120: First snow

Chu Yilan didn't like winter and didn't like snow, but this year was different.

With the "blue sea project" proceeding smoothly, he could also follow Shen Lian's pace and slow down to rest for a while.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he smelled the scent of the first snow seeping in through the cracks of the window. Chu Yilan subconsciously frowned; his grandfather and mother had passed away one after another during this season. But turning his head, he saw a small blue smiley-faced octopus pressed against his pillow. It was a bit larger than his palm and had been thoughtfully tucked in with a blanket.

Chu Yilan's furrowed brows gradually relaxed until his expression was clear and bright.

The little octopus was a souvenir given to Shen Lian during a previous advertisement shoot. Its bead-like eyes looked quite cute, but Chu Yilan had never been interested in such things. However, since Shen Lian brought it, it felt different.

Chu Yilan picked up the little octopus and played with it for a while before getting out of bed to wash up. Just as he opened the bedroom door, he heard Shen Lian shout, "You little brat! What are you doing running around with my slipper in your mouth?!"

Chu Yilan looked downstairs and saw Shen Lian hopping on one foot, cornering Chu Zhumi in a nook. The first thing he did after snatching the slipper back was to give the cat's butt two light slaps. He didn't use much force, but Chu Zhumi meowed in protest.

The corners of Chu Yilan's mouth curled up.

Shen Lian seemed to sense something and looked up. "You're awake?"

"Yeah." Chu Yilan leaned on the railing. "Why didn't you sleep in?"

"I'm already rested." Shen Lian beckoned him. "Come down. Aunt Fen stewed some pigeon soup; it smells delicious."

Outside, the wind and snow raged, and the windows occasionally vibrated with a hum from the wind. Aunt Fen carefully observed Chu Yilan's expression; seeing no gloom or darkness, she thought to herself that it really was better with Xiao Lian around.

"There's a little over a month until New Year's," Shen Lian said. "I can almost start preparing the New Year goods!"

Shen Lian showed an intense interest in this.

In his previous life, when he was unknown, Shen Lian had squeezed into a rented room alone, listening to the constant sound of firecrackers outside and counting the bells for the New Year. Although there was a bit of loneliness, it was mostly a sense of calm. Later, after achieving success and fame, New Year's became lively as he made various plans with friends to go out. But no matter what, the part of his heart belonging to 'home' was always empty.

Now it was different. He had Chu Yilan; this was home.

Chu Yilan smiled. "Do whatever you like."

Shen Lian was in high spirits, and Aunt Fen, influenced by him, was also full of energy. These past few days, the living room was filled with the scent of braised food, and various fried snacks were fresh out of the pot. Shen Lian had bought a bunch of festive stickers and couplets online, just waiting for the right time to put them all up.

The end of the year wasn't easy at Hengtai, requiring work summaries. Both Sun Binghe and Yang Bin were incredibly busy. In previous years, Chu Yilan's way of rewarding them was to give out red envelopes, but this year there were a few more things.

"fried yellow croaker and fried hairtail are on the table; you two can split them," Chu Yilan said. "Aunt Fen made them very well. Shen Lian asked me to bring some for you."

Sun Binghe and Yang Bin weren't polite at all. They were tired of eating out, so this kind of home-cooked food was the most appealing.

Sun Binghe asked, "Boss, are there any fried dough twists?"

Chu Yilan: "There should be. I'll ask Aunt Fen when I get back."

It was fine not to mention it, but once mentioned, Aunt Fen's spatula was practically smoking from use. At her age, she liked the liveliness and loved it when the food she made was finished off. So the next day, Sun Binghe got his wish with a large bag of fried dough twists, in both salty and sweet flavors.

Special Assistant Sun was in a great mood, and the frequency of his sharp-tongued remarks significantly decreased.

Normally at this time of year, Sun Binghe would be in a killing frenzy.

Over the past few days, Shen Lian had become obsessed with buying potted plants and hanging various small red lanterns on them. After finishing, he would take photos and post them in the group chat, receiving a barrage of rainbow farts from Feng Yueshan.

When they woke up that day, the snow had stopped. As far as the eye could see, the world was pure white, with snow weighing down heavily to ankle height. As soon as the door opened, Chu Zhumi bolted out, only to fly straight into a snowdrift. It took a few seconds for a cat head to pop out.

Shen Lian also wanted to rush out, but Chu Yilan grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. He wasn't allowed out until he was wrapped in a down jacket, scarf, hat, and gloves.

Then Shen Lian began to build a snowman.

Aunt Fen had lit a portable heater right by the door. Chu Yilan, who had a high body temperature, sat there on a stool wearing a dark gray turtleneck sweater, holding a cup of hot ginger tea.

He didn't drink it, just held it. When it got cold, he would put it on the heater to warm it up, keeping it at a drinkable temperature.

Shen Lian was building the snowman while simultaneously trying to prevent Chu Zhumi from causing trouble. Turning around, he found Chu Yilan holding up his phone to take a photo of him.

Shen Lian took off his mask. "Isn't it a waste of a photo if you can't see my face?"

Chu Yilan: "Put it on."

Shen Lian obediently put it back on, but then, reaching the end of his patience, he quickly rolled a large snowball and plopped it right onto the head of Chu Zhumi, who was sabotaging the snowman. "You're really annoying me to death."

The kitten seemed to know that Chu Yilan wouldn't help it, so it shook off the snow and went to find Aunt Fen while grumbling.

When Shen Lian got thirsty, he would run to Chu Yilan's side and take a few gulps of ginger tea, continuing after drinking to his heart's content.

"It's missing a nose," he muttered.

Chu Yilan went to the kitchen to ask Aunt Fen for a carrot.

All in all, even in the cold winter, it was no longer desolate here.

When the time for the appointment with Ning Sixian arrived, Shen Lian was dug out of his blankets by Chu Yilan at seven o'clock.

Although Shen Lian hadn't had an episode since his diagnosis, was well-maintained, and was very careful himself, Chu Yilan always needed to see an examination result to feel at peace.

After eating the light porridge and side dishes Aunt Fen made, they went straight to the hospital.

Upon arrival, Shen Lian went through the various tests under the doctor's guidance. Ning Sixian wanted to check the scar on Chu Yilan's face, but he avoided it.

"I'm fine," Chu Yilan said. He had long since stopped caring about this scar.

Ning Sixian gave a helpless chuckle. "Don't worry. Look at how lively Shen Lian is."

"He's young now, but what about later?" Chu Yilan said in a low voice.

Ning Sixian said without hesitation, "Just keep a close eye on him. Medicine is so advanced now; Shen Lian's situation isn't that tricky."

In his view, Chu Yilan's heart was entirely tied to Shen Lian. These two had never publicly flaunted any promises, but they gave off a feeling of 'living and dying together.' Compared to those poor people whose families didn't value them, Ning Sixian had never really worried about Shen Lian.

The results were quite good, with all indicators within normal ranges. Ning Sixian still gave the same old advice: "Less spicy and stimulating food, no alcohol, don't get emotionally agitated. If there's any discomfort, take your medicine and run to the hospital. I will be at your service."

Shen Lian chuckled. "Alright, alright, alright."

As for Chu Yilan's scar, Ning Sixian checked it repeatedly and finally proclaimed it a "miracle of love." "Truly amazing. I told you not to stay up late and not to drink, and you treated my words like farts. Now look at you; isn't it quite good?"

"No more laser treatment?" Shen Lian's eyes lit up.

"No more," Ning Sixian waved his hand. "You two, sigh, really something."

Coming out of the hospital, Shen Lian put an arm around Chu Yilan's shoulder and teased, "Relieved now? Come on, Gege will take you to buy flowers."

Chu Yilan couldn't maintain his icy face. As he was dragged toward the parking lot by Shen Lian, his body leaned back lazily, watching the young man's back with eyes full of tenderness.