I Saw You in the Wind and Snow, Drowning in a Single Glance

Wan Qingyun, who had been fast asleep, suddenly felt something heavy land on her and jolted awake.

She propped herself up halfway and reached out to feel.

From the touch, it was definitely Jiang Junyi.

"Junyi? Junyi?"

She called softly, but there was no response.

"He must be too tired..."

Wan Qingyun groped until she touched Jiang Junyi's smooth hair, checking that his heart was still beating.

Only after confirming he hadn't dropped dead did she breathe a slight sigh of relief.

She adjusted her position, gently placing Jiang Junyi's body on the sofa before sitting up.

Unable to stand, she couldn't move him, so she settled him onto her lap.

"You're lucky..." Wan Qingyun murmured softly, stroking his hair.

Time passed slowly, and she found herself enjoying this peaceful, quiet moment.

Then, a thought gradually rose in her mind—what did he look like?

Though she couldn't see now, she could use her hands to feel and picture Jiang Junyi's face in her mind.

The idea lingered, nagging at her, making her heart itch.

For two people who had grown fond of each other, it was hard to resist doing something in a situation like this.

"Just this once... while he's still asleep..." Wan Qingyun whispered to steel herself.

Then, her left hand covered Jiang Junyi's cheek, carefully tracing its contours.

Mm... not plump, and his skin was quite nice.

Her fingertips slid down to his nose bridge.

Oh, it was rather high and straight.

Moving upward, she touched his brow and eyes.

Wan Qingyun softened her touch, afraid that too much force might hurt him.

She felt his sharp, sword-like brows and well-proportioned eyes.

A face with sword brows and starry eyes, as fair as jade, took shape in her mind.

"So you're this handsome..." she murmured.

Though it was just a rough sketch, she could imagine that Jiang Junyi must be stunning.

The kind who could charm anyone.

"But... why are you so good to me?"

She gently caressed his cheek, lifting her gaze to stare blankly into the distance.

This question had been weighing on her heart. It wasn't that she didn't want to ask—it was that she didn't dare.

She feared hearing an answer she didn't want, feared that these days of feeling were all an illusion.

Especially now, in this situation, she was torn.

She had truly fallen for him, but she wasn't sure why Jiang Junyi did what he did.

Did he really like her? Wasn't he after something else?

Wan Qingyun didn't know, yet she wanted to find out.

If she had never been moved, never grown fond of this man before her, then none of it would matter.

You use me, I use you.

But now, she wanted to truly possess all of this.

"Mm..."

Just as Wan Qingyun's thoughts were in turmoil, Jiang Junyi on her lap made a sound and slowly woke up.

She hurriedly tried to pull her hand back, but his large hand caught it firmly. "Don't take it away. Let me feel it a little longer."

Wan Qingyun relaxed, slowly placing her hand back on his cheek, gently rubbing it.

Jiang Junyi held her hand, nuzzling it slightly. The soft touch of her fingertips and the pleasant scent of Wan Qingyun made him reluctant to let go.

"Ah... I like you so much, Wan Qingyun." He murmured his true feelings as he rubbed her slender hand.

Jiang Junyi rarely, almost never, called her by her full name. It was always some cheesy pet name or the usual affectionate "Qingyun."

But this time, the use of her full name made her heart tremble.

In those three words, Wan Qingyun heard the overflowing emotion in Jiang Junyi's voice.

She leaned down, her long black hair falling over his face, her voice trembling slightly with anticipation: "Jiang Junyi, why are you so good to me?"

Jiang Junyi tilted his head, looking up at her cool, delicate face, breathing in the faint fragrance of her hair.

He reached out, brushed through her dark hair, and cupped Wan Qingyun's cheek, gently stroking it.

Jiang Junyi knew that Wan Qingyun had surely been moved. Now, she needed a firm and resolute answer to dispel all the shadows in her heart.

"Love begins without knowing where it starts, and only deepens with time."

"At first, I just wanted to fulfill the promise Grandfather made back then—until I saw you."

"I admit there was a spark of attraction at first sight, but the restlessness in my heart can't be faked."

Jiang Junyi took Wan Qingyun's hand and placed it over his own heart.

"You are strong, brave—like a lotus blooming atop a snowy peak."

"I saw you in the wind and snow, and in that single glance, I drowned."

The fervent, sincere emotions poured out without restraint through his words.

Thump!

Thump!

Their two heartbeats, at this moment, overlapped.

What drove them was no longer blood, but a surging tide of love.

Wan Qingyun let out a soft laugh and slowly lowered her head.

This is the answer I wanted.

Jiang Junyi caressed Wan Qingyun's cheek and closed his eyes...

"Young Master, the ingredients you wanted, I..." Uncle Wu burst in abruptly, caught sight of the scene, and spun around nimbly. "I! Haven't bought them yet!"

Jiang Junyi's eyes snapped open, and Wan Qingyun instantly straightened up, frantically smoothing her hair to hide her embarrassment.

He stood up in silence, then twisted his head sharply toward the door. Waves of dark, oppressive aura radiated from Jiang Junyi. "Uncle Wu..."

In that moment, Jiang Junyi was like a creature from a horror novel, his eyes glowing red as he glared viciously at Uncle Wu.

He staggered toward Uncle Wu, grabbing the door as he went.

Uncle Wu immediately bent into a 180-degree bow, his head nearly touching his shoes. "Young Master! Truly! I'm so sorry!"

"Aaaah! Uncle Wu! Do you have any idea what you just made me miss!"

"You can't atone for this even with death!!"

"Aaah!"

Jiang Junyi clenched his fists, flailing and twisting wildly in the empty space.

He felt like he was grinding his teeth to dust!

So close! So damn close!

He had already felt Wan Qingyun's warm breath, her sweet scent!

After venting, Jiang Junyi instantly deflated, squatting on the ground and drawing circles. "So close... so close..."

"Young Master, I've failed you!" Uncle Wu remained in his 180-degree bow, even pulling out a handkerchief to frantically wipe his sweat.

This... this... really ruined everything!

How could this damn novel trope happen to me!

Uncle Wu, who had always despised such clichéd scenes, never expected that he himself would become that damnable point.

"Ah, forget it... there'll be other chances..."

Jiang Junyi stood up and waved his hand weakly.

As he passed Uncle Wu, he suddenly turned his head, his gaze extremely dangerous. "Next time, remember to peek first!"

"Yes!!!"

Jiang Junyi shook his head, took the ingredients from Uncle Wu, and listlessly pushed open the door to walk toward Wan Qingyun.

By now, Wan Qingyun had naturally heard the commotion Jiang Junyi made outside, as well as Uncle Wu's loud, remorseful apology.

She covered her mouth with a smile and called out, "Jiang Junyi."

"Hm?"

"Come here for a moment."