During the Snowstorm by Mo Bao Fei Bao

Chapter 5.4 The Tide of Time

Yin Guo grabbed Lin Yiyang's left hand, feeling its clammy texture. "Do you have a fever?" she asked, concerned.

He doesn't have a fever. He's fine.

Feeling suffocated and panicked, she could sense a knot forming in her throat as she asked, "Is it serious? Did you see a doctor, or did you just self-medicate?"

Yin Guo reached for her phone and spoke softly, "Tell me quickly. I'm worried."

As Yin Guo looked at Lin Yiyang's phone, she noticed he seemed hesitant to respond. She watched as he put his phone away and instead wrapped his arm around her tightly, pulling her close in a one-armed embrace. He used his other hand to gently hold her head, allowing her to rest it against his shoulder.

In a soft, hoarse voice, he whispered in her ear, "I'm okay, really." Yin Guo could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin and the steady beating of his heart. Despite the fear and worry that had been building up inside her, she felt a sense of comfort and safety in his arms.

With her nose pressed against his collarbone, Yin Guo took a deep breath and found herself lost in the moment. The five days of waiting and the six hours of traveling were all worth it to be in his embrace.

As she savored his scent, she couldn't help but recall a conversation with her friend Zheng Yi about how a man's refinement could be judged by his scent. Despite being unable to smell him through his coat, she was relieved that at least he didn't stink.

Yin Guo's thoughts were a jumbled mess, consumed with worry for Lin Yiyang. "You didn't tell me anything, you didn't say anything today, and you didn't say anything the day before yesterday," she said, her anxiety palpable.

Lin Yiyang leaned in and pressed his face against her forehead, comforting her. "It's okay, it's okay, let's not talk about it anymore," he said softly.

He was exhausted, his body wracked with sore muscles, joint pain, and a weakened immune system. He couldn't even get up a couple of days ago, but he was feeling better today. However, he had to cancel his trip to New York for two reasons. Firstly, he had gotten sick, and there were pressing matters that needed his attention. He's not a young person anymore. Secondly, although his sickness was due to overwork, it was still a genuine illness that made him feel uncomfortable, and his face looked unwell. He worried that if Yin Guo saw him like this, it would negatively affect her mood for the competition.

Note: "不是小年轻了" is an idiom that roughly translates to "I'm not young anymore." It's often used to convey a sense of responsibility and maturity, implying that the speaker understands the importance of taking care of business despite obstacles or challenges.

To his surprise, the silly girl appeared out of nowhere without any prior notice. He had encountered girls in the past who went to great lengths for him, doing things that seemed insistent and selfless, but he remained indifferent. Yin Guo, however, was unlike any of them right from the beginning.

It was he who had fallen in love first and pursued her relentlessly. Yet today, she traveled hundreds of kilometers to see him before the competition, reversing their roles. Even if his voice was hoarse and he wasn't feeling his best, it didn't matter as long as she was by his side.

He gently patted her back and reluctantly said, "I must go now."

Despite his words, he held her tightly, not wanting to let go.

"Where are you going?" she asked softly, her lips quivering slightly, before quickly adding, "I already ate on the train."

Yin Guo was well aware of Lin Yiyang's tendency to invite people out to eat, so she had memorized her response in advance: "Not hungry."