Miao Zhu reached up to touch her face.
Mu Shanyi turned her head to kiss Miao Zhu’s wrist, then trailed kisses along her arm to her lips. “Baby, let me check if anything’s strained.”
Miao Zhu complied as Mu Shanyi removed the piercing and inspected the hole carefully, confirming no injury. Then she loosened the choker.
Miao Zhu’s skin was thin, the lace soft, but constant friction had chafed a red ring around her neck.
Mu Shanyi kissed it lightly. Sensing Miao Zhu burrowing closer, she held her and soothed her again.
The two seemed to have forgotten that last question. They exchanged intermittent kisses for a long time before getting up to shower.
Miao Zhu lingered in the shower longer. When she returned to the room, she saw Mu Shanyi standing by the floor-to-ceiling window and went to nestle back into her arms.
Their reflections overlapped on the glass.
“The milk’s warmed up. Drink it before sleep.”
“Mmm.” Miao Zhu wrapped her arms around Mu Shanyi’s waist and glanced outside. The opposite shore was blanketed in snow. Her voice hoarse, she said, “The snow’s getting heavy.”
“Do you like snow?”
“I do.”
“I’ll be busy the next few weeks, not in Cloud City.” Mu Shanyi felt the warmth of the person in her arms. She wouldn’t have time to accompany Miao Zhu anytime soon. “Any plans tomorrow? It’s so cold—how about soaking in hot springs?”
Exhausted, Miao Zhu stayed still in her embrace and softly replied, “Sure.”
Miao Zhu turned off her phone. In their undisturbed world, just the two of them, they lingered in Tower Shadow Sunny River until past noon the next day before setting off.
The car emerged from the underground garage into a pristine, snow-covered Cloud City, with a few stray flakes still drifting. This first snow was nearing its end—Cloud City’s snow never lasted long.
The Mu Family had a villa in the far suburbs called Carp Moon Manor. It offered different scenery year-round and was used for family vacations or hosting distinguished guests.
The chief steward had learned that morning of Mu Shanyi’s visit for the hot springs and prepared everything without delay.
Mountains, waters, lush vegetation, fresh air—but after a night of snow, everything visible was blanketed white except for the heated walkways.
The chief steward greeted Mu Shanyi, who politely addressed her as Aunt Su.
Miao Zhu followed suit, calling “Aunt Su.”
Aunt Su was proper in her duties and only smiled at Miao Zhu after the greeting. Mu Shanyi was holding Miao Zhu’s hand. “Your hands are cold. Are you chilly?”
“Not cold.” Miao Zhu interlaced their fingers. “I want to make a little snowman later.”
The natural hot springs were in the back hills. Along the path, cat paw prints dotted the snow messily now and then.
Miao Zhu pointed them out to Mu Shanyi, who hummed in acknowledgment. “Little guests have come.”
Hand in hand, they strolled leisurely to the hot spring pool. After changing into swimsuits in the dressing room, they emerged to find tea set on the resting area’s table—along with a basin of snow and various small items for decorating a snowman.
Aunt Su had overheard Miao Zhu and arranged it thoughtfully.
“Thank you, Aunt Su.” Miao Zhu draped a bathrobe over herself and sat to sculpt the snowman.
Aunt Su didn’t take credit, just smiled and handed the evening menu to Mu Shanyi for review.
The head chef’s selections were generally light, including seasonal warming medicinal dishes. Mu Shanyi said, “She’s allergic to mint; no other restrictions.”
Aunt Su mentally reviewed it. The final dessert was cheesecake with a touch of mint to cut the richness. She nodded understandingly and went to instruct the kitchen.
Miao Zhu scooped handfuls of snow, packed it, and rolled it into a plump ball for the snowman’s body. Mu Shanyi came over, picked up a thin carrot flower slice, and placed it atop the snowball.
If Miao Zhu added a head, it would become an orange collar around the snowman’s neck.
Miao Zhu looked up at Mu Shanyi. She couldn’t recall a time like this in her memories—doing something so trivial together.
They placed the finished snowman on the tea table. Miao Zhu shed her bathrobe to soak, and Mu Shanyi hugged her from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder.
A pair of kittens entered their view.
The kittens were young, playful and adorable, like two black coal balls rolling in the snow.
“Little guests.” Miao Zhu found them amusing and nudged Mu Shanyi to look. But as she turned, Mu Shanyi sealed her lips with a kiss.
Mu Shanyi cupped Miao Zhu’s cheek as they kissed. Steam rose from the pool, sweat beading and dripping down their faces.
The delicate, tender kisses came in waves. They lingered a long while before getting out. Only then did Miao Zhu notice the snowman on the tea table had quietly melted in the warmth.
Dinner suited their tastes perfectly, especially the final small cheesecake. Miao Zhu savored it but still craved more, so Mu Shanyi gave her own portion too.
Miao Zhu thought Mu Shanyi disliked sweets. But that night, she took it back.
Mu Shanyi gripped her waist, controlling the height and Angel. “Baby, look at me.”
Miao Zhu’s knees rubbed against the sheets as she braced against the headboard, her increasingly unfocused eyes drifting downward.
Mu Shanyi was partially obscured, only her eyes visible—beautiful, captivating eyes locked intently on her.
One above, one below, they held each other’s gaze. Mu Shanyi made no effort to conceal the sounds.
The noises were blush-inducing, and the visual impact made Miao Zhu’s kneeling legs tremble violently, her breaths coming in fragments.
Mu Shanyi chuckled lightly, teasing with her tongue tip, intensifying it. Tormented, Miao Zhu could no longer kneel and collapsed softly to the side.
Mu Shanyi rolled over, gathered her up. Miao Zhu was drenched in sweat, melting into her embrace and arms, eyes half-closed in utter exhaustion.
She had orchestra work tomorrow, so Mu Shanyi planned to let her rest early.
But the Miao Zhu who had begged for mercy last night now clung relentlessly, parting her legs to hook around Mu Shanyi’s waist and guiding her fingers to her mouth.
Mu Shanyi’s mind turned. With her upcoming business trip, was Miao Zhu being extra clingy for that reason?
“What do you want?” She leaned close to Miao Zhu’s ear, hot breath entering her ear canal. “Say it. Tell me.”
Shame tightened Miao Zhu’s throat in waves, but she voiced the answer they both knew.
Scorching words mingled in their breaths.
Their shadows merged tightly again on the bedside wall. Outside, the two little guests who had wandered to the owner’s courtyard pricked up their ears at the strange sounds, then scampered away.
