Side Story - Trip (1)

Days passed uneventfully, and everyone's lives settled into a routine.

Tang Yu purchased a simple photo album from a boutique store and organized the photos she had taken over the years in chronological order. The latest addition was a picture of her and Yin Zhao-an wearing graduation gowns, taken with the help of Guo Yifan.

Guo Yifan had received scholarships for four consecutive years and occasionally took up part-time jobs during her studies. Despite that, her academic performance remained outstanding. And unsurprisingly, she obtained the qualifications for graduate school admission, which also meant she still had a long way to go on her learning journey. Ever since Wang Feifei saw that doctor in the school infirmary, she would visit there once every few days. After two years of persistence, she, too, got to experience the blossoming of romance. She might even step into the realm of marriage in a few years.

As for Wu Na... Tang Yu hadn't seen her since her sophomore year. She heard that Wu Na had been expelled from the university, but she didn't know where the other party had gone specifically.

Regardless, a new roommate took Wu Na's place in the dormitory. It was a cute little girl.

Knock, knock—

Tang Yu heard two polite knocks coming from behind her. Turning around with the photo album in hand, she saw Yin Zhao-an standing at the door, smiling mischievously while waving the phone in her hand.

"Zhao Yu invited us on a graduation trip. Should we go?"

"Where to?"

"Ice City."

…

The sun was bright, the sky was clear, and the streets and alleys with a unique charm were filled with people of various appearances. They moved under the scorching sun without a hint of annoyance.

Yin Zhao-an led Tang Yu to the commercial district, holding a pre-written list in her hand as they moved through various stores.

"Although it's summer, the temperature in Ice City will be extremely low. We definitely need to dress warmly," Yin Zhao-an said as she picked out two long down jackets—one blue and one red—and handed them to Tang Yu.

"Can't we buy a black one?" Tang Yu asked as she looked at the wine-red jacket in her hand with a complex expression.

"No," Yin Zhao-an replied resolutely.

"Why?"

Yin Zhao-an smiled mischievously and pinched Tang Yu's cheek, answering, "Because...red and blue make the perfect couple. It's been that way since ancient times, don't you know?"

…

Yin Zhao-an and Zhao Yu agreed to meet at the airport at nine in the morning.

Upon arriving at the airport terminal, Yin Zhao-an was surprised to see several familiar faces inside.

Tang Yu was also a little surprised when she saw the group of chatting people. Among those waiting were not only Zhao Yu and Gao Rang but also Wen Tao and Li Beining, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. And since Li Beining was there, Li Beiyu, who loved excitement, naturally wouldn't be absent either. "There are so many people!" Yin Zhao-an was in a very cheerful mood. It had been a long time since she last saw these familiar faces, so seeing them again brought a warm feeling to her heart, and she couldn't help but feel sentimental.

The group gathered together to catch up, noticing the changes in each other's words and actions. People would always change with time, and their personalities would gradually settle in the river of time.

Amidst their laughter, Tang Yu suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure from the corner of her eye and couldn't help but pat Yin Zhao-an on the shoulder.

Yin Zhao-an turned around, feeling puzzled as she followed Tang Yu's gaze."Fuck!"

…

A sweet female voice echoed in the lobby, broadcasting the latest flight information. Hearing their flight being announced, Yin Zhao-an and co. embarked on a long journey accompanied by their luggage.

When Yin Zhao-an and Tang Yu settled into their seats, two familiar figures took the seats next to them.

Chen Ci naturally noticed Yin Zhao-an and Tang Yu, and she politely nodded to the two of them.

With the addition of Chen Ci and Mo Shu, the trip had inexplicably grown interesting…

…

As soon as the plane landed, Yin Zhao-an woke up Tang Yu, who was still groggy, and handed her the down jacket that had been on her lap.

"Remember to put it on later. The temperature difference might be severe. Don't catch a cold," Yin Zhao-an said.

"Okay." Tang Yu responded with dazed eyes.

…

Exiting the airport, the got into taxis and headed to the pre-booked hotel. Tang Yu wrapped herself tightly in the down jacket and snuggled into Yin Zhao-an's arms, still looking like she hadn't fully woken up yet.

The sky had already darkened by the time the group arrived at the hotel. After everyone discussed the itinerary for tomorrow, they each took their room keys and retired to their respective rooms. Everyone needed a good rest after the long flight.

"Let's go out for dinner," Yin Zhao-an said after finding a few restaurants online that had good reviews.

However, Tang Yu remained sprawled on the bed, refusing to move in the slightest.

Yin Zhao-an knew Tang Yu was feeling a bit airsick, but they couldn't skip dinner either. Lifting her limp girlfriend from the bed, she adopted an indulgent tone as she said, "You can lean on me if you're too tired. I'll be your human crutch." "Mhm..." Tang Yu weakly responded as she climbed onto Yin Zhao-an's neck and buried her head in the warmth of her neck like a clingy cat.

When Yin Zhao-an walked out, carrying a large "feline" in her arms, the door of the neighboring room happened to open as well. The two parties faced each other in silence. After a moment, the neighboring door closed as if nothing had happened.

Yin Zhao-an shook her head helplessly and indulgently lowered her head to look at the person sleeping soundly in her arms. Then, she walked briskly towards the elevator.

…

Several snowmen of different shapes decorated the square of Ice City. Young boys and girls with different personalities breathed out white mist in the snow, and their fair faces turned slightly red from the cold.

Tang Yu, who had already recovered from the airsickness, blinked her bright eyes as she diligently built her own snowman. Wearing thick waterproof cotton gloves, she patted the piled-up snowball with satisfaction, her eyes curving into satisfied smiles.

Yin Zhao-an didn't join in. Instead, like Li Beining, she silently took countless pictures, almost filling up half of her phone's storage space.

"An-An, how does my snowman look?" Tang Yu, dressed in a thick down jacket and a white knitted hat, smiled at Yin Zhao-an with a slightly red nose. Faint white mist drifted from her rosy lips, blending with the cold air of the icy landscape.

The well-built snowman had a wide red mouth, looking somewhat comical. Two crooked dry branches stood on its sides as arms, giving it a semblance of authenticity.

"It's beautiful." Yin Zhao-an walked over to Tang Yu in big strides. Then, she placed an arm around Tang Yu's shoulders and raised her phone, suggesting, "Let's take a photo together. This is the first snowman you've built."

Indeed, that was the case. Although it snowed in B City during winter, Tang Yu's health had always been poor. She easily fell ill when exposed to the cold. Hence, during her childhood, she had only seen snowmen built by others but never made one herself. And when she grew up and matured, she no longer had a strong desire to build a snowman, preferring to stay in a warm room and spend her winters in comfort instead. When Yin Zhao-an pressed the capture button on her phone, the screen froze, displaying two different smiling faces—one vibrant and exuberant, the other introverted and serene.…

They visited iconic buildings and famous attractions along the way. Zhao Yu happily skipped off to buy ice cream, with Gao Rang following closely behind to pay. Li Beining also took the initiative to buy two ice creams and handed one to Wen Tao.

Tang Yu looked at Yin Zhao-an with longing eyes, but she received a firm veto from the other party:

"No, you have a weak stomach. You can't have cold food on an empty stomach."

Zhao Yu glanced at Tang Yu sympathetically but had no intention of trying to persuade Yin Zhao-an on her behalf.

"Here, take one."

While Tang Yu was enviously watching the others in their group enjoying their ice cream, a tightly wrapped hand extended from the side, cupped her hand, and placed a light yellow ice cream in her hand. Then, the other party quickly slipped away into the distance.

Tang Yu stared in confusion at Li Beiyu and the woman in the black down jacket beside Li Beiyu. The woman smiled at her with a hint of anticipation, as if expecting something entertaining.

Tang Yu glanced at the ice cream without much expectation. Then, as expected, the ice cream was snatched away a moment later, leaving her empty-handed once again.

"An-An..." Tang Yu pulled out her trump card—elongating and softening her voice.

Yin Zhao-an's ears heated up, and her heartbeat momentarily lost its rhythm. Sighing helplessly, she asked, "Do you want to eat it badly?"

"Mhm!"

Seeing that Zhao Yu and the others had already started walking towards the next location, Yin Zhao-an didn't say anything more. Holding Tang Yu's shoulder with one hand, she ushered Tang Yu along while saying, "Let's go. Don't even think about it."

"..." That's so unfair!

…

There were many people coming and going on the street, most of them sightseeing and following travel guides.

Amidst these people, Tang Yu walked forward with her head lowered and a gloomy expression on her face. Suddenly, a warm voice came from above, "Look up."

Tang Yu raised her head, and a large hat was abruptly placed on her head. The next moment, her lips encountered a chilly, slippery tongue that skillfully parted her teeth and entangled with her lips and tongue. "Oh my god, oh my god!" Li Beiyu's eyes sparkled as she took out her phone and frenziedly took pictures. She even did a 180-degree rotating shot.

Luo San grabbed Li Beiyu by the back of the latter's neck, exasperation coloring her face as she dragged Li Beiyu away.

"Ah, ah, ah! Don't stop me! I want to witness love!"

Looking at the two people covered by the hat, if an uninformed person saw them, they would probably assume they were just an ordinary couple and kindly pass by.

They currently stood on a bustling street, so Yin Zhao-an didn't try to push her limits. After their lips parted, she raised her hand and gently touched Tang Yu's moist lips, chuckling softly before asking, "Is the ice cream tasty?"

Tang Yu blinked her eyes and dazedly looked at Yin Zhao-an's mischievous smile for a moment. Immediately afterward, her face turned red, and she raised her hand to cover it before hastening her pace. She dared not linger in this place for even a moment longer.

What have they done?! This was a busy street with people coming and going, for heaven's sake!

Yin Zhao-an quickened her steps and caught up with Tang Yu, persistently asking, "Come on, tell me, was it good or not?"

"I don't know!"

"Come on, say it!"

"Ahhh! I really don't know!" Tang Yu covered her ears and acted coy. She nearly died from embarrassment just now, so how could she have the spare energy to think about the taste of the ice cream?!

However, Tang Yu would soon get to know the taste of the ice cream because...

Yin Zhao-an pinched Tang Yu's chin and kissed her again. After a few seconds, they separated, and her eyes gleamed mischievously as she asked, "What about now?"