In the blink of an eye, time arrived in early April, and the variety show filming officially reached its finale.
The final shooting location was in Inner Mongolia. After leaving the freezing grasslands, the group arrived at their ultimate destination—the Forest Ski Resort.
In early April in the north, some areas were still blanketed in ice and snow. Appearing at a ski resort in such frigid weather was unimaginable for someone as cold-averse as Lin Zixi. But the production team was heartless; even after several guests voiced objections, they refused to change the final segment.
Ye Can grumbled privately to Lin Zixi, “This ski resort must have some connection to the show’s investors, that’s why they won’t drop it no matter what!”
Lin Zixi couldn’t help but laugh at that. “The investor behind this show… isn’t that your sister? Are you saying the ski resort is one of your family’s businesses?”
Ye Can thought about it and figured it was plausible, so she looked up the resort’s investment structure online. Sure enough, it was connected to her family.
After sharing this with Lin Zixi, Lin Zixi nodded in understanding. “The production team promoting their own family business— isn’t that totally normal?”
Ye Can huffed. Seeing her sour expression, Lin Zixi coaxed her gently, “Alright, alright. You’ve never promoted Ye Family products anyway, so just think of it as contributing to the family enterprise.”
Ye Can considered it and realized she had a point. After all, she’d enjoyed the perks of her status for years without doing much in return. So after filming wrapped, Ye Can unusually posted a few words online, giving the ski resort a shoutout.
On shooting day, the temperature plunged unusually low. Though chilly, it was bearable for everyone bundled in thick down jackets.
Ye Can had assumed Lin Zixi would be too cold to move in such weather. But the moment they arrived at the ski resort, the girl who’d been complaining about the cold suddenly sprang to life. At Xia Fanxing and Meng Zhiqiu’s call, Lin Zixi strapped on her skis and whooshed down the slope with them.
Ye Can watched her silhouette—skis on, poles planted—rushing down from the top, and felt utterly speechless. She turned to Jiang Yue, who was raring to go, and asked, “Lin Zixi knows how to ski?”
Jiang Yue, bundled in a heavy one-piece ski suit and peering through her goggles, shot Ye Can a disdainful look. “If you don’t know, how would I? Anyway, I’m heading down first.”
With that, Jiang Yue planted her poles and glided downward.
After Jiang Yue left, Gu Yiyi set off too. “I’m gonna have some fun runs with them first, then come check on you this afternoon.”
Yes, out of the six, Ye Can was the only beginner. Watching her teammates peel off one by one left Ye Can fuming, but in the end, she followed the coach to the training area for her novice trials.
Luckily, she was quick on the uptake. After the coach demonstrated once and explained some techniques—and with Ye Can’s natural balance—she picked it up in no time.
Still, for safety, the coach had her do a few more runs on the training slope.
After two runs, Lin Zixi came over to find her. Seeing Ye Can skiing properly, she praised, “Look at you, picking it up so well. I thought you’d be flailing around all panicked.”
Ye Can slung her skis over her shoulder and headed to the start, snarking at Lin Zixi, “No matter how good I get, I can’t beat someone with experience. One call from them, and you were off.”
Lin Zixi burst out laughing, sidled up, and bumped her arm. “Are you mad? Because I didn’t stay to train with you?”
Ye Can lowered her gaze to meet Lin Zixi’s, dead serious. “Mad? Nah, this is jealousy!”
Lin Zixi found her reaction utterly adorable. If not for the bulky gear, she’d have hugged her tight. Instead, she tugged at Ye Can’s sleeve. “Okay, okay. I’ll stick with you from now on, alright?”
Ye Can huffed again, but her attitude softened. She stepped into her skis and said haughtily to Lin Zixi, “Why say it like that? Makes it sound like I need you tagging along.”
Ye Can could be such a tsundere kid sometimes. But Lin Zixi knew just how to melt that away. She got on her skis behind Ye Can and chuckled softly, “Of course. It’s never you asking—it’s me shamelessly sticking to you.”
Ye Can’s lips curved up, spoiled as ever. “Lin Zixi, don’t you feel shameless saying that?”
Lin Zixi blinked in mock surprise. “Do I seem like someone who cares about face around you?” Tricking a barely-legal girl into being my girlfriend? Yeah, I’m no saint.
Ye Can was stumped for once. She glanced at Lin Zixi and called out, “Whatever, I’m starting.” She pushed off with her poles and slid slowly down the slope. Lin Zixi followed right behind.
They hadn’t done many training runs when the other four came over to check on Ye Can. Seeing she’d gotten the hang of it, they dragged her to the main slope.
Skiing was undeniably a blast. After a few rounds, Ye Can was hooked on that rush—plunging through the cold, soaring over vast white expanses. She forgot all about her jealousy and joined Gu Yiyi and the others, tearing up the slopes with abandon.
By day’s end, everyone’s skills had leveled up steadily. Ye Can especially learned flashy tricks from the veteran Gu Yiyi.
The others, seeing her joy, held back during the final ski race shoot, handing her the win. And so, basking in first-place triumph, Ye Can wrapped up the entire variety show.
Finishing so smoothly was beyond Ye Can’s expectations. Elated by the perfect ending, she hummed a little tune while lounging by the hot spring pool after filming, the six of them soaking together.
Amid the steaming mist, the great beauties reclined in the warm waters, sipping fine champagne, bursts of merry laughter echoing now and then.
Ye Can lounged alone by the pool’s edge, swirling her flute glass and humming an unknown ditty. Her cheerful tune cut through the fog into the others’ ears, drawing good-natured teasing. “Ye Can, getting first today has you all smug, huh? Humming tunes and everything.”
Ye Can turned, glanced at the speaker—Jiang Yue—and shook her head. “Nah, not about the win.”
Jiang Yue puzzled, “Not first place? Then why so smug?”
Not just Jiang Yue—even Lin Zixi looked over. Lin Zixi raised her glass to her lips, took a sip, and guessed, “Because you learned a new skill?”
Ye Can tilted her head thoughtfully. “Kinda. Skiing is fun.”
Everyone smiled indulgently.
Gu Yiyi set her glass on a nearby tray and said to Ye Can, “That slope today wasn’t even that fun. For pure entertainment, cross-country trails are better.”
Gu Yiyi smiled and added, “If you and Teacher Lin have time later, you could stick around and try some.”
Ye Can replied, “Good idea. Worth considering.”
Seeing her interest piqued, Gu Yiyi invited, “This season isn’t ideal for skiing—still plenty of snow, but nothing beats winter. If you’re into it, how about this winter? We hit a ski resort for a few days. I’ll bring some friends, you and Teacher Lin join—sound good?”
Mindful of the other stars nearby, Gu Yiyi added, “Of course, if you three busy bees have time in winter, you’re welcome too.”
Jiang Yue teased, “Aw, Gu Director only invited Ye Can and Teacher Lin at first—I thought you’d forget us sisters. Perfect! Let’s check schedules this winter, pick a ski resort, and make Gu Director foot the bill.”
They chatted late into the night about the best winter resorts—domestic or abroad.
After the springs, they talked till the wee hours before parting.
Aside from Ye Can and Lin Zixi, the other four had flights the next day. Tonight was both heart-to-heart and farewell.
Though they’d promised a hotpot feast back in Haicheng, schedules were iffy—who knew when they’d reunite? So they exchanged simple hugs goodbye.
Ye Can hated physical contact, but when Jiang Yue insisted on a hug, she didn’t refuse.
This proud kid even patted Jiang Yue’s shoulder softly. “See you, Jiang Yue.” Feeling it lacked weight, she added, “I actually had fun this time.”
Life was like an amusement park. Before, she’d played alone, savoring joys in isolation. But this time, with so many playmates, she finally got it: joy shared is joy doubled.
Jiang Yue waved breezily. “As long as you’re happy! Remember to treat me to dinner back in Haicheng.”
Ye Can, uncharacteristically agreeable, replied, “If there’s a chance, I definitely will.”
Her generosity caught Lin Zixi’s eye. Back in their room, Lin Zixi teased, “You’re treating Jiang Yue now? Didn’t you always gripe about her taking advantage? What’s with the good behavior? Reluctant to say goodbye to your friends?”
Ye Can nodded. “Yeah, a little.”
Lin Zixi sat on the bed’s edge, tilting her head up with a smile. “How little?”
Ye Can reached out, pinching her thumb and forefinger to show a tiny gap. “This much. Just about.”
Lin Zixi laughed. She patted the spot beside her. “Come sit.”
Ye Can obediently sat, and Lin Zixi leaned her head on her shoulder, murmuring softly, “If I’d known you loved playing this much, I should’ve brought you out with friends more. Next time, we host a party at home—invite a bunch of pals. How’s that?”
Ye Can nestled close. “Good.”
