"Aren't you just back from military training today? It's only been two weeks, and you, little troublemaker, are already home," Su Xueqing said gently, pinching the delicate nose of the girl before her. Her skin was slightly sun-tanned.

"I just missed home... and missed you, big sister," Xiao Yu cooed, grabbing Su Xueqing's slender hands and swaying them back and forth.

"I think you have ulterior motives! I've watched you grow up—what little schemes do you hide from me?"

Exposed but unflinching, Xiao Yu cut straight to the point: "Sister, tell me now! Where did senior go? You know, right? You must know!"

"I don't know. I'm just a doctor—I have no right to pry into others' privacy," Su Xueqing replied with a bitter smile, spreading her hands helplessly.

"Liar. I rarely see you care so much about a patient. And one of your special private business cards went missing, didn't it? Don't think you can hide from my sharp eyes."

"Alright, alright—I can't win against you. I do know where they're staying, though I overheard the address by accident. If it weren't for sending them that wheelchair, I'd never have asked."

"Then stop dawdling! Tell me where senior is. Give me his number—I'll contact him myself."

"Xiao Yu, are you truly sure you want to know?" Su Xueqing turned serious, dropping her playful tone.

"Absolutely, positively, and definitely."

"Xiao Yu, you're a genius—it's not me boasting, it's fact. You learn fast, but your heart's too restless. Everything's short-lived enthusiasm for you. Painting's the longest you've stuck with anything. Can you promise your feelings for him will last?"

"Yes!"

Su Xueqing flicked Xiao Yu's fair forehead in annoyance. "When haven't you said that? Music theory, piano, dancing—none lasted half a year. French and German? All abandoned halfway."

"But this time is different! Senior is special. To me, he's like an ice pop—perfect for every season. Spring eases fatigue, summer cools the heat, autumn refreshes, winter warms the heart."

"I hope winter doesn't turn it to heartbreak. I've seen too many couples split then. You're an adult—I won't interfere much, but you're too unreliable. If you tire of this love game, you'll both get hurt."

"No, sister. For someone like me with short-lived passions, when it ignites, it lasts a lifetime."

"Fine. I hope you won't regret it. They're in DongSui Town now. The number is—"

Xiao Yu clamped a hand over Su Xueqing's mouth. "No need, sister. Senior and I are destined—we'll have a beautiful, unforgettable meeting."

"Tomorrow's Monday. Go back to school first. Wait for the weekend to visit the countryside—it's only a half-day train ride. I'll have a friend pick you up."

"No. I'm finding senior tomorrow morning."

"What about university?"

"I've dropped out. Dad agreed."

"What! You—" Su Xueqing choked on her anger, speechless. Her sister's alien logic defied ordinary understanding. She was used to Xiao Yu's jaw-dropping antics. Their father served as a diplomat in a small Nordic nation; their mother, a translator, stayed overseas. Years ago, Su Xueqing had left for US medical studies. During that unsupervised time, Xiao Yu skipped school except for exams—her grades and family ties spared her expulsion. Tutors fled within a day, whether seasoned scholars or fresh graduates, all driven off by this little witch. Only after Su Xueqing returned as Qi Ran's attending physician did she bring that man into Xiao Yu's world. To this day, she wondered if it was right or wrong. Days turned to weeks, months to years—they grew closer. Because of him, Xiao Yu abandoned her dream of world travel and chose university instead.

"DongSui Town... DongSui Town. Sounds lovely!" Xiao Yu chirped, happily packing her bags.

Su Xueqing watched her, sighing inwardly: *I hope no one gets hurt this winter...*