Solitary Toss of Tenderness

Lu Zizheng, you cannot be greedy

Lu Zizheng found herself deeply entranced by the enchanting lips of Jiang Huaixi, her thoughts consumed by desire, almost on the verge of acting upon them. However, she heard a gentle laughter from Jiang Huaixi, who turned over gracefully and lay beside her, rustling softly.

Opening her eyes, Lu Zizheng turned her head to look at Jiang Huaixi. Her black hair sprawled across the glistening snow, her face pale with a faint blush. Looking weary as if exhausted, Jiang Huaixi gently closed her eyes, and Lu Zizheng noticed the delicate fluttering of her long eyelashes, barely perceptible, as she breathed heavily and rapidly. In that moment, Jiang Huaixi resembled a snow maiden emerging from a vast expanse of snowy landscape—noble, pure, yet fragile and captivating.

Lowering her gaze, Lu Zizheng saw that Jiang Huaixi’s clothes were completely covered in pristine white snow, and the black pants, illuminated by the light, bore deep and shallow marks, likely soaked through.

Startled, Lu Zizheng abruptly sat up, stood up, and urged Jiang Huaixi, “Get up, lying like this will make you catch a cold.”

Jiang Huaixi slowly opened her eyes, smiled, and extended a hand, saying, “My body feels numb. Help me up.”

Lu Zizheng hesitated, but worried that Jiang Huaixi’s body couldn’t withstand lying down for too long, so she reluctantly reached out a hand to pull her up. In that moment of their hands clasping, Lu Zizheng’s heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, a distinct pang of pain. She thought her hand had already lost all sensation and turned icy cold, yet she could still sense bone-chilling coldness emanating from Jiang Huaixi’s hand.

Growing more desperate to help Jiang Huaixi up, Lu Zizheng tugged at her, but Jiang Huaixi remained smiling, unmoving. Lu Zizheng had no choice but to add her other hand to the effort, exerting more force. However, due to the excessive strength she used, she stumbled and was about to fall backward.

At that moment, Jiang Huaixi exerted her strength, quickly grabbing onto Lu Zizheng’s hand that was about to slip away. With a firm pull forward, Lu Zizheng stumbled and “thumped” onto Jiang Huaixi’s body, accompanied by a painful groan from Jiang Huaixi.

Burying her head against Jiang Huaixi’s chest, Lu Zizheng’s mind raced, her face burning hot with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance. She hastily scrambled to her feet, wanting to walk away into the distance, too afraid to look at Jiang Huaixi again.

Even during the fall, Lu Zizheng struggled to slightly support her body with her hands, reducing the impact. However, Jiang Huaixi’s sensitive area was still jolted, causing a sharp pain. Jiang Huaixi furrowed her brows tightly, feeling both cold and in pain, while Lu Zizheng, without uttering a word, quickly got up and walked farther away, too exhausted to even call her back.

Lu Zizheng felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration, believing that Jiang Huaixi had brought the fall upon herself. If she hadn’t teased her and deliberately remained motionless, how could Lu Zizheng have slipped and landed on top of her? The soft touch on her face from just a moment ago… Oh, she shouldn’t dwell on it anymore.

However, after taking a few steps, Lu Zizheng couldn’t help but recall the icy sensation on her face when she fell onto Jiang Huaixi. It was a genuine feeling, not fabricated. Her clothes must have been soaked through. Her heart sank, and her pace slowed.

With no regard for anything else, Lu Zizheng turned back and quickly walked to Jiang Huaixi’s side, squatting down softly and saying, “Huaixi, stop fooling around. Get up and go take a hot bath, change your clothes.”

Jiang Huaixi looked at her intently, a hint of a smile forming at the corner of her lips, weakly saying, “I know you’ve always been jealous of my better figure, but you shouldn’t have used such force. Now I really can’t get up…”

In a rare moment, Lu Zizheng refrained from retaliating. Her already flushed face grew even redder as she silently reached out, embracing Jiang Huaixi’s shoulder and helping her up.

Jiang Huaixi struggled to stand up from the snowy ground, her body swaying almost imperceptibly. She grabbed onto Lu Zizheng’s arm for support, steadying herself.

Jiang Huaixi was severely cold, her movements slow and laborious, making walking a challenge. Lu Zizheng held onto her with both hands, her eyes filled with undeniable concern.

As they passed by the snowman they had built together, Jiang Huaixi stopped in her tracks and gestured for Lu Zizheng to pick up the bag.

Perplexed, Lu Zizheng squatted down and picked up the bag, handing it to Jiang Huaixi. Jiang Huaixi, with stiff fingers, reached into the bag and took out two round, smooth black beads—a small carrot and a string of tiny bracelets. With gentle movements, she delicately adorned the snowman with facial features.

Lu Zizheng stared in astonishment, her expression melancholic. It turns out there were still materials left, even though she thought they had used everything!

Jiang Huaixi adjusted the nose and curved the mouth of the snowman she had built for herself. She blinked and said, “Snowy here thinks it looks extremely ugly and tearfully asked when you will give its eyes back.”

Following Jiang Huaixi’s words, Lu Zizheng looked at the eyeless snowman. With its mouth turned downwards, it truly appeared pitiful and unhappy.

A smile formed on Lu Zizheng’s face as she took out two black beads from her pocket. She carefully placed them back in their original positions on the snowman, lifting its mouth upward. Snowy then displayed an adorable and joyful smile.

Satisfied with the two snowmen, Lu Zizheng reached out to support Jiang Huaixi and urged her, “Alright, are you satisfied now? Let’s go inside quickly.”

Jiang Huaixi followed her footsteps, and just as they were about to enter the house, she glanced back. The brightly lit courtyard gradually dimmed as they moved away, leaving only the silver glow of the full moon. In the quiet and chilly breeze, the snowmen they had built stood hand in hand, proudly and cheerfully smiling, facing the wind…

As soon as Jiang Huaixi entered the house, a middle-aged woman in her fifties hastily brought two cups of hot milk. She appeared nervous as she handed them to Jiang Huaixi and Lu Zizheng, repeatedly saying, “Miss, you finally came in! Zhang Ma was getting worried. It’s so cold outside, how could you bear it?”

Lu Zizheng accepted the milk and softly thanked her, but she didn’t immediately drink it. Instead, she looked at Jiang Huaixi with a concerned expression.

Jiang Huaixi, however, focused on the milk in Lu Zizheng’s hands, making her intentions clear.

Lu Zizheng met her gaze and, under Jiang Huaixi’s watchful eyes, finished the hot milk. As the warmth from the milk spread through her body, she felt comforted.

Only then did Jiang Huaixi take small sips of the milk, while Zhang Ma stood by and urged, “Miss, I’ve prepared hot water for you. Please go and warm yourself up with a bath.”

Jiang Huaixi placed her cup on the tray and just as her gaze shifted towards Lu Zizheng, she heard Zhang Ma hurriedly persuading, “Oh dear, Miss, don’t worry. I’ve prepared hot water for Miss Lu, and the guest room with clothes is all ready too.” Seeing that Jiang Huaixi remained unmoved, Zhang Ma turned around and headed upstairs, saying, “Miss Lu, please follow me…”

Jiang Huaixi was concerned that Lu Zizheng might not want to stay overnight, but Lu Zizheng showed no signs of reluctance. She followed Zhang Ma upstairs, comforting Jiang Huaixi, “I’m fine, take care of yourself.”

Jiang Huaixi softly responded with an “mm” before turning and walking towards the bathroom on the first floor.

Lu Zizheng followed Zhang Ma to the second floor and entered the bathroom of the guest room. Zhang Ma pointed to the clothes placed nearby and said, “The clothes are brand new. They have been washed after being soaked in water, but I’m not sure what style Miss Lu prefers. Please bear with them for now.”

Lu Zizheng politely smiled and said, “No problem at all.”

Zhang Ma briefly explained the details of using the bathroom and then left, urging Lu Zizheng to wash up and get rid of the chill.

Lu Zizheng tested the water temperature and found it to be just right. She took off her watch and placed it on the washstand before undressing and getting into the water. She felt a sense of relaxation and relief as warmth spread throughout her body, and she let out a long, slow breath.

Perhaps due to the comfort or the exhaustion from their playful activities earlier, she soon felt drowsy and, with her eyes half-closed, drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up, the bathroom was filled with steam. The bathtub was automated, and the water temperature remained warm as before. However, she noticed small wrinkles appearing on her skin. Lu Zizheng furrowed her brow, fully awakened now, and proceeded to thoroughly wash her hair and body with renewed determination.

After draining the water and dressing herself, Lu Zizheng stood in front of the washstand, picking up the hairdryer hanging nearby. As she lowered her head, she noticed the watch that Jiang Huaixi had given her, silently resting on the washstand, with the second hand ticking away, one moment at a time…

As she held the hairdryer, blowing her hair, Lu Zizheng unconsciously began tracing her fingers on the foggy mirror’s surface. First, she outlined a slightly slanted fringe, then the long straight hair on either side, followed by a delicate and elegant oval-shaped face. As she watched, the semblance of Jiang Huaixi started to emerge. However, Lu Zizheng snapped out of her reverie and gently wiped away all the condensation with an open palm.

In the mirror, her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes betrayed a hint of bitterness.

She lowered the hairdryer and lightly played with her hair, admonishing herself: “Lu Zizheng, you mustn’t be greedy.”

Once her hair was dry, Lu Zizheng couldn’t help but worry about Jiang Huaixi. She paid little attention to the details, hastily putting on her pajamas, throwing on a coat, and slipping into cotton slippers before leaving the room. Just as she stepped out, she saw Jiang Wang, the young female doctor, emerging from the room directly opposite, gently closing the door.

Turning around, she caught sight of Lu Zizheng. Jiang Wang’s face showed no surprise, only a blank expression as she looked at Lu Zizheng, her eyes filled with scrutiny.

Lu Zizheng felt somewhat uncomfortable under Jiang Wang’s scrutinizing gaze. She nodded lightly and greeted her, intending to pass by and go downstairs. However, Jiang Wang spoke in a calm tone, “Miss, there’s nothing to worry about. She ate some cold-resistant food and went to sleep. You don’t need to be concerned.” Her voice was as cold as her expression, devoid of any warmth. “Miss instructed me that if you can’t sleep here comfortably, I can escort you back.”

Lu Zizheng lowered her gaze slightly and gently declined, “Dr. Jiang, there’s no need to trouble yourself.” Without seeing Jiang Huaixi, she couldn’t put her mind at ease.

Jiang Wang nodded and said, “Then I will take my leave.” As she descended the stairs, she added, “Miss asked me to prepare some cold-prevention medicine for you. Zhang Ma will bring it to your room later.” With those words, she turned back and gave Lu Zizheng a deep, ambiguous look.

Lu Zizheng couldn’t discern the true meaning behind her expression, which seemed to contain elements of envy, desolation, and sorrow.

When Zhang Ma brought the medicine upstairs, Lu Zizheng was already lying in bed, propped up by a pillow. She saw Zhang Ma knock on the door and enter with a glass of water. Lu Zizheng hurriedly got up and received the water cup and medicine, thanking her in a gentle voice.

Zhang Ma stood there watching as Lu Zizheng swallowed the medicine, feeling a mixture of emotions. Lu Zizheng was indeed exceptionally beautiful with an outstanding temperament, presenting an endearing appearance. However, Zhang Ma couldn’t help but feel a bit dissatisfied. Everything else was fine, but why didn’t she know how to take good care of the young miss and instead indulged in such mischievous behavior?

Unaware of Zhang Ma’s inner thoughts, Lu Zizheng finished taking the medicine and handed the water cup back to Zhang Ma, expressing her gratitude in a polite manner.

Zhang Ma hesitated to speak, and Lu Zizheng sensed something, but ultimately Zhang Ma merely stomped her foot and quietly withdrew, holding the cup. Some words, perhaps, were not yet meant for her to say. Let it be, let it be.

Lu Zizheng turned off the light and lay in bed, thinking about the meaningful gaze of Jiang Wang and Zhang Ma’s suppressed words. In her heart, she softly murmured the name “Jiang Bao” and sighed silently.

If outsiders cherished her like this, then how would Father Jiang and Mother Jiang treat her? The Jiang family, as an esteemed and wealthy household, would likely find it difficult to regard an ordinary person like her, let alone…

Lu Zizheng dared not think further, knowing that she shouldn’t entertain such thoughts. Jiang Huaixi deserved a better match, someone who could be her true companion in life. If Lu Zizheng could stand by her side as a friend, neither too close nor too distant, it would already be a great fortune. She was fortunate enough to restrain her own feelings, closed her eyes, and wholeheartedly sought only to fall asleep.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when she faintly heard a distant bell ringing, signaling the arrival of midnight. In her drowsiness, Lu Zizheng whispered a phrase in her heart: “December 26th…”

And then, there was nothing more…