Chapter 44: A Warm Grip on the Cable Car

Lu Shi hadn’t expected Shen Zheming to agree to the shoot. When the cameraman set up the camera and adjusted the angle, ready to start, he finally snapped out of it.

The resort had a narrow path with beautiful snow scenery. The editor told them to walk with their backs to the camera, just like they were taking a casual stroll.

Since the camera wouldn’t capture their faces, Lu Shi cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “Brother Shen, if this promo video causes any negative buzz online, I’m not taking responsibility.”

Shen Zheming hummed in acknowledgment, looking utterly indifferent.

The editor and the cameraman crowded together, watching the footage on the monitor.

Maybe because he knew the camera was behind him, Lu Shi’s walk became a little stiff. He lacked the casualness from before; it looked more like he was completing a task than enjoying himself.

Snow piled up on both sides of the path, squeezing the already narrow space even tighter.

Lu Shi was carefully choosing his next step when his shoulder accidentally bumped into Shen Zheming’s.

The footprints in the snow skewed.

Shen Zheming instinctively reached out and hooked his fingers around Lu Shi’s, pulling him back.

It was freezing, and neither of their hands was warm.

But the moment they touched, Lu Shi felt a strange heat rise on his skin. The warmth seeped into his flesh, making his fingers twitch.

“You have to admit, the editor really knows what they’re doing. Sharp eye. Those two actually look pretty good walking together,” one of Yu Xi’s friends commented.

Ding Wei had something to say. “Why not me and Brother Lu? I think we could have filmed a ‘bros on a resort getaway’ video too.”

A gaze landed on him, sweeping him from head to toe.

Yu Xi teased, “Brother Lu and Brother Shen’s faces can handle an unfiltered HD camera. Are you sure you can? What if netizens notice the background moving?”

The editor had thought the video would be unusable. But Shen Zheming’s move to pull Lu Shi back broke his stiffness, making the whole scene come alive.

Winter nights come early. After a few more shots and two location changes, the resort’s lights came on.

The final scene was at a ski slope next to the resort.

“Sorry to trouble you two to take the cable car up. After this last shot, we’re done for the day. As a thank-you for your cooperation, the resort will cover dinner for you and your friends tonight.”

Everyone had dropped their luggage in their rooms and followed along, enjoying the resort scenery and listening to the promo team recommend fun activities.

Hearing that dinner was on the house, a few of them cheered and howled like wild animals.

“Go, Brother Lu and Brother Shen! We’re counting on you!”

“Whether the birthday boy saves money all depends on this!”

“Yu Xi’s wallet is here to support!”

Lu Shi tugged at the corner of his mouth helplessly and said to Shen Zheming, “Let’s go. A bunch of kids are waiting to be fed at home.”

Shen Zheming was used to Lu Shi’s loose tongue, but hearing that, his gaze faltered. With a complicated look, he watched Lu Shi step onto the wobbly cable car.

This cable car was meant to transport tourists wearing skis uphill. From below, it didn’t look all that high.

But once they were actually up there, with the night wind and only a flimsy seat and a bar, Lu Shi swallowed hard and felt nervous.

It felt like the chair tilted slightly toward whichever side was heavier.

Shen Zheming had practiced skiing before and held a professional ski license. He could speed through the country’s most difficult slopes. So this little wobble and height meant nothing to him. He sat there completely unfazed.

He glanced sideways and saw Lu Shi gripping the side railing tightly. The cold metal had turned his palm red and his knuckles purplish-gray.

Even though his hand was freezing and stiff, he wouldn’t let go.

Lu Shi’s focus was entirely on the cable car. Shen Zheming’s voice came from beside him.

“Afraid of heights?”

Lu Shi’s face was tense, lips pressed tight. His voice mixed with the wind: “It’s okay. The height is secondary. Don’t you think this cable car’s safety measures are lacking?”

Not every death came with a chance to respawn. He valued his life and didn’t want an accident.

Shen Zheming: “Yeah, we can give them feedback when we get down.”

Shen Zheming quietly watched him for a few seconds, seeing that he had no intention of letting go of the cold railing.

He added, “But I’m a little afraid of heights.”

If Lu Shi had turned to look, he would have noticed that Shen Zheming’s words were utterly unconvincing.

Who was afraid of heights and sat leaning back on the chair, relaxed, not holding onto anything?

But Lu Shi had no time to question the truth. “Then, then hold on to me. If we really slide off, I’ll be holding the cable car. Just don’t grab my pants, the camera is filming behind us.”

Such an honest and simple request.

Lu Shi felt the person next to him’s chest tremble.

Shen Zheming chuckled, lowered his head, and leaned closer.

He didn’t grab Lu Shi’s arm or his clothes. Instead, he wrapped his arm around from behind.

The back of Lu Shi’s hand, which was gripping the cold railing and bearing everything, suddenly felt warm.

A warm palm that had been kept in a pocket until now covered his hand, gripping the railing together with his. Just like when he had held his hand to write.

Lu Shi froze instantly.

Warmth flowed continuously from the palm into his hand.

Shen Zheming’s voice was low, his breath right by Lu Shi’s ear. In his peripheral vision, Lu Shi could see the faint white mist of his breath.

“This is safer.”

The editor on the cable car behind them wished they could dive into the camera lens. The cameraman held the camera steady, not daring to shake, afraid of missing such a sensational scene.

Shen Zheming’s hand was large enough to completely envelop Lu Shi’s fingers. The grip made Lu Shi’s chest tighten inexplicably, and his breathing slowed.

The deep blue sky, the golden lights, each hot spring snow cabin donned a thick white coat, quietly standing at the bottom of the slope. This was the blue hour unique to the ice resort.

Lu Shi pressed his lips tighter. Realizing the whole scene was being filmed, his back inexplicably grew hot.

But he didn’t dare move.

Actually, Shen Zheming’s grip made him feel very safe. For a moment, he didn’t know who needed whom.

When the cable car finally reached the top, they all got off and walked down a path beside the ski slope.

Ding Wei, with snow on his head, said, “Holy shit, you two were filming a romantic drama up there while we were shooting an action movie down here.”

They hadn’t just waited around idly. They had a long snowball fight outside the ski area.

Some had fogged-up glasses, others had snow down their collars, and a couple looked like they had just crawled out of a snowdrift.

“Thank you for your cooperation!”

The promo team was thrilled with the footage. They happily wrapped up, bowing repeatedly.

The sky darkened. Finally, everyone went back indoors.

Yu Xi had booked several snow-view cabins connected by glass corridors. Everyone gathered in one of them. The table was already covered with gifts and a cake.

Ding Wei brushed the snow off his head at the door. Looking up, his gaze paused.

“Brother Lu, are you hot?”

Lu Shi, who had almost wrapped himself up like a dumpling, turned around. “Do I look hot to you?”

Ding Wei: “Then why are your ears so red?”

“Are they?” Lu Shi hadn’t even noticed. He rubbed his ears.

Thinking about how Shen Zheming had held his hand for so long on the cable car, his expression turned awkward. His voice came out muffled: “Probably from the wind.”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

How can I, the Holy Son, marry someone?

BattleFemale ProtagonistMarriage

Read Now →
Not interested