Everything was prepared, and Ji Zhenshi and Li Yunli set off before the New Year.
It was only later that Tang Xien learned Ji Zhenshi had actually run off on a trip. She stared at the documents in her hand, all prepared to help Ji Zhenshi extricate herself from the mess.
She and her friends had hired the best lawyer, all just to get Ji Zhenshi out of it. Yet the person in question had told her not to worry, completely unconcerned about her own future. Tang Xien laughed in exasperation.
Had she taken in an actual ancestor?
Here it was the big holiday season, and she still had to handle all this for her—spending money and wasting energy.
Ji Zhenshi trusted her so completely, handing everything over for her to deal with, while she herself went off to have a blast.
For the first time, Tang Xien felt that trust was a profoundly heavy thing.
Of course, that was all later. Right now, Ji Zhenshi was thrilled for this trip she’d planned for so long. She was excited the whole way, buzzing even on the plane.
Li Yunli fastened her seatbelt for her. Seeing Ji Zhenshi glued to videos of the Flower Mountain Festival, she said, “It’s about a three-hour flight. Why don’t you sleep for a bit, Good Child?”
Ji Zhenshi shared one earbud with Li Yunli and leaned on her shoulder.
“I don’t want to sleep. Let’s watch together. The Flower Mountain Festival looks so lively over there. Too bad it doesn’t start until after New Year. But luckily, we can go snowboarding first, then head there—perfect timing for our six days. Take your time enjoying it, Sister A-Yun.”
Knowing they were going on a trip had gotten Ji Zhenshi all worked up. Li Yunli had been tossed around pretty roughly the night before, so she was sleepy now. Her gentle gaze carried a hint of weariness. “Mm, you watch then, Xiao Zhen. I’m a little tired.”
Gazing at the clouds outside the window, Li Yunli watched with Ji Zhenshi for a while before drowsiness took over.
One hand quietly removed their shared earbuds. Ji Zhenshi planted a soft kiss on Li Yunli’s brow, and eventually, the two of them leaned together and fell asleep.
She was so looking forward to this first trip with Sister A-Yun.
Happy New Year in advance, sister.
From now on, she’d be there for every New Year—as her lover.
Ji Zhenshi pulled back her lingering gaze. Her eyes whispered “I like you” countless times on her behalf.
Heaven, thank you for hearing my prayers.
I love Li Yunli. The sun and moon bear witness. Thank you for making it possible.
After landing, they arrived at the hotel Ji Zhenshi had booked in advance.
“Sister A-Yun, I think I lost my ID card!” Ji Zhenshi rummaged through her backpack but couldn’t find it. She had her wallet, just not the ID.
“How could that happen? Didn’t you use it at check-in?” Li Yunli checked her own bag too, which only had her ID.
And her wallet was still there. How could just the ID have gone missing?
Ji Zhenshi thought back at lightning speed and smacked her forehead. “I remember now. When I boarded, I put my ID and boarding pass together. Now both are gone—must’ve dropped them on the plane.”
Mortified, she covered her face and buried herself in Li Yunli’s neck.
A bit embarrassed, she mumbled, “Don’t scold me, Sister A-Yun.”
“Of course not. Scolding you won’t make it reappear.” Li Yunli patted her back soothingly, showing no sign of anger. Instead, she pulled out her phone to cancel the booking on Ji Zhenshi’s device. “We’ll cancel this for now. Use my ID to book one room, then get a temporary ID later.”
Besides, when had she ever scolded Ji Zhenshi? And to think she imagined otherwise—her butt was itching for a spanking.
“Wuu, sorry, Sister A-Yun. I promise I won’t be so scatterbrained next time.” Watching Li Yunli operate on her phone, Ji Zhenshi felt like she’d been defeated before the battle even began.
Li Yunli stayed perfectly calm, letting Ji Zhenshi drape over her shoulder while her other hand swiftly canceled the reservation.
“There, all set. Just be more careful next time.”
Ji Zhenshi perched on the suitcase and pulled out her wallet, offering it up with both hands. “To avoid messing up anything else, can Sister A-Yun hold onto my wallet for me?”
“Your wallet’s cleaner than your face, and it won’t go missing on its own.” Li Yunli glanced at the brown wallet, which held almost no cash—just cards and documents.
Nowadays, everyone used mobile payments anyway, so wallets rarely carried much cash.
Ji Zhenshi stubbornly shoved the wallet into Li Yunli’s bag. “Nope, I want you to keep it. All the money I earn in the future goes to you too. Manage it for me—make me a big shot rich lady, okay?”
Li Yunli couldn’t win against her, so she let it go.
She also worried Ji Zhenshi might get too carried away and lose something else.
Pulling a hundred-yuan bill from her bag, Li Yunli tucked it into the waistband of Ji Zhenshi’s pants and patted it. The tenderness in her eyes could melt anyone. “Then that’s your pocket money, Xiao Zhen. Same amount every month.”
It was an utterly humiliating way to hand over cash.
But Ji Zhenshi inexplicably loved it. Grinning, she plucked out the bill with her index finger. “But that’s way too little. What can a hundred bucks buy?”
Li Yunli considered it and nodded. She fished out a coin and placed it in Ji Zhenshi’s palm. “Enough now?”
“…”
“Need another fifty cents, Good Child?”
Li Yunli always kept cash in her wallet out of habit. She didn’t fully trust technology, especially with her physical limitations—cash was her sense of security.
Ji Zhenshi watched her pocket money inflate from a hundred to a hundred and one-fifty. She grinned like an idiot, slipping the money into the pocket over her chest and swinging her legs, which dangled short of the floor as she sat on the suitcase. She was so easily pleased.
They were sharing one oversized suitcase. Now Ji Zhenshi sat on it, deliberately lifting her feet so Li Yunli could pull it along with her aboard.
“Go slow, Sister A-Yun,” Ji Zhenshi demanded.
Li Yunli glanced down at the person goofing off on the suitcase, her smile tinged with helplessness. Such a good girl, her Xiao Zhen.
“Hello, we’d like one room—a king bed, please.” The moment Li Yunli handed over her ID, Ji Zhenshi spoke up.
The hotel staff glanced at Li Yunli, took the ID, and scanned it. “For two? Could the other lady please show her ID? We need to register both.”
Ji Zhenshi’s smile froze. “I lost mine. Can I just give you the number?”
The staff nodded, then asked casually, as per routine, “What’s your relationship?”
It was just a formality, but Ji Zhenshi’s eyes sparkled mischievously. She looped her arm through Li Yunli’s. “She’s my mom—Little Mom.”
She arched a brow. “Right, Little Mom?”
Li Yunli shot her a slight glare, her ears inexplicably turning red. She was sensitive to this kind of public flirtation.
Stiffly, she withdrew her arm and gave Ji Zhenshi a warning look, signaling her to behave.
Little Mom? Was this girl addicted to role-playing?
“Don’t be shy, Little Mom. It’s not our first time booking a room.” Reveling in her mischief, Ji Zhenshi hooked Li Yunli’s pinky finger. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the staff’s odd glance.
It had been a casual question, but Ji Zhenshi’s response was loaded.
“We’ve got a sea-view room for you. Enjoy your stay.”
Li Yunli took the keycard and ID, flustered and annoyed. She gave the front desk a polite smile, shot a glare at the overacting troublemaker, and turned to leave.
Ji Zhenshi was still perched on the suitcase. Seeing herself abandoned, she met the front desk staff’s eyes and gave an awkward chuckle. “My Little Mom has a bad temper. It’s fine.”
She hurriedly pushed the suitcase to catch up, blocking the elevator doors just before they closed. Luckily, it was empty except for them.
Ji Zhenshi’s mischief bubbled over. She sidled close and chuckled. “Little Mom, don’t walk so fast—you left me behind.”
Li Yunli turned to look at the grin on her face and couldn’t hold back. She warned her sternly, “Don’t call me that!”
So naughty! Xiao Zhen just loved playing these games, didn’t she?
“It’s just a bit of fun. Identities are what you make them on the road.” Ji Zhenshi stole a kiss on Li Yunli’s cheek. “Little Mom’s so kissable.”
Now, just hearing “Little Mom” made Li Yunli tense up inexplicably. Her face flushed with sensitivity, and she gripped the keycard tightly.
She pushed Ji Zhenshi’s face away, her eyes rimming red as she gazed at her. “Get away.”
Clearly pissed, Li Yunli strode fast after the elevator. Pushing the suitcase, Ji Zhenshi always lagged a few steps.
Then…
She watched wide-eyed as Li Yunli unlocked the door and slammed it shut in one smooth motion, leaving her outside.
The consequence of riling up her wife: No matter how Ji Zhenshi knocked, there was no response from inside.
Li Yunli leaned against the hotel door, feeling her face burn. A secret thrill she couldn’t name made her heart race.
Ji Zhenshi calling her Little Mom at home hadn’t felt this taboo. But out in public with a stranger around? Shame exploded within her, mingled with inexplicable excitement.
Forcing down her agitation, Li Yunli took a deep breath to calm herself.
Her chest heaved unevenly. Looking down, she saw she’d nearly bent her ID card.
Beneath her restraint, Li Yunli was on the verge of cracking. And Ji Zhenshi kept chasing her with those calls—even kissing her in the elevator. The ice was fissuring badly. She felt ashamed of her body’s reaction.
Her lips trembled slightly, but she could still hear Ji Zhenshi’s steady knocking.
“Sister A-Yun, sorry! I was wrong. Open up and let me in—this is so embarrassing out here.”
You know embarrassment now? Who was calling out so gleefully earlier?
Even as she thought it, Li Yunli’s hand strayed to the door handle.
“Sister A-Yun, let’s get food this afternoon? I’m starving.”
“I have no money—my phone’s with you. A hundred bucks buys what? If I starve to death, your Good Child’s gone, and you’ll be heartbroken then.”
“Sorry, I was wrong. I won’t call you Little Mom anymore.”
“…”
It only got worse. To stop any more nonsense, Li Yunli finally opened the door.
The bundle at the threshold pounced into her arms like it had been lying in wait. “Forgive me, sister.”
Li Yunli held her and pulled the suitcase inside, slamming the door shut.
At the bed’s edge, she let go and deposited Ji Zhenshi on the mattress. “Keep messing around, and you’ll sleep on the balcony tonight. Great sea view. Sound good?”
“No way—Sister A-Yun wouldn’t let me catch a chill in the sea breeze. You’d feel bad if I got sick, right?” Ji Zhenshi rolled on the bed, utterly fearless.
She was banking on Li Yunli’s indulgence and wasn’t scared at all.
Li Yunli stood with hands on hips, exasperated. Deciding not to bandy words, she unpacked some essentials from the suitcase. Then they headed out to eat.
Leaning on the railing in the sea breeze, Ji Zhenshi shivered and tucked in her head, glancing back at Li Yunli’s focused profile. “Sister A-Yun, this new year, I’ll keep loving you.”
Being loved was the world’s singular happiness.
Ji Zhenshi’s voice was soft, drowned by the waves, never reaching Li Yunli’s ears. Yet it etched clearly into her own heart.
She had to love her well.
With her dreams realized, she’d only love Li Yunli more than before.
Ji Zhenshi’s life hadn’t been full of hardship, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing either.
The only times she felt truly blessed were two: first, her secret crush coming true just right; second, pursuing her passion on the violin.
But were they really blessings? Every one came from her utmost effort. Without her steadfastness, how could she have moved Li Yunli? Without her hard work, how far could she have come on the violin path?
Ji Zhenshi tilted her head back, her hot breath forming a misty cloud.
The view from up high was stunning, stirring her emotions. She sniffled, dramatically blinking at Li Yunli.
Li Yunli, puzzled, just smiled at her.
This winter didn’t feel as cold as before.
Because two hearts in love were warm. Because they’d seemingly escaped their shackles, hiding in a corner of the world to love.
Loving was happier than she’d imagined—maybe not so hard after all?
Ji Zhenshi blew in the wind a bit longer until she shivered from the cold. Truth be told, no normal person would stand out here at this height blowing wind like a fool.
But Ji Zhenshi’s brain sometimes wired differently. Eyes lighting up, she didn’t head inside—instead, she dragged Li Yunli out from the room.
Li Yunli had been deciding where to eat. Ji Zhenshi yanked her along, chattering, “Let’s order delivery? Go out tonight instead. For now, let’s watch the sea together. I just want to hug you.”
Pulled into Ji Zhenshi’s lap on the balcony chair, Li Yunli hadn’t grabbed her coat and shivered.
Ji Zhenshi got her wish, unzipping to enfold Li Yunli in her jacket.
“My arms are so warm. Let me hug you, Sister A-Yun?”
Li Yunli sighed helplessly. Who watched sea breezes in the dead of winter?
Ji Zhenshi’s whims were uniquely elegant—her own brand of romance.
But Li Yunli wouldn’t dampen her rare mood. “Mm, hug away.”
They sat together on the balcony rattan chair, huddled inside one puffy jacket.
Whether the coat was oversized or Li Yunli too slender, the two of them fit snugly inside.
“Good Child, why are you so silly?” Li Yunli couldn’t help laughing at her.
Southern kids always had a thing for snow, even braving cold winds to admire it in the icy wilds.
Ji Zhenshi huffed, her eyes brimming with pure snowlit sparkle and Li Yunli’s tenderness. “I want some romance. Don’t you think hugging here together, watching the snow, is super romantic?”
Li Yunli shrugged in Ji Zhenshi’s arms, nestling into a comfy spot encircled by her. Only Ji Zhenshi’s body heat gave her that secure feeling.
Her nose tip red from the cold, Li Yunli chuckled softly. “Romantic it is. So, romantic Xiao Zhen, what do you want to eat?”
“Hotpot? Perfect weather for it.” Ji Zhenshi’s arms circled Li Yunli’s waist; they fit together seamlessly, her chin resting perfectly on Li Yunli’s shoulder.
Their subtle romance flowed between them. Just embracing while watching the snow felt like bliss.
“Sure, I haven’t had hotpot in ages. We can shower after and change out of these travel clothes.” Legs tucked under her in Ji Zhenshi’s lap, Li Yunli pulled out her phone to order delivery.
After the flight and rush, her mild germaphobia kicked in—she wanted a shower to feel clean.
“I want beef tripe.”
“Potatoes.”
“This one, and that.”
Ji Zhenshi called the shots with one finger on the phone, the other sneaking under the hem to map conquests on Li Yunli’s waist.
