During the Snowstorm by Mo Bao Fei Bao

Chapter 3.2 The Scenery After the Snowstorm

Yin Guo stood at the kitchen counter, washing and chopping the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. She glanced over at the hot pot sitting on the stove, the water inside slowly heating up to a gentle boil. She frowned slightly, realizing that she had forgotten to buy any meat slices for the hot pot.

Undeterred, she rummaged through the fridge and found a package of sausages, this would suffice as a protein source for the meal. With a firm look on her face, she plopped the sausages into the hot pot, watching as they bobbed and cooked in the simmering broth.

Lin Yi Yang arrived in New York by train and had been running around, causing his clothes to become wrinkled and untidy. But, since he had a place to stay in this city, he kept a few athletic outfits. With a quick change, he transformed into a clean and sporty appearance.

This accentuated his slender figure and highlighted his fair complexion, making him resemble an innocent and well-behaved student. As he walked behind Yin Guo, he noticed her gaze fixed on his arm. He realized that she was likely admiring the intricate design of his tattoo.

The design was not too bold or excessive; it was mainly located on the inner part of his right arm. Nevertheless, he could understand how the ink might appear to be a bit exaggerated for a girl.

Lin Yi Yang felt uncomfortable with the sleeves of his shirt twisted on his wrist, but he refrained from rolling them up. As he sat down next to Yin Guo on her right, there was a moment of silence before they both spoke at the same time.

"What would you like to eat first?" Yin Guo asked.

"Would you like a drink?" Lin Yi Yang offered.

......

"Choose what you like to eat," He replied.

"Wine," She replied at the same time.

The two stopped and laughed simultaneously, breaking the slight tension in the air.

Lin Yi Yang stood up from his seat, holding the bottle of wine in his hand. He expertly uncorked the bottle and filled his glass to the brim, the deep red liquid shimmering in the light.

He then turned to Yin Guo, offering her a pour with the wine bottle suspended over her glass. "How much would you like?" he asked, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"Fill it up," she answered. "I have a good tolerance for alcohol. The first time I got drunk ended up in a fight."

Lin Yi Yang laughed.

For the first time, someone said that in front of him: I have a good alcohol tolerance.

The warm, golden-hued alcohol filled the glass, and Yin Guo couldn't help but watch as Lin Yi Yang poured it. When he smiled, his features lit up, and he looked even more handsome. It was as if he had two separate personalities - one that was distant and aloof and another that was approachable and friendly, like a caring big brother.

As they sat at the table, they took turns dropping their chosen ingredients into the boiling hot pot, always giving way to each other politely. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and the hot pot bubbled away, filling the room with the enticing scent of their meal.

The warm light from the hot pot danced across Yin Guo's face, illuminating her rosy cheeks as she chattered away, her words slightly slurred from the wine she had been drinking. She leaned back in her chair, supporting her chin with her hand as she looked at Lin Yi Yang, who was leisurely swaying his glass and studying her intently.

With every tilt of his head, he emptied the contents of his glass, yet despite the six empty wine bottles already strewn at his feet, he showed no signs of being affected by the alcohol. Unlike most people who tend to talk nonsense after a bottle or two of wine, Lin Yi Yang remained completely sober, his eyes sharp and focused on Yin Guo as she continued to share stories.