By the time Xing Lixuan and Yu Antong arrived at the hospital, the elderly lady had already been moved to the Intensive Care Unit.

Seeing his grandmother lying on the bed with a respirator on, Xing Lixuan asked, "Dad, Mom, how is grandma?"

Mr. Xing replied, "She's temporarily out of immediate danger."

Yu Antong inquired, "What happened to grandma so suddenly?"

Mr. Xing explained, "With her advanced age and late-stage lung cancer, her immunity is weak. The sudden drop in temperature got to her. She went to bed early tonight and probably started to have a fever in her sleep."

"Thankfully, your mother checked on her before going to sleep and noticed something was wrong. We rushed her to the hospital, and she even had a momentary respiratory failure on the way."

Mrs. Xing, trying to hold back her tears, said to Xing Lixuan, "The doctor said that although she's currently stable, her health has severely deteriorated. With this illness, she might not hold on much longer."

Xing Lixuan's eyes started to redden.

Yu Antong expressed concern, "Honey, are you alright?"

Xing Lixuan remained silent.

The senior Mr. Xing passed away early, and with the mild-mannered Mr. and Mrs. Xing, Lixuan was mostly raised by his assertive grandmother. She taught him about life, business, and everything in between...

Xing Lixuan shares a deep bond with his grandmother. He was heartbroken, knowing her days were numbered due to her cancer, but he didn't expect this day to come so suddenly, catching him off guard.

Knowing words won't help now, Yu Antong set up the benches for everyone to sit. He sat beside Xing Lixuan, silently comforting him.

After a while, Xing Lixuan composed himself and said to his parents, "You two should head home. The weather is cold, and you might catch a cold staying here."

Mr. Xing sighed and nodded in agreement.

Turning to Yu Antong, Xing Lixuan said, "I can't drive you home now. Go with my parents."

Yu Antong offered, "Maybe I should stay and keep you company?"

Xing Lixuan responded, "There's no need. Rest at home. Plus, there's only one caregiver's bed here, so you wouldn't have a place to sleep."

Mrs. Xing also advised, "Antong, you have classes tomorrow. Go home with us."

Reluctantly, Yu Antong said, "Alright then. I'll prepare breakfast for you in the morning and have mom bring it over."

Yu Antong spent the night at the Xing residence. The next morning, he prepared Xing Lixuan's favorite dishes.

Despite having morning classes, he decided to visit the hospital.

When Yu Antong arrived, the elderly lady was awake but looked extremely weak. After a few words, she fell back into a deep sleep.

For the next few days, the elderly lady mostly remained in a stupor.

With end-of-term exams approaching, Yu Antong couldn't visit the hospital as frequently.

Finally, on the weekend, Yu Antong came to visit. That day, the old lady was particularly spirited and chatty.

She held Yu Antong's hand and said, "Antong, I'm craving the Clear River fish and tofu stew you make."

Yu Antong quickly responded, "Grandma, just wait. I'll go home and cook it for you right away."

He hurriedly went back home, prepared the dish, and brought it back to the hospital, where the old lady joyfully ate quite a bit.

Yu Antong stayed at the hospital the entire day, only leaving with the Xing family parents after dinner.

That night, he was awoken by a commotion in the house.

The elderly Madam Xing had passed away.

Everyone had sensed something during the day, suspecting that the old lady was experiencing a momentary improvement before passing. Indeed, she suddenly coughed up a significant amount of blood that night, and within minutes, she was gone.

During the days of her illness, all necessary preparations had been made, so the funeral proceeded smoothly.

On the night of the burial, Xing Lixuan clung to Yu Antong in silence, like a child.

Yu Antong knew that words are often powerless in the face of death; all he could offer was an embrace.

Holding Xing Lixuan, Yu Antong reflected on how emotions can be terrifying, making even the strongest individuals vulnerable.

Possibly due to his childhood experience of being abandoned by his parents because of an illness, out of self-protection, while Yu Antong was sincere and open in his interactions, he struggled to invest deep emotions.

Unbeknownst to him, his desire for affection fluctuated between an intense yearning and a profound resistance.

This became more evident after he "transmigrated" into a book. On one hand, he sought immediate pleasure and comfort; on the other, he rejected a luxurious, leisurely life to tirelessly manage his business, care for his only blood-related sister, and plan for a possible future.

Time never stops, and on the day Yu Antong finished his midterm exams, a light snow fell. He stepped onto a thin layer of snowflakes outside the school gate and video-called Xing Lixuan.

"Hey, honey, are you working late tonight?"

Xing Lixuan, looking exhausted, shook his head: "No, I'll head home after work."

Xing Lixuan had been swamped with company tasks since his grandmother's passing, working late almost every night, visibly losing weight.

Yu Antong decided to prepare a lavish dinner to nourish him.

Yu Antong asked, "Do you have any cravings? I'll cook whatever you want."

Xing Lixuan smiled and replied, "I love everything you make."

That evening, as Xing Lixuan came home, Yu Antong kept serving him more food, saying, "You've lost so much weight. Eat up."

Xing Lixuan asked, "Do you pity me?"

Looking at Xing Lixuan's thinner face, Yu Antong indeed felt a pang of pity and nodded, saying, "You're starting to lose your good looks."

Once Xing Lixuan's busy period was over, in an effort to lift the family's spirits, Mr. Xing organized a skiing trip for everyone.

Jiangcheng boasts a mild climate, unsuitable for the construction of a large-scale ski resort. Eager to enjoy the experience fully, they flew to the renowned "Ice City" in the North.

The ski resort was a considerable distance from the airport. After disembarking the plane, they endured another hour's drive before arriving at the hotel near the ski resort.

After the lengthy journey, everyone was exhausted. They decided to rest at the hotel for the day and venture to the ski slopes the next.

They had booked a hot spring hotel, where each room came with a private open-air hot spring bath. Yearning for a soak, Yu Antong woke up after just over an hour of sleep.

Immediately, he nudged Xing Lixuan awake. "Honey, wake up! Join me for a dip in the hot spring."

Xing Lixuan pulled the covers over his ears, "Go on your own."

"Come on, I want to take a romantic bath with you!" Yu Antong jostled Xing Lixuan, chirping, "Wakey-wakey!"

Unable to endure the disturbance any longer and realizing he couldn't get back to sleep, Xing Lixuan finally relented, "Such a bother!"

Sliding open a Japanese-style door, they were greeted by a private courtyard. In the center sat the hot spring, its misty warmth rising in curls.

After a refreshing bath, Yu Antong, draped in a bathrobe, stepped out. Although it was winter and snowflakes drifted from the sky, the courtyard felt cozy and warm due to the hot spring.

"Snowfall during a hot spring soak is so atmospheric!" Instead of getting into the spring immediately, Yu Antong stood in the courtyard, trying to catch snowflakes.

"Come on in." Xing Lixuan pulled him into the water, chiding, "Fool, trying to catch a cold?"

"Ah! Xing Lixuan!" Yu Antong exclaimed as he splashed into the water, even swallowing a mouthful, which sent him into a fit of coughing.

Annoyed, Yu Antong splashed and chased after Xing Lixuan, "You're so annoying!"

As Xing Lixuan allowed himself to be caught, he chuckled, "Wasn't it you who insisted on waking me? And now you call me annoying?"

"Aaargh!" Yu Antong expressed his frustration by biting Xing Lixuan's shoulder, "Can't you be a tad more romantic?"

After that playful bite, Yu Antong swam to a nearby artificial rock, gathered a handful of snow, and hurled it at Xing Lixuan.

Xing Lixuan gracefully dodged the attack, and using the buoyancy of the water, he swam toward Yu Antong. Pulling him close, he glanced at the clear bite mark on his shoulder, his voice dropping a notch, "What kind of romance do you desire?"

The whispering warmth in his ear caused Yu Antong's body to shudder, easily seduced by this man once again.

Yu Antong murmured dreamily, "Honey, I don’t want the hot spring anymore; I want you."

They hadn't been intimate in almost two months. However, considering their skiing plans for the next day, their mutual affection was expressed in a more tempered manner.

The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Xing chose snow sledding, while Xing Lixuan took Yu Antong to a beginner's slope to teach him skiing.

Dressed in a bulbous red skiing outfit, Yu Antong complained, "This is so bulky. It looks hideous."

"What do you want then?" Xing Lixuan said, exasperated, "Skiing in a bikini?"

"I was just saying," Yu Antong replied, "Now, come on and teach me."

“Spread your legs. Now bring them in a bit to shoulder width, so the skis bear the weight evenly,” Xing Lixuan instructed, adjusting Yu Antong's stance as he spoke, “Keep your back straight and relax your body.”

Yu Antong muttered, “Keep my back straight and relax? How am I supposed to do both?”

Xing Lixuan replied, “When I said keep your back straight, I didn’t mean for you to stiffen up like a piece of wood.”

After half a day of lessons, Yu Antong claimed he had got the hang of it and was eager to hit the slopes.

They chose the easiest slope suited for beginners, with Xing Lixuan accompanying Yu Antong all the way down.

The slope was short and Yu Antong, seemingly gifted, made it to the bottom without a single fall. A successful first run.

Yu Antong triumphantly raised his arms, boasting, “I told you I could do it. I’m a natural genius… Ah!”

Before he could finish, Yu Antong toppled over, landing flat on his backside in the middle of the flat ground.

Xing Lixuan laughed, “Falling on flat ground? Now that's truly genius.”

Sitting on the snow, Yu Antong cradled his stomach, his expression pained, “Honey, my stomach hurts.”

Xing Lixuan, thinking he was just acting, chuckled, “You dummy, you fell on your butt. If anything, that should hurt. It's cold on the ground, get up.”

Saying so, Xing Lixuan still reached out to help Yu Antong up.

Yu Antong punched him lightly, grumbling, “You’re the dummy. My stomach really does hurt, okay?”

Xing Lixuan, concerned, “Really?”

Yu Antong retorted, “Why would I lie about that?”

Xing Lixuan grew serious, “Let’s stop playing and head to the hospital.”

With all the nausea and stomach pain, it could be something serious.

Yu Antong, not having had his fill of fun, was reluctant, “It doesn’t hurt that bad now. Weird, the pain's gone.”

Xing Lixuan replied, “Regardless, you're done skiing for the day. Sit and rest in the viewing area.”

“Fine, fine.”

Reluctantly, Yu Antong sat in the viewing area, watching other skiers gracefully carve "S" turns as they descended from above.

“Wow, look, honey! The guy in blue is so stylish with his moves!”

Xing Lixuan scoffed, “It’s just a beginner's slope. What’s so impressive about that?”

Yu Antong challenged, “Oh, so dismissive! Why don’t you show us how it’s done?”

Spurred by a touch of male competitiveness, Xing Lixuan replied, “Come on, I'll take you to the advanced slope to show you what real skiing is.”

They took a gondola to the advanced slope, which was noticeably narrower and steeper. Just looking at it made Yu Antong's heart race.

Xing Li Xuan took a moment to warm up, then, with the support of his ski poles, he began his descent. Initially, his pace was moderate, but after making a turn, the slope steepened significantly, propelling him forward at an alarming speed.

As Xing Li Xuan hurtled down at breakneck speed, appearing as though he'd crash at the next bend, Yu An Tong's heart leaped to her throat. But in the next instant, Xing Li Xuan flexed at the waist, executing a flawless turn. His skis kicked up a spray of snow as he effortlessly continued on.

Through each thrilling bend and turn, Yu An Tong's heartbeat danced in tandem with Xing Li Xuan's maneuvers. Despite the cold, she felt herself breaking out in a nervous sweat.

Finally, when Xing Li Xuan safely reached the end of his run, Yu An Tong let out a sigh of relief. What an exhilarating ride!

After a moment, Xing Li Xuan approached her, removing his protective helmet, and coolly asked, "What did you think?"

Yu An Tong threw herself into his arms and passionately kissed him, exclaiming, "You were absolutely breathtaking!"

On the way home, she kept reminiscing, "That turn you took was so heart-stopping!"

Hearing this, Xing's mother chuckled, "During university, Li Xuan competed in the national college skiing competition and even won the championship."

With stars in her eyes, Yu An Tong gazed at Xing Li Xuan and enthusiastically responded, "Really? Where's the trophy? I've never seen it."

She remembered that during their stay in the old house, Xing Li Xuan's room was spotlessly clean, devoid of any extra adornments.

Xing's mother replied, "All of Li Xuan's awards are safely stored in the study's cabinet back home."

Yu An Tong nodded, realizing she had never been to the study in the old house.

With a hint of pride, yet maintaining his calm demeanor, Xing Li Xuan replied, "I'll show you when we get back."

The festive season was approaching, and the atmosphere was increasingly joyous. On the day they returned home, it was the eve of the Lunar New Year, and Xing's mother had the maid buy meat to make dumplings.

After preparing the meat filling, the maid called Yu An Tong over, "Young Master Yu, could you season the meat? Your cooking is more delectable than mine."

Having spent much time at Xing's home, the household staff had initially been anxious when Yu An Tong took to the kitchen. But now, they had grown accustomed to it, and with his guidance, even improved their culinary skills.

After Xing's parents retired upstairs for some rest, Yu An Tong, lounging on the sofa, coaxed Xing Li Xuan to massage his sore legs from the journey. Just as he was enjoying it, the maid's voice called out, and Yu An Tong responded, "Coming right away!"

As he stood up, he teased Xing Li Xuan, "Don't you run off! Once I'm back, you're continuing with the leg massage."

Chuckling, Xing Li Xuan retorted, "Honestly, you're acting like a pampered young master. Should I hire ten maidservants tomorrow to cater to your every whim?"

Already near the kitchen, Yu An Tong poked his head out, playfully countering, "I don't want maids, just the esteemed young master Xing to serve me."

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The household maid suppressed a chuckle upon hearing this.

As Yu An Tong entered the kitchen and added soy sauce to the meat filling, the pungent aroma of the pork suddenly overwhelmed him.

Setting the soy sauce aside, Yu An Tong hurriedly moved to the sink, feeling an onslaught of nausea.

The maid expressed her concern, "What's wrong?"

Author's Note: Tomorrow I have something to attend to, so I'm not sure what time I'll be updating. However, starting the day after, I'll consistently update at 6 p.m. Thanks for loving this story!

Many thanks to the lovely angels who gave me a 'Tyrant's Vote' or 'Nutrition Fluid' from 23:35:47 on 2020-01-02 to 17:14:25 on 2020-01-04.

Special thanks to the angel who gave me a 'Grenade': 39933251 (1).

Kudos to the angels who donated 'Landmines': 34517710, Comes And Goes, Pretends To Have A Cat (all 1); Gu Ban Ban (2).

Heartfelt thanks to the angels who donated 'Nutrition Fluid': Ben Ben (24 bottles); Deep In The Clouds (20 bottles); Missing Clouds At Dusk (11 bottles); XianXian's Little Apple, Miao Miao Xi, Soft Bunny, Little Star (all 10 bottles); Star Dust (7 bottles); Kaspersky, Undercover (both 5 bottles); Good Person (3 bottles); Miao Xin, 41163575 (both 2 bottles); Little Fei, Deep Sea Square, Good Person, Tri-Color Fish Divination, Mo A Perdu Fet, Starry Love, Sticky Rice Ball, Four Seasons, Liu, Waiting (all 1 bottle).

I'm deeply grateful for all the support. I'll continue to work hard!

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