Chapter 38

Chapter 38

As Chen Mo and Xi Siyan walked out of the beverage shop, Chen Mo was still surprised by the complaints from behind. After all, it was hard for him to imagine what kind of person Xi Siyan was as a senior.

Someone soon gave Chen Mo an answer.

The group of eye-catching individuals outside the window rushed over, and Chen Mo asked, "Why didn't you guys come in earlier?"

"Who would dare?" Qi Lin spoke first, nodding towards Xi Siyan. "Don't look at how popular Xi Siyan is at school; here, he's like a god of death. Those girls would rather stay eight hundred meters away from him. We didn't want to go in and be annoying."

"Is it that exaggerated?" Chen Mo said.

Qi Lin shrugged. "No way around it. He doesn't know the meaning of being gentle with women. Back then, so many girls claiming to be newbies wanted his guidance, but not one of them didn't shed tears of regret on the slopes."

Chen Mo was amused by Qi Lin's vivid description.

Xi Siyan had tutored him before, and Chen Mo could attest to his strictness.

After dealing with a few people, Xi Siyan walked over.

He asked Chen Mo, "How did you end up with them?"

"They said they were newbies and wanted someone to show them around." Chen Mo glanced back into the shop, meeting the gaze of the two girls. He nodded at them, feeling nothing much, and said to Xi Siyan, "They probably just thought it was fun."

Xi Siyan frowned. "Stay away from them."

"Aren't you being too strict with your junior sister?" Chen Mo turned to look at him, teasingly adding, "I'm not going to do anything to those girls."

Xi Siyan walked alongside him, glancing at him. "Do you realize you're the one being teased?"

"The thing is, teasing me won't work," Chen Mo laughed openly. "I don't like girls."

Xi Siyan looked at him a couple of times.

It was hard to read his expression, seeming both exasperated and indulgent.

The group came down from the mountain at noon.

Considering Chen Mo's leg, they skipped many ice activities over the next two days.

Feeling somewhat apologetic about holding them back, Chen Mo noticed that no one seemed to mind. Plus, the ice sculpture hot pot and various hot spring trips arranged by Xi Siyan kept everyone busy and entertained.

On the night before New Year's Eve, there was a town festival.

Unlike other places, the venue was quite down-to-earth, held in the largest square in town. Elderly folks brought their own low tables and chairs, chatting and snacking on sunflower seeds even before the festival began. Children, dressed in round, puffy clothes, ran around in groups, creating a lively atmosphere.

With many young travelers present, the place was festively decorated.

As the group wandered into this area, Jiang Xu suggested, "Shall we spend New Year's Eve here on the square with everyone else?"

"Sure."

"We're leaving tomorrow morning, so let's have an all-night party."

"Sing out loud!"

"Shout out your frustrations!"

Amidst the commotion, Chen Mo said truthfully, "The townspeople usually go to bed after midnight. Imagine us yelling in the square at midnight—won't they think we're crazy?"

"Old man Mo, you don't understand the joy of youth."

"It's all about the atmosphere."

"Brother Mo, come on, let's make merry and welcome a bright tomorrow!"

Feeling the stares from all directions, Chen Mo covered his forehead and asked another person leaning against the steps at the edge of the square, "Can you get rid of these idiots?"

"I doubt it," Xi Siyan replied calmly. "This is public space."

"They're disturbing public order."

"Hmm, but there's no way to kick them out."

Lao Gou darted out from the crowd, slinging an arm around Chen Mo's neck, looking between the two of them. "What are you guys talking about? I've noticed you two always whispering aside these past few days."

Chen Mo let Lao Gou hang onto him and asked, "Wanna know?"

"Yeah."

"Talking about you two."

"...Chen Mo, you're asking for it!"

Lao Gou immediately went for his waist, tickling him, and called over the others.

Chen Mo was thus forced to join the revelry.

Engaging in snowball fights with the guys on the square, being tickled until he fell to the ground, and rolling around with a bunch of people.

In that moment, Chen Mo forgot everything.

Forgot that he had lived two lifetimes and wasn't really a seventeen-year-old boy.

Forgot about the Yang family and the Chen family.

Forgot about the relentless pursuit of power and climbing the ladder, never knowing the meaning of freedom.

He only felt deeply that he had returned to this New Year's Day, surrounded by close friends, laughter, and genuine relaxation and joy.

By the time the laughter and teasing subsided, Chen Mo was drenched in sweat.

The white breath dissipated into the air as he walked back with a few others to where Xi Siyan was leaning, watching the host take the stage on the platform ahead with a microphone in hand.

Chen Mo propped his elbow on the stone ledge behind him, looking forward, when someone asked, "What do you want to do in the future?"

"I want to be a doctor." This was Lao Gou; somehow, he had already set his goal for the future.

Next was Jiang Xu, "My dad suggested I study law."

Immediately, someone chimed in, "Anyone who suggests studying law deserves a thousand cuts."

"I want to study art."

"Get lost, what kind of art can a science student study?"

"I'm going to study physics, continue my education after graduation, and focus on research later."

"I'm going to study..."

Amidst these clear or vague aspirations, only Chen Mo and Xi Siyan remained silent throughout.

Finally, someone asked, "Old Xi, what about you?"

"Me?" Chen Mo felt the person beside him shift positions, seeming relaxed, "Probably finance or management, haven't decided yet."

"Damn, aren't you always participating in competitions? I thought you'd go for physics."

"It's not strange, Old Xi doesn't look like someone who can stay in a lab all day."

In the midst of various discussions, Chen Mo turned his head to look at the person beside him.

He knew that Xi Siyan had secured admission through competitions but ultimately chose to study abroad. He wondered if this decision was made recently or if the Xi family had planned it long ago.

"Why are you looking at me?" Xi Siyan returned his gaze and asked.

Chen Mo replied, "You don't seem like someone who hasn't made up their mind."

Xi Siyan smiled, "What's so strange about that? I'm just a normal person, of course, I have doubts about choosing schools and majors."

At this point, he countered, "What about you?"

"Me?"

"Do you have any target universities or majors?"

Upon hearing this, others joined in, "Yeah, Brother Mo, you haven't said where you're planning to study yet."

"I'm different from you guys; I'm a typical underachiever," Chen Mo said lazily, looking forward, "Even though we're in the same class, it's only our second year. Why put pressure on ourselves so early? I prefer enjoying the present."

This remark drew unanimous ridicule.

After all, for everyone, a dark horse who consistently improves in monthly exams claiming to be an underachiever was just asking for it.

Chen Mo listened to the various complaints and jokes with a smile.

His attention then shifted to the evening gala ahead.

The New Year's Eve gala in Icefield Town was a blend of rural and modern elements, not particularly grand, but lively and festive. There were many local performances that added a refreshing touch.

The gala continued until midnight.

Everyone counted down together.

Then fireworks exploded in the sky right on cue.

Under the colorful night sky, Chen Mo, for the first time, felt a bit reverent, hoping that the youthful spirit of these teenagers would never fade.

Past midnight, the world gradually quieted down.

Those who claimed they would party all night ended up yawning one after another, tacitly agreeing to go to sleep instead.

They all agreed.

When they returned to the villa, they found that instead of soft beds, they were greeted by another New Year's Eve party.

Xixi, whom they met during skiing, learned they were leaving for Sui City the next day and organized a farewell gathering with a group from the club.

It was already three in the morning.

Chen Mo and Xi Siyan's room was still filled with young men and women.

The floor was littered with drink bottles and beer cans. Some were playing video games on the sofa, others gathered around the beds playing cards, and some were playing guessing games. The room was chaotic. Professional skiers don't drink, but few here were serious competitors, and being away from school, even Lao Gou and the others let loose completely.

The room was warm with the air conditioner running. Chen Mo, wearing a thin sweater bought in town, sat in the corner of the sofa, surrounded by a few girls who had dragged him into a dice game. The loser had to complete a task designated by the others.

"Can I not play?" Chen Mo raised his hands in surrender with a helpless smile.

One of the girls who had met him earlier immediately said, "No way, you have to play."

On the balcony of the room.

Xixi, still looking like a young girl, looked inside and nudged the person beside her, saying, "Hey, Xi Siyan, I noticed your friend seems particularly popular with the girls."

Xi Siyan glanced inside.

Chen Mo had just won, but he was clearly uninterested, pointing to a glass of water for the loser to drink, which drew complaints of boredom. Chen Mo just smiled good-naturedly and continued.

Xi Siyan withdrew his gaze, nonchalantly, "Why is it strange that they like him? He looks good and has a nice personality."

Xixi looked at Xi Siyan in surprise and said, "It's rare to see you praise someone, but are you sure you didn't misjudge him? From my observation, he treats those people like kids, as if he's an adult humoring children. Honestly, I've only seen this trait in my brother, who is a total control freak and a psychopath."

Xi Siyan glanced over.

Xixi immediately apologized, "That's not what I meant. What I mean is, your classmate's temperament should be far more complex than what he shows."

Xi Siyan did not deny this.

After all, the person who once fought a group alone in the dormitory, leaped on the field, and endured pain with remarkable resilience, had many other traits as well.

Such as being fierce, passionate, and enduring.

Despite these many facets, Xi Siyan sometimes felt that he was innocent beyond his seventeen years.

For example, how he tolerated all the noise around him, how he treated girls with innate gentlemanliness and upbringing, and just a few hours ago, when he looked up at the fireworks with an almost reverent gaze.

"Are you really not going professional?" Xixi brought back the initial topic.

Xi Siyan nodded, somewhat dismissively, "Yeah."

Xixi rolled her eyes, "As expected, rich young masters like you are best at wasting talent." Then, she asked, "How does your classmate skate?"

Xi Siyan looked at her, "Don't have any ideas about him; he has a leg injury."

"Huh? So young and already injured, a fracture?"

Xi Siyan did not answer her question.

Soon, the sliding door to the balcony was pulled open.

The subject of their conversation, wearing a down jacket, walked out and visibly froze upon seeing the man and woman on the balcony.

Chen Mo slowly tugged at the edge of his jacket and asked, "Is Lao Gou not here?"

"Looking for him?" Xi Siyan countered.

Chen Mo turned and scanned the room again before returning his attention to the people on the balcony. Eventually, under the intense gaze of several people nearby, he walked up to Xi Siyan and stood still.

Xi Siyan raised an eyebrow.

Beside him, Xixi's eyes widened as she watched the person Xi Siyan said had a leg injury step forward, wrap one arm around Xi Siyan's neck, and breathe into his ear.

From her angle, it looked like two men embracing intimately.

This wasn't the end. After blowing into the sensitive spot, the person let go, rubbed his stomach, and seriously said, "I'm pregnant with your child."

"Pfft!"

"Chen Mo, you were looking for me... Bam!"

Lao Gou, who had just come out of the bathroom, nearly got hit by the sliding door, while Xixi spat out her ice tea.

The entire room fell silent.

Only Xi Siyan stood calmly.

Maintaining his posture, he looked at Chen Mo's stomach.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

Chen Mo, feeling awkward, muttered, "Damn."

At this moment, the culprits behind the idea peeked through the balcony door, only to receive a death glare from their senior and hear, "Whoever loses next might as well practice with me on the ski slopes."

This scared them all back inside.

Finally free from the game, Chen Mo rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply.

He was about to tell Lao Gou that he had nothing important, just needed him to play along with a game punishment.

Before he could speak, Xi Siyan pulled him closer.

Facing each other, he adjusted Chen Mo's jacket, saying, "There's a cold wind; if you're going to wear it, wear it properly."

"Okay." Chen Mo accepted his gesture and apologized, "Sorry about that, making you take the blame."

Xi Siyan stared at him, "Are you talking about making you pregnant?"

"Tsk, the thing is, I can't even get pregnant."

"Are you regretting it?"

"Not really, but you didn't even flinch when I blew into your ear. Isn't the ear supposed to be sensitive?"

The other two present: "..."

Lao Gou wanted to shout for help.

Thinking, does Chen Mo realize he looks like he's flirting with the class president?

Xi Siyan spoke, "Chen Mo."

"Yeah."

"Have you ever been in a relationship?"

Chen Mo replied, "I wouldn't date early."

Lao Gou's heart was dead.

He thought, my brother isn't playing hard to get at all.

He really is just purely confused.

Is a straight gay guy scary?

Lao Gou didn't think so. Instead, it was the class monitor, half-hidden in the shadows, who now seemed a bit frightening.

Even though Chen Mo had clearly stated that the class monitor wasn't interested in men, Lao Gou still felt an inexplicable urge to pray for his brother.

He had a premonition that Chen Mo would eventually stumble because of his own certainty.