Chapter 21: A Winter’s Tale: Snow, Secrets, and Self-Discovery

Winter followed autumn. On the very day of the New Year, small snowflakes began to fall in Nan’an City, a place where it hadn’t snowed in many years. Outside the fruit shop, children could be seen playing with snowballs, and occasionally, the sound of firecrackers celebrating the holiday would echo through the streets. Lin Duo sat behind the counter, chin resting on her hands, gazing out the window at the familiar scene, her thoughts drifting back to her hometown thousands of kilometers away, where the snow was much thicker.

Lin Duo had left home in early June, and today marked only half a year since then. Yet, in her heart, the sights of her hometown felt distant, as she had almost completely adapted to her new parents, school, and life.

Suddenly, a plump figure dashed into the store: “Lin Duo, Happy New Year!”

Lin Duo glanced up: “Happy New Year. Wang Linshu, your home is quite far from here. Why don’t you buy fruits nearby instead of coming here so often?”

“Because your fruits are of better quality and cheaper,” Wang Linshu stated shamelessly.

Hearing the commotion, Uncle and Aunt Yue emerged from the back room, exchanging knowing smiles as they saw Wang Linshu.

Aunt Wu greeted him warmly: “Little Wang, what would you like to buy today?”

“Auntie, I’d like to get some oranges.” Wang Linshu was particularly courteous and respectful in front of Lin Duo’s foster parents.

“Of course! But it’s so cold outside. Why don’t you sit here for a while? We don’t have many customers right now.” Aunt Wu smiled and brought a chair to the counter.

“Thank you, Auntie!” Wang Linshu sat down happily and started chatting: “Lin Duo, I have a few English grammar questions I don’t understand. Could you help me?”

“Sure, bring them over.” Lin Duo took the English reference book, read through the questions, and began explaining them carefully. Unbeknownst to her, Wang Linshu wasn’t paying much attention. Instead, he was stealing glances at Lin Duo’s fair profile, especially her long lashes, which seemed to pluck at his heartstrings with every blink.

Lin Duo finally noticed Wang Linshu’s distraction: “Hey, are you even listening? I’m explaining this seriously!”

“Of course, I am!” Wang Linshu nodded vigorously: “I got this question, but there’s another one on the next page…”

This went on for about half an hour before Wang Linshu reluctantly left the store.

After Wang Linshu’s departure, Aunt Wu came out from the back room, patting Lin Duo’s shoulder with a smile: “That young man is quite nice, polite and well-mannered, and from a good family.”

Lin Duo looked puzzled: “Mom, what does his family background have to do with us?”

“Our little girl is quite slow to mature!” Aunt Wu teased, then went outside to clear the fresh snow from the doorway, ensuring no customers would slip.

The junior high school only had one day off for the New Year, as students faced two major exams: the mock exam and the final exam. The mock exam was crucial for graduation, though the certificate was practically worthless in this era. The middle school entrance exam, however, determined whether students could continue to high school. For most, the mid-June entrance exam was the most critical.

The mock exam was surprisingly easy, with only two students failing. Ten days later, the final exam concluded, finally ushering in the winter break.

The last exam ended in the morning, so in the afternoon, Lin Duo was taken shopping by Gu Xuexuan. Although they had weekends off, Gu Xuexuan’s parents had enrolled her in numerous tutoring classes, leaving her little free time. Only after the final exam did she finally have a bit of respite.

At a clothing store, Gu Xuexuan held up a beautiful dress: “Lin Duo, what do you think of this?”

“It’s lovely!” Lin Duo replied sincerely, “But it’s still quite cold outside, isn’t it?”

“It’s fine! We’re in the south, and the temperature will rise soon. I’ll be able to wear this in two months!” Gu Xuexuan, being a local, was very confident.

Finally, Gu Xuexuan chose two outfits but noticed Lin Duo wasn’t buying anything. “Lin Duo, why don’t you get a few new clothes?”

Lin Duo wished she could, but most of her allowance went to buying medicine and occasional snacks or stationery to alleviate her foster parents’ concerns about her spending. Thus, she left the store empty-handed, with Gu Xuexuan feeling sorry for her: “You’re so pretty, it’s a waste not to dress up!”

Lin Duo could only smile bitterly.

Soon, Gu Xuexuan had a new idea, excitedly suggesting: “Hey, my parents won’t be home this afternoon. Why don’t you come over? Just the two of us!”

“But if I’m late, my parents will worry…”

“Just send them a message! What could happen to two girls?”

Thus, Lin Duo was persuaded to visit Gu Xuexuan’s home again.

This time, Gu Xuexuan led Lin Duo to her bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and pulled out a pink, sleeveless dress: “I’ve always wanted to see you in my clothes and take some photos.”

Lin Duo was curious: “Why? You can take selfies in the mirror!”

“Because you’re so adorable!” Gu Xuexuan playfully pinched Lin Duo’s cheek: “Look at you, such a pretty face and smooth skin. You’d look great in any dress!”

Seeing Lin Duo hesitant, Gu Xuexuan clasped her hands in a pleading gesture: “Please, just for me, wear it once!”

Unable to refuse and tempted by the charming dress, Lin Duo finally nodded, with one condition: “But you have to leave the room. I’m not comfortable changing in front of others.”

“Okay, but hurry up!” Gu Xuexuan reluctantly left the bedroom.

Lin Duo locked the door and drew the curtains before changing. With the central heating, she didn’t have to worry about the temperature. She undressed until she was in just a tank top and underwear, carefully folding her clothes and checking her back in the mirror.

It had been half a year since the last scars from her father’s whip had faded, but some areas still showed slight redness, noticeable only on close inspection. These were her father’s parting gifts.

Lin Duo composed herself and carefully put on the new dress. The hem fell just above her knees, with a cute, wavy edge. She lifted the skirt slightly, admiring her reflection in the mirror. The girl staring back was pure and adorable, like a budding flower. The only flaw was the dress’s low neckline, exposing her flat chest until it slightly rounded at the breasts.

Let’s briefly discuss Lin Duo’s development. Since autumn last year, her growth had significantly slowed, likely due to the seasons. Her height stabilized at 157 cm, with minimal changes to her figure. Her breasts, once promising, had not grown in the past three months, remaining small and causing Lin Duo to worry she might always be flat-chested.

Lin Duo adjusted her hair in the mirror before opening the door. In the living room, Gu Xuexuan was growing impatient but lit up at the sight of Lin Duo’s shy, graceful entrance. She quickly took out her phone, snapping photos from every angle, exclaiming, “So cute!”

After taking the photos, Lin Duo shyly asked: “Can you send these to my phone?”

“Of course! But I need to edit them first.” Gu Xuexuan agreed, her gaze drifting to Lin Duo’s chest. A smirk played on her lips: “You’re perfect, Lin Duo, except for that small chest!”

“Y-you’re the one who’s small!” Lin Duo retorted.

Gu Xuexuan confidently tilted her head: “I’m not small! My breasts have grown a lot this winter. I measured again last week, and I’m an A cup now!”

For a junior high school girl, an A cup was above average.

Noticing Lin Duo’s skeptical stare, Gu Xuexuan explained: “I’m wearing a sweater, so it’s not obvious. Want to feel for yourself?”

“Can I?” Lin Duo swallowed hard, genuinely curious about her peers’ development.

“Of course! We’re both girls, what’s the harm in a little touch?”

With Gu Xuexuan’s permission, Lin Duo hesitantly reached out, her hand trembling slightly as it neared Gu Xuexuan’s chest. Just as her fingers were about to make contact, Gu Xuexuan’s hands shot out, catching Lin Duo off guard, and lightly squeezing her breasts.

Lin Duo’s small, sensitive breasts sent a jolt of electricity through her body, causing an involuntary moan. She quickly stepped back, her face flushed, hands protecting her chest: “You… you cheated!”

Gu Xuexuan grinned mischievously: “I was going to let you touch, but you were so slow, it made me nervous. Besides, Lin Duo, your breasts are quite sensitive!”

Lin Duo’s face was beet red, her mind racing with the unexpected sensation.

“It’s no big deal, we’re both girls! Don’t be so sensitive!” Gu Xuexuan pulled Lin Duo to the soft bed, their hands still intertwined: “By the way, I heard from classmates that the pretty transfer student in Class 2 is dating her desk mate. Is that true?”

“You mean Wang Linshu?” Lin Duo realized and laughed: “I’m just friends with him!”

Gu Xuexuan looked seriously at Lin Duo: “I believe you think of him as a friend. But does he feel the same way?”

“Wang Linshu’s feelings… he’s always been respectful and hasn’t confessed to me. We spend a lot of time together, but it’s just about studying. So, I think he sees me as a friend too.” This was Lin Duo’s reasoning and conclusion.

“Well, maybe. This is a crucial time for exams, and dating now would be self-destructive.” Gu Xuexuan, though slightly behind Lin Duo academically, was also a diligent student: “Oh, I have a really cute little dress. You should try it on!”

About two hours later, Lin Duo returned to the fruit shop. Seeing her, Aunt Wu couldn’t help but ask: “Lin Duo, it’s fine to visit friends, but are you sure they’re girls?”

“Yes, Mom, I wouldn’t lie to you!” Lin Duo hugged her foster mother’s arm, nuzzling her head against her chest, feeling content and loved.

Aunt Wu smiled warmly, her heart filled with affection for her beautiful daughter.