
Stepping out from under the eaves, snowflakes began to fall on them.
Huo Kairan, who had been obediently holding onto Huo Lin’s neck with both hands, reached out to catch the snowflakes, only to shiver from the cold as soon as he did.
This subtle movement did not escape Huo Lin’s notice. Without turning his head, he said in a deep voice, “Put your hands inside my clothes.”
Hearing this, Huo Kairan lowered his head and only then realized belatedly that Huo Lin had left in a hurry, wearing only a not-too-thick wool coat, without even a scarf, leaving the skin on his neck exposed to the cold air.
A pang of guilt suddenly struck him, and he began clumsily trying to untie the scarf around his own neck.
After some effort, he finally succeeded, then carefully wrapped one end of the scarf around Huo Lin’s neck, leaving the other end for himself.
A single scarf trying to accommodate the necks of two grown men was clearly a bit short.
Huo Kairan leaned closer and closer toward Huo Lin, trying to share the limited warmth.
In the end, the two were almost head-to-head, with Huo Kairan’s nose lightly pressed against Huo Lin’s cold earlobe and cheek, their warm breaths mingling together.
As if having accomplished a great feat, he asked softly in Huo Lin’s ear with a hint of pride, seeking praise:
“Brother, am I clever?”
Huo Lin did not answer.
In the silent snow, a trail of footprints was left behind, along with the warmth of two bodies.