chapter 41

Second Sister is working on materials at Harvard, and Feiran brother is working on plants at Columbia. They’re in completely unrelated fields; how could this be… Shang Mingbao was about to cough up blood.

Shang Mingbao: [How do you know each other?]

Shang Mingzhuo crossed her legs, sitting in front of her office computer, slowly sipping a bottle of brandy while typing.

Shang Mingzhuo: [I don’t know him, just heard of him.]

Shang Mingbao: [Impossible, Feiran brother is very low-key.]

Shang Mingzhuo: [Why don’t you turn around and look at his face.]

Shang Mingbao turned her head and saw Xiang Feiran half-sitting by the head of the bed, one hand resting on his bent knee, his thumb sliding over his phone. He had already taken a shower and was wearing a basic white T-shirt. A pair of silver-rimmed half-frame glasses rested on his face. His expression and posture were relaxed, but judging by the slight furrow of his brow, he was probably reading literature again.

Good looks are hard currency.

Shang Mingbao kept a straight face: [Oh.]

Shang Mingzhuo urged her: [I haven’t seen many photos of him outside of official shots from academic conferences. Send me more.]

Shang Mingbao: […No.]

Shang Mingzhuo casually asked: [How is Xiang Bo in bed?]

Shang Mingbao couldn’t take it anymore: [Second Sister! How could you say that? I’m only nineteen!]

Although Shang Mingzhuo hadn’t yet developed emotional or physical desires, she also didn’t have the usual hang-ups people carry. She asked in confusion: [Is New York State that strict?]

Shang Mingbao was about to explode: [No, it’s just not that fast!]

Shang Mingzhuo frowned and thought for a long time: [You should give it a try, babe. What if he’s also gay?]

Shang Mingbao put down her phone, feeling like steam was coming out of her pores from their conversation.

Shang Mingzhuo meticulously added more fuel to the fire: [I heard that Xiang Bo isn’t interested in women. It’s not like no guys have ever chased him. You know, nine out of ten guys on Manhattan Island are gay.]

Xiang Feiran had long since put down his phone. Without saying a word, he watched Shang Mingbao with great interest for a while, seeing her cycle through anger, embarrassment, frustration, shock, and her face turning pale. He took the phone out of her hand: “You’re chatting so intensely—who’s the guy?”

Shang Mingbao turned around to grab it back, defending the phone with all her might: “No, no, it’s my second sister.”

Xiang Feiran clearly didn’t believe her, smiling slightly: “Why are you blushing while chatting with your sister?”

Shang Mingbao still held onto her phone tightly, glancing down: “We were talking about you…”

Xiang Feiran was slightly taken aback, his gaze unconsciously softening: “You told her?”

He hadn’t expected Shang Mingbao to reveal their relationship to anyone and was prepared for this romance to never see the light of day. Hearing her say that suddenly, his expression froze for a moment, quietly waiting for the awkwardness to pass over his fingertips.

His world had just expanded a little bit more by this sudden, tiny surge of happiness.

“Yes.” Shang Mingbao nodded, “My second sister knows you.”

“Is she also in the U.S.?”

“At Harvard, working on materials.”

“Then how does she know me?” Xiang Feiran frowned slightly, as if uncertain.

Even though they were both in niche fields, plant taxonomy and evolution were extremely marginal. If he were in molecular biology, with a CV full of top publications and hundreds of patents, it would make a little more sense for her to have heard of him.

“She said you’re the only male fox in the Chinese PhD circle, well-known.”

“…”

The unexpected answer made Xiang Feiran cough lightly, his Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he said with a blank expression, “Don’t listen to her nonsense.”

Shang Mingbao observed his expression, as if discovering a new continent: “Feiran brother, are you blushing?”

“Impossible,” Xiang Feiran said firmly.

Shang Mingbao stretched her body and crawled a little higher in his arms, chasing his gaze: “Impossible? Then why are you avoiding me?”

Xiang Feiran pressed her into his arms, his face cold and stern: “Time to sleep.”

Shang Mingbao thought about what Mingzhuo had just said, then pursed her lips: “You won’t leave halfway through to sleep on the sofa again, will you?”

Xiang Feiran had reviewed the situation today. Yesterday was the first day after they had shared their feelings, there was the festive atmosphere, and they hadn’t seen each other for several days, so his inability to control his emotions towards her was quite normal. But humans are creatures of willpower; he had already built up plenty of resolve, and his threshold for physical contact had also been raised to a certain extent, so today he definitely wouldn’t make the same mistake.

Xiang Feiran replied, “I won’t.”

Shang Mingbao snuggled close to him, her breath teasing as she whispered: “Then why did you leave to sleep on the sofa yesterday?”

Xiang Feiran: “…”

“Feiran brother, is the sofa more comfortable, or is it more comfortable by my side?”

As Xiang Feiran hooked her neck and kissed her, he lifted his hand, took off his glasses, and then turned off the bedside lamp.

Shang Mingbao lay back down beside him, being kissed as she pushed the phone under her to the side.

The kiss, Xiang Feiran gave her was undoubtedly filled with desire, sweeping across her palate, sucking on the base of her tongue, enveloping her tongue tip.

The goose down quilt that Sophie sent was far warmer than a down sleeping bag, and today Shang Mingbao was clearly only wearing a loose T-shirt, which hung loosely on her and felt very comfortable. But now, after just one kiss, she felt unbearably hot.

Sweat formed on her forehead and at her temples, brushed away by Xiang Feiran’s palm. He raised himself slightly, his dark eyes staring at her for a moment without saying a word, then kissed her again.

Breathless and in broken thoughts, Shang Mingbao wondered: He’s not into women…women…what nonsense…

She lightly rubbed her crossed legs together, her T-shirt messily rolled up past her waist.

Some places, having been thoroughly kneaded last night, certainly wouldn’t be neglected today.

Xiang Feiran’s hands were strong, possessing the power of a professional drummer along with the dexterity and precision of someone who paints scientific illustrations and presses specimens. His palms were broad, fingers long and slender, and even when he was being wicked, they were still attractive, with well-defined bones and prominent veins, exuding both a violent intensity and a calm composure.

Shang Mingbao was so overwhelmed she could hardly breathe, her mind dizzy as she let him have his way with her.

Suddenly, he pulled her on top of him with a fierce tug.

Xiang Feiran simply thought this position was safer, otherwise, he feared his reaction might scare her.

Shang Mingbao rested both elbows on either side of his pillow. She didn’t exert much strength, lying on top of him with her whole body relaxed, the weight and softness of her flesh and bones pressing distinctly against him.

Even when they switched positions, the kiss didn’t pause for a second.

The comforting weight pushed all the deep fatigue of the night out of Xiang Feiran’s bones, transforming it into a tingling sensation that spread throughout his entire body.

The sound of breathing near his ear was heavy. After a brief pause, his low, hoarse voice spoke: “Take it off.”

His index finger hooked onto the lace at the bottom, and his wrist turned downward. Under the guidance of his clear intentions and Shang Mingbao’s cooperation, it was pulled down to her ankles, past her toenails painted with polish, and tossed aside by his hand.

Shang Mingbao blushed deeply, her heart pounding in her throat.

As her body pressed closely against Xiang Feiran’s abs, she suddenly widened her eyes, her pupils dilating, as if she heard a faint sigh from him.

Shang Mingbao trembled violently, her eyes quickly filling with a layer of mist.

In the darkness, his calm, deep voice asked, “Is this too much?”

He didn’t seem to know whether he was asking himself or her.

Shang Mingbao bit her lower lip and shook her head, whispering very softly, “…No.”

Xiang Feiran tucked her hair behind her ear. In the dim light, his half-squinted eyes sparkled as he gazed at her and said, “Lie down.”

Shang Mingbao was pressed down hard by him, the friction between their heated skins making her shudder uncontrollably, leaving a damp mark on his muscles.

Xiang Feiran seemed to chuckle briefly, holding onto the soft flesh on either side as he precisely started to suck.

Before losing control over her own body, Shang Mingbao blamed her second sister in her heart—it was all her fault for talking nonsense, causing her to end up in this situation. Was this about testing Xiang Feiran or testing her?

…

When the lights came on, a warm, slippery stream flowed right into the waistband of his gray sweatpants, hidden as it seeped deeper.

Xiang Feiran swallowed a breath, feeling a tightness in his forehead, his vision dimming as if black mist clouded his eyes.

Shang Mingbao’s face was flushed, her wet lashes trembling slightly as she dared to meet his gaze. When her eyes met the intense darkness in his, her body shivered, the same way she had felt when his fingertip pushed her apart earlier.

Xiang Feiran grasped her wrist, his thumb pressing against the still-sensitive web between her thumb and index finger, then leaned forward to kiss her.

Shang Mingbao’s voice was sweetly raspy, so soft it was barely audible: “What about you?”

She didn’t even dare to look back.

Xiang Feiran’s heated breath paused for a moment: “It’ll be fine in a while.”

Shang Mingbao couldn’t help but ask, “You… you’re not gay, are you?”

Xiang Feiran wondered if he was so dazed with pleasure that he was hallucinating: “What?”

“Second sister said…” Shang Mingbao hesitated, her lips a deep, enticing red, “a guy tried to pursue you.”

Xiang Feiran couldn’t be bothered with other people’s sexual orientations—that had nothing to do with him. He paused briefly before saying, “You’re still too young, I don’t want to hurt you. A gay man couldn’t do this.”

Shang Mingbao’s heart pounded as she reached out with her left hand, searching behind her until she found the lace that still carried her scent and dampness.

Then, without taking her eyes off Xiang Feiran, she slid her hand into his waistband and stuffed the delicate white lace inside.

The lace was so soft, thin as a cicada’s wings, draping like a mist over his straight length, filling the remaining space inside.

His breath hitched, and the overwhelming reaction hit him in an instant. He had to close his eyes and tense all his muscles to resist the urge of the moment.

Shang Mingbao leaned down again, her fingertips and breath barely brushing against his Adam’s apple: “Brother Feiran, don’t hold back.”

She was really asking for trouble.

Xiang Feiran narrowed his eyes and suddenly became fierce, teasing her as he released himself, wrapped in the very thing she had slipped inside.

The scent in the room lingered for a long time.

The damp, dripping fabric was pressed into Shang Mingbao’s palm, his low voice commanding, “You started this, you throw it away.”

Afterward, while she hid in the bathroom to shower, Xiang Feiran fished out the few remaining cigarettes from his coat pocket.

It really was an after-sex smoke.

He pushed open the glass door and stood by it, finishing the cigarette while feeling the tightness in his chest and abdomen still linger.

He held out far longer than he had expected.

Now that he was calm, he realized how muddled his head had been just moments ago.

Was this really how things should develop? He had no experience, and had never talked about it with anyone. Even on the second day after his first love, no matter how youthful and passionate, he shouldn’t have…

For the next three days, he remained in a daze.

The snow fell for three consecutive days, and the ice on the Hudson River that was broken each day refroze by the next morning. They were also woken up on time by the snowplow every morning. During those three days, they watched movies together, visited markets, strolled along the streets, went to the New York Botanical Garden to see the light show, and rode bicycles in Central Park—Shang Mingbao learned to ride a bike right there, and she was quite impressive, mastering it in just an hour. The city’s public bicycles weren’t particularly easy to ride, and she wobbled a lot. When they reached the thicker snow, she pulled out a snowball maker from her coat pocket and made a row of flat-mouthed little ducks for him.

The snow in her memory grew larger and larger, eventually reaching a scale that was once in a century in her life. She would suddenly ask, “Do you remember, in New York in 202X, there was an exceptionally large snowfall?”

A friend who was also in New York at the time laughed after recalling and said, “Yes, I remember. The media hyped it up so much that it felt like we were about to star in an apocalypse movie, but it turned out to be just fine.”

Shang Mingbao was momentarily confused but remained firm, insisting that it must be a mistake.

“How could that snow not have been heavy? If it wasn’t, how could it have trapped her for three days?”

“You know, Hong Kong never experiences snow.”

The down jacket was a gift from Xiang Feiran, bought from a specialized outdoor store in Soho. The shop owner, an enthusiastic skier and mountaineer from Northern Europe, clearly knew Xiang Feiran well and couldn’t resist teasing when he saw him with a girl.

He asked Shang Mingbao, “Are you his girlfriend? I bet him three years ago that he wouldn’t fall in love.”

Xiang Feiran had also climbed Kilimanjaro, something Shang Mingbao didn’t know.

She turned and asked, “Kilimanjaro? Brother Feiran, you went to Africa?”

“Biological diversity research,” Xiang Feiran said, selecting women’s outdoor clothing for her. It was challenging; while he himself dressed casually, he wanted Shang Mingbao to look good.

“This kid is a scientist. I never believed it because he looks only eighteen,” the shop owner said, giving a thumbs-up.

Shang Mingbao couldn’t help but laugh, hopping back to Xiang Feiran’s side. “Was there snow at the top of Kilimanjaro?”

“Yes, and glaciers.”

The snow-capped peak on the equator, at 5,895 meters, wasn’t difficult for someone like Xiang Feiran, who was used to outdoor activities. He had just taken a break from his research to climb it; those six days were like a leisurely plant observation trip for him, bringing back memories of his youth in the field.

“What else?”

“Begging Peak Chiriki.”

“What’s that?”

“The tallest species in the daisy family.”

“…”

Xiang Feiran smiled.

Shang Mingbao resignedly asked, “How tall?”

“Over twenty meters.”

“Wow.” Shang Mingbao exclaimed and then whispered, “What did you bet with the shop owner?”

“Nothing much. He wanted a specimen from me, and I wanted a jar of snow from Mont Blanc.”

“…”

Xiang Feiran turned his face. “What’s wrong?”

“Won’t it melt?”

“It’s in his freezer.”

“But…” Shang Mingbao covered her mouth and whispered, “What if he gives you a fake one, like one he just gathered outside his door?”

Xiang Feiran flattened his lips and said regretfully, “Then it’s only a defense against gentlemen, not scoundrels.”

Shang Mingbao pondered for a moment. “Why do you keep making bets with people? And always the same kind.”

The same as the antique shop owner!

“They challenge me,” Xiang Feiran said thoughtfully, “Perhaps because I have a poker face, they can’t help but want to gamble when they see me.”

Shang Mingbao took a moment to realize he was making a dry joke.

“…”

“…”

Xiang Feiran pretended the joke had made no impact, stuffing the selected clothes into her arms. “Go try them on.”

Shang Mingbao pressed her lips together, but a smile still escaped through her features.

“…Do you only find it funny now?” He asked suspiciously.

“You’re more amusing when telling jokes.”

Xiang Feiran, with grace, tapped her chin. “As long as you laugh, that’s enough.”

He was so calm that Shang Mingbao began to understand why people wanted to tease him—watching him get flustered or choked was quite entertaining.

After selecting the jacket, they went to the shop owner’s house to retrieve the jar of Mont Blanc snow. The owner also gave them a small snow scoop shaped like a duck, saying it was from Yiwu.

On the drive back from Soho, Shang Mingbao worried that the snow might melt. She kept opening the insulation bag to check if the ice pack had melted until Xiang Feiran, who was driving with one hand on the wheel, nudged her head and took the snow bag to his side.

He had long wanted to personally buy her a jacket to replace the one from three years ago that had cost him a spot.

For the first time in winter, Shang Mingbao was fully geared up and spent the afternoon with a little duck in Central Park. When leaving, she took one of the ducks with her. Her awkward walk while holding the duck, worried it might melt, caused her to miss the road as Xiang Feiran guided her with left and right turns, stopping at red lights and going at green ones.

When they got back to the apartment, the snow had indeed started to melt, and she quickly put it into the freezer like she was saving it from a crisis.

Shang Qinye and Wen Youyi’s private plane was about to land in New York, and the driver was on the way to pick up Shang Mingbao for the airport.

Shang Mingbao took off her jacket, and Xiang Feiran held her in his arms, his knees sinking into the sofa cushions.

She was kissed passionately, leaving her feeling reluctant to part. Her remaining clothes became disheveled once again.

The phone on the coffee table buzzed twice before Shang Mingbao answered.

She knew the driver would never call twice to hurry her unless she was really about to be late.

After promising to come down soon, she buried her face in Xiang Feiran’s neck. “Brother Feiran, I have to go.”

Xiang Feiran remained quiet for a while and kissed her ear.

It was strange—only seventy-two hours together felt like they had exhausted a lifetime’s worth of sweetness.

It was a ridiculous feeling, driven by his reluctance. He chuckled at himself, patting her waist. “Let’s go, we can’t keep Mom and Dad waiting.”

He walked her to the door and helped her put on her coat.

Shang Mingbao left the key at the entrance. “You keep it. I have another one at home.”

Xiang Feiran’s smile carried a hint of teasing. “So, what does this place count as?”

Shang Mingbao’s face flushed. She tried to retrieve the key, but Xiang Feiran raised his hand to avoid her.

His face, renowned among Chinese scholars, was expressionless as he pressed the key into his palm. “I’ll keep it.”

Shang Mingbao put on her shoes, unlocked the door, and paused before suddenly turning back and throwing herself into Xiang Feiran’s embrace. Xiang Feiran held her tightly, his throat tight but laughing, “What’s this? Breaking up as soon as you step out?”

Shang Mingbao closed her eyes. “Count to three.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

They took turns, with the final “one” coming from Xiang Feiran. After a few seconds, he finally said, “Have a good vacation, Shang Mingbao.”

Shang Mingbao carried two paper bags containing quartz from Mount Rebo, Australian white earrings, snow from Mont Blanc, and various other items bought at markets. Though they were casually purchased, they became significant because Xiang Feiran paid for them, and they were packed in luxury-branded bags.

She really felt she was returning with a full load.

But it seemed she hadn’t given him anything. She had been so happy these past two days that she forgot to make up for the missing Christmas gift.

Downstairs, the driver was momentarily stunned when he saw her.

He had to admit, he had never seen Shang Mingbao dressed so warmly. She often wore only black stockings in the dead of winter, exuding a beauty that defied the cold and seemed immune to rheumatism.

Shang Mingbao asked the driver to first go to Fifth Avenue. She wanted to put the snow from the Alps back in the freezer. She decided to design an ice display case to shape the snow into a miniature mountain, safely displayed forever inside.

Why hadn’t she thought to bring back some snow from the Alps when she visited?

The driver didn’t remind her of the time, clearly understanding she had made her choice.

On the way back to the villa, he heard Shang Mingbao sweet-talking Wen Youyi, asking if she had seen the New York metropolitan area and the Hudson. She mentioned how cold New York was, that she had stayed out too late the night before, and slept in a bit.

Wen Youyi, recognizing the implied message, laughed and told her not to rush, at least wash her face before going out.

Shang Mingbao ended the call, sighed lightly, and instructed the driver, “When you see them, say what you can say and avoid what you can’t.”

On the apartment balcony, Xiang Feiran smoked a cigarette while watching the Bentley drive down the straight street, then turn around a corner and disappear from view.

Once she was gone, his surroundings fell eerily silent.

After finishing his cigarette, Xiang Feiran packed up his climbing gear, checked for any traces he might have left behind, tightly bound any unsightly trash, and took it downstairs to dispose of it himself.

He stood by the trash bin for a few seconds before heading off, taking the subway back to his apartment on 96th Street.

The doorman downstairs assumed he had walked back and inquired about the snow scenery in the Appalachian New York area, asking if it had a unique charm. Xiang Feiran apologized, saying he hadn’t managed to bring back a pretty, intact leaf this time and promised to make it up next time.

Staying in his room was too prone to overthinking, so Xiang Feiran decided to bike to school, where he worked out intensely in the gym for two hours, then found a quiet spot in the library, where he stayed until midnight.

He figured Shang Mingbao was likely catching up with her parents, so he didn’t contact her.

It was only on his starlit return that he saw Shang Mingbao’s message.

Shang Mingbao: 【Why aren’t you contacting me!!!!】

Four exclamation marks clearly conveyed her strong feelings.

Xiang Feiran: 【At the library, didn’t notice my phone】

Shang Mingbao was furious. She had spent every minute of the eight hours since they parted thinking about him, and he said he didn’t notice his phone because he was too focused on his research! So, he didn’t think about her at all during those eight hours?

How could this be! How could he act so clingy and unwilling to part when they were together, but then seem like a single person when she’s not around?

Shang Mingbao sent him a series of red angry emoji.

Xiang Feiran, after replying, got on his bike. Upon seeing the string of emojis, he slammed on the brakes, stopping abruptly.

The silver wheel rims stood firmly in the snow, and he himself braced against the cold, his sigh dispersing into the chilly night air.

He bit off one of his gloves and quickly typed on the screen with one hand: “Because I always think of you, I went to the library. And because I can’t help but wait for your messages, I had to lock my phone.”

Too wordy.

He frowned as he read it over, then deleted the message and simplified it: “Because thinking of you has seriously affected my efficiency.”

Shang Mingbao could imagine his tone and expression when he said this—so calm and nonchalant, it felt almost frustratingly genuine.

Cuddled up on the sofa, her face flushed as she chewed her nails and pouted, she was quite a sight. Wen Youyi walked in with a gift, saw this scene, and raised an eyebrow.