Chapter 21

After the roads were blocked by snow, they remained trapped in the northern suburbs for an entire month. 

The villa had very few entertainment options, and being stuck in one space for so long could drive anyone crazy. But during that month, Lin Yuxi never once felt bored. 

Zhou Yanjing treated her so well that it could only be described as indulgent beyond belief. 

It’s hard to imagine, even for people like Shi Tang, that the pampered young master Zhou Yanjing would ever personally care for a woman. 

He was attentive to every detail, taking care of her in every way. 

Lin Yuxi wasn’t much of a cook, so Zhou Yanjing took over preparing all three meals each day. This man, who had never lifted a finger in the kitchen before, suddenly started learning various dishes just for her. 

In the mornings, when Lin Yuxi couldn’t get out of bed, he would bring breakfast to the bedroom and feed her. 

If she felt thirsty in the middle of the night, all she had to do was call his name. 

When they played in the snow and Lin Yuxi’s hands turned red from the cold, Zhou Yanjing would tuck her hands inside his clothes to warm them. 

Sometimes, when she was too tired, he would carry her to the bathroom for a bath, then dry her off and carry her back to bed. 

During that period, Lin Yuxi felt completely taken care of, almost as if she had become incapable of doing anything on her own. 

Despite Zhou Yanjing’s seemingly proper appearance, he was actually quite the flirt. 

Sometimes, when Lin Yuxi was half-asleep and dazed, he would lean in and kiss her, saying, “Tempting me in broad daylight?” 

When they were watching movies in the home theater, they never managed to finish one. No matter what kind of movie it was, his attention always wandered halfway through, focusing instead on her. 

After they returned from the villa, the Chinese New Year came shortly after. Lin Yuxi, who was interning at a hospital, happened to be on duty and couldn’t make it home. 

Lin Yuxi was born on the first day of the lunar new year. As a child, her parents would celebrate her birthday at midnight on New Year’s Eve every year. 

They used to say that it was the most joyous and celebratory moment of the year, filled with the world’s most beautiful and sincere wishes and blessings. They hoped her life would always be lively, prosperous, and blessed. 

But ever since they passed away, Lin Yuxi no longer had a home. 

Neither her birthday nor the idea of a family reunion during New Year held any meaning for her anymore. 

That New Year’s Eve, Lin Yuxi was in the hospital with her colleagues and patients, those who also couldn’t make it home, hastily celebrating. At midnight, fireworks exploded outside in a grand display. 

Everyone gathered by the window to watch the fireworks, while Lin Yuxi quietly swept the floor. Just as the fireworks were about to end, one of the patients shouted: 

“Xiao Lin, isn’t that your name?” 

Lin Yuxi instinctively looked up just in time to see the final firework. 

In the night sky, amidst the brilliant display of lights, her name, “Lin Yuxi,” appeared, illuminated by the fireworks. 

Surrounded by a dazzling shower of sparks, below her name was the shape of a birthday cake. 

Lin Yuxi was stunned. 

At the same moment, her phone rang, and it was Zhou Yanjing. 

His clear voice said just two words: “Come downstairs.” 

Amid the good-natured laughter of those around her, Lin Yuxi went downstairs. The winter snow, coupled with the New Year’s festivities, had quickly covered the freshly cleared paths with another thick layer of snow. 

Zhou Yanjing stood there in the falling snow, dressed in a black coat, smiling as he watched her run toward him. 

As soon as she reached him, he wrapped her in his arms. 

Zhou Yanjing pulled a jade safety pendant from his pocket, placing it around her neck, and said, “Happy birthday.” 

Lin Yuxi was taken aback. She had worn a safety pendant since birth, one her mother had requested for her at a Guanyin temple while pregnant, saying it would protect her throughout her life. 

However, that pendant had been taken and broken by a bully at the orphanage. 

Back then, Lin Yuxi, who barely spoke and kept to herself, suddenly broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Though the orphanage director scolded the bully, the punishment was light. 

Lin Yuxi had always believed that since her parents were no longer with her, no one would protect her anymore, which was why her pendant had shattered. 

Once, while visiting a friend’s house with Zhou Yanjing, she saw a child wearing a similar safety pendant and couldn’t help but look at it for a moment longer. 

Zhou Yanjing had noticed and, in his usual shameless way, joked, “Do you like it? If you want, I’ll grab it for you.” 

The child overheard and was so scared they ran off crying to their father, causing Lin Yuxi extreme embarrassment. She was so angry that she kicked Zhou Yanjing. 

He didn’t dodge, letting her vent her frustration before playfully pinching her ear. “With a temper like yours, you’re not worthy of me.” 

At the time, she had only thought he was shameless. On the way home, she told him the story of her broken pendant, never expecting that he would remember it. 

The pendant Zhou Yanjing gave her wasn’t a common design. It was exquisitely crafted, smooth and delicate, with a bright, translucent green hue. The warmth from his pocket still lingered on it, gently resting against her skin. 

At that moment, Lin Yuxi unexpectedly began to cry. Her hot tears flowed down continuously. Zhou Yanjing smiled and asked, “Why are you crying?” as he gently wiped her tears with his thumb. 

But Lin Yuxi couldn’t stop crying, soaking his hand. So, Zhou Yanjing simply cupped her face and kissed her. 

That passionate kiss was etched deeply in her memory. For the countless nights afterward, when she lay awake, she would remember that snowy day, wrapped in his warm embrace, listening to his soothing voice as he comforted her: 

“Don’t cry. From now on, I’ll keep you safe.” 

After that, they shared many sweet moments. Zhou Yanjing loved teasing her while she slept, pinching her nose so she couldn’t breathe. When she woke up confused, he would laugh and call her “a little pig.” 

He called her “Xixi” and sometimes affectionately called her “wife.” 

Zhou Yanjing had many friends and was always the center of attention, while Lin Yuxi was more introverted and preferred staying home, except for her occasional outings with Yu Jiaxiao. Zhou Yanjing started turning down invitations from his friends, staying home to keep her company. 

Once, while he was on a business trip, Lin Yuxi got sick. She took medicine and fell into a deep sleep at home. In her half-conscious state, she thought she heard Zhou Yanjing’s voice talking to the housekeeper, Chen Sao, but dismissed it as a dream. It wasn’t until she felt herself being lifted into his familiar embrace that she realized he had come home, leaving work midway after she hadn’t answered his calls. 

During that time, Lin Yuxi felt like she was floating on a cloud, being loved and cherished. Gradually, she let down her defenses and allowed herself to soften. 

Sometimes she would get mad just to have him coax her; when he teased her, she would hit or kick him, but Zhou Yanjing never got angry. Instead, he’d tease her back: 

“With that little strength, I’m starting to think you’re flirting with me.” 

Lin Yuxi was slow to warm up to others, but the love Zhou Yanjing gave her was too intense and overwhelming. 

She couldn’t help but fall deeply for him. 

When spring arrived and the weather warmed, Zhou Yanjing suddenly decided to make up for their missed honeymoon. 

At first, Lin Yuxi thought he was joking, but then she realized he was serious. He began working overtime to clear his schedule for a vacation.