IJLHTW - 52

Father and mother.

These two words had never felt so sweet to Huo Ci. She looked up ahead at the little girls in sportswear, their hair tied into buns, revealing clean and pretty faces as they listened attentively to their instructor’s guidance.

Yi Zhecheng quietly observed the children and softly asked, “Were you like this when you were young?”

Wearing fitted sportswear, her long hair tied into a bun, she would glide across the ice like a little elf. Even if she fell, she wouldn’t cry—she’d simply get up, brush off her pants, and continue practicing with determination.

Thinking of Huo Ci during her “little elf” days brought a faint smile to his lips.

By now, Huo Ci had finished lacing her skates. Seeing that Yi Zhecheng was already dressed, she said, “Let’s go.”

But after standing up, she asked with some concern, “Have you ever skated before?”

Yi Zhecheng gave a light laugh. “Not really.” How could he not have? Back in the day, when the kids from the compound gathered together, they would go wild swimming in the summer and skating on Yuyuantan Lake in winter. The braver ones even ventured onto frozen wild lakes.

That group of reckless teenagers thought nothing of it until one year, something nearly went wrong. Meng Xinan brought his younger sister along, and somehow, the girl slipped and fell right into the lake.

At that moment, Cheng Xiaojun jumped in to save her. He managed to pull the girl out, but ended up hospitalized for a month with pneumonia at the military hospital. As for the rest of them, including Yi Zhecheng, they were dragged home by their fathers and given a sound beating. That was the harshest punishment Yi Zhecheng had ever received from Yi Huaize, because they hadn’t just been irresponsible toward themselves—they had also endangered the girl.

Responsibility—that was the greatest lesson Yi Zhecheng had learned growing up.

“If you’ve never skated, let’s start with a couple laps around the rink first, and then I’ll hold your hand,” Huo Ci instructed him earnestly. Just as they entered, a little girl zipped past them.

Huo Ci hummed disdainfully, “Little brat.”

Before long, the same girl whizzed past them again. If Huo Ci hadn’t dodged quickly enough, she might have been knocked over. But considering the girl was only about ten years old, neither of them intended to make a fuss. To their surprise, the girl didn’t share the same sentiment. Skating ahead, she turned around and called out to them, “Big brother, this sister doesn’t look very good. Let me teach you instead!”

The two exchanged glances. After suppressing her laughter for a while, Huo Ci suddenly remarked, “You’re really popular. Even a little girl wants to compete with me for you.”

Yi Zhecheng was momentarily stunned and lightly scolded her, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

But the girl was serious. She skated back and stood in front of them, looking up at Yi Zhecheng. “Big brother, I’m really good at skating. I can teach you. Just call me Master.”

So, here was a self-proclaimed master.

Huo Ci sneered. “Empty boasts. Who knows if you’re any good?”

“Then let’s race. Whoever wins gets to be your master,” the girl replied brightly, completely unafraid.

“Fine, let’s race,” Huo Ci chuckled.

Yi Zhecheng stood aside watching the two, apparently no one cared to ask his opinion or whether he actually wanted a master. Without a word, the two women—one young and one older—prepared themselves. They agreed to skate a lap around the rink, and whoever returned to Yi Zhecheng first would win.

“You’re younger, so I’ll let you take the inner lane,” Huo Ci said condescendingly to the girl.

The girl tilted her head up, but due to her height disadvantage, she lost the battle of presence.

Yi Zhecheng watched helplessly as Huo Ci held his hand proudly and reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll win you back.”

Once the race began, Yi Zhecheng leaned against the railing, quietly observing the two in the distance. She wore a black coat, now open, its hem fluttering behind her as her long hair danced in the air. She was radiant and full of energy.

Although the girl skated on the inner lane, her stamina and speed couldn’t match Huo Ci’s.

When Huo Ci rushed back, Yi Zhecheng opened his arms and pulled her into an embrace. His lower back hit the railing, causing a slight grimace of pain, but the next moment, Huo Ci leaned up and kissed his chin.

Resting in his arms, she grinned and asked, “Do I look like a brave knight who defeated a dragon?”

Yi Zhecheng glanced at the girl in the distance. Was she really a dragon?

Huo Ci was exceptionally pleased. Wrapping her arms around him, she happily declared, “I won you back. No one can take you away from me.”

Yi Zhecheng stroked her face. “Fighting with a child—how mature of you.”

“I don’t care. I won anyway,” Huo Ci lifted her head. Under the dazzling lights of the rink, her skin glowed like light, and even her dark eyes shimmered with brightness.

The girl, feeling embarrassed by her loss, stood at a distance without approaching.

Yi Zhecheng sighed softly and skated over to her side, pulling Huo Ci along. He crouched down slightly, his expression still cold but his tone much gentler.

The girl pouted and lowered her head. “I lost.”

“That’s because the sister is taller and stronger than you. You didn’t lose to her—you lost to age,” Yi Zhecheng said gently. The girl perked up again, her eyes sparkling. He gave a faint smile. “When you grow up, you can be as amazing as her.”

The girl broke into a wide grin.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind. “Jiajia, how could you leave without waiting for me today?”

The girl turned to see a boy who had just arrived, clearly surprised but happy. However, her mood quickly dampened as she muttered, “You said skating was just for little girls.”

“That’s because I didn’t know how to skate and didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of you. Will you still be my master?” The boy, about the same age as the girl, had a serious expression on his delicate face.

“Sure, hurry up and put on your skates!” The girl’s spirits soared immediately.

After quickly saying goodbye to Yi Zhecheng, she left without looking back.

In the distance, the reunited boy and girl stood together, laughing freely and innocently.

Huo Ci burst into laughter, leaning on Yi Zhecheng’s shoulder with a mischievous grin. “Mr. Yi, so I was just a spare tire, huh?”

Yi Zhecheng turned to look at her, leaning close to her ear and speaking softly. “Do you want to stay in bed tonight?”

Huo Ci: “...”

________________________________________

When the two emerged from the rink, it was already dark outside. Yi Zhecheng was about to drive, but Huo Ci tugged at his hand. “I know there’s a dessert shop nearby. Let’s go.”

Today, she was in charge.

As they approached the shop, Yi Zhecheng suddenly chuckled. Huo Ci looked at him, puzzled. “You don’t like it?”

“No, I just find you very focused,” Yi Zhecheng murmured.

Huo Ci didn’t quite understand what he meant, but he didn’t explain further. Instead, he took her hand and walked into the shop. It was almost nine o’clock, and the place was empty except for a girl quietly sitting at the cash register.

As they approached, the cashier looked up, ready to greet them. Her expression turned to one of surprise as she greeted them with a smile. “Welcome. What would you like to order? Are you two back together?”

Huo Ci was looking at the menu when she heard this and turned to look at the cashier. Beside her, the man holding her hand softly affirmed, “Yes.”

Huo Ci ordered hot chocolate and two desserts, while Yi Zhecheng ordered coffee. Once seated, Huo Ci remarked, “Did you know this shop has been here since I was a child? It’s been open for nearly fifteen years now.”

Back then, she loved skating and would come here every weekend. Her father, Huo Mingzhou, was always busy with work and could only accompany her occasionally. As she grew older, she started coming alone. If she hadn’t become a photographer, becoming a figure skater might have been a great alternative.

Soon, Huo Ci’s hot chocolate arrived in a large red mug, its sweet aroma wafting through the air. After the cashier left, Huo Ci suddenly remembered to ask, “What did you mean earlier when you asked if we were back together? Have you been here before?”

It wasn’t unusual for the cashier to recognize Huo Ci, as she frequented the shop. But this was her and Yi Zhecheng’s first visit together. Perhaps he had been here before—with someone else?

At the thought, she picked up her hot chocolate and took a sip.

“Do you think the little girl earlier resembled someone?” Yi Zhecheng suddenly spoke.

Huo Ci rested her hands on the table, cradling her hot chocolate, and shook her head. “Who?”

Yi Zhecheng looked at her, his lips curving into a smile. “Don’t you think she looks a lot like you?”

Huo Ci was startled and immediately denied it. “No way.”

“You looked exactly like that when you were young,” Yi Zhecheng said, gazing at her as if lost in thought. Before, he had only suspected it, but now he was certain.

Their connection went back even further than six years ago.

Huo Ci stared at him in shock as he pointed to a seat nearby. “This place wasn’t expanded back then—it was just a small shop. You sat there, crying nonstop.”

This time, Huo Ci was truly astonished.

She stared blankly at him.

“How could that be?” Huo Ci instinctively denied it.

But then she remembered something—it happened during her high school years. One day, after skating alone, she sat in this shop and waited for the staff to bring her drink. Suddenly, a news broadcast interrupted the TV program, announcing the official disbandment of her favorite boy band.

All the girls in her class were fans of the band, and Huo Ci was no exception. She had even attended their concert in Beijing. It was one of the few vivid memories from her youth, apart from academics.

Upon hearing the announcement, she sat in the shop and cried uncontrollably.

As she sobbed, she felt someone sit beside her. His voice was pleasant, but her mind was consumed by the disbandment. He asked why she was crying, but she remained silent.

After a long while, just as she thought he had left, a cup of hot chocolate was placed on her table.

“Don’t cry. Drink something,” the man said gently.

Huo Ci, prideful as always, was too overwhelmed to lift her head. She only whispered a quiet “Thank you.”

As he stood to leave, Huo Ci, still looking down, timidly asked, “Big brother, can you buy me another cup?”

The man chuckled softly. “Sure, but you have to stop crying.”

“Big brother, I want to listen to music.”

“What song?” The man’s voice was cold yet gentle.

She lowered her head. “Why Did I Fall in Love With You?” This was her favorite song and the reason she had fallen in love with the boy band.

...

“Hot chocolate?” She looked at him, eyes wide with shock.

This was why she had always loved hot chocolate.

“Why Did I Fall in Love With You?” she asked again.

The man across from her smiled softly. “Now you know why you fell for me, don’t you?”