"During winter break, can we go on a trip together, just the two of us? I’ve always wanted to ski up north!" Yanxi’s face glowed with longing.

She rarely visited the north. Unlike the eastern regions, many northern areas transformed into a world of white each winter.

There—

The sky, distant mountains, houses, wisps of cooking smoke, dawn’s first light, the starry night…

All became pure and dreamlike under the snowflakes’ glow.

To Yanxi, it felt like a magical realm straight out of a storybook.

"I don’t ski," Lingyuan said, hands buried in his hoodie pockets. Late October’s chill had set in—warm at noon, freezing by evening. Shivering in just his hoodie, his teeth chattered.

"But I do! Hehe~" Yanxi looped her arm through his. "Just you and me! A world only for us two! I can’t wait!"

"You’re even more of a dreamer than I am. Mom would never let us go alone," Lingyuan gently shifted away, keeping space between them.

"No problem! They’ll be overseas for business anyway. They handle their deals; we live our little world. No interference~" She tugged him closer.

"Stop dodging! Are you not into my chest? Any normal guy would enjoy this, right?" Yanxi arched one eyebrow, puzzled.

"N-no!" Lingyuan yanked his hand back like he’d been shocked. "This isn’t… this isn’t right…"

"Eh~?" Yanxi grinned mischievously, trapping his hand. "Help me check it out? You could be the first~"

"People are watching! Stop it!" Lingyuan broke free, leaping meters away.

Yanxi scanned the empty street, pouting. "No one’s here. Don’t be shy~"

*[Damn it, how can I NOT be shy!? Is this how a young lady acts!? She’s less ‘miss’ and more ‘pervert’ right now!]*

His eyes still stole glances at her proud chest.

Those soft mounds… even pressed against him, their impossible plushness was obvious. If he touched them, squeezed…

Lingyuan cut the thought short. Guilt flooded his chest.

"Master~?" Yanxi cooed sweetly.

"…" Lingyuan stayed silent, avoiding her gaze.

"Eh~?" She leaned close, whispering temptingly into his ear, "I’m not wearing a bra today~"

Lingyuan froze. *So that’s why…*

"I… noticed. They’ve been bouncing a lot today…"

Ashamed of his own words, he turned away—unaware his ears burned crimson.

"Ew~ So you *were* watching~ Still refusing to touch?"

Suddenly, Lingyuan spun around, gripping her shoulders and shaking her. "You’re a young lady! A *proper* young lady! How can you say such things?! Act like this?! This ruins your image completely!"

"Ah! Stop shaking me!"

When he finally let go, Yanxi pouted. "If you won’t touch… at least help me hold them steady, okay? Big ones like mine bounce when I walk. Even supportive bras don’t help!"

*[Just holding them… she won’t pull anything crazy, right?]*

Lingyuan sighed in defeat.

"Hmph~ Brother’s the best."

She pressed his hand against her chest. Lingyuan nearly choked—his nose felt suspiciously warm.

How to describe the feeling?

Her softness was unreal… like sinking into clouds fluffier than cotton candy.

*[Heh. ‘Not interested’? His eyes never left me.]*

Yanxi smirked victoriously, the barbecue forgotten.

"You head to the barbecue place first. I’ll grab us bubble tea," Lingyuan blurted, seizing an excuse to escape.

"Huh? I’ll go with you."

"You grab us a table. It’s Saturday—packed today."

"True…"

"Good. What drink do you want?" He exhaled quietly—she’d agreed.

"Oh! I want to share yours… You wouldn’t say no to me, would you…?" She batted her eyes, voice dripping with fake innocence.

"Damn it, stop that! You make me sound like a criminal if I refuse," Lingyuan groaned inwardly.

"Hehe~ I’ll save us a table then! One cup’s enough, remember!"

"Yeah, yeah." He nodded vaguely.

*[I’ll just use two straws!]*

The barbecue shop buzzed with energy. Grills sat outside to lure customers—the sizzle of meat and its rich aroma made passersby pause, hungry.

Yanxi had craved this meal for ages! With her parents, she’d have to stay "elegant."

But with Brother?

"Elegance"? Never learned it! "Ladylike"? No clue!

"Table for how many, miss?" A cheerful server approached.

"Two." Yanxi followed her to a table near the entrance.

Annoyingly, the next table smoked. Disliking the smell, she shifted inward.

As she scanned the menu, loud voices from the smokers’ table grated on her ears.

"Cheers to Manager Han! Landing this deal with Mengxi Group—your credit’s huge!"

*Mom’s company?*

Yanxi glanced over. The men wore suits but looked sloppy—faces flushed, manners gone after hours of drinking.

Disgusting.

She focused back on the menu.

*[Celebrating a deal with our company… I get it.]*

Mengxi Group ranked among the province’s top ten firms. Their deals started at tens of millions.

"Tch. Mengxi Group’s nothing special. Bigger companies don’t have half their rules. Damn annoying."

Yanxi took a slow breath. Annoyed, but not enough to argue. Her mother ran things tightly—no room for error.

Sometimes, even Yanxi found it stifling.

"I’m back. Ordered yet?" Lingyuan slid into the seat opposite her, pushing a cup of bubble tea across the table.

Yanxi tucked her bangs behind her ear and smiled. "Waiting for the honorable Brother to decide."