Chapter 19: Burton M4 Snow Goggles
Although the mountaintop ski resort wasn't frequented by many experts, it usually bustled with a considerable crowd. Unlike today, Wei Zhi had never witnessed the slopes so deserted and wide open.
However, as the resort's closing time approached, the snow on the slopes had turned slushy.
The deep tracks left by both skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts transformed into treacherous trenches for Wei Zhi.
Trenches that seemed to possess a magical ability to trip her up in every possible way.
Averting her gaze from the treacherous terrain, Wei Zhi tried to ignore the daunting sight.
"Put them on yourself," Shan Chong commanded, tossing his snowboard at her feet.
So much for the complimentary boot-fitting service.
Did the 'Good Samaritan System' operate on limited hours, clocking in at 9:00 am and promptly shutting down at 4:00 pm?
Bending down, Wei Zhi struggled to release the bindings of the snowboard.
Without hesitation, she plopped down on the snow, resembling a clumsy bear as she slowly inserted her boots into the bindings and fumbled with the straps.
Shan Chong observed her for a while, his patience wearing thin.
He could tolerate her dawdling, but the sight of her hunched over, struggling with the snowboard, was too much to bear.
"Can't you put on the board standing up?" he finally interjected.
"How?"
Wei Zhi looked up, her brow furrowed.
Shan Chong bent down, effortlessly unfastening his bindings.
"Place one foot between the bindings to secure the board. Then, put on the other boot," he explained, demonstrating the process.
"Once one foot is secured, engage the heel edge to anchor the board and prevent it from sliding. Then, put on the other boot."
He finished securing his bindings as he spoke.
Wei Zhi, still struggling with her first boot, stared at him in disbelief.
"Got it?" Shan Chong asked.
"Does it offend your sensibilities if I put on my boots sitting down?"
Wei Zhi retorted.
"No," Shan Chong replied flatly.
"Then why do I have to stand?" she challenged.
For a moment, Shan Chong was taken aback. He couldn't very well admit that sitting down to strap in screamed "rookie," especially since he knew she would shamelessly retort with, "Well, I am a rookie, so what?"
It would be a pointless endeavor.
So, after a beat of silence, he simply gestured for her to continue.
He watched as she, still firmly planted on the ground, finally managed to secure her boots.
Then, with a mighty heave, she attempted to stand, only to topple over like an overturned turtle, her backside landing squarely in the snow.
With her hand supporting her weight, she awkwardly scrambled back up.
Then, she hopped around, turning to face him.
Everything seemed to be in working order.
Suddenly, inspired by her inability to gracefully recover from a fall, Wei Zhi exclaimed, "Why can't I get up like that on the slopes? Just turn around, face downhill, and stand up!"
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Ski Into Love (Hush, the king is hibernating) [Requested]
RomanceManga artist Wei Zhi loses her pen name and copyrights after a scandal, turning to skiing for a fresh start. At Beishan Snow Resort, she encounters coach Shan Chong, a former snowboarder. Wei Zhi's determined skiing practice and her connection with...