A peach blossom petal drifted down and landed on Mingxi's head. He looked down at the hopping rabbit on the ground, then at the perfectly intact carrot in his hand, and glanced towards Ling Cang. Luckily, he didn't notice.
He quickly shoved the carrot into the rabbit's mouth. "Eat up, Xiao Bai."
He looked around the yard, amazed. Clearly, it was the harsh winter outside, but inside the courtyard, the peach blossoms were in full bloom.
When the blossoms fall, will we get to eat peaches?
Outside the courtyard wall, snow still clung to the tree branches, some of which extended into the yard, sparkling.
Mingxi couldn't resist running over. He stood under the branch, looking up with curiosity-filled eyes, as if waiting for the snow on it to fall.
Inside the house, Ling Cang stood by the window, watching the curiously running figure in the yard now standing quietly under the branch that reached inside, seemingly waiting for the snow to fall.
Ling Cang's finger twitched slightly. The still branch began to sway left and right, and the snow on it *whooshed* down.
It landed right on Mingxi's neck, the cold making him shiver. He immediately reached inside his collar to fish it out.
The more he fished, the deeper the snow seemed to go. He looked up and saw Ling Cang standing by the door. He scampered over, pointing at his neck.
"Ling Cang, help me! The snow went inside!" Without waiting for agreement, he presented his neck.
Ling Cang looked at the fair neck Mingxi offered, his gaze deeply captivated.
"Ling Cang, hurry up! It's so cold!"
Only then did he slowly raise his hand, brush Mingxi's ink-black hair from his neck to the front, reach into his collar, and feel along his smooth back for the snowball.
"Is it out yet?" Mingxi asked, tickled by his touch.
Only after feeling enough did Ling Cang retrieve the snowball, simultaneously using a spell to dry his damp clothes.
"Done." He placed the small piece of ice crystal in Mingxi's hand.
"Wow." Mingxi weighed it in his palm, exclaiming in wonder.
Then he tugged at Ling Cang's sleeve. "Ling Cang, how about we go outside to see the snow?"
Right outside the courtyard gate was the icy, snowy world. When he was little, his father had carried him up the mountain on a snowy day to trap wild rabbits. But after growing up and staying in the capital, he had never again had the chance to frolic freely on a mountain. Remembering it now, he really wanted to go see.
Ling Cang looked at the smiling person before him, his eyes carrying a request.
He turned and went into the house. Mingxi followed. "Can we? Please?"
"The mountains are sealed by heavy snow. How would you get in?" Ling Cang ruthlessly shattered his fantasy of going deep into the mountains. Although he could take him, he suddenly didn't feel like it.
Upon hearing this, Mingxi's head drooped instantly.
"However, you can play right outside the courtyard gate," Ling Cang's voice came.
Mingxi nodded repeatedly. "Mmm, mmm, mmm."
When they went out, Ling Cang draped a mink fur cloak over him, tying it securely before letting him out.
The moment the courtyard gate opened, a wave of cold air hit them. The accumulated snow outside rustled towards them, threatening to bury them. Just as it was about to, Ling Cang reached out and pulled Mingxi into his arms by the waist.
The snow instantly surged in. Looking at the depth, it could submerge a person's calves.
"Ling Cang, put me down," Mingxi said, clutching Ling Cang's arm and looking up at him.
Ling Cang set him down by the gate. The moment Mingxi's feet touched the ground, he ran over, squatted down to play with the snow. Xiao Bai also hopped around, frolicking in the snow.
Mingxi excitedly scooped up a handful of snow, firmly packed it into a snowball, and threw it into the distance. Xiao Bai hopped after the snowball, leaving a trail of tiny footprints.
A pure, innocent smile spread across his face, as if this vast, icy world was his happiest playground.
Ling Cang stood quietly to the side, watching Mingxi play with childlike carefree joy, a touch of tenderness unconsciously appearing in his eyes.
He stood upright, watching Mingxi. The cold wind lifted the hem of his robes, the ribbon tying his hair fluttering in the wind. Exceptionally handsome, truly a gentleman like fine jade.
Mingxi made several snowballs and suddenly threw one at Ling Cang. The snowball exploded against the hem of Ling Cang's robe, spraying snow everywhere.
Mingxi grinned at him. "Ling Cang, play with me!"
He stood there provoking Ling Cang with his gaze. Xiao Bai beside him perked up its ears, looking at Ling Cang as if forming the best partnership with Mingxi.
Ling Cang raised an eyebrow slightly, then the corners of his mouth lifted. His finger twitched, and a clump of snow instantly appeared in his hand. He kneaded it into a snowball and threw it at Mingxi. It missed, landing beside him.
The corners of Mingxi's mouth lifted. His captivating eyes brimmed with laughter.
"Hehe, missed me!"
For a while, snowballs flew back and forth between them, the sound of laughter echoing at the courtyard gate.
Tired from playing, Mingxi simply lay down in the snow, breathing heavily, watching the snowflakes drifting down leisurely from the sky, his heart full of joy.
It had been so long since he had played in the snow so heartily. When he was little, he'd caught a cold from playing in the snow, so Father and Dad had restricted him, not letting him play for too long.
Ling Cang walked to his side, squatted down, and gently brushed away the snowflakes that had landed on Mingxi's face.
"Get up now. Don't catch a cold." His voice held a trace of concern.
Mingxi stared blankly at Ling Cang. This man's eyes smiled, his star-like pupils reflecting his own image, as if he was the only one in the world worthy of his gaze. A few strands of his hair were blown by the wind, lightly brushing against Mingxi's cheek, bringing a tingling sensation.
"Ling Cang." Mingxi stared into his eyes and called.
"Mmm." Ling Cang squatted, looking at the figure lying in the snow.
"You're really good-looking," Mingxi said, seemingly completely captivated by Ling Cang, his eyes fixed on the other's face, speaking dazedly.
"What? Stunned silly?" Ling Cang said teasingly, but his tone was full of tenderness.
Only then did Mingxi snap out of it, his cheeks flushing. "N-no, I wasn't."
The smile on Ling Cang's lips deepened. "Then get up quickly." As he spoke, he reached out a hand to Mingxi.
Mingxi hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand in Ling Cang's. With a slight pull, Ling Cang helped him up.
Just as he steadied himself, Mingxi felt his foot slip, and he pitched forward. Ling Cang, quick-eyed and deft-handed, caught him in his arms.
"Careful."
Ling Cang's voice sounded by Mingxi's ear. The warm breath made Mingxi's ears instantly turn red.
Mingxi didn't dare look up, his heart pounding like a drum, hoping Ling Cang hadn't noticed his strange state.
"Steady now."
Ling Cang let go. Only then did Mingxi, as if waking from a dream, take a few steps back.
"I... I'll go check on Xiao Bai."
Having said that, Mingxi turned and ran towards Xiao Bai, trying to cover up his fluster.
Ling Cang watched his retreating figure, the smile still not fading from his lips, his eyes holding a doting fondness even he himself hadn't noticed.
Mingxi held Xiao Bai and played in the snow for a while longer, stubbornly refusing to go inside. Ling Cang had no choice but to forcibly drag him in by the waist. His arm clamped around Mingxi, who held Xiao Bai in his arms. They waded through the snow, entered the yard, and closed the gate.
Mingxi was sweating profusely, his face flushed. His hands were too cold, so he secretly slipped them into Ling Cang's sleeves, pressing against his wrists for warmth.
Ling Cang glanced at him. He didn't put him down even in the yard, directly carrying him into the house and placing him on the soft couch. Standing firmly, he took Mingxi's hands in his own, openly and unashamedly breathing warm air onto them and rubbing them.
Comments
Post a Comment