Aromatic Flesh

The dry and cutting northern breeze sent shivers down his spine.

Leaning against the stone mansion’s entrance, Xue XingZe’s arms were crossed, and he nonchalantly ignited a cigarette. The fragrance of tobacco blended with the swirling smoke, but the brisk wind swiftly whisked it away. He fixated on the dancing sparks at the cigarette’s tip and took a deep drag from the filter.

The taste lacked its usual richness, now carrying a faint bitter edge. Tilting his head back, he narrowed his eyes, the pale amber orbs exuding a mix of inexperience and maturity. The porcelain-like pallor of his complexion appeared almost devoid of colour.

“Ah, it’s snowing.”

A delicate snowflake gracefully touched the tip of his nose, sending an icy chill down his spine. Xue XingZe raised his eyes to the sombre grey sky, where a mesmerizing flurry of snowflakes filled the air, dancing and twirling in an enchanting display.

The narrow alleyway lay in tranquil silence, seemingly attuned to the gentle sound of snow falling. The smoke from nearby chimneys mingled with the snowy scene, adding a touch of warmth to the wintry air.

In the midst of the serene atmosphere, the young man couldn’t help but feel a tinge of melancholy, his bitterness extending beyond the taste in his mouth to his very soul. As the snowfall intensified, the world around him became a boundless sea of white, covering even the scattered cigarette butts under its pristine blanket. Xue XingZe took one final drag from the last cigarette in his pocket, his breath mingling with the wisps of smoke.

Despite the biting cold and the numbing sensation in his feet, he remained rooted to the spot, unwilling to seek shelter inside the mansion.

Emerging from the end of the narrow alleyway, a young girl, perhaps sixteen or seventeen years old, came into view. As she approached, her attire became apparent – a black nylon jacket adorned with a furry collar and glossy black leather shoes with buckled straps. She clutched an oil-paper umbrella, attempting to shield herself from the biting wind.

Despite her efforts, the frail oil-paper umbrella offered little protection against the relentless wind and snow. Countless snowflakes cascaded onto her head and face, and tiny ice crystals adorned her ear-length short hair, turning her fair cheeks and nose a vibrant shade of red.

Strolling with her head bowed, she lamented about the weather and expressed her displeasure with her school’s class schedule. Her face, round and puffed up with frustration, drew a soft chuckle from Xue XingZe.

“Huh?” The girl with the round face suddenly halted, her eyes widening in surprise as she fixated on Xue XingZe, as if discovering something extraordinary. Amused by her reaction, Xue XingZe cleared his throat and spoke in a deep voice, “Where did this little miss come from, unabashedly staring at a man1?”

The girl glanced at him, unimpressed by his comment, and retorted, “Who are you to call me a little miss? I’m no kid, and who knows, I might even be older than you.”

She examined Xue XingZe’s attire beneath the snow, noting his military uniform, before advising with a serious tone, “Youthful fervour is admirable, but remember to take care of yourself; carrying the weight of family and country is no small burden”

Her words were a curious mix of wisdom and youthful innocence.

And her serious demeanour contrasted with her round face, creating an amusing sight that made Xue XingZe laugh once more.

“So, why were you staring at me just now?”

Her response was unapologetic and straightforward, “I was observing who the clueless fool was, standing out here in the freezing snow, instead of seeking warmth indoors.”

“And do you think I’m still acting foolish now?” Xue XingZe inquired with a playful grin.

The girl nodded with a smirk and continued on her way, holding the umbrella high. “If someone’s brain is functioning properly, they wouldn’t be freezing like an ice sculpture in this heavy snow, let alone striking up a conversation with a stranger.” She mumbled as she walked away.

As her curiosity got the best of her, she couldn’t resist turning around to take another look. To her surprise, the spot where the young man had stood just moments ago was now vacant, marked only by his deep footprints imprinted in the fresh snow.

“What a weird fellow. Brr! It’s freezing out here! I should hurry back home.”

Having exchanged words with the girl2, Xue XingZe’s spirits had noticeably lifted. He brushed off the implication of being strange and merrily flicked off the snow from his attire as he made his way back inside the house.

Though he was reluctant to share a roof with Qian Yunsheng, Xue XingZe suppressed his discontent and reluctantly settled into the adjacent room, all for the sake of being closer to Gu Mingyue. Upon entering, he nonchalantly tossed his military cap, coat, and cloak onto the desk before pouring himself a soothing cup of tea.

While warming his hands and feet by the crackling fireplace, he couldn’t help but mull over Qian Yunsheng’s earlier words, carefully contemplating their meaning.

At first, a sea of grievances and frustration swirled in his mind, but soon a heavy sense of melancholy engulfed him, leaving him lost in thought.

Enjoy~

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