In the ever - flowing seasons, beside the limpid riverside, seeing you is like catching a fleeting glimpse of a flower shadow dancing in the wind. The gentle breeze still carried the biting chill of early spring. The ice floes on the river surged and receded, much like the renowned tides of the Qiantang River, a spectacle of nature's raw power. On the weather - beaten embankment, a faint hint of new green had just emerged, a timid promise of the coming spring.
Eight years had passed in the blink of an eye, as if time had merely snapped its fingers. Everyone had bid farewell to the innocence of youth. But who among them was still lingering in the bygone days, lost in the sweet and bitter memories?
It was noon when Tong Tianrao called. Ming Xichen had just woken up, her voice thick with the drowsiness of a just - roused slumber as she answered the phone.
Tong Tianrao was her college classmate and roommate. In college, they were closer than with the other classmates. However, Ming Xichen didn't quite take to Tong Tianrao's overly deliberate approach. Yet, given Ming Xichen's naturally cold and aloof personality, she never let on whether she was annoyed or not. After Tong Tianrao dropped out of school, they lost touch. It wasn't until four years later, when Ming Xichen returned to Xizi from Switzerland, that they chanced upon each other again.
Tong Tianrao's family lived in the ancient city, which was quite near Xizi. Their reunion seemed like a twist of fate. Tong Tianrao was extremely enthusiastic. Occasionally, she would visit Ming Xichen during her business trips, and their relationship gradually reverted to what it had been in college.
Tong Tianrao's voice on the phone was as bright as the spring sun, as clear as the melodious chirping of birds. Although she tried to rein in her excitement, her tone still betrayed her elation.
She said, "Chenchen, do you still remember Zhang Rui?"
"Sure, I do." Ming Xichen's mind instantly conjured up a vivid image: a girl with slightly sun - kissed skin, short hair, big, sparkling eyes framed by long lashes, and plump lips that gave her an incredibly cute look.
"I'm so glad you remember! She was worried you'd forgotten about her," Tong Tianrao said, her excitement practically palpable through the phone. "You know what? She's here with me. She arrived two days ago. I told her you're in Xizi, and she can't wait to see you. She's taking a flight tonight. Remember to pick her up!"
"Okay. What time does the flight arrive?"
"Six o'clock. And there's a pleasant surprise!"
A pleasant surprise? Ming Xichen thought it might end up being more of a shock than a pleasant one. Kang Hao's sudden appearance the other day had already left her on edge. She just hoped there wouldn't be any more unexpected turns. With these thoughts swirling in her head, she said, "Alright, got it. I'll hang up if there's nothing else."
"Okay, bye." Tong Tianrao ended the call.
What on earth was going on with these people? It seemed like they all just materialized out of thin air, and she was left to deal with their arrivals.
Ming Xichen sat on the chair, which spun as she fidgeted restlessly. She wondered if her relationship with Zhang Rui was really that close. She could hardly recall. The only memory that stood out vividly was... She instinctively rubbed her forehead, and then it hit her. After the Spring Festival in their freshman year of college, she, Kang Hao, Yun Fei, Tong Tianrao, Gao Hong, and a few other classmates went to Heihe. Zhang Rui invited them to see the ice floes there, saying that the spring ice floes were as spectacular as the Qiantang River tides.
Zhang Rui took them to her old family house. From the window, they could see large chunks of floating ice on the Heilongjiang River, almost covering the entire river surface. It was said that these ice floes originated from the Greater Khingan Mountains. Such a magnificent sight could only be witnessed here. In the distance, the melting river water rushed forward like a child who had been confined for years finally breaking free, running headlong without a care in the world. Many obstructive ice layers were violently torn apart, scattered on the water surface, floating and jostling against each other as they flowed downstream from the source. In the rapids, the ice floes would gather and stack up, forming a barrier or a small hill, only to collapse under their own weight, shattering into pieces with a thunderous roar.
Under the sun, the ice cubes, big and small, shone like pure white jade, twirling their dazzling forms as they chased one another away. One couldn't help but think of crystals, pure and flawless, transforming into various shapes without any carving, telling the story of the most primitive and unspoiled beauty.
It was a wonderful trip. They also went to the Greater Khingan Mountains to take pictures. The mountains were blanketed in a thick layer of snow in winter, looking like a fairytale landscape.
Tong Tianrao and Zhang Rui seemed to have a great rapport. It was Tong Tianrao who organized that trip to Heihe. As for Ming Xichen, apart from Tong Tianrao and Gao Hong, she didn't have many female friends in college. However, she had to admit that Zhang Rui was cute and enthusiastic, and she was quite looking forward to her coming. But Tong Tianrao's excessive excitement was puzzling. Was she happy about Zhang Rui's arrival or was there something else? Ming Xichen didn't have the time to ponder over it. She glanced at her watch. It was 2:35 pm. She still had plenty of time.
When she pushed open the door of the president's office, she was greeted with this sight: Chu Rui was reclined in his high - back chair, his head tilted back, eyes half - closed, and his hands casually resting on the armrests. His thick eyebrows were tightly knitted, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes. The air around him was thick with exhaustion.
She was used to seeing him calm and composed, handling his business with effortless grace. But seeing him in such a tired state made her heart ache. He must have had a sleepless night last night. Kang Hao's provocation at the banquet had put him in an awkward position, and she didn't know how to face Chu Rui.
When Ming Xichen came to Xizi, her mother had told her not to disclose her relationship with the Chu family. So, no one knew that she was also a part of the Chu family. She and Chu Rui hadn't made their relationship public either, but it was obvious to everyone that they were not only superior - subordinate but also lovers. Kang Hao's outburst had really painted Chu Rui into a corner.
Thinking about it, she felt a surge of annoyance towards Kang Hao. He had disappeared for eight years, and now he came back, expecting her to go back to him. Did he think she was branded with his name and that he had the right to claim her?
Well, it was true that she had run away first. She had gone from Xizi to Switzerland without contacting Kang Hao. Maybe Kang Hao had wanted to give her some time, so he joined the army later. Of course, the whole story was more convoluted than that. People always thought they were right and rarely put themselves in others' shoes.
This just wouldn't do. Her rebellious spirit flared up. Deep down, she was a very strong - willed person. She took others' kindness for granted, but as soon as others showed any emotions, she would turn into a prickly hedgehog, protecting herself first without a second thought for others.
Strong - willed people often sympathized with the weak. At this moment, her heart went out to Chu Rui. Look at what Kang Hao had done. He had ruined a perfectly good banquet. Chu Rui was hurt, and she had also been embarrassed. All the feelings of remorse she had felt when she saw Kang Hao yesterday had vanished into thin air.
A woman's heart is as unfathomable as the depths of the ocean.
Ming Xichen tiptoed up to Chu Rui. She raised her hand and gently stroked his thick eyebrows, being extremely careful not to startle him.
As soon as the door opened, Chu Rui knew it was Ming Xichen. Only she would enter without knocking. He continued to lie still. Her arrival brought with it a delicate fragrance, a unique scent that was completely free of any artificial perfume.
Her hand glided over his eyebrows, bringing a gentle warmth. He opened his eyes, and there was Ming Xichen's exquisite face right in front of him. Her long, almond - shaped eyes were filled with an unusual tenderness. Her slightly parted red lips had a faint smile at the corners. Since he was lying down, her chest was so close to his lips that it seemed they were about to touch.
Chu Rui's mind went blank for a moment, as if a bomb had exploded deep within him. He felt a sudden heat in his lower abdomen, and it seemed like something was about to burst out of his body. He suddenly sat up straight, his left hand supporting the back of Ming Xichen's head, and his right hand pulling her waist towards him. Then he kissed her fiercely...
Ming Xichen was pressed onto his lap. Her fair, slender arms naturally wrapped around his neck as she responded to his passionate kiss. Their lips intertwined, and as their tongues met, their chests grew hotter and hotter. Time seemed to stand still. The inexplicable unease and restlessness were revealed through the thin trail of saliva at the corners of their mouths. Their breathing grew heavier and heavier. This kiss was like a wildfire. Ming Xichen's body was burning up, and Chu Rui was in such an unbearable state of arousal that he felt like he was about to explode.
The long, passionate kiss seemed to stretch on into eternity. Afterward, she rested her head on Chu Rui's chest. His heart was pounding, thump - thump - thump, strong and forceful.
Chu Rui held her tightly in his arms, his chin resting on the top of her head. Her hair smelled of magnolias, a scent he adored. Holding her soft body and kissing her hair, his heart was filled with a deep sense of contentment.
Suddenly, there was a "crack" sound from outside the door. They looked at each other, and Ming Xichen was the first to get up and walk outside.