CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102: PLAYING IN THE SNOW

The snow is getting heavier, continuing the ceremony amidst the swirling snowflakes.

The layers of overlapping snow sometimes obscure the lens, but make the ceremony seem even more sacred.

The camera pans to two familiar figures, and the Queen’s voice is solemn yet calm, passionately commending the beastmen for their outstanding contributions. Despite the storm, they stand like tall pines, firm and steadfast.

A warm kiss suddenly lands on Ruan Li’s cheek.

"Ruannuan, I love you."

Ruan Li hears Xi Han’s confession and skillfully pecks his cheek.

Bai He hands Ruan Li a cup of hot tea, with a gentle smile, "It’s the first snow of the year. Once it stops snowing, shall we go out and play?"

Ruan Li takes a sip of the fragrant tea and nods, "Yes, we can build more snowmen in the yard."

She bows her head and massages the small fox, "Xu Mo must recover quickly before the end of the year."

The little fox lets out a howl, as if responding to her.

In the afternoon, the wind and snow paused, and the yard is clad in silver; looking out through the floor-to-ceiling window, there’s an expanse of white everywhere.

Ruan Li equips herself fully, even dresses the little fox in a cotton coat.

"This should keep him warm."

She prepares to step out of the warm doorway when Bai He calls her, "Wait, put two heating pads on your tummy to stay warm; it’s minus seven or eight degrees outside now."

Ruan Li is bundled up like a dumpling, with layers upon layers, obediently standing in place as Bai He attaches the heating pads to her down coat.

The winter here is especially cold; even colder after it snows, but it’s not yet the coldest time.

By January, the temperature can drop to minus thirty to forty.

Ruan Li now takes advantage of being able to run outside, unwilling to miss the first snow of the year.

Bai He secures her clothes and is relieved, reminding her, "Walk slowly, otherwise you’ll fall."

Xi Han is wearing only a slightly thicker shirt; being a water species, he can endure the cold.

Bai He wears more, as a crane is a warm-temperate creature.

Xu Mo seems to be a temperate fox; even now in winter, his fur is so thick that Ruan Li buries her face in it and finds it hard to breathe. For health reasons, Ruan Li thoughtfully dressed the small fox in a coat.

As soon as the door opens, the knife-like wind blows into the room. Ruan Li shuts her eyes in the cold wind and shivers as she steps outside, thinking she must enjoy the snow since she’s come out.

The snow in the yard reaches her knees, each step sinking into a deep pit.

Bai He, worried, calls from behind, "Ruannuan, if you’re feeling cold, come back inside to warm up."

Ruan Li responds that she’s not cold and steps further outside.

The large pool in the yard has already frozen over, with a thick layer of snow covering the ice; the whole world seems covered by snow.

Xi Han follows her, "Want to play on the ice?"

He asks and then leads Ruan Li towards the pool surface; Ruan Li is still worried that the ice on the pool might suddenly crack, "Xi Han, slow down."

The little fox has just stepped onto the snowfield, the soft snow crunching and freezing his paw pads painfully. Fortunately, he adapts after staying in the cold for a while.

The red figure hops around in the snow pit, sometimes disappearing in the thick snow layer.

Zhe Ye and Shi Jue return, hearing the laughter and cheers in the yard even before entering the house.

"Good, Xi Han, you dare throw a snowball at me! Don’t you move!"

The petite female voice comes from far away as a small snowball flies toward the entrance.

Shi Jue turns slightly, dodging the snowball.

Seeing them return, Ruan Li greets them with a smile to join the snowball fight.

Zhe Ye sees her face flushed red from the cold and helplessly leads her into the house.

The yard has several big and small snowmen, most of them looking quite odd; it seems this family isn’t very artistically inclined.

The sky darkens, and Ruan Li reluctantly finishes a bowl of ginger soup, driving away the cold in her body. Shi Jue holds her cold feet against his belly, puzzled why the room heating doesn’t warm the petite female’s feet.

Ruan Li lazily leans against Shi Jue, idly asking about the commendation ceremony.

Shi Jue wraps her up in his arms, "It’s getting late; let’s go back to the room to rest."

Ruan Li lightly kicks his abdomen, looking up at him, "Tonight, you’re not allowed to do anything."

Shi Jue catches the foot rubbing against the warm spot, his emerald eyes spark with humor, "Of course, won’t do anything."

Ruan Li purrs, letting him carry her upstairs.

She played to exhaustion today; Shi Jue is strong but lacks skill, plus she doesn’t want to move in winter.

Shi Jue prepares the hot water, then carries her into the bathroom.

Ruan Li squeezes his shoulder muscles, hard and hot as if burning, which is why she likes to be close to Shi Jue in winter.

Who could refuse a heater in the cold winter?

Ruan Li enters the bathroom and promptly shoos him out, showing no mercy despite Shi Jue’s pitiful gaze not swaying her one bit.

After the bath, Ruan Li slides into bed, followed shortly by Shi Jue, who wraps her in his warm embrace.

Ruan Li narrows her eyes, nestling into his chest.

Shi Jue holds her; his breath is a bit heavy but remembers his promise to the petite female not to do anything, "Ruannuan, when is your birthday?"

Ruan Li hesitates, beginning to recall carefully, finally giving a vague answer, "Before the new year, I guess."

"So there’s only about ten days left?"

"Not that one, in January." After all, there’s no lunar calendar concept here.

Shi Jue makes two sounds of acknowledgment and asks what gift she wants.

Ruan Li hasn’t thought, her thoughts interrupted by the little lion, she bites her lip and laughs, "Shi Jue, tuck that metal thing of yours away."

Shi Jue mumbles a couple of times, speaking softly, "No worries, Ruannuan, just pretend it doesn’t exist."

Ruan Li purrs, knowing well Shi Jue’s obedience, so she says nothing more, just feeling uncomfortable and shifts slightly. Shi Jue, like a sticky puppy, sticks close too.

After playing most of the day, Ruan Li soon falls asleep.

Outside, the cold wind howls, yet cannot invade the warmth within the bed.

The clock of Interstellar 3387 rings, marking the New Year’s beginning as Ruan Li’s family and Bai Ci celebrate New Year’s Eve in the living room.

The TV broadcasts the New Year’s Eve gala, with snacks, grilled skewers, and drinks spread across the dining table.

Ruan Li drinks a bit of alcohol; she’s better at holding her drink now, only slightly tipsy.

Zhe Ye gently calls to the absent-minded Ruan Li.

"Hmm... huh...?" Ruan Li slowly turns her head toward Zhe Ye.

"Did you get drunk?" Zhe Ye waves a hand before her eyes.

"No, I’m really not drunk this time." Ruan Li speaks slowly, taking several seconds, her face tinged with light pink, her clear brown eyes sparkling with a moist, dewy shine.