Returning to the third floor of the EAW Experience Center, Yin Yunyi and Yin Yucheng were sitting on the benches by the entrance of the virtual roller coaster, waiting. When they saw Yun Li, both stood up simultaneously.
Yin Yunyi took the clothes from Yun Li's hands and said, "Thank you, Sister Yun Li."
Yun Li smiled. "You're welcome."
Yin Yucheng noticed the person behind Yun Li at a glance. "Fu Shize?"
Having never imagined they had any connection, Yun Li asked, "Do you know each other?"
Yin Yucheng grinned. "We met a few times during competitions back in school." Since he hadn’t seen them arrive together and noticed Fu Shize wearing an EAW badge, he assumed they were colleagues.
After Yin Yunyi put on her jacket, Yin Yucheng spoke up first. "This is Yunyi and my first time here. How about you show us around?"
Since he had already asked, Yun Li couldn’t easily refuse. "Sure."
Noticing Fu Shize standing beside them, Yin Yucheng was puzzled. "Are you coming with us?"
Fu Shize naturally took the question as an invitation. "Sure."
Yin Yucheng: "..."
Feeling inexplicably awkward, Yun Li tried to ease the tension. "Why don’t you try the roller coaster next door first? It’s a great experience."
"Sister, why don’t you join us? I’d love to ride with you," Yin Yunyi invited proactively.
Not wanting to leave Yin Yunyi with the impression that Yun Ye’s sister was unfriendly, Yun Li nodded.
As they queued up, Yin Yucheng and Fu Shize stood at the back. Yin Yucheng glanced at Fu Shize and remarked, "I thought after graduating from West Science and Technology University, you’d land an extraordinary job."
Unfazed by the subtle jab, Fu Shize replied calmly, "Last time I heard South Science and Technology University’s broadcast—did you find love on campus?"
Yin Yucheng immediately recalled the interview and was momentarily speechless. "Still working on it. What about you?"
Fu Shize said nonchalantly, "Just settled it." He added lightly, "Ahead of you."
There were two people standing in front of them, and Fu Shize couldn’t possibly be referring to his sister.
"..."
Yin Yucheng forced a smile and quickly changed the subject, but Fu Shize showed little interest, remaining silent unless absolutely necessary.
Soon, it was their turn. The seats of the virtual roller coaster mirrored a real one, with several rows per car and two seats per row.
Though nursing a bruised heart, Yin Yucheng showed no outward signs and sat beside Yin Yunyi, lost in thought. Fu Shize helped Yun Li fasten her safety buckle and took the seat next to her.
Yun Li had ridden this attraction many times before—first when she came to EAW to film a promotional video, then later as an intern. With her employee pass granting direct access to the experience center, she occasionally visited during breaks or after work.
Having ridden it so often, the initial awe had faded, but even now, she still found herself startled by the high-risk scenes in the VR glasses.
The view before her clanked its way from the bottom to the peak, poised to plunge from the roller coaster’s summit.
Yun Li gripped the horizontal bar tightly in front of her when she felt another hand cover hers—neither too light nor too heavy, carrying a hint of reassurance.
As the roller coaster plummeted, she couldn’t tell whether the thrill came more from the ride itself or the warmth enveloping her hand.
After two rounds on the virtual roller coaster, Yin Yunyi mentioned needing to return to her class, and Yin Yucheng accompanied her back.Yin Yunyi asked, "Sister Yun Li, when should I return this jacket to you?" Originally, she could have had her brother return it, but now that didn't seem appropriate.
Yun Li thought for a moment, "I don’t usually wear this jacket, and you’re in high school with no time to return it. Just give it back to me when Yun Ye comes to see you."
Yun Li and Fu Shize headed to the elevator lobby, while Yin Yucheng and Yin Yunyi took the escalator. The four of them parted ways there.
Standing beside Yin Yucheng, Yin Yunyi widened her eyes and asked, "Brother, it seems like Sister Yun Li has a boyfriend now."
Yin Yucheng tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Probably."
Yin Yunyi pressed knowingly, adding salt to the wound, "Didn’t you ask her about it before?"
Yin Yucheng didn’t want to talk anymore, "Yeah."
On the other side, the two entered the elevator and stood side by side. Fu Shize reached out and lightly scratched her palm.
They had agreed not to show affection at the company, maintaining a conscious distance all day. Now, suddenly closing the gap, they feared being noticed by colleagues, yet a strange impulse stirred in their hearts.
Yun Li turned defense into offense, lifting her hand slightly and slipping her fingers into the slight gaps between his, interlacing them tightly.
His hand responded in kind, clasping hers firmly.
Yun Li was still pondering what else she could do when, after a few seconds, Fu Shize remarked, "No next move?"
His shamelessly direct question threw her thoughts into disarray.
Just then, the elevator stopped at the basement level. Yun Li quickly pulled her hand free and hurried out, saying, "Back to work."
On the last workday, no one stayed late at the office. Yun Li was the last in her department to leave. After turning off the lights, she exhaled in relief. The next time she saw EAW would be in 2017.
Fu Shize waited for her in the hallway, wearing a teal-blue windbreaker and a baseball cap. Hearing the door open, he looked up.
His neck was wrapped in a gray scarf.
The one she had knitted.
Yun Li moved closer and took his hand.
A light snow was still falling.
The snow was dry, so they didn’t use an umbrella. Fu Shize took off his baseball cap and placed it on her head. The snow on the ground floor had already piled up past their ankles.
A figure stood at the entrance, holding an umbrella. Leaning against Fu Shize, Yun Li didn’t notice the person and quietly walked forward through the snow.
"Wait a moment."
The figure caught up to them, and Yun Li realized it was Yin Yucheng. He carried a bag in his hand, likely having waited outside for a long time—his hair was dusted with snowflakes.
He glanced down at their clasped hands, as if wanting to say something but holding back. After several seconds, he handed the bag to Yun Li with a composed expression, "These are your clothes."
"You didn’t have to come all this way," Yun Li said, surprised, as she took it.
"It’s no trouble," he replied gently.
He had just come to confirm.
After wishing them a happy new year, Yin Yucheng turned and left. His car was parked by the roadside, and his tall figure soon disappeared from view. Yun Li’s gaze didn’t linger, and she continued walking in the same direction.
Yun Li asked, "He said you two met during a competition."
Fu Shize replied, "Mm."
Remembering Yin Yucheng’s earlier hesitation, Yun Li wondered, "Does he not like you very much?"
She assumed naively, "After all, wherever you are, he can only ever come in second."
"..."
She was a bit slow on the uptake.
Fu Shize didn’t respond. He took off her hat, ruffled her hair, and then put it back on.The snow in the square had been cleared to form a path, with straw laid down to prevent slipping. As they entered the residential area, the ground was still blanketed in snow.
"Follow behind me."
Fu Shize walked ahead. His shoes were much larger than Yun Li's, leaving deep footprints that allowed her to step without sinking into the snow.
By the time they reached home, their faces were numb from the cold. Yun Li turned on the air conditioner and poured Fu Shize a cup of hot water. It was nearly six o'clock, and the fridge was stocked with pre-prepared vegetables and meat. She carried the ingredients to the kitchen, but before she could start cooking, Fu Shize entered with his cup in hand.
He refilled it with water but didn’t leave, instead leaning against the fridge to watch her.
Noticing his gaze, Yun Li turned her head. "Go sit outside for a bit."
She wore a light pink apron, her shoulder-length hair tied into a bun with a floral scrunchie, exposing the nape of her neck. As Fu Shize drank, the water slid down his throat, his eyes lingering on her busy figure—the bow tied at the back of her apron accentuating her waist.
Before he realized it, the cup was empty. Setting it aside, he approached Yun Li from behind and wrapped his arms around her.
Her body stiffened. She nudged him lightly with her right shoulder and sighed helplessly, "Go outside first. I can’t cut vegetables like this."
Her hands, wet from washing, were slicing bamboo shoots on the cutting board. The water was icy. Fu Shize traced his fingers along her wrist, pausing briefly on the back of her hand before resting them on the board.
"Let me help."
He didn’t linger, releasing her to lean against the sink. He rinsed the greens she had left in the basin, then meticulously sliced the bamboo shoots to match the thickness of her cuts.
It was clear Fu Shize rarely cooked—his movements were slightly clumsy as he washed and chopped.
Yet he didn’t seem to mind taking up space in the kitchen. Yun Li had tried several times to shoo him away, fearing he’d be bored, but he ignored her.
If she asked him to fetch something, he moved. Otherwise, he simply leaned nearby, watching her.
And whenever she stood still, he would pull her into an embrace, pressing close.
By the time the meal was ready, her face was flushed with warmth.
Finally finished, Yun Li turned to Fu Shize, a hint of exasperation in her expression at his constant interruptions.
He lounged casually against the counter.
She reached behind her to untie the apron, but Fu Shize stepped closer, his hands slipping between her arms and waist to reach the knot at her back.
He undid the bow effortlessly. Yun Li felt the ribbon loosen around her waist—but her heart tightened in response.
Even after freeing the apron, his hands didn’t withdraw, instead settling firmly on her hips.
She looked up. They were so close she could see the faint emotion darkening his obsidian eyes.
The air between them grew thick with heat.
Yun Li opened her mouth to speak but lost herself in his gaze instead. Without thinking, she rose onto her toes and brushed her lips lightly against his.
Just the barest touch.
The moment she regained her senses, realization crashed over her. She lowered her head, struggling to control her expression, desperate to hide her lapse.
The man before her remained motionless.
She bit her lower lip, then murmured in a voice barely louder than a whisper, "I couldn’t help it..."
Her tone carried a trace of grievance, as though he had deliberately tempted her.
Fu Shize hummed softly in response, his fingertips grazing the dip of her lips.The slight touch sent a shiver through Yun Li's heart. She lifted her gaze, eyes brimming with uncontrollable emotion. When their eyes met, Fu Shize's fingers paused momentarily before he lowered his head to press his lips against hers, then with restrained intensity, gave a gentle nip.
...
After separating from him, Yun Li took several moments to compose herself in the living room before returning to the kitchen to serve the dishes. Fu Shize was still there, holding onto an apron as he asked, "Can I wear this?"
"..."
Unsure of his intentions, Yun Li answered truthfully, "It probably won't fit you."
Fu Shize hung the apron back.
Since he'd asked, he must have wanted to wear it. Yun Li found the image hard to picture—him dressed in light pink. Instinctively repelled by the thought, she blurted, "Don't wear mine."
Fu Shize glanced at her frost-reddened fingertips.
"Then help me pick one."
...
Dinner was finished in about half an hour. After clearing the dishes, Yun Li and Fu Shize curled up on the sofa. The room had warmed up by then, and he wore a thin sweater as he leaned against her.
With nothing else to do, Fu Shize browsed E-Station with Yun Li for a while, but finding nothing particularly interesting, they chose a movie instead.
Yun Li's phone rang.
"Lili, want to spend New Year's Eve together tomorrow?" It was Deng Chuqi calling. "Xia Xia's going home tomorrow, so I'll come find you."
The phone's speaker leaked sound slightly. Yun Li glanced at Fu Shize, who showed no reaction beyond reaching out to play with a strand of hair near her ear.
His fingertips brushed her cheek inadvertently.
Blushing, Yun Li tried to push his hand away, but he chuckled softly.
A pause came from the other end of the line before Deng Chuqi asked suspiciously, "Did I just hear a man laughing? Did you hear that?"
Yun Li: "..."
Yun Li: "It's from my side."
Deng Chuqi: "..."
Yun Li decided to get up from the sofa to avoid Fu Shize's interference, but before she could take a step, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back down. Off-balance, she fell backward into his arms, her back against his chest.
Deng Chuqi's voice still came through the phone: "So... is it still okay for you to talk right now?"
The way she said it made it sound like they were doing something embarrassing.
Yun Li looked at Fu Shize, who seemed to have no intention of clarifying. Flustered, she hurriedly said, "It's fine, don't overthink it." Taking a deep breath, she admitted, "I'm in a relationship."
"No way. With who?"
Just as Yun Li had expected, Deng Chuqi's reaction was one of surprise—and likely a bit of hurt that she hadn't been told immediately. Unsure whether Fu Shize's name would provoke an even stronger reaction, Yun Li hesitated for a long moment without answering.
But the man holding her didn't maintain his usual silence.
"Forgot my name already?"
Though the question was directed at Yun Li, he deliberately spoke closer to the phone.
The other end of the line went completely silent for a while before wisely hanging up.
"..."
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