During The Blizzard (Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love)

Canto 51: Crossing The Mountain And The Sea [I]

"In the heart of Hawaii, under skies of lavender and gold, we found a love story written in the sand, whispered by the waves, and kissed by the sun."

Translator: Wuxia Studio, Editor: M.H Lovecraft (Enochian_)

- - - -

The morning sun lanced through the blinds, warmth prickling Lin Yiyang's eyelids awake. A familiar thirst clawed at his throat, prompting his hand to reach out blindly. He expected the smooth surface of the coffee table, the reassuring chill of his sleep-side glass.

Instead, his fingers brushed against rough fabric, sending a jolt through him.

He blinked, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings a plush hotel bed, the stark white walls a far cry from his cozy apartment.

"What time is it?" he croaked, his voice hoarse. The answer echoed hollow in the empty room.

A fragmented memory surfaced. The previous night, shrouded in the hazy fog of alcohol, he'd woken to darkness.

His gaze darted to the other side of the bed, Yin Guo was nestled beside him, her face turned towards the window, the morning light painting soft contours on her cheek.

The rise and fall of her chest a calming rhythm against the quiet hum of the air conditioner. He watched her, mesmerized, the way the sunlight traced lines across her peaceful face, highlighting the gentle curve of her lips and the flutter of her eyelashes.

He couldn't help but reach out, his fingertip hovering hesitantly just above her cheek. The temptation to trace the outline of her face, to feel the warmth of her skin beneath his touch, was almost overwhelming. He ached to brush away a stray strand of hair that tickled her nose.

But something held him back. The memory of his own recklessness, the fear of disrupting her slumber, formed an invisible barrier between them. He settled for simply letting his gaze linger, committing the image of her serenity to memory.

A soft sigh escaped Yin Guo's lips, and her eyes fluttered open. For a fleeting moment, their eyes met, hers filled with a mix of sleepiness and surprise. A blush crept up Lin Yiyang's neck as he quickly retracted his hand, his heart hammering against his ribs.

"Good morning," he mumbled, his voice thick with unspoken emotions.

Yin Guo tilted her head, her gaze still holding his. A small, knowing smile played on her lips. "Morning," she replied, her voice a gentle murmur.

- -

"Do you know how much you drank last night?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "You had almost two bottles of liquor, which is over 40% alcohol. We tried giving you the anti-hangover soup, three different times, but,"

Lin Yiyang felt his throat parched, a desperate need for water consuming him. "I know," he mumbled, his voice thick with a dryness that mirrored his throat. But then, a flicker of frustration crossed his face. "It's just, I couldn't help it."

He had also vomited the anti-hangover soup three times, rendering it ineffective. Afterwards, a discussion ensued if he still felt unwell in the morning, they would take him to the hospital. Fortunately, Lin Yiyang possessed a high tolerance for alcohol, allowing him to consume such a large quantity alone. His friends continued to offer him water, concerned about his well-being.

"Remember taking a shower yourself?" Yin Guo asked, raising her arms playfully.

He shook his head, a slight grin tugging at his lips. He knew he was lying, a sliver of memory flickering back.