Shen Xi was without a word.
Shen Zhangqing was not having it. “Xixi is only 17. Don’t talk about a boyfriend. She should focus on her studies right now.”
“Yes, Mom. I think those are wise words.” Shen Xi happily jumped into Yun Jinping’s arms. “I’m oblivious to the outside world and burying myself in books to prepare for Gaokao.”
Yun Jinping hugged her. “Alright, got it. My daughter is the best.”
Lifting her chin, Shen Xi looked at her with sparkling eyes. “Mom, what’s my reward?”
Yun Jinping replied, “Didn’t you just have hotpot?”
Shen Xi curled her lips. “Humph! You don’t love me. I want coconut sauce chicken!”
Yun Jinping broke into giggles. “Alright. I’ll make you coconut sauce chicken every day, okay?”
Shen Xi nudged her head against Yun Jinping’s embrace. “That’s more like it.”
Yun Jinping held her daughter, feeling only happiness. Her mind was at ease to know that Shen Xi was not affected by the Su family.
She and her husband were apprehensive when they saw Li Jingran, Su Ruowan, and Su Mushi in the live broadcast. Sure, they were worried that their daughter might let her feelings get the better of her during the performance but more so that their daughter may feel sad and upset.
Their heart was in their throat the entire competition as they discussed how to break it to Shen Xi and ask questions. It never occurred to Yun Jinping that she remained unfazed.
She knew her own daughter. Shen Xi would not be happy and would show it in her face if there was anything bothering her.
Yun Jinping and Old Shen concluded that they would avoid bringing up the matter in front of Shen Xi.
It was past one o’clock when Shen Xi left the TV station, past four after hotpot and five in the afternoon by the time they got home.
With the sky gradually growing gray halfway through the journey home, rain turned into sleet, crackling as they fell on the roof of the car.
Sleet quickly became snow just minutes away from reaching the house.
By the time they were at the door, drops of snow had turned into blankets of fluffy snow.
Shen Xi hopped off the car and made a run to the courtyard. Her excited screams were heard first. “It’s snowing. Li Yuan, it’s snowing!”
Only her voice echoed in the quiet courtyard.
The snowfall became heavier, circling down like feathers.
In a few steps, Shen Xi climbed up the wall and soon caught a glimpse of the man sitting in a wheelchair.
It was unknown how long the man was waiting in the snow as a thin layer of snow blanketed him. He was still, like the most perfect sculpture in the hands of an artist.
The man had his side towards Shen Xi. Snow descended upon his head, hair, and luscious lashes before quickly melting into tiny clear water drops.
Hearing her voice, Li Yuan turned his wheelchair and curled his lips into a gentle smile. Following that, the exquisite and stiff lines on his face turned vivid. “Congrats.”
“LI Yuan.” Shen Xi felt a lump on her throat. She cleared her throat but her voice remained raspy. “I’m sorry. I had lunch with my classmates. Have you been waiting all this time?”
She mentioned yesterday that she would return home immediately after the competition. However, it slipped her mind and went out to eat with Lil Ye and the rest.
Observing the young girl’s nose red from frost and eyes tearing with guilt and remorse, Li Yuan lost his cool. “No, I was just watching the snow.”
Shen Xi felt a little down as she was also of the opinion that he did not go out his way to wait for her. Nevertheless, she quickly returned to her bubbly self and raised the trophy. “Look, Li Yuan!”
Nodding, Li Yuan fixated his narrow eyes on her. “It’s cold. Let’s go in.”
With snowflakes flying in the air, the young girl’s head and body were coated in snow in no time. Li Yuan experienced a tightness in his throat to see color drained from her usually rosy cheeks.