During The Blizzard (Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love)

Canto 80: Careful Consolation

“True compassion is more than just feeling for others; it is taking action to make their pain less.” - M. Scott Peck

Translator: Wuxia Studio, Editor: M.H Lovecraft (Enochian_)

- - - -

Lin Yiyang shuffled into the rest area, a crumpled mess. His stomach rumbled, but the fruit plate sat empty, a silent mockery. Awkwardly, his hand hovered for a beat before snatching a meager bunch of grapes from Chen An'an's plate.

He cleared his throat, forcing a smile. "Meeting adjourned," he announced, eyes flickering around the expectant faces.

Lin Lin, ever the diplomat, stepped in. "Just a quick heads-up, everyone. The Nine-Ball World Championship starts this Thursday."

Lin Yiyang nodded curtly, already aware of Yin Guo's participation.

"We're leaving a week early," Lin Lin added, her voice clipped.

A knot formed in Lin Yiyang's gut. On the surface, it seemed innocuous. He mumbled another agreement and tossed the grapes back into the bowl with a dull thud. "Alright, that's it, you guys can go."

The second he crossed the threshold, the truth slammed into him. He whirled back to Lin Lin, voice tight. "Leave this Thursday?"

"Yup," Lin Lin confirmed, a glint in her eyes as she descended the stairs.

Lin Yiyang's stomach lurched. The much-anticipated dinner with Yin Guo this week – vanished. The others, oblivious to his internal storm, piled into their cars and peeled away.

Lin Yiyang lingered, a lone figure by the entrance. Another message buzzed on his phone, from Yin Guo.

Fruit in the Forest: Grandma's been staying with me, and barely leaves the house. Let me know when you're free.

He stared at the message, a wry smile playing on his lips. Naive girl, clueless to the chaos she'd just unleashed.

- -

Yin Guo tapped her phone screen, a frown creasing her brow. Lin Yiyang still hadn't replied.

Fruit in the Forest: Still busy?

Fruit in the Forest: Let's talk when you're free.

A few minutes later, Lin Yiyang replies come.

Lin: The Championship is on Thursday, you don't know about it?

Yin Guo blinked, momentarily stunned. Then realization dawned. Lin Lin, being part of the coaching staff, would have the inside scoop.

Fruit in the Forest: Then wait for me to come back, in two weeks.

But there was no immediate response. A tense silence stretched for what felt like an eternity. Finally, after a grueling thirty seconds, Yin Guo's phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't a text, but a voice message.

****

Lin Yiyang shuffled back into the office, the fluorescent lights harsh against his tired eyes. With a weary sigh, he flipped the switch, plunging the room into a comforting darkness. The silence was broken only by the soft glug of a kettle, and the steam swirled ethereally before him.

He sank onto the worn leather sofa, his long legs folding over the edge of the coffee table. His gaze drifted to the worn spot where the teacher used to sit, a silent echo of a past camaraderie. These days were a whirlwind a relentless storm that left no time for introspection, no space for sadness to take root.

The relentless to-do list gnawed at Lin Yiyang. One plan piled on top of another, a heavy chain he couldn't break. He had to maintain the facade of the prodigy returning after a decade, endorsed by both his teacher and Jiang Yang. The weight of public scrutiny was immense.