Chapter 28

Huan Yan Winter Snow Late（13）

Chapter 28

It turned out to be a false alarm.

Hearing Xi Heng say he would return tonight instantly dispelled the anxiety that had wrapped Mu He layer by layer like the surrounding darkness. Mu He, like a drowning person getting fresh air, greedily inhaled, and despite her restraint, she still let out a heavy nasal sound: “Mm, I’ll wait for you.”

The call ended.

She stared blankly at the darkened phone.

Wan Wan, lying at her feet, meowed anxiously. Only then did she finally react, hugging it and breaking into laughter through her tears: “Wan Wan, am I really so useless?”

She was just too scared… of being left behind.

“Meow!”

No!

Wan Wan had also been abandoned by its previous owner, suffering both physically and mentally, and fully understood her feelings.

It twisted anxiously, wondering how it could make her understand.

Ever since she had rescued it from the trash when it was barely alive, caring for it meticulously, it had recognized her as its own.

Wan Wan raised its chubby paw to pat her shoulder, as if comforting her: “Meow!”

I’ll never leave you!

Mu He composed herself, holding Wan Wan as she walked out of the room. Her eyes stung and hurt. She placed it on the living room sofa, then turned into the bathroom, nearly startled by the reflection in the mirror.

Her long hair was messy, two clear tear tracks marked her face, her nose red, and her eyelids swollen.

Had she really cried this much?

Mu He turned on the faucet, cupped water, and washed her face clean. Finally, she didn’t look so disheveled. She went to the kitchen for ice, trying to reduce the swelling before Xi Heng returned. If he saw her like this, who knew how he might tease her.

Outside, the night deepened. The bright moon hung high, sparse stars emitted a cold light. The cross-river bridge was brightly lit, cars coming and going, bustling.

After eleven, Huo Si Heng returned to Jinyue Bay, looking travel-worn. Taking the elevator to the top floor, he stood at the door, one hand in his pocket, still chilly, his facial lines sharp. As his long fingers, slightly reddened from the cold, were about to input the code, the door opened from inside. Then, a pair of soft, warm hands wrapped around his waist.

Huo Si Heng was completely unprepared, stepping back slightly to stabilize them both. A flash of surprise passed through his dark brown eyes before he lowered his gaze: “Mu Yangyang.”

Mu He said nothing, hugging him tighter.

The wind outside was strong. Worried she might catch a cold, Huo Si Heng had no choice but to carry her inside and close the door. The living room lights revealed her reddened eyes. Clearly, she had cried when she found he wasn’t home, and she hadn’t held back.

Huo Si Heng lowered his head, scrutinizing her face, sighing softly. His eyes softened with pity. If he hadn’t returned tonight, how much would she have cried?

He stroked her hair: “Little crybaby.”

Mu He wouldn’t admit it, but hearing him call her that, she couldn’t help crying, overwhelmed. With someone who cared for her in front of her, tears flowed like a dam breaking. She accused: “You’re so mean! I thought you’d leave again like last time without telling me…”

He had a record with her.

Though she had a vague premonition then, knowing his temperament, he wouldn’t really leave without a word.

Huo Si Heng recalled certain memories, feeling his heart soaked by her tears, lightly aching. He used his fingers to wipe her face, but the tears wouldn’t come off, so he pulled two tissues to finally stop them.

“Last time, did you cry like this too?”

Huo Si Heng knew too well what kind of soft heart was hidden beneath this seemingly resilient shell. He didn’t want to see her cry, which was why he had chosen to leave without saying goodbye.

“I didn’t.”

Mu He denied firmly, yet tears still fell. She didn’t want to, but couldn’t help it. “You’re deceiving yourself. You think if you don’t see, I won’t cry?”

She was about to cry.

At that age, she had never experienced separation.

Knowing he was leaving, she had cried all the way from home to the Jinlan River. From then on, she buried him, even his name, deep in her heart.

She even thought they would never meet again in this lifetime.

Huo Si Heng didn’t think so. He had never forgotten. In the distant Shancheng, there was a little girl named Mu Yangyang who had saved his life. If she was still alive, he planned to return for her once things settled.

If she still remained in Shancheng, he would take her to see the wider world.

If she was already married, he would protect her for the rest of her life, ensuring joy and peace.

…

But now, Mu Yangyang was not in any of Huo Si Heng’s plans. He wanted to personally care for her, make her his woman, and have a home with her.

Before that, the fictitious engagement had to be canceled. He couldn’t bear to let her suffer even the slightest grievance.

His love and marriage had to belong entirely to her.

Huo Si Heng wrapped his arms around her shoulders, letting her lean comfortably against him.

Perhaps still shaken from Xi Yin’s emotions, and now reunited with him, Mu He cried even more freely.

Huo Si Heng was at a loss: “Yangyang, don’t cry anymore, okay?”

Seeing the wet patch on his chest, Mu He felt guilty and moved to a drier spot, continuing to cry: “This coat… I bought it.”

“Today I received a large sum of money, thinking to buy you many clothes, but when I got home, you… you weren’t here! I won’t buy them for you anymore…”

“Fine,” Huo Si Heng said, heart warmed and indulging, “don’t buy them.”

Mu He insisted on contradicting him: “No!”

Still wanting to argue, her stomach growled: “Gurgle gurgle.”

Her face turned red with embarrassment.

Huo Si Heng’s tone darkened slightly: “You haven’t eaten dinner?”

Mu He pressed her lips together, silent, focused only on crying, having forgotten.

He tucked stray hair behind her ear: “What do you want to eat? Some noodles?”

“No, I’ll get fat.”

Even at this hour, night snacks were ready, but Mu He was really hungry. She looked up at him, tears glistening: “Cook me some oatmeal, just half a bowl, no sugar.”

Ten minutes later, Huo Si Heng brought out a bowl of oatmeal, filled to 80%. Mu He shrugged, scooped a spoonful, and tasted it. Sweet—he hadn’t followed a single one of her instructions…

After eating, Mu He planned to watch some videos first, then go run in the gym to burn off the extra calories. Half an hour later, she found the gym door locked.

Who else could have locked it?

She had no choice but to return to her room, shower, and finish a yoga session on the bed before sleeping.

Time passed like white horses crossing a gap, the temperature dropping further. Mu He finished filming Xi Yin’s role—falling into evil, realizing the need to sacrifice herself to save the Dragon Clan and innocent people, transforming into the South Sea Pearl, eternally guarding the waters she loved. Her final scene was completed on Christmas Eve.

Xi Yin’s last shot: standing by the South Sea, glancing back, her gaze calm—no love or hatred, no sadness, no reluctance, no farewell. Amid the heart-wrenching cries of her mother, she leapt into the South Sea.

Her father looked at the water, teary-eyed, murmuring: Xi Yin hasn’t died.

She has merely… returned home.

This scene was so touching that many extras were in tears.

Mu He finally transformed back from Xi Yin to herself, quietly saying in her heart: “Xi Yin, goodbye.”

Still in costume, she accepted warm and kind hugs, sincerely thanking everyone for their care, and took photos with them. Holding a Christmas-tree-shaped bouquet, she faced the camera, eyes clear, smile radiant.

Just like Xi Yin at first sight.

Mu He received many gifts. Zheng Youyou and Teacher Dai were, of course, not absent. Zhong Li Fei gave her a set of C brand custom Christmas lipsticks. Qi Hao gave a collectible signed album from his debut as a singer. Even Yuan Xin’er gifted her a bottle of French designer perfume.

Director Xie appreciated her, preparing a wrap-up banquet, and decided to give her both Xi Yin’s black and white costumes.

This gift touched Mu He’s heart. She smiled, eyes curving: “Thank you, Director Xie.”

Director Xie’s smile was especially gentle: “Little Mu, keep it up, the future is promising.”

She nodded heavily.

After the lively wrap-up banquet, everyone went their separate ways—those with dates went on dates, those without either worked overtime or waited to be fed warm dog food from all directions. Mu He checked the time; it was just past nine. She took Xi Heng with her and stepped out.

The streets were full of joyful Christmas atmosphere. Men and women walked in pairs, and children ran excitedly around Santa Claus.

Mu He wrapped in a scarf, only half her face visible, wore a pair of sparkling reindeer antlers on her head—playful and cute. With people passing by constantly, she worried about losing him, so she stayed closer to Xi Heng. Occasionally, the edges of their coats brushed against each other.

Every time it happened, her heart raced wildly, like a little deer stampeding.

She tried reaching out, lightly tugging his coat hem.

Just like when they walked by the river before, but different—now she liked him.

She held a sweet secret in her heart; even just a little flirtation made her feel overjoyed.

He probably didn’t know that on Christmas Eve, most couples walking the streets together were indeed in relationships, right?

As she was distracted by the thought, her hand was suddenly held by him: “Cold?”

Before Mu He could answer, he placed her hand into the pocket of his coat. This romantic gesture made her wonder secretly: did he have feelings for her or not?

She quickly concluded: no.

Because—

He immediately let go, leaving her hand lonely in the pocket.

After walking a while, Mu He softly called: “Xi Heng.”

Huo Si Heng turned: “Hmm?”

“Let’s take a photo together.”

Mu He pulled him behind a Christmas tree, took out her phone, opened the camera, and lifted it: “Can you bend down a bit? You’re too tall.”

Huo Si Heng leaned slightly forward but was still over half a head taller than her.

She wasn’t short among girls, but next to him, she looked delicate and petite. She handed the phone to him: “You take it.”

Mu He lowered her scarf, just as she posed, a “click” sound rang. She blinked in confusion—already taken?

“Let me see.”

Unexpectedly, the photo turned out quite well. The lighting was excellent, their expressions natural. No intimate gestures, yet they looked like a couple.

Mu He wanted another photo, but a strange sound came from nearby. She turned her head and saw a couple in a corner, hugging and kissing passionately. The man’s hand rested on the woman’s…

Before she could see more clearly, Xi Heng pulled her away.

He lowered his voice, smiling: “What’s so interesting to look at?”

She was embarrassed—hadn’t she seen something like this before?

Back among the crowd, the cold wind hit them. Mu He’s cheeks burned as if she were the one doing something naughty. She pulled her scarf up again, covering herself.

Ahead, a popular milk tea shop had a long line. She wanted to temporarily get him out of the way to cool down. Plus, tonight was Christmas Eve, and they had just wrapped filming—time to indulge: “Xi Heng, I want milk tea.”

Knowing he had no money, she took out her wallet and handed him a hundred yuan: “Matcha red bean, hot.”

A while later, the tall, upright figure of the man appeared in the queue. Compared to the young men and women around, he looked so out of place and dazzling.

Mu He’s gaze fixed. Deep peach blossom eyes, high nose bridge, beautifully lined thin lips—each pleasing to the eye, and together, perfect.

He was too handsome.

This was the man she liked.

She felt proud just being with him.

Of course, Huo Si Heng also attracted other glances. Two heavily made-up women approached. The short-haired one flirted, twirling her phone: “Handsome, can I add you on WeChat?”

In the streets of Moscow before, Huo Si Heng had encountered countless such uninvited encounters, always indifferent. But tonight, he suddenly felt inclined to respond. Slightly turning, he smiled gently: “See her? That’s my wife.”

The women looked over. Under the tree stood a delicate figure in white. Her face wasn’t visible, but her figure and aura clearly marked her as a beauty.

Looking back at the man, who had previously been expressionless, his gaze at her softened considerably.

Unfortunately, handsome men these days were married young. They laughed awkwardly and left.

Huo Si Heng returned with the milk tea. Mu He curiously asked: “What did those two women just say to you?”

He remained expressionless: “Asking for directions.”

“So why did you turn your head to look at me?”

“I told them you might know the way.”

Mu He understood immediately: “They were using directions as an excuse to flirt with you.”

Huo Si Heng slightly raised an eyebrow, saying nothing: “Is that so?”

Mu He poked her straw into the milk tea, and while he wasn’t paying attention, she stepped on his shadow. All that for a cup of milk tea—drawing attention again. Hmph.

After this little incident, they entered a mall. Mu He helped him pick a few outfits as promised, as Christmas gifts, and chose a dress for herself. They returned fully loaded.

After washing up and lying in bed close to midnight, Mu He forced herself to stay awake, counting the stars on the glass ceiling. By the ninety-ninth star, there was finally movement outside. She immediately closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.

Unable to resist, she peeked through a slit—wanting to see if Santa Claus had come with gifts.

Footsteps gradually approached the bed.

Mu He held her breath, heart pounding the only audible sound. She sensed him bending over, his clear, pleasant scent wafting over. She used all her acting skills to play a sleeping person.

Unbeknownst to her, her trembling eyelashes betrayed her.

Huo Si Heng smiled faintly, as if noticing nothing, and turned to leave.

After the door gently closed, Mu He eagerly sat up, feeling a small black velvet box beside her pillow. So small, so light—what could be inside?

She turned on her phone, carefully opened the lid, and a ring appeared—

A ring?

!