Chapter 30
Huan Yan Winter Snow Late (15)
Chapter 30
The 199 steps below were the only way down the mountain. Mu He’s feet hurt a little—walking on flat ground was fine, but descending so many steps would certainly wear her out, so she let him carry her without guilt.
Tall, sparse trees grew on both sides, and the streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, quietly imprinting the overlapping shadows of the two on the ground.
Mu He tilted her head, concentrating on looking at him. The side profile of his face, outlined as if drawn with charcoal, caught the soft light, flickering between bright and dim. She used her gaze as a brush, sketching his contours inch by inch into her heart.
“Mu Yangyang.”
The man didn’t turn his head. She saw the puff of white breath he exhaled as he spoke, floating lightly like cotton before dissipating.
“…Hmm?”
Huo Shiheng asked knowingly: “What was your major in college?”
Why did he suddenly bring up her major?
Mu He replied, confused: “Bridge Engineering.”
After hearing his low laugh: “Can you analyze my current load?”
Realizing his implication, Mu He blushed furiously. She was shy. Although her legs were wrapped around his waist, her upper body still maintained the distance of one arm’s length, which raised the center of gravity.
Overcoming her reserve, Mu He slowly leaned in. His back was solid, giving a sense of security. She reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Seamlessly, the cold wind could no longer pass between their bodies.
Thump thump thump…
Their chests and backs pressed too tightly together, almost sharing a single ribcage. Mu He couldn’t tell whose heartbeat it was—could it be anyone else?
Of course, it was hers, beating so hard. Would he notice?
She decided to take the initiative: “Xi Heng, your heartbeat is so fast.”
A girl’s warm, moist breath flowed along his neck. Huo Shiheng found it hard to ignore the softness pressing against his back, the exact cause of his irregular heartbeat. Like any other man in the world, he was captivated. After a moment, he softly murmured: “You’re too heavy.”
Heavy?
Where was she heavy?
“!”
“You’re lying!”
Mu He firmly denied: “I weigh only ninety jin.”
Huo Shiheng’s eyes deepened with amusement: “I think it’s more than that.”
No woman wants to hear the man she likes say she’s heavy. Mu He was no exception. She tightened her arms, threateningly gripping his neck: “I think we can break off our friendship!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she remembered what Tan Mian had said—‘breaking off a friendship’ or ‘age-gap friendship’ had evolved into something indescribable, making her blush.
She let go.
“Hmm?
Break off our friendship?”
Mu He’s heart trembled. Could he also know the deeper meaning of this phrase?
Huo Shiheng was five years older than her; it was impossible he didn’t. He glanced around—the deserted mountains had only them—and his male instincts were triggered. Following her words, he made a suggestive joke: “Do you want to think about breaking up with me after we get home?”
Mu He: “……”
By the time they got home, it was already half past nine. Huo Shiheng helped her sit on the sofa. From the earlier check, he knew her muscles and bones weren’t injured. He went to the kitchen for ice, wrapped it in a clean towel, and applied a cold compress to her slightly swollen ankle.
The cool sensation seeped through her skin, constricting blood vessels. Sitting close, his breath was clearly perceptible. Mu He felt like she was caught between ice and fire—wanting to pull away but also wanting to get closer.
Huo Shiheng noticed her flinch: “Cold?”
“Okay.”
Her feet were fair and delicate, with neatly shaped nails painted red, like tiny bright shells.
Huo Shiheng compared them with his hand. The entire foot was just slightly longer than his fingers, soft as if boneless. How could they be like this?
After twenty minutes, the towel on her ankle was finally removed. Mu He exhaled in relief, gently moving her foot—it didn’t hurt as much anymore, or maybe the cold had numbed the pain.
Huo Shiheng took two tissues to wipe his hands: “Try not to wear high heels for the next few days.”
Mu He nodded: “Got it.”
Her work schedule next week was light. The main task was the New Year’s Eve concert. Besides rehearsals at the TV station, she would attend vocal lessons during the day, review Russian lyrics with Teacher Xi at home, learn from the powerhouse singer Ai Qing, and sneak a little free time to chat in the Bridge University command group, checking on everyone’s latest updates.
No nap today, plus mountain climbing—she was exhausted. Covering her mouth, she yawned long, eyes misty.
“If you’re sleepy, go sleep first.”
Mu He responded while getting up, careful not to put too much weight on her right foot. Wobbling, Huo Shiheng caught her, helping her back to the master bedroom. After giving her a few precautions, he left.
He first turned off the living room lights, then returned to the bedroom. Picking out the new pajamas she bought from the wardrobe, he went to the bathroom to shower.
Fine warm water cascaded from the showerhead, sliding over her hair, across her forehead, nose tip, throat, collarbone, firm chest and abdomen, past the black tattoo near her waist, into the depths…
A well-proportioned mature male body, reflected on the wall and glistening wet floor.
The water stopped.
Huo Shiheng grabbed a towel, half-dried his hair, changed into pajamas, and walked out. The phone on the bedside table lit up. Picking it up, it was Huo Shiwen.
“Fourth Uncle, here’s the dress catalog. Can you help Fourth Aunt pick one?”
Ordinarily, what female artists wore at the New Year’s Eve concert was trivial—no need for Huo Shiwen to worry—but it was his Fourth Aunt.
Also, he wanted to subtly test Fourth Uncle’s intentions.
Huo Shiwen’s move worked. The words “Fourth Aunt” pleased Huo Shiheng. With wet hair, he calmly browsed the electronic catalog from start to finish. Even if he frowned slightly after, he typed slowly: “Nothing else?”
Huo Shiwen replied: “Fourth Uncle, although it’s the New Year’s Eve concert, female stars usually wear this type of dress. There will be heaters at the venue.”
Of course, except for the red carpet—a dazzling show of beauty. At worst, they could skip that segment for Fourth Aunt.
He had already removed dresses with too little fabric. Still, the remaining ones didn’t satisfy Fourth Uncle’s taste, showing he was doting on her deeply.
“Fourth Uncle, should I look again?”
Huo Shiheng: “No need.”
He chose a light blue long dress, bright yet elegant, perfectly matching her temperament. The back was a deep V, revealing most of the back: “This part needs adjustment.”
Huo Shiwen noted it: “Got it, Fourth Uncle. Once the designer modifies it, I’ll have it sent to Golden Moon Bay.”
Mu He had no idea that her New Year’s Eve dress decision rested with the man next door. She was dreaming a splendid dream, with the protagonist besides her being Xi Heng.
The location was the path where he carried her down the mountain—starry sky above, endless steps below, trees swaying on both sides.
“Xi Heng, your heartbeat is so fast.”
“Mm, because I like you too.”
Too?
Before she could process, he suddenly turned his head and kissed her.
Not her cheek, but her lips.
They kissed as they walked.
She trembled with excitement, her heartbeat almost stopping!
The scene shifted—he somehow stood at the forest entrance, his smile faint but captivating, extending his hand: “Yangyang, do you want to… break up with me?”
The dream was so real that Mu He, upon waking, felt dazed. She rubbed her face hard: “Wake up, Mu Yangyang.”
Thoughts during the day, dreams at night.
Mu He buried herself in the blanket. Her feelings were no longer pure—she subconsciously longed for his…
No, dreams are always the opposite.
Tossing and turning without resolution, Mu He decided not to think too much and focused on practicing her songs.
On the 28th, Zhong Li Fei happened to be at a hotel near Xingyu attending an event for a certain brand. At noon, he invited Mu He for hotpot. The restaurant was under the Shanshui Group, offering a cozy, upscale vibe, especially popular among white-collar workers. Business was always booming, and by year-end, reservations were required to get a table.
There was a lakeside private room, never open to the public, reserved specifically for Zhong Li Fei.
Zhong Li Fei handed over a Pad for Mu He to order first. After she finished, he glanced at the selections—most were her usual favorites. They didn’t just share interests; even their tastes in food were so similar.
This kind of tacit understanding felt like it had been cultivated over many hotpot meals.
Yet this was actually their first hotpot together—truly incredible.
Zhong Li Fei ordered two more bowls of nourishing beauty soup. Within ten minutes, the waiter brought the ingredients and dipping sauces. Though well-trained, he couldn’t help stealing glances at Mu He—after all, a young lady of her status rarely brought industry friends along, apart from her manager or assistant.
Mu He sipped the soup first, discerning the flavors of several herbs. She had often accompanied the old herbal woman next door into the mountains to gather herbs as a child. With that experience, she immediately recognized them as rare mountain treasures.
Zhong Li Fei cooked a spoonful of marbled beef and placed it in her bowl first: “This one’s good, try it.”
Though they had known each other only briefly, their friendship was so deep that even verbal thanks felt unnecessary. Mu He didn’t hesitate, dipped it in sauce, and ate it. The tender, delicate texture made her smile with eyes curved: “Delicious.”
“Of course.”
Zhong Li Fei added a handcrafted secret-recipe beef ball: “The store’s treasure.”
Faced with such food, Mu He completely forgot Huo Shiheng calling her heavy and her vow to lose weight. She ate with delight, cheeks tinged with rose, and confided in Zhong Li Fei: “Fei Fei, can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Well… I have a friend. On Christmas Eve, a male friend of hers gave her a ring as a gift. What does that mean?”
Seeing Mu He’s shy, hesitant expression, Zhong Li Fei, her beautiful Caslila-like eyes seeing straight through, immediately exposed the truth: “You mean my friend is you, right?”
“Okay.”
Mu He shrugged: “Yeah, that’s me.”
Zhong Li Fei asked: “Did he propose to you?”
“No, no.”
Mu He shook her head, wanting to speak but stopping: “The ring he gave is… a little strange.”
“How strange?”
Mu He showed her a photo from her phone: “See.”
“A two-headed bird?”
It was Zhong Li Fei’s first time seeing a man give a woman such a ring; she wasn’t sure of its meaning. “You mean this ring symbolizes friendship?”
How could she be so distrustful that men and women could express pure friendship through a ring?
“That’s how I understand it.”
Zhong Li Fei got straight to the point: “Honestly, Mu Yangyang, do you like him?”
“Yes.”
Mu He’s tone was sweet: “I like him.”
“How much?”
“About the kind,” Mu He smiled lightly, shyly, “that wants to love him for a lifetime.”
Zhong Li Fei chuckled.
Mu He asked why.
Zhong Li Fei struggled to suppress her laughter: “Nothing. I just didn’t expect the entertainment industry still had women as… pure as you.”
“How long have you known each other?”
“Over eight years, I think.”
Most of that time they were apart. If fully told, it would be a long story—but they had indeed known each other for eight years.
Zhong Li Fei was shocked: “So long?”
Analyzing based on her understanding: “Eight years. Any man with eyes would see you like him. Why didn’t he make a move? Either he doesn’t feel anything for you, or he’s keeping you as a backup…”
Using such a beauty as a backup? Blindness!
Mu He knew she misunderstood: “He’s not that kind of person.”
“That’s love-blinded, Mu Yangyang.”
Zhong Li Fei continued: “Is he handsome? Good figure?”
Mu He didn’t hesitate to answer yes.
Zhong Li Fei’s views on romance were open: “Now is a gender-equal era; the old notion of women pursuing men being ‘lower’ is outdated. I think you should be brave and proactive. If it works out, great. If not, find someone better. Plenty of fish in the sea.”
Mu He thought carefully: “I’ll consider it.”
After the hotpot, she returned home with her mind full of thoughts. Opening the door, she saw a wooden rack in the living room holding a blue long dress, chiffon flowing, belt swaying like wind, resembling a lake under moonlight, irresistibly beautiful.
Mu He was instantly captivated, unable to move even a step.
This was… the New Year’s Eve dress the company prepared for her?
Huo Shiheng leisurely stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. Seeing her reaction, he knew she liked it. His deep eyes softened, the corners lifting with a pleased arc.
Mu He took the dress down: “I’ll try it on.”
After she entered the room, Huo Shiheng continued gazing at the sunlit distant mountains, expression lazy. His world was full of darkness, schemes, and calculations. Meeting her had split a crack open, allowing warm, bright light to pour in.
Irresistible.
Hearing soft footsteps, Huo Shiheng turned. A pure blue floated into view. Appreciating her with a man’s gaze: her face clear as spring, skin fairer than snow, delicate collarbones, graceful curves without revealing too much, slender waist—smaller than a hand’s grasp.
Just as imagined—immaculate beauty, breathtakingly intense.
Mu He shyly twirled: “Does it look good?”
Though her eyes already knew from his amazed look.
“Yes.”
“Then,” she playfully winked, “enough to turn heads?”
He nodded again, smiling.
Mu He’s heartbeat surged, almost drowning in his burning gaze. She heard her own voice asking: “You… are one of the ‘worldly’ too?”
Huo Shiheng stepped closer, tucking stray strands behind her ear, leaning slightly, his breath brushing her ear. A husky, magnetic voice escaped from his thin lips: “Of course, baby, I’ve been utterly captivated by you.”