During the Snowstorm by Mo Bao Fei Bao

Chapter 4.3 Affairs of the Rolling Red Dust

Lin Yi Yang felt like a towering giant next to Yin Guo, so he stooped a little to match her height.

As he turned his head, the alluring aroma of Yin Guo's perfume filled his nostrils. The fragrance was a mix of fruity scents, light and sweet, and emanated from her chin and neck.

After a grueling four-hour train ride, coupled with the long wait for the train and subway, Lin Yi Yang felt exhausted. It would take a total of six or seven hours for a one-way trip, making it a twelve to thirteen-hour round trip every week, almost equivalent to the flight back to China.

In a desperate attempt to block out the fatigue, he closed his eyes and focused on the sounds around him, trying to amplify his hearing to drown out his weariness.

As Lin Yi Yang listened through the noise of the billiard room, he could hear the chattering of people still discussing his intense match against Meng Xiaodong. Intrigued by the game, some of them were inquiring about the rules of snooker, keen to try their hand at it.

In the midst of this, the owner was rummaging through his belongings, searching for the disk that Lin Yi Yang had previously copied for him. When he found it, he put it into the stereo and played the soulful melody of "Years of Friendship."

The music filled the air, and Lin Yi Yang's heart stirred with nostalgia. He had always been an avid fan of the "Young and Dangerous" movie franchise, which was popular among his generation. Whenever he worked in the billiard room, he selfishly included all the movie's soundtracks for the boss to play.

Listening to the song, Lin Yi Yang reached for his lighter in his pocket, absentmindedly playing with it while reminiscing about his youth. The flickering flame of the lighter illuminated his hand, casting a warm orange glow.

The sound of music enveloped the pool room, its upbeat tempo lifting everyone's spirits. Suddenly, someone piped up with a question, "Hey, can we use Lin's private room since it's not being used?"

The owner of the pool room shook his head, "No, Lin has made it clear that nobody is allowed in there except for his girlfriend."

Yin Guo was taken aback by the owner's response, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.

Then, Lin Yi Yang leaned toward her and whispered softly, "Can I get a hug?"

......

She felt her heart flutter, but she was determined to keep up her guard. Deliberately, she responded in a soft voice, "No."

Lin Yi Yang's smile faded slightly as she spoke, and he turned his head to look deeply into her eyes. The intensity of his gaze was almost overwhelming, and it felt as if he was gazing right into her soul.

Meanwhile, two young people appeared from around the corner, their carefree laughter and lively chatter disrupting the moment. They were heading towards the billiard room, looking for a spot to play.

Lin Yi Yang and Yin Guo were leaning against the left side of the door, causing the two young men to take a half-step in the opposite direction to avoid them. But the entrance was narrow, and the two guys accidentally collided with Lin Yi Yang and Yin Guo, causing her heel to be kicked. In a polite gesture, Yin Guo took a half-step forward, finding herself leaning on Lin Yi Yang's chest.

Lin Yi Yang couldn't help but smile and teasingly remarked, "You said no, but you're still leaning on me?" Despite his words, his right hand remained by his side, behaving itself.

As the breeze flowed through the room, Yin Guo felt its cool touch against her face and hair. Realizing the intimacy of their position, she quickly withdrew her hand from Lin Yi Yang's grasp, feeling flustered by the sudden closeness. "It's too narrow here," she explained, trying to distance herself from the awkward situation.