The conditions here were excellent—the runs were clean, and there were hardly any people.
By the time everyone had changed into their ski suits, put on helmets and protective gear, and gotten out their boards, it was exactly two o’clock.
Mi Wei had never skied before. She steeled herself, got on the board, and promptly fell twice in a row—flat on her back, all four limbs in the air, a truly sorry sight.
Jiang Min teased her, “That’s what you get for eating too much at lunch. Cramping your performance, huh?”
You Hui joined in the ribbing. “I’d say so. At lunch she ate enough for three of us. Nice and round—doesn’t even hurt when she falls.”
“I did not, waaah, you’re all making things up!”
Mi Wei was about to puff up into a pufferfish from sheer indignation. So she fell—fine! But then a whole crowd had to gather around and laugh at her? Outrageous! Did she have no dignity?!
“Okay, okay. I’ll teach you. Stay with me.”
Jiang Xuezi, ever the picture of gentle consideration, stepped forward and offered her hand, pulling her up.
Tang Xiaoyu’s eyes lit up. “You Hui-jiejie, it’s a promise—you’re teaching me, right? You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten.” You Hui pointed at an open patch nearby. “Fewer people over there. Let’s go practice there.”
Jiang Xuezi led Mi Wei off to a quiet spot as well, tossing back one last line as she went: “Little Lin, you ski with A-Min.”
“Oh… okay.”
“And then there were none,” Jiang Min said, watching them each begin their beginner lessons, and turned to Lin Xuqing. “What about you? You can ski, right?”
Lin Xuqing nodded. “I can.”
“How’s your technique?”
“Very good.”
“Not even going to be modest about it?”
“Just stating facts.”
Jiang Min walked a couple of steps forward, pointed at the very top, and looked back over her shoulder. “Up there. Any interest in racing me?”
Lin Xuqing followed her gesture. From the summit down, the run was steep and long—looked properly challenging. She agreed without hesitation. “Deal.”
“Fair warning: I’m not going easy on you.”
“Don’t go easy on me.”
Jiang Min teased her, “If you fall, no crying allowed.”
Lin Xuqing said quickly, “As if! I’m a grown adult.”
“Is that so? Because last time, I seem to recall someone crying her eyes out at my place.”
The corner of Jiang Min’s lips curled as she deliberately brought up something Lin Xuqing would rather not remember. Watching her face flush, she knew she’d hit the mark.
Lin Xuqing, a little abashed, said, “Let’s just go.”
“Let’s.”
It had been overcast all morning; now the sun had come out.
The thick clouds overhead thinned, scattered by the wind, gradually revealing a clear, deep blue sky. Sunlight came pouring down.
The two carried their boards up to the highest point.
Jiang Min stood in the sunlight, the light falling across her fair cheeks, her brows relaxed, her smile warm and bright.
Lin Xuqing’s eyes followed her instinctively, and it took real effort to tear them away.
“Scared?”
“No.”
“Fewer people now. Countdown, three-two-one, and we go.”
“Okay. No problem.”
“Three, two, one!”
They launched down at the same instant.
The cold wind slammed into them; the slope was brutally steep, boards hissing against snow, accelerating hard, bodies leaning into the descent—all the way down, people were screaming.
Jiang Min didn’t seem afraid in the slightest. Far from slowing, she let out a laugh. “Lin Xuqing, I’m speeding up! Come and catch me!”
The wind howled past her ears. Lin Xuqing had barely caught the words when she saw Jiang Min surge forward, her figure nimble and light, shooting off like an arrow released from the bowstring.
Jiang Min wove past the other skiers without losing an ounce of speed, and was first to reach the bottom.
Lin Xuqing accelerated after her, but her technique was still a notch behind—she crossed the line a good ten-odd seconds after Jiang Min, and when she finally tried to stop, she couldn’t brake in time. Her board tilted, and she pitched headfirst into the snow.
She floundered in the snowbank and even spat out two mouthfuls of snow. “Pah, pah…”
Jiang Min burst out laughing—rarely so bright, so unguarded, so free. She didn’t step forward to pull her up either. She just stood there watching, laughing at her.
“Done laughing yet?”
“Mm. Did it hurt?”
Jiang Min finally took two steps forward and held out her hand to pull her up.
Lin Xuqing looked at her—then suddenly seized her hand and yanked hard. Jiang Min lost her balance and toppled into the snow beside her.
“Lin Xuqing! Getting bold, are we?”
“That’s right…”
Lin Xuqing was breathing hard, great gulps of air—the breath she’d been holding since the fall finally coming out.
Jiang Min laughed helplessly. This person—still that same never-admit-defeat temperament.
There was no one around. The two lay there in the snow, neither in any hurry to get up.
Lin Xuqing asked, “When did you start skiing?”
Jiang Min thought back. “Junior year of college, I think. Some classmates were going, so I tagged along. Haven’t been in years, though. And you?”
“Last year or two.”
Lin Xuqing had learned to ski from Tang Xiaoyu.
Meanwhile, Coach Tang herself was busy playing the beginner today. Lin Xuqing genuinely admired her—she had no idea how the woman planned to keep up the act.
“All right, up we get. Unless you want people saying two idiots are lying in the snow.”
Jiang Min rose first, brushing the snow off herself, and held out her hand to her once more.
Lin Xuqing was wearing a pale pink ski suit today—a very light, understated pink. Against the white snow, it looked quite lovely.
This time Lin Xuqing didn’t play any tricks. She took her hand, borrowed the leverage, and stood. “I—could I ask you to come skiing again sometime?”
“Sure,” Jiang Min agreed casually, finding her tone oddly solemn about it. “It’s only a two-hour drive. Not far.”
“Okay.”
Lin Xuqing agreed at once, then lowered her head and slowly brushed the snow from her clothes, laughter hidden in her eyes.
“Come on, let’s go see how they’re doing. Who knows how many times Mi Wei has fallen by now.”
“Sure. I saw them over to the left just now.”
Mi Wei was actually coming along nicely—skiing with real form now, if still a bit stiff. A beginner through and through.
Jiang Xuezi coached from the side, her voice gentle.
“Good, very nice. Practice your balance a bit more in a moment.”
“Add a little speed. Engage your core, control your body!”
“The parallel turn I taught you earlier—remember it?”
“You really do teach by encouragement,” Jiang Min said, coming up behind Jiang Xuezi and patting her shoulder. “Too gentle. No one learns fast this way.”
“Why are you two over here? And how would you speed it up?”
“Watch me.” Jiang Min smiled, then called out loudly, “Mi Wei! If you don’t graduate from training today, we’re having barbecue tonight while you sit there drinking plain water and watching us eat!”
“What?!”
Mi Wei’s heart clenched! Absolutely unacceptable!
In her panic, she fell straight over again!
Everyone burst out laughing.
Mi Wei sat in the snow, puffing with indignation. She was wearing a white ski suit today, looking just like a soft, squishy rice dumpling.
When Lin Xuqing pulled her up, she said with mock ferocity, “Senior Sister! You’ve gotten so mean!”
Jiang Min raised an eyebrow. “Have I?”
“Yes! Your punishment: you and Sister Xuezi both have to teach me!”
“Fine, no problem!”
“Where did You Hui and the others run off to anyway? Not a soul in sight.”
“I saw them over there just now. Gone now, though.”
…
Meanwhile, in a little corner.
You Hui had deliberately found Tang Xiaoyu an empty patch with no one around. She’d been teaching her for quite a while, explaining the movements in meticulous detail, and Tang Xiaoyu could manage a short stretch now. But she’d noticed that the girl got nervous in crowded areas, and when she got nervous, she fell—so she’d simply found a quiet spot.
You Hui didn’t consider herself a patient person; she was easily irritated in daily life. But with Tang Xiaoyu, she always found herself inexplicably more patient.
“Don’t be afraid. Just glide down slowly from up there.”
“Okay…”
Tang Xiaoyu stood on that not-at-all-tall slope, fuming at the memory of that crowded spot earlier—it had given her no chance to perform at all.
And now… She stepped onto her board, wrestled down her instincts, kept telling herself it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt, then gritted her teeth, shut her eyes—and fell!
Hsss… She saw stars.
It really hurt. Her eyes were stinging with tears.
“You okay, Little Yu?” You Hui rushed over and caught her in one motion, seeing her eyes brimming with tears.
“It hurts,” Tang Xiaoyu said, her face crumpled, looking at her utterly aggrieved.
“Then we’re done learning. Come on, let’s go back. Never again.” You Hui’s voice softened without her noticing, and she ruffled Tang Xiaoyu’s hair.
“Then—then one more try?” Tang Xiaoyu, dizzy from the hair-ruffling, said with a red face.
“You really want to try again?”
“Mm! Last time!”
Because if she didn’t learn it this time, she’d have no excuse to invite her out skiing again.
“Fine. One more try.”
“Focus. Don’t think about anything. Only feel your own body generating force.”
“Don’t be afraid of falling. It’s okay.”
You Hui stepped back two paces, patiently repeating her instructions.
“I’ve got it! Don’t worry.”
Tang Xiaoyu climbed back up the little slope. That last fall had been a solid one—every part of her, down to the marrow of her bones, ached.
But the moment she saw the concern in You Hui’s eyes, she instinctively pulled up a brilliant smile, adjusted her stance, and pushed off.
This time it went perfectly. She glided all the way down in one smooth run—You Hui didn’t even have time to react. Then Tang Xiaoyu came laughing and flung herself into her arms, and You Hui’s hands froze in midair, not daring to come down.
“I did it! Thank you, jiejie!”
Against her ear was the girl’s ragged, heaving breath, spilling onto the rim of her ear. You Hui didn’t dare move.
“Mm… you’re welcome.”
You Hui stiffly stepped back. “Um, now that you’ve got it, shall we go find A-Min and the others? Good timing to try it somewhere with more people too.”
“Okay!”
Tang Xiaoyu released her without a hint of awkwardness, as if what had just happened were the most natural thing in the world.
Half a step behind You Hui, she caught sight of the other woman’s reddened ear tips, suppressed the little surge of excitement in her chest, and secretly flashed a victory sign. Got my jiejie!
You Hui didn’t notice her little gesture.
She was thinking, with some inner conflict… I really can’t let this happen again.
“Huihui, where did you two disappear to? We were just about to come find you!”
“Fewer people over there. I was teaching Little Yu for a bit. How’s it going on your end?”
“Pretty good. Mi Wei’s got the basics now.”
“Want to ski over there for a while?”
Lin Xuqing spoke up. “You all go ski over there. I’ll stay here with them.”
All three of them were seasoned skiers; they’d spent this whole stretch teaching beginners and probably hadn’t enjoyed themselves properly at all.
“Works for me.” Jiang Min relaxed. Lin Xuqing’s technique wasn’t on her level, but she was proficient enough—teaching beginners was well within her ability.
Once they’d left, Mi Wei, remembering that Tang Xiaoyu was also a “beginner,” rubbed her palms together, itching for a challenge. “How about a race, just the two of us?”
Tang Xiaoyu: “Huh? Isn’t that a bit much?”
“What’s wrong with it? Come on, come on!”
“Don’t regret it, then.”
Dragged onto the stage, Tang Xiaoyu reluctantly followed Mi Wei up the little slope.
Lin Xuqing watched the spectacle from where she stood, torn between laughter and exasperation.
Five minutes later.
Tang Xiaoyu came gliding down with flawless smoothness, while Mi Wei—crashed. Again. And again.
Mi Wei: “…”
Weren’t we both beginners? How come I’m the only one getting hurt?
Seeing her expression of a woman questioning her entire existence, Eldest Miss Tang coughed twice. “Next time I’ll treat you to the best ice cream in the world.”
Mi Wei: “Yay!”
Lin Xuqing watched the two of them from the side, laughing.
Those two really did suit each other as playmates.
“What are you laughing at, Good Samaritan Lin? Interested in a race? Let your teacher test whether your skiing has gotten rusty.”
“Sure. Where?”
“Up top. Mi Wei, can you time us?”
Mi Wei: “Huh?”
Weren’t we all beginners? So today she was the only genuine rookie?
Tang Xiaoyu held out her palm. “I’ll take you to five amazing restaurants. And keep it secret.”
Mi Wei bumped her fist against her palm. “Deal!”
…
By the time everyone had played to their hearts’ content, the sky was slowly darkening.
Dinner was cooked over a farmhouse wood-fired stove—fragrant beyond words.
Tang Xiaoyu served Mi Wei several helpings. “Eat more, Little Mi Wei.”
Jiang Min studied the two of them. “How did you two get so close in just an afternoon?”
Mi Wei: “Can’t help it! We just click!”
Her and good food—they clicked on a spiritual level!
Lin Xuqing smiled and said nothing.
After dinner, it was still early.
Eldest Miss Tang organized the evening activities. “There are hot springs here. Anyone want to soak?”
Jiang Xuezi shook her head. “Count me out. Hot springs make me dizzy. I’m worn out—going back to rest.”
Mi Wei begged off too. “Full and sleepy. I’m going back to my room to sprawl.”
Lin Xuqing glanced at Jiang Min. “I’ll pass.”
Jiang Min didn’t feel like fussing either. “I’ll go out for a walk.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“Fine, let’s go.”
You Hui had just come in from a phone call. “Where is everyone?”
“Resting, or out strolling. I asked if anyone wanted to soak in the hot springs—they all said no.” Tang Xiaoyu looked at her, eyes full of expectation. “Let’s go together, just us two. Okay?”
You Hui nearly stuttered. “Wh-what?”
Hot springs? Just the two of them? That wasn’t… appropriate, was it?
Tang Xiaoyu stepped up and took her wrist. “Come on, come on. I’ll be so bored by myself.”
You Hui: “Hot springs make me get chest tightness and dizzy.”
“That’s fine. You can just sit at the edge and soak your feet. Keep me company and chat.”
Tang Xiaoyu acted as though she hadn’t noticed her resistance at all, tugging her forward. “Let’s go, let’s go.”
You Hui wanted to refuse, but couldn’t get the words out.
She kept glancing back over her shoulder as they walked, terrified someone would see—yet she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what she was being guilty about. What a torment.
…
“Really not going to soak in the hot springs?”
“No. Tang Xiaoyu is too loud. I don’t want to listen to her chatter.”
“You two really are close, then.”
“Why do you say that?”
Jiang Min observed, “You’re actually pretty sharp-tongued with her.”
With people she didn’t know well, Lin Xuqing was polite, distant, and courteous.
Lin Xuqing had to concede the point. “Yes. She’s very tolerant of me.”
“I’m tired of walking. Let’s sit a while.”
“There’s a bench over there.”
Night was deepening, the sky shifting from pale blue to deep blue, cold stars scattered across it.
A river surged past, its waves roaring.
The air was cold and clean.
Jiang Min breathed deep, gazing blankly into the distance, mind emptying.
For over a year now, work had weighed constantly on her heart. She’d had almost no time of pure, unburdened rest—even resting at home, her spirit stayed taut as a bowstring.
But here and now, all around was stillness and peace. Before them stretched range upon range of mountains, a blurred mass of black in the darkness.
The world was a silent sea.
Neither of them said a word.
Only the stars overhead, glittering quietly.
In a moment this still, Jiang Min found herself thinking—for the first time ever—that Lin Xuqing being this quiet was actually rather nice.
“Let’s head back.”
“Mm, okay.”
They strolled back, the road just as quiet.
Only the sound of flowing water, the wind, and their footsteps.
Walking back to the lodging, climbing the stairs, they ran right into You Hui and Tang Xiaoyu—both wrapped in oversized bathrobes.
“Just back from the hot springs?”
“Mm, yes.”
“I’m heading to my room.” You Hui tossed off the line and hurried into her room, shutting the door tight behind her.
Jiang Min murmured, “What’s the rush…”
“Um, I’m going in too. Good night.”
Tang Xiaoyu toweled off her dripping hair, and went into her room as well.
Jiang Min asked Lin Xuqing, “Which room are you in?”
Lin Xuqing pointed at a door. “Across from yours.”
“Then good night.”
“Mm. Good night.”
Jiang Min entered her room, turned on the heating first, tidied her suitcase briefly, and took out her pajamas to wash up.
Before bed, she opened a podcast, planning to listen to an interesting episode before sleeping.
Halfway through, there came faint sounds of voices from the corridor.
She hit pause, listened carefully for a moment, confirmed she hadn’t misheard, got out of bed, slipped on her slippers, and opened the door, looking out. “What’s going on?”
Lin Xuqing and Tang Xiaoyu stood in the corridor in nothing but their pajamas, looking thin and flimsy.
Before Lin Xuqing could get a word out, Tang Xiaoyu barreled ahead: “The heating in her room is broken! I just called the front desk lady, and she says there are no more rooms!”
Lin Xuqing: “Um…”
Tang Xiaoyu: “I snore when I sleep! Snoring that shakes the heavens—I could tear the roof off! So! Sister Jiang, you have to take her in tonight!”
Lin Xuqing: “No need, I—”
“What do you mean, no need! Without heating in this weather, that room will be freezing!”
Tang Xiaoyu glared at Lin Xuqing through gritted teeth, signaling her to shut up and stop spouting nonsense!
Her eyes were heavy with resentment: Lin! For your sake I’ve already destroyed my own image, nearly painted myself as some burly lumberjack! Stammer one more word and I’ll swat you dead!
Thank goodness You Hui wasn’t around right now. If You Hui had heard that, she’d have to go find a block of tofu and smash her head into it!
Jiang Min thought it over.
With Lin Xuqing’s temperament—the kind that hated troubling anyone—the only people she was even slightly close to were her and Tang Xiaoyu. Anyone else, and she’d never agree.
It was a twin room anyway. Nothing to make a fuss about.
“It’s fine. Stay in my room.”
“I…”
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!”
Tang Xiaoyu shoved Lin Xuqing forward, then gave Jiang Min a little push inward. “Come, come, you two hurry and rest!”
As if afraid she’d seemed too deliberate, she added a hasty excuse: “This frees me up too. I’m going in! Standing out here is freezing me to death!”
Bang. The door slammed shut from the outside.
Jiang Min glanced at Lin Xuqing—then belatedly remembered her underwear was still sitting on the bedside.
Uh. This was getting a little awkward.
But she was the one who’d said it, and she’d nodded her own agreement. She couldn’t very well take it back now.
Jiang Min cleared her throat. “I’ve already lain on this bed for a bit. You take the one by the window.”
Lin Xuqing lowered her head, the tips of her ears burning hot beneath her hair. It took her a long while to find her voice. “Oh… okay.”
