“The weather forecast indicates a blizzard warning for parts of City A in the US tonight. It will be very cold, so please keep warm.”
“It’s been so many years since I’ve seen heavy snow. I’m actually looking forward to it.”
Lin Chaochao was a graduate of Chelman International University, the most prestigious jewelry design school in the US.
After graduation, she entered a well-known design company and worked there for two years. However, she had recently resigned and wanted to return to China to develop her career, with her sights set on the Huo Group.
In recent years, the Huo Group’s development and corporate philosophy had attracted countless outstanding designers, and Lin Chaochao was one of them.
That afternoon, she had made a last-minute plan with her good friend He Miao to go soak in hot springs together—two days and one night, with snowy scenery paired with hot springs, a truly delightful prospect.
Before the snow started falling, the two hurriedly packed their things, as the destination was a two-hour drive away. The hot springs were located in a mountain resort.
“Oh, we’re finally here!” He Miao tossed her luggage aside and flopped face-first onto the bed.
Lin Chaochao glanced at her phone—5:30. “Let’s rest for ten minutes, then go have dinner. I heard the food here is absolutely delicious.”
At the mention of food, He Miao perked up instantly, because she was a certified foodie. “Great, I’m going to eat back every penny I spent!”
Lin Chaochao was thoroughly enjoying this trip, as it would be her last one here.
After resting enough, the two got up and tidied themselves briefly. Since the temperature in the resort lobby was comfortable, Lin Chaochao didn’t put on a heavy coat—she wore only a pink sweater on top and a pair of skinny jeans on the bottom.
“Wow, Chaochao, even though you’re not showing any skin, it’s still easy to tell you’ve got a great figure,” He Miao said with an appreciative look.
“Stop teasing me. Hurry up and get dressed,” Lin Chaochao said, giving her a gentle shove.
Once fully dressed, the two headed straight to the dining area. It was a buffet-style setup—one flat fee, and you could eat anything available, with free access to the hot springs. The only downside was the price, which had cost Lin Chaochao nearly half a month’s salary.
After grabbing their favorite foods, they found a window seat and sat down.
He Miao raised her glass: “Here’s to my Chaochao having smooth sailing back in China and becoming the world’s most amazing designer.”
Lin Chaochao responded, “Let’s work hard together.”
They clinked glasses and chatted freely, full of anticipation for the future, yet also filled with reluctance to part. Their eyes reddened and welled up with tears—when parting was near, it seemed there were so many words they couldn’t bring themselves to say…
“Wow, it’s snowing! The snow has finally started!” Lin Chaochao pointed at the snowflakes drifting past the window, alerting He Miao.
Flake after flake fell, like cotton.
Lin Chaochao couldn’t wait and dashed outside, completely disregarding the temperature. She laughed and ran, spinning in circles in the snow, reaching out her hands to catch the falling flakes. Before long, her head and clothes were covered in snow—it was really coming down hard.
Little did she know, this scene had already been fully taken in by a man by the window on the second floor. In his eyes, Lin Chaochao was vivid and beautiful, dressed in pink, blending with the snow like an elf, captivating him.
He Miao called out from beside her: “Chaochao, come back inside—it’s too cold!”
Perhaps it was because she hadn’t seen snow this heavy in a long time, perhaps because the two glasses of wine had gone slightly to her head, or perhaps because she was about to return to China—Lin Chaochao was simply overjoyed, and the cold had completely slipped her mind.
The snow continued to fall, serene and somewhat romantic. Lin Chaochao and He Miao took a photo together in the snow before running back inside.
Once this short trip was over, Lin Chaochao would buy her ticket and return home.
Around eight o’clock, they were getting ready to head back to their room to change into swimsuits and soak in the hot spring.
Lin Chaochao’s swimsuit was a green floral print, while He Miao’s was the cute cartoon kind.
The two of them arrived together at the hot spring pool. Just as they were about to get in, He Miao felt something was wrong—her stomach was upset. She thought, It can’t really be that coincidental, can it? It just had to come today?
Lin Chaochao said, “If you’re not feeling well, go back and lie down. No need to keep me company. It’s just a shame you’ll miss out on this.”
“Ugh, the timing is just terrible—it had to come today. Well, I’ll head back first. Don’t soak too late, and call me if anything comes up.” He Miao was reluctant to leave, her little face wearing a pitiful expression.
After He Miao left, Lin Chaochao soaked in the hot spring alone. A long time passed and no one else came. She felt a bit puzzled—wasn’t the whole point of coming here to soak in the hot spring? Why was no one here?
Just as this thought crossed her mind, she heard footsteps—steady and forceful, not like a woman’s. Lin Chaochao felt a flicker of fear inside, after all, she was in a foreign country with no companion by her side.
The footsteps grew closer, as if about to arrive any moment. Lin Chaochao leaned forward to see who they belonged to.
It was an East Asian face. Lin Chaochao had never seen such a flawless visage before. Even with all the handsome blond-haired, blue-eyed, high-nosed men in America, none could compare to the one before her.
The man wore a long bathrobe, loosely tied, as if it could be pulled off with little effort.
Lin Chaochao had excellent manners. After letting her gaze linger for about three seconds, she greeted him first: “Hello.” Since she wasn’t sure if he was Chinese, and being in America, it was better to speak the local language.
The man recognized the girl before him at a glance—she was the one who had been playing freely in the wind and snow.
Taking a closer look at the woman, he noted her delicate features, her clean face free of any adornment, and especially those eyes—utterly captivating.
Because she was wearing a swimsuit, Huo Nanting could clearly see her alluring collarbones, her fair neck, her slender arms…
Huo Nanting’s gaze didn’t waver in the slightest. He looked straight at her, like a lion eyeing its prey.
It wasn’t until he heard that “hello” that he snapped back to his senses, nodding in response. “Hello.” Huo Nanting’s voice was mellow and pleasing, as intoxicating as a fine bottle of red wine.
After the two exchanged greetings, Huo Nanting stepped into the pool, facing Lin Chaochao directly.
At that moment, Lin Chaochao thought to herself, So he really is Chinese. Meeting a fellow Chinese person abroad counts as a fellow townsman, right? So she broke the silence and spoke up again: “You’re Chinese too? What a coincidence.”
The corner of Huo Nanting’s mouth lifted slightly, almost imperceptibly: “Yes, I’m from Jingbei.”
Jingbei? The place she was about to return to. What a coincidence. Looking at the man before her—his speech refined, his bearing exceptional—he must be someone of notable status.
After saying this, the man fell silent again, his gaze lingering on her the whole time.
This silence made Lin Chaochao’s heart race with unease, nervous and awkward. She thought it best to leave for now. It was just a shame about the hot spring and the snowy scenery—she hadn’t gotten to enjoy them to the fullest.
As the woman rose to leave, her foot slipped and she fell into the pool. She thought to herself, oh no, I’ve twisted my ankle. Seeing this, Huo Nanting rushed over, grabbed Lin Chaochao’s arm, supported her waist, and half-embraced her.
The man’s upper body was bare, his muscles perfectly defined, firm yet supple, exuding unparalleled charm and strength. Lin Chaochao’s hand happened to rest on his chest, and the sensation was truly indescribable.
“How are you? Are you alright?” Huo Nanting’s question pulled her back to her senses.
Lin Chaochao quickly removed her hand from the man’s body, then lowered her head to hide her earlier embarrassment. “Thank you, I just twisted my ankle.”
Huo Nanting carried her out of the pool, set her down on a stool, and bent over to examine her ankle. Confirming that no bones were injured and the issue was minor, he noted that applying some medicine would speed up the healing.
Lin Chaochao felt a bit shy with her foot held in a stranger’s hands. “Thank you, sir. I can call my friend to come pick me up.”
“She can’t get in here, because this is my private pool.”
“Ah? I’m so sorry. I saw no one at the entrance and assumed it was public. I really apologize for disturbing you.”
Lin Chaochao thought to herself, no wonder no one else came in.
“It’s no problem. I’m glad you like it.”
“I do like it, truly. It’s rare to have such heavy snow, and my purpose in coming here was to enjoy the hot spring while watching the snowstorm. But now it seems I won’t be able to continue.” Lin Chaochao glanced at her foot, then at the scenery.
“You can come again next time. I’ll ask the owner to give you free entry, to make up for this little accident.” Huo Nanting looked up at her.
“Thank you, but I probably won’t have the chance. I’ve resigned from my job here and will be returning to my home country soon.”
Hearing Lin Chaochao mention resigning and returning home, Huo Nanting felt a brief stir in his heart but didn’t think much of it.
Soon, a waiter brought over medicinal wine, and Huo Nanting applied it with what seemed like professional skill. He finished in just a few minutes.
But Lin Chaochao felt as though the patch of skin he touched had been scalded.
Afterward, Huo Nanting stood up, put on his bathrobe, and draped one over Lin Chaochao as well. He asked for her room number.
Lin Chaochao guessed he intended to walk her back and was about to decline, but then heard the man say, “You’d better not put weight on that foot, or you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”
Hearing this, the woman thought it made sense, so she obediently gave her room number. After all, Chinese people don’t deceive other Chinese people.
The next second, Huo Nanting suddenly scooped her up.
Due to the momentum of the motion, Lin Chaochao had no choice but to wrap her arms around Huo Nanting’s neck. Having never had such contact with a man before, her face flushed bright red, and she quickly lowered her head to hide it.
Although Lin Chaochao only weighed 105 pounds, there was still a considerable distance from here to the room. Huo Nanting walked steadily the entire way, with barely a sound of labored breathing.
At the door, once Lin Chaochao was standing properly, she said, “Thank you, I appreciate your trouble. If we ever meet again back home, I’ll treat you to a meal.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy your time here.” Huo Nanting said politely.
“Thank you. After all, the snowstorm here is really beautiful.” Lin Chaochao simply adored the snow.
“The snowstorm is beautiful, and so are you.” Huo Nanting said this and then left.
Lin Chaochao was left feeling puzzled: Was he complimenting me on being pretty?
Back in the room, Lin Chaochao recounted what had just happened to He Miao. He Miao was a bit excited—she was really curious about that man—but then, thinking about the state the two of them were in today, she felt they had gotten the short end of the stick.