The Early Spring

Тhе night wаs dеep аnd silеnt, mаking аll truths еasier to hеаr cleаrly. All sinсеritу соuld аlso be sеen.

Shang Zhi Tao laу аlonе in bed, tеаrs strеаming down hеr fасе. Оutside, hеavy snow wеighеd down thе withered branсhes—anоther winter hаd аrrivеd. Shе wiреd hеr tears аwаy, but thеу kеpt flоwing. She hаd thоught her teаrs hаd grown sсarce оver the yеаrs, уet shе had shed them sеvеrаl times in frоnt оf Luаn Niаn.

Luаn Niаn’s words frоm еarliеr had fоrcefullу pоurеd intо her еаrs аnd fillеd her heart. Shе finally admitted that, in thоse yeаrs, they hаd truly lоvеd eаch other. It was just that they were both too broken back then—one hiding in a shell of inferiority, the other cloaked in impenetrable armor.

In the early days after returning to Ice City, everything had felt out of control. She didn’t know how long it had taken to bring it all back on track. But Luan Nian’s words shattered the balance she had worked so hard to build. Luan Nian was always like this—whenever he appeared, he forced you to break something.

Thirsty in the night, she went out to boil water. As the kettle hummed, she heard the door to the guest bedroom open—Luan Nian was also awake.

Under the dim glow of the nightlight, their eyes met, but Shang Zhi Tao eventually looked away.

She didn’t even know how it all happened.

It felt as if she had only blinked, and Luan Nian was already before her, trapping her between the kitchen counter as he kissed her.

His tongue scorched her skin, his teeth nipped at her neck, and he asked hoarsely, “Does it hurt?”

“A little.” Shang Zhi Tao turned her head to find his lips, using it as an escape from the overwhelming tide of passion his kiss stirred within her.

“Endure it.” Luan Nian made her endure it, his tongue tracing the skin behind her ear before he lifted her and carried her to her bedroom, tossing her onto the bed. The mattress sank and rebounded as Luan Nian pressed down upon her.

Shang Zhi Tao heard his heavy breathing, her body tensing abruptly. In the dim light, she looked deep into his eyes, where a fire burned like that of a wild beast.

“Where are the condoms, Shang Zhi Tao?” Luan Nian asked.

“There aren’t any.”

“…Damn it!”

Luan Nian cursed, and Shang Zhi Tao’s body, rising and falling with her breath, pressed tightly against him.

Shang Zhi Tao felt hollow inside.

When she was alone, she didn’t feel much—sometimes she was so busy that she collapsed into bed and fell asleep instantly. On difficult nights, she would get up and go for a run.

But today, Luan Nian had provoked her, leaving her suspended in an unresolved state. Her eyes pooled with tears, sorrowful and pitiful, filled with a sense of grievance.

Seeing this, Luan Nian’s heart tightened. Rarely did he soften his demeanor even in bed, pressing his lips to hers as he asked, “Is this hard to resolve?”

Shang Zhi Tao didn’t speak, her tongue lightly brushing his lips, unable to tell whether she wanted him to stop or continue.

Luan Nian suddenly laughed, biting the tip of her nose before tracing a path down her lips and neckline. The stubble on his face scraped against Shang Zhi Tao’s skin, leaving a rough, painful sensation.

Shang Zhi Tao whimpered, her head tilting back slightly as her fingers tangled in his hair.

The sound of Luan Nian swallowing tore a gash in the silent night. Shang Zhi Tao struggled to open her eyes, feeling as though her body no longer belonged to her. Instead, it had become a polished artifact in Luan Nian’s hands, a piece of candy melting in his mouth—the artifact smoothed to a glossy sheen, the candy dissolving into sweet saliva. It was simply too good.

When Luan Nian left her room, he seemed a little disheveled. She had asked if he wanted to stay and sleep, but his tone was sharp: “How could we sleep?” Without protection, holding her would be unbearable, akin to plotting murder.

They each digested the lingering emotions, leaving space for one another without further disturbance, enduring the night in silence.The next morning, they both woke up feeling exhausted. When they met in the living room, Luan Nian pinched her cheek and kissed her forehead. Shang Zhi Tao leaned back, only to hear him threaten her: "Try dodging and see what happens?"

Shang Zhi Tao really stood still, not daring to move, letting him kiss her forehead and then the tip of her nose. Finally, he tapped her lips: "Osmanthus milk? Egg rolls? Pan-fried steak?"

"Anything is fine. What are you doing today?"

"I have to catch a noon flight. Several board members arrived in Beijing last night, and there’s a banquet tonight."

Shang Zhi Tao nodded: "Oh, okay. Have a safe trip."

"You’re rushing me off?"

"I’m not." Shang Zhi Tao ran into the bathroom and closed the door. By the time she came out, Luan Nian had already prepared breakfast. Seeing Shang Zhi Tao hesitating to come over, he said: "Come here."

He had turned back into his real self again—everything had to be done his way—but many things had changed. For instance, when Shang Zhi Tao sat down at the dining table, Luan Nian pinched her cheek: "Did you marry the bathroom?"

...

"What were you doing in the bathroom? Contemplating life?"

"Can the bathroom bring you clients?"

"Haven’t you slept with me before?"

He was annoyed she took so long.

Shang Zhi Tao pouted, sipping her milk while watching Luan Nian.

"What are you looking at?" Luan Nian asked her: "Want to talk with me again?"

"Talk like we did at the beginning yesterday, or like we did at night?" Shang Zhi Tao asked him. She had bitten him hard yesterday, and the corner of Luan Nian’s mouth was split.

"Either is fine." Luan Nian’s eyes swept over her collar, and he raised an eyebrow. Shang Zhi Tao followed his gaze and saw that the collar of her loungewear had come open. She quickly pinched it shut with her hand: "Where are you looking!"

"So, I think it’s fine to go through yesterday’s order again."

...

Shang Zhi Tao, unable to out-flirt Luan Nian, resorted to being cheeky: "I like talking with younger guys." Then, as if daring death, she pulled out her phone, found a few photos, and flipped through them for Luan Nian to see: "Isn’t a younger guy like this nice?"

"Very nice. Go find one." After finishing his meal, Luan Nian went to change clothes to head to the airport, with Luke wagging his tail behind him. Luan Nian crouched down to say goodbye to him: "I’ll be back in a couple of days."

Then he stood up and said to Shang Zhi Tao: "Come here."

"No."

"Come here." He reached out and pulled Shang Zhi Tao to stand in front of him: "You don’t have to be afraid of me. I won’t eat you. If you’re unwilling, I won’t do anything."

Shang Zhi Tao knew Luan Nian was talking nonsense. If she gave him even a glance, he would seize the chance to devour her completely. He was that kind of old fox, and Shang Zhi Tao knew it all too well.

Luan Nian continued: "Also, don’t like younger guys. Younger guys are the best at lying."

Shang Zhi Tao burst out laughing, breaking her composure.

"So, what are we now?" Luan Nian asked her.

"Good friends."

"Fine, good friends." Luan Nian pinched her cheek—he had always liked pinching her cheeks, making her mouth pucker into an "o" shape. He lowered his head, his lips almost touching hers, then stopped: "Good friends can’t kiss." He turned and left.

After his meeting, Luan Nian drove directly to the old house in the city where Dr. Liang and Luan’s Father lived.

The older generation also liked making friends, sticking with the same circle for a lifetime—working together, buying houses together. Back then, they had talked about finding a place to live together when they grew old. Unexpectedly, they all ended up back in Beijing.Several elderly investors had a good eye for property. This residential complex, built in the late 1980s, was adjacent to the best school district, with comprehensive surrounding amenities and convenient transportation. Dr. Liang and Luan's Father lived comfortably there. Luan Nian visited them twice a week, and if he was free on weekends, he would take them to stay at his villa. However, over the past year, unless Bingcheng was under lockdown or Beijing had travel restrictions, Luan Nian spent every weekend rushing to Bingcheng with great enthusiasm, almost as if he intended to settle there permanently.

Upon entering the house, the aroma of home-cooked food greeted him. Luan's Father was studying calligraphy and paintings.

Luan Nian walked over and glanced at them, asking, "Has Chen Kuan Nian been here?" Chen Kuan Nian dabbled in collectibles and import-export trade. Over the past year, import-export business had become less profitable, so he had thrown himself wholeheartedly into collecting. The valuable calligraphy and paintings cherished by the elderly had all caught his eye.

Luan's Father snorted, "You young people think you can outsmart us. He came, but I chased him away. His father said if he comes again, he won't be allowed in."

"Now is a good time to sell for a high price." Luan Nian still owed Chen Kuan Nian a favor and, at this moment, felt like an unfilial son, wanting to hand over Luan's Father's calligraphy and paintings to Chen Kuan Nian.

Luan's Father raised his hand as if to hit Luan Nian, but Luan Nian pretended not to notice.

During the meal, Dr. Liang noticed the cut on the corner of Luan Nian's mouth and asked, "What happened to your mouth? Craving meat?"

"A dog bit me." Luan Nian suddenly remembered Shang Zhi Tao's soft whimper and felt that the board members had come at the wrong time. Otherwise, he could have heard her whimper a few more times today.

Luan Nian was aggressive. Romance could be taken slowly, but he had to have Shang Zhi Tao right away.

"What kind of dog bites like that?" Dr. Liang leaned in for a closer look and clicked her tongue.

Luan Nian, rarely blushing, turned his head to avoid Dr. Liang's gaze.

Dr. Liang chuckled softly, "Does this mean I can call Shang Zhi Tao now?"

"No."

"When will I be able to?" Dr. Liang asked him.

"I don't know."

After the family of three finished their meal, Luan Nian drank tea with Luan's Father and took out his phone to check if Shang Zhi Tao had sent him any messages. As expected, she hadn't.

Although she hadn't sent any messages, she had posted a selfie on her social media feed. The collar of her shirt was slightly open, revealing her slender neck and the fair skin of her chest. The lighting was just right, casting a shadow over her chest.

Luan Nian suddenly felt a surge of anger. What kind of terrible photo was this?!

Just as he was about to vent his frustration at Shang Zhi Tao, he realized something was off. He typed in the group chat, "Screenshot Shang Zhi Tao's social media feed for me."

Everyone was confused but sent him a screenshot. The photo wasn't there. Luan Nian smiled. Shang Zhi Tao had grown up; she knew how to use unexpected tactics.

Luan Nian opened a shopping website and ordered a box of condoms, then sent the screenshot to Shang Zhi Tao: "Place it somewhere within arm's reach by your bedside."

"Rejected."

"Killing the donkey after it's done grinding?"

Shang Zhi Tao sent a picture that read, "Our friendship is pure."

Luan Nian didn't reply. He disliked unnecessary talk. What was there to say? They could talk when they met, or better yet, say nothing at all. It was a waste of time.

Luan Nian felt he had turned into a pervert.

In all his years, he had never felt so restless. His mind was filled with thoughts of Shang Zhi Tao, and every extra day of waiting felt like it could kill him.

On Thursday, he ran into Lumi in the elevator. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before quickly looking away, as if she had glimpsed some great secret.

Luan Nian, aiming to strike at the heart, asked her, "I heard Will is getting remarried?"Lumi glared at him, but he pretended not to see it.

“I don’t know whether Will will remarry or not, but I’m getting married. As you know, I have nothing except a few shabby apartments. Finding someone else with a few shabby apartments is just right. That’s what you call a well-matched marriage.” Before stepping out of the elevator, she said to Luan Nian, “Oh, by the way, you probably don’t know yet, do you? Taotao likes younger guys.”

“Seriously.” Lumi added fearlessly, “Old Shang and Da Zhai have only one requirement for Taotao’s choice of partner: he can’t be more than three years older than Taotao.”

Lumi really had a way of hitting Luan Nian right where it hurt. But she wasn’t afraid at all, striding away in her knee-high boots.

Luan Nian followed behind her, watching her defiant attitude, and snorted inwardly.

What the hell kind of younger guy!

At lunch with the client, he saw Song Ying there too.

Song Ying had built up her resume at Lumei but eventually went to work at her father’s company. Luan Nian had heard rumors that the national anti-corruption and anti-graft campaign was about to reach them. But Luan Nian remained expressionless—it had nothing to do with him. All he cared about was when the final payment would be made.

During the meal, Song Ying sat beside Luan Nian. Everyone could see Mr. Song’s intention to match them up, so they couldn’t help but joke about what a perfect couple they made.

Luan Nian set his wine glass down and refused to drink any more.

Everyone knew Luan Nian’s temper, and Mr. Song knew it too. He chuckled and said, “Let the kids handle their own affairs. Has the final payment already started processing?” he asked Song Ying.

“Yes, it has.”

“Good.”

After setting down his glass, Luan Nian didn’t take another sip. He wasn’t worried about Song Ying withholding the payment; he was only there today out of business etiquette. It would be best if the final payment arrived sooner rather than later. If an investigation started, collecting the debt would become much harder.

After a meal filled with polite but insincere pleasantries, he asked Song Ying before leaving, “How many days until the final payment arrives?”

“About three days. Finance has already submitted the payment request.”

“Good, thank you.” Luan Nian smiled at her.

“Luan Nian, I want to say a few words to you.” Song Ying suddenly called out to him.

“What is it?” Luan Nian looked at her.

“I’m very grateful for the guidance you gave me during the two years I worked at Lumei, and I’m also thankful for everything you taught me. But what I really want to say is that my feelings for you aren’t just the respect an employee has for their boss. There’s more to it.”

“And then?”

“I know about you and Flora. I accidentally saw your chat window on Flora’s computer. But Flora has been gone for years now, and I wanted to ask you—could we have a different kind of relationship?”

Luan Nian actually had a vague impression of Song Ying’s appearance and personality as a whole. But he remembered her talent.

At twenty-two, she was exceptionally talented, truly a rare gem. That’s why he was willing to give her many opportunities and believed she would succeed. But Luan Nian didn’t like people who were overly eager for quick success.

All works require careful refinement, and so does human nature. The kind of human nature worth pondering and savoring is the most captivating. Song Ying knew how to refine her work, but she hadn’t refined her own humanity. That was truly a pity."No." Luan Nian's demeanor remained unchanged, not the least bit unsettled by this sudden confession. He had experienced such situations too many times, rejected too many people, and handled them with ease. "Since you've seen my chat box with Flora, you must be wondering, if there were no Flora, would I choose you? The answer is no. With Flora, I was the one who pursued her first. With you, I have no intention of pursuing anything." Luan Nian shrugged. "I'm not interested."

Song Ying was proud. She had grown up as the princess her parents held in their palms, always striving to be first in everything. She had asked her father to arrange for her to join Lingmei just so she could work alongside Luan Nian. On the first day, when Luan Nian introduced her to the department, he was casual and indifferent about everyone—except when it came to Shang Zhi Tao. He specifically asked her to learn from Shang Zhi Tao.

When they went to work on the Northwest project, the nearly twenty minutes that Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao's car was late made her uneasy.

Song Ying wanted to win.

Shang Zhi Tao was so ordinary; losing to her felt unjust.

She believed she was simply using her resources and talent to rightfully defeat an ordinary person, failing to realize that every ordinary, hardworking individual deserves respect.

"Thank you for being willing to tell me this, Luke. I don't know when we'll meet again, but if possible, I still hope to have the chance to work with you. I'm very happy." After saying this, she extended her hand to Luan Nian, but he kept his hands in his pockets and didn't take them out. He wasn't necessarily a person who insisted on being polite.

Luan Nian got into his car and made a report call: "I want to report someone. She may be involved in handling substantial assets abroad."

Luan Nian was never truly a good person, nor was he truly a bad one. Song Ying's words were veiled, but someone as clever as Luan Nian could discern the hidden meaning.

Luan Nian held grudges. Many things didn't need to be rushed. If he couldn't handle it at the time, he would eventually find a way. Ultimately, he still wanted to be a good citizen.

By Friday, he flew to Ice City.

As he entered the door, Luke ran up to greet him.

Shang Zhi Tao, unusually home early, had already showered and was preparing to apply a face mask. Hearing the sound of the password lock opening, her hand paused, and her breath hitched.

She suddenly regretted wearing that strappy nightgown and wanted to close the door and change, but Luan Nian's arm had already reached out to block her movement. In the next moment, he stepped inside.

"Luan Nian, let's talk." Shang Zhi Tao wrapped herself in her robe and took a step back toward the bed.

"Mm, talk."

Luan Nian lowered his head to unbutton his shirt, his movements not hurried but carrying an air of menace.

"Let's get dressed properly and talk calmly."

"Mm."

Luan Nian made that sound of agreement but tossed his shirt onto the wooden chair, the muscles of his body shifting with his movements. Those muscles seemed to know they looked good and refused to leave Shang Zhi Tao's sight.

"Put your clothes on."

"Putting them on."

Luan Nian pulled off his belt with a snap and threw it to the ground.

Shang Zhi Tao watched him nervously.

That year at his place, during their first time, Luan Nian's gaze had been obscure and unfathomable. They had been in such a hurry they hadn't even taken off their clothes. Back then, Shang Zhi Tao had been nervous too, but not like this.

"Talk."

He pulled her in front of him, slipping her robe down to her elbows, his gaze falling on the front of her nightgown—the front that tried to conceal but only drew more attention.

"Luan Nian."

"Mm."Luan Nian casually turned off the light, his fingertips resting on her collarbone, then moving outward to the thin shoulder strap. His palm pressed against it, slipping between the strap and her skin. The palm of his hand, calloused from years of weightlifting, pressed against her shoulder.

It felt like a slow, deliberate torment.

The one who had been in such a hurry suddenly wasn’t anymore. The night was long, and the weekend stretched ahead—why rush? He intended to take his time.