Chapter 66: Love Conquers All Hardships

Li Yunli’s expression remained unchanged. “Eating this might upset your stomach. How about just a little?”

“Okay.” Ji Zhenshi hummed carelessly, her eyes on Li Yunli’s impassive face. All her focus was on ordering from her phone, showing no reaction even as Ji Zhenshi tickled her. Unable to hold back her surprise, Ji Zhenshi asked, “Sister A-Yun, don’t you feel anything?”

Why was Li Yunli so calm?

Didn’t she notice Ji Zhenshi taking liberties?

Li Yunli kept her gaze straight ahead, her clear eyes like a serene ancient well rippling with gentle allure. She didn’t stop Ji Zhenshi’s little antics. Instead, after a moment’s thought, she said, “I ordered mild spice. We haven’t tried the local flavors yet. What if it’s too spicy and upsets our stomachs?”

Truth be told, it was mostly for Ji Zhenshi. Her stomach was a stark contrast to her tough personality—pampered to the point of delicacy, prone to getting sick easily.

Li Yunli was always watching out, determined not to let her suffer.

Ji Zhenshi’s pupils contracted. Emboldened, she slid her hand higher. “Really nothing? Not even a little?”

It was like they weren’t on the same wavelength at all, each carrying on without interrupting the other.

Only when Ji Zhenshi pinched too hard in that soft spot did Li Yunli finally press a hand to her chest, stopping the mischievous fingers through her clothes. Suppressing a smile at the corner of her soft lips, she said, “Keep taking advantage, and I’ll get mad, Good Child.”

She’d only let her guard down for a moment, indulging her a bit, and now Ji Zhenshi was pushing it.

She really couldn’t afford to be too lenient. Ji Zhenshi had no sense of restraint in these matters.

Sometimes her passion was overwhelming.

Youth truly burned bright.

“You bad egg.” Li Yunli turned her gaze sideways, hooking the necklace around Ji Zhenshi’s neck and drawing them closer. She gave Ji Zhenshi’s cheek a light pat as punishment for crossing the line.

“You didn’t stop me earlier, so I thought Sister A-Yun liked it too.” Ji Zhenshi leaned in even more, rubbing her nose against Li Yunli’s sensitive earlobe.

The slap only made it more thrilling for Ji Zhenshi.

“What nonsense… Get off.” Li Yunli, ticklish, shrugged her shoulder in an attempt to escape the teasing. Her gentle push came off more like half-hearted reluctance.

Ji Zhenshi pursued relentlessly. One pushed, the other chased, and soon they were play-fighting.

Li Yunli was already nestled in Ji Zhenshi’s arms and couldn’t flee far. After a bit of tussling, Ji Zhenshi clamped down tight on her fragrant warmth, refusing to let her budge an inch.

Exhausted from the play, Li Yunli curled up in Ji Zhenshi’s embrace.

Ji Zhenshi hugged her contentedly, then whispered seriously in her ear, “Thank you, Sis.”

Thank you for liking me just right.

This might just be their happiest New Year yet.

No traditional family reunion, but Ji Zhenshi felt like she had the whole world. Li Yunli was all she needed—more than enough.

Hiding away at the ends of the earth, they could love freely, cherishing every moment of happiness.

“Hm?” Li Yunli turned to look at her, drawn in by the sudden sincerity.

Why the thanks out of nowhere?

Ji Zhenshi grinned brightly. “Thanks for keeping me company in this freezing wind on a winter day, of course. Anyone else would think I’m nuts. This is pretty weird, right?”

“Nothing’s weird if Xiao Zhen likes it.”

“Waaah, you’re gonna make me cry.”

No sooner had she spoken than Ji Zhenshi tilted Li Yunli’s chin up and kissed her.

Li Yunli tilted her head back involuntarily, her slender neckline strikingly alluring—especially with her quickened breaths adding a touch of seductive charm.

The position soon became uncomfortable, and she twisted slightly, ending the lingering kiss of her own accord for the first time.

Ji Zhenshi gave her lip corner one last reluctant peck and smiled. “I’ve wanted to ask since the first time, Sister A-Yun. Is your lip gloss lychee-flavored? So sweet.”

Today’s gloss carried that faint lychee taste during their first kiss of the day.

Ji Zhenshi preferred gloss over lipstick. Li Yunli usually went bare-faced or with light makeup, rarely using gloss—and whenever they kissed, it was lychee.

“Mm, just something I picked up. Been using it lately. Not sweet, though. Gloss usually has no flavor.” Li Yunli blinked open her dazed eyes and leaned into Ji Zhenshi’s arms, slowly catching her breath.

She’d tasted the lychee during their first quick kiss? That caught Li Yunli off guard.

Her face inexplicably flushed. Anticipating more embarrassment, she clapped a hand over Ji Zhenshi’s mouth, terrified of what might come next.

“I love lychees now.”

Sure enough, Ji Zhenshi’s muffled words slipped through her fingers. Paired with that suggestive look, it made Li Yunli burn with shame.

Why stare at her like that while talking about lychees?

Silently vowing never to use that gloss again, Li Yunli pretended to be annoyed and pinched Ji Zhenshi’s neck. “I don’t like lychees anymore. Shut it.”

“But I do. Lychees are my favorite. Oh, and I love milk too.”

“Ji Zhenshi!” Li Yunli had reached her limit, drained by the teasing. She shot her a glare and tried to sit up.

Ji Zhenshi was being too naughty this time.

Must be those videos poisoning more than just the tablet—her brain too.

“Sorry, Sister A-Yun.” Ji Zhenshi’s apology was lightning-fast.

Li Yunli gave her a look that said it was barely acceptable and settled back against her.

They cuddled together, watching the snow.

…

The next day, they went skiing.

Ji Zhenshi picked the biggest slope in the area and skipped the instructor.

Dressed head to toe in black with cool shades, she saluted Li Yunli and flashed a grin, showing off her straight white teeth. “Sister A-Yun, how cool am I?”

At Ji Zhenshi’s insistence, Li Yunli was almost entirely in white—like matching couple’s gear.

Ji Zhenshi’s little schemes were adorable sometimes.

Both opted for snowboards, geared up similarly.

To max out the cool factor, though, Ji Zhenshi’s shades had flashy iridescent lenses. She’d spent ages just picking them out. With her posing, she was all flair and sparkle.

Li Yunli watched her antics with a fond smile, humoring her now and then. “Mm, Xiao Zhen’s super cool. Thumbs up.”

“Naturally. Gotta live up to Sister A-Yun’s great taste in girlfriends.”

Not just clothes, but picking partners.

Double compliment, Ji Zhenshi praising herself every which way.

Li Yunli was speechless but didn’t argue.

Beckoning Ji Zhenshi over, she held a little turtle plush. “Come here. I’ll strap these to your knees and butt so you don’t get hurt. Especially your hands—protect them well, okay?”

Ji Zhenshi, striking a pose in the mirror, recoiled at the dopey turtle in Li Yunli’s palm. “No way. Doesn’t match my vibe at all.”

She was cool, damn it?

That turtle looked half-asleep—way too dumb. No match for her image.

“No excuses. Beginners need them. What if you fall?” Li Yunli’s brows furrowed slightly, uncharacteristically firm as she grabbed Ji Zhenshi and insisted on the pads. “Be good. Then I can relax.”

All cool poses and no caution? Bad Little Imp.

Ji Zhenshi twisted her waist, eyeing the turtles with a headache. Without thinking, she whined to Li Yunli. “I don’t waaant this one. I hate it.”

So dumb. Super dumb.

“Then pick a little pig. Which do you like?” Patient as ever, Li Yunli offered her own pads for choice.

“I don’t wanna wear any.” Ji Zhenshi pouted.

The pink pig was even dumber than the turtle.

“No.” Li Yunli seized her this time, no nonsense, and buckled on the gear firmly.

Suddenly, ultra-cool Ji Zhenshi sported turtle plushes on all four limbs and one on her butt—an absurdly comical sight.

Even the stern-faced Li Yunli couldn’t hold back a laugh, ducking her head to hide it behind her hair.

Xiao Zhen was too cute. Her heart was melting.

“You’re laughing at me. Take ’em off!” Spotting the grin, Ji Zhenshi protested louder, tugging at the turtles.

Too much. Li Yunli was laughing.

Patting a turtle butt fondly, Li Yunli soothed her. “No laughing. Xiao Zhen’s still the coolest. Good Child’s the coolest in the world. I only like Good Child.”

“That’s better.” Placated, Ji Zhenshi leaned in for a kiss.

Helmets blocked them, so she settled for holding Li Yunli’s hand, clinging tight for security.

Snowboards were tricky to handle. Spotting the snow, Ji Zhenshi plopped down cross-legged.

She patted the ground. The pad fiasco forgotten in a flash, her grin never faded.

Li Yunli stood by, tapping Ji Zhenshi’s hard helmet idly. She’d even stuck a 3D grass tuft on top—it swayed cutely with every move.

“Li Yunli and Ji Zhenshi forever.”

Her chilled-red fingertips left traces in the snow sans gloves.

The marks might melt soon, but Ji Zhenshi’s love for Li Yunli would endure in every heartbeat.

Li Yunli read the barely legible words, smile deepening at the unexpected message. She crouched and added a line below.

“Xiao Zhen shines like the stars.”

Ji Zhenshi wished for their love to conquer all. Li Yunli hoped Ji Zhenshi would pursue her passions and grace grander stages.

“So touching.” Ji Zhenshi clutched her chest, pretending to wipe a tear.

Li Yunli leaned down, kissing her forehead tenderly. “Xiao Zhen, our road won’t be easy. But with you, I’m willing to try. I love you. Remember that—I always will. No matter what happens, don’t forget. Okay?”

I love you. Ji Zhenshi mouthed the three words back, syllable by syllable.

I love you. I always love you.

She’d said it countless times to Li Yunli. This was the first time Li Yunli had confessed so earnestly.

Simple words: I love you. Only you.

Ji Zhenshi had thought it was just play at first, her “touching” line a joke. But her expression froze as she realized Li Yunli’s gravity—and those unspoken words.

She never thought their bond needed such proofs.

Yet hearing it—even signed—shook her to the core.

A lover’s sweet words struck deepest.

“So we’ll make it to the end, right?”

“Mm. Because love conquers all hardships.”

In the pristine snow, they made their solemn vows.

Love conquers all hardships. Li Yunli, walk this path with me.

Ji Zhenshi tugged Li Yunli’s gloves back on properly, then pulled out a camera. “Gotta capture this. Can’t let it slip away.”

The photo would stand in for memory, etching their resolve to press on.

She wouldn’t forget. Li Yunli would always love her.

Ji Zhenshi snapped several shots, then used her phone.

Looking up at the patient Li Yunli, she invited, “Sister A-Yun, selfie? Our first ski trip.”

“Mm, sure.”

Ji Zhenshi slung an arm around her shoulders, snowy backdrop framing their loving couple pic.

She turned and planted a soft kiss on Li Yunli’s forehead. “Sister A-Yun, I love you too. Soon, I’ll love you openly and proudly.”

Their grand secret romance ended in mutual love.

Ji Zhenshi bounced two steps, nuzzling into Li Yunli’s chest—total dependence on display.

Li Yunli lost balance and sat, still cradling her. They ended up lying in the snow. “Okay, permission granted.”

Most crushes ended in regret. Ji Zhenshi was the rare lucky exception.

Her dark romance tale concluded perfectly—not the longest crush, nor the deepest devotion, but her gamble paid off with unshakeable resolve, perfect timing, and reciprocal rush.

So, love boldly.

Seek that slim chance amid the masses. Believe in it, believe in love’s fate. No matter what, just love.

Ji Zhenshi threw her arms wide and yelled, “My secret love sees the light! I’m the blessed one!”

Li Yunli laughed with her. Eyes only for each other, heedless of stares.

Playful by nature, Ji Zhenshi went wild in her joy, forgetting the skiing lesson as she rolled in the snow.

Sprawled ungracefully, turtle butt-plush and all, she was pure adorableness.

Li Yunli doted endlessly, snapping photos while squeezing the turtle butt, eyes crinkling with mirth.

They’d come to ski, but Ji Zhenshi solo snow-played for a full hour.

Li Yunli stayed by her side. As Ji Zhenshi built a snowman in the corner, Li Yunli practiced boarding.

She finally got a coach, picking up basics after countless falls—gliding short distances on her own.

Meanwhile, Ji Zhenshi, the fool, was lost in snow fun. Beaming up at Li Yunli, she presented, “Sister A-Yun! Look—this is you, this is me.”

Li Yunli was mid-practice, too focused to notice.

Especially those headless, buttless blobs unworthy of praise. She opted for silence, sliding on.

Ignored repeatedly, Ji Zhenshi’s smile faltered.

Li Yunli was getting good! And she hadn’t even tried!

No falling behind. Ji Zhenshi fixed her gear for the real start—only to topple on standing.

Li Yunli spotted it instantly, crouching with a chuckle to help her up. “See? That’s why we need the pads. No more recklessness, got it?”

Wobbling to her feet, disheveled Ji Zhenshi clutched Li Yunli’s arm desperately. “Sister A-Yun, I’m scared. Hug me.”