Chapter 34: The First Snow, the Promise, and Forever

Time was a strange thing.

When Gu Qiuhang was around, it seemed to pass incredibly quickly. When he was away, it crawled by painfully slowly.

He Ting often wished it could be the other way around, so he could have a little more time with Gu Qiuhang.

In truth, he knew nothing had changed. The only thing that had changed was his heart.

Gu Qiuhang was always so busy. He lacked nothing. For a very long time, the only things missing from his life had been time and love.

Now, He Ting had given him all the love he had. The only thing he still lacked was time.

He Ting’s eighteenth birthday arrived right on schedule.

By coincidence, just as it had eighteen years ago, it snowed heavily that day.

The life he had carried and continued had risen and fallen, and in the end, it had led him onto the path he had always longed for.

It was the same snowy weather, yet cold and warmth, despair and happiness, stood in stark opposition across the span of eighteen years.

Gu Qiuhang had taken the day off specially for him.

Together they built a snowman in the garden despite the falling snow, giving it big eyes and a bright red nose. It tilted its face upward proudly, looking as happy as they felt.

They had a snowball fight too. In the middle of it, while they were enthusiastically pelting each other with snow, Gu Qiuhang tackled He Ting into the snow and kissed him over and over again.

He Ting lay on the ground, warmed by Gu Qiuhang’s body while cold snow lay beneath him. Great flakes drifted straight down from the sky, landing in his hair, on his brows, and across his cheeks. A few even melted into his eyes.

The chill made his eyes water, as though he had been overwhelmed by emotion.

Gu Qiuhang had shed his usual calm composure and was playing like a carefree child. His face was lit up with bright, unrestrained smiles that dazzled He Ting.

He had never imagined snow could be so much fun.

After the age of five, every snowfall had brought him only coldness.

But every snowfall this year was filled with love.

Like two children who had lost their childhoods, they desperately wanted to make up for everything they had missed.

And so they found endless ways to play in the snow.

Gu Qiuhang gave Aunt Zhou the day off and cooked lunch himself. After countless failed attempts, he had finally managed to make a successful batch of dough, which he used to cook a bowl of longevity noodles for He Ting.

He had been nervous, worried that they might not taste very good. But because they were “longevity noodles,” he had been determined to persuade He Ting to finish them.

So at the last minute he bought a pile of strongly flavored side dishes and, rather incongruously, opened a bottle of red wine.

It was the first time Gu Qiuhang had ever cooked.

To his surprise, the noodles turned out delicious.

He Ting ate every bite, finishing not only the noodles but every drop of the broth.

Gu Qiuhang’s eyes curved with delight.

As a reward, he pinned He Ting against the dining table and kissed him for a long time.

They were moving around so much that they accidentally knocked the wine bottle to the floor.

A bottle of valuable Petrus shattered into pieces.

The crisp sound of breaking glass startled He Ting.

He instinctively tried to get up and look, but Gu Qiuhang held him down so firmly that he couldn’t move.

The scent of wine spread through the air, soaking into their clothes, into their skin, into their very breaths, until it felt intoxicating.

The day flowed by like water, peaceful and gentle, without dramatic highs or lows, yet filled with happiness.

Just like every ordinary day they had spent together, simply being with each other was enough.

That evening, Gu Qiuhang mysteriously took him to a country-estate-style restaurant in the suburbs.

He claimed he had a very mysterious gift for him.

Halfway through dinner, Gu Qiuhang went up to the piano and played one of Chopin’s nocturnes.

He had learned piano as a child, though not for very long. His real passion had always been painting.

Even so, he played the piece smoothly and beautifully.

He Ting thought he must have secretly practiced for a long time.

Several tables separated them, but throughout the performance, Gu Qiuhang never looked at anyone except He Ting.

The love and joy in his eyes made him look like a handsome prince.

Quite a few diners followed his gaze toward He Ting, smiling warmly and offering silent blessings.

He Ting felt shy.

He lifted his wineglass to hide half his face and looked at Gu Qiuhang over the rim.

His gaze met Gu Qiuhang’s with equal warmth and intensity.

Their eyes entwined with each other’s, and in that moment, their world contained no one else.

When Gu Qiuhang came down from the piano, he was carrying a small flat box.

He walked to He Ting’s side and opened it with a soft click.

Inside lay a pair of men’s rings.

Perhaps because He Ting was still a student, the rings were simple polished bands without elaborate designs.

On the inside of each ring was engraved the other’s name.

He Ting froze.

Everything felt dreamlike and unreal.

Smiling gently, Gu Qiuhang took his hand and kissed the back of it softly.

Then he picked up the smaller ring and slid it onto He Ting’s ring finger.

He seemed a little embarrassed as he smiled and said, “Graduation is still too far away. I wanted to reserve you first. They say that if you put a ring on someone, they’ll never be able to run away.”

He looked at him quietly, then lowered his head and reverently kissed the corner of his lips.

He Ting’s face burned red.

He could hear soft laughter around them, full of kindness.

Even though he was terribly embarrassed, he still looked up and met Gu Qiuhang’s eyes.

Awkwardly imitating what Gu Qiuhang had done, he kissed the back of Gu Qiuhang’s hand, thinking that was simply part of the ceremony.

Then he took the larger ring and slipped it onto Gu Qiuhang’s finger.

Both rings fit perfectly.

They clasped their hands together, the two bands resting against each other, rubbing gently, carrying a quiet, mutual happiness.

After they sat back down, He Ting leaned over and whispered shyly, “Was this the mysterious gift you were talking about?”

Gu Qiuhang smiled to himself, looking mysterious and just a little mischievous.

“No.”

He Ting stared at him.

He couldn’t imagine a greater surprise or a better gift than this.

Looking at Gu Qiuhang, he asked a little anxiously, “There’s more? Gu Qiuhang, aren’t we being too extravagant?”

Gu Qiuhang only smiled and took a sip of wine.

He Ting continued, “If you spoil me too much, I’m afraid I’ll become greedy.”

Gu Qiuhang’s smile deepened.

“I wish you’d become greedier.”

He Ting didn’t quite understand.

He looked at him with wide, innocent eyes.

A faint flush colored his cheeks from the wine.

Watching him, Gu Qiuhang felt his heart melt.

He lifted his fork slightly and said in a low, teasing voice, “I booked a room upstairs. The biggest gift tonight is me. I’m giving myself to you. Do you like it?”

He Ting’s face instantly turned bright red.

In a daze, he absentmindedly raised his empty fork to his mouth and pretended to take a bite.

Gu Qiuhang struggled not to laugh.

He cut the steak into neat pieces for him, the smile in his eyes so full it was almost overflowing.

Then, with deliberate mischief, he added, “Eat a little more. I’m afraid you won’t have enough strength tonight.”

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