Liking someone always starts with curiosity, and gradually you just want to know more about them.
After the meal, Lin Xiangdong suggested going skiing. Their parents reminded them to be careful and to look after Lin Shiyao, since she was a girl.
The four siblings, plus Gu Chenzhou, made five in total. Lin Xiangnan gave Lin Zhengbin a ride, Lin Xiangdong took Lin Shiyao, and Gu Chenzhou rode alone.
Gu Chenzhou glanced at Lin Shiyao sitting behind Lin Xiangdong. His gaze darkened slightly. When would he get the chance to have Yaoyao sitting behind his own bike?
Halfway there, Lin Xiangnan ran into a friend and got called away, leaving the others to continue.
They arrived at a large skiing area on the outskirts, where many young people were already skiing. Some wobbled down clumsily on heavy skis, while others zoomed down skillfully, snow spraying out to the sides with a “crunch, crunch” underfoot.
Lin Shiyao had never skied in either of her lifetimes; having grown up in the south, she’d never seen it before. Seeing the ski slope for the first time in this era, with no protective barriers, she felt a little nervous.
Gu Chenzhou, who had been quietly watching her, noticed her hesitation and stepped beside her. “Don’t be afraid, it’s okay. Once we get up there, I’ll teach you.”
“Ah?” Lin Shiyao turned sharply at the sound of his pleasant, magnetic voice. Looking up, she realized he was looking down at her. Standing next to him, she realized how tall he was—her height of 168 cm only reached his chin.
Gu Chenzhou noticed her wind-flushed cheeks and felt a twinge of concern.
“Oh, I’ve never skied before. My parents never let me try it,” she admitted, unconsciously letting her voice soften in a feminine way.
Gu Chenzhou let out a quiet laugh. Lin Shiyao was surprised. From the moment they met, he had always worn an icy expression. She hadn’t expected him to smile—and it was such a handsome smile. It felt like he was teasing her openly.
Embarrassed under his gaze, she quickly turned her head and looked around. Hmm? Where were her big brother and little brother? She didn’t see them anywhere.
“They went over there to buy skis,” Gu Chenzhou said, pointing to a nearby building.
“Oh…”
The atmosphere fell silent. Gu Chenzhou continued to watch her, while Lin Shiyao lowered her head, pretending to kick at the snow.
“Don’t kick, or the snow will get into your shoes.”
“Oh, um, Comrade Gu, are you also from Rongcheng?”
“No, I’m from Beijing. My father is also in the military, my mother is a pediatrician. I’m currently serving on an island. I have a younger sister, one year younger than you, and I’m in the same unit as your brother. I’m a regiment commander now, 25 years old this year,” Gu Chenzhou said. He was happy that Lin Shiyao had asked him about himself, so he shared everything about his family.
After finishing, he looked straight at Lin Shiyao. At this point, she was completely stunned. She had just asked casually, yet he had explained his entire family situation as if they were on a matchmaking date. She hadn’t intended to ask that much! Lin Shiyao felt awkward—she was the type to feel uneasy if she didn’t speak while with someone unfamiliar.
“I…”
“Yaoyao…come quickly!”
Gu Chenzhou gritted his teeth and, together with Lin Shiyao, turned toward Lin Xiangdong.
“Yaoyao, come check if these skis will work,” Lin Xiangdong called, carrying a few pairs over.
“Look, sister, this is mine,” Lin Zhengbin panted, holding a small pair of skis and two ski poles, struggling to keep up with Lin Xiangdong.
“I’ll help you,” Lin Shiyao said, noticing the little guy struggling. But before she could reach for the skis, a large hand beat her to it.
“It’s fine, I’ll take it. You go pick out your skis,” Gu Chenzhou said with a smile to Lin Shiyao.
“Thanks, Brother Gu,” Lin Zhengbin said, not understanding Gu Chenzhou’s intentions. He liked this big brother figure, much like his own brother.
Lin Xiangdong had specially chosen a slightly smaller pair of skis for Lin Shiyao to try. If they didn’t fit, they could swap them later. She tested them and thought they were fine—she wouldn’t really know until she skied.
Neither Lin Shiyao nor Lin Zhengbin knew how to ski. Lin Xiangdong and Gu Chenzhou found a flat, empty area to teach them basic footwork first.
Thirty minutes later, the four of them stood at the top of the slope. Lin Zhengbin was eager to slide down, but Lin Xiangdong held him back.
“Brother, you go with Binbin first. I’m fine—I’ll slide down slowly behind. Besides, Comrade Gu is here; he won’t let anything happen to me, right, Comrade Gu?” Lin Shiyao looked at Gu Chenzhou, emphasizing “Comrade Gu.”
“Mm, Xiangdong, don’t worry. I won’t let your sister fall,” Gu Chenzhou said, emphasizing “sister.”
“All right, Old Gu, I leave my sister in your care. Don’t let her fall… Hey, hey, hey, you brat, why are you in such a hurry? You’ll hurt your butt if you’re not careful.” Lin Xiangdong scolded Lin Zhengbin while instructing Gu Chenzhou to look after Lin Shiyao.
Hmph, who’s your sister? Don’t think she’s naive. She could tell Gu Chenzhou had other intentions from the way he looked at her. Unlike her straight-laced brother, she wasn’t easily fooled. Twenty-first-century surfing pros weren’t successful for nothing.
Previously, her roommates had stayed up for three straight nights watching movies—there was no end to it.
Lin Shiyao did have some affection for Gu Chenzhou, otherwise she wouldn’t have let him get close.
Holding her ski poles, Lin Shiyao carefully slid forward along the edge of the slope. She wobbled and nearly fell, but a strong arm from behind grabbed her, steadying her.
“Thank you, Comrade Gu.”
“No need. Take your time. I’ll teach you. See? Keep your skis shoulder-width apart, stand upright, knees slightly bent, weight forward… yes, just like that.” Gu Chenzhou patiently instructed Lin Shiyao on technique, showing her how to push with her feet. He held the opposite ends of her ski poles while sliding backward alongside her.
Guided by him, Lin Shiyao gradually relaxed and felt secure, beginning to control her speed down the slope.
One taught, one learned. By the time they reached the bottom, Lin Shiyao was overjoyed.
“Gu Chenzhou, I did it!” she exclaimed, bouncing with excitement, calling out his name without thinking.
“Mm, Yaoyao, you’re amazing,” Gu Chenzhou said, looking at her with adoration.
Lin Shiyao felt her face flush, blood rushing to her cheeks. She was embarrassed by him saying “Yaoyao.”
Oh my, the way he said those two words sent a tingly shiver through her.
Gu Chenzhou thought Lin Shiyao was beautiful and cute, especially seeing her eyes sparkling and her smile radiant, looking at him like that.