I really didn’t want to waste my time going out with Yan Dong for his so-called spur-of-the-moment photography.
He could slack off and avoid studying all he liked, but I had to work hard for my scholarship exams.
But obviously, things like this weren’t up to me.
I’d hoped to finish up quickly and get back to studying, but it looked like that was out of the question today.
As the elevator descended, I stared at the changing numbers, but out of the corner of my eye, I was watching Yan Dong as he lowered his head, fiddling with the shutter.
The deep brown camera strap was pressed into the folds of his thin down jacket, making his collarbone stand out even more.
By normal standards, Yan Dong was certainly handsome.
He always called himself a “tall, rich, and handsome guy”, and honestly, it wasn’t much of an exaggeration.
But I wasn’t interested in those things.
Compared to his looks, I cared more about this month’s basic expenses.
It wasn’t even ten days into the month, and this Young Master had already spent much more on bottled water than he did at this time last month.
“Hey, Lin, are you staring at me because you’re debating whether or not to confess your feelings?”
Yan Dong suddenly turned his face toward me, a few strands of black hair brushing against his hoodie collar.
The corner of his eye lifted with a mocking curve that made me uncomfortable.
“I do want to confess to the Young Master, in the Remedial Class classroom.”
I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear with practiced ease, a gentle, professional smile already on my face.
“If we hurry, the Physics Teacher can even serve as a witness.”
“Tsk, next time for sure.”
“Alright, let me know when you’ve made up your mind.”
I shot him a cold glance, not bothering to engage further. I retreated half a step into the corner of the elevator, gripping my Old Mobile Phone a little tighter.
The best way to handle this situation was to report to Uncle Yan.
Although, after sending the message, things might just backfire on me.
“Lin, tie your scarf properly.”
He suddenly reached out and tugged at my loosely wrapped Cedar Scented Scarf, his fingertips brushing my earlobe.
At that moment, I heard the quiet click of the shutter.
When I looked up, I met his triumphant, unrestrained smile.
The lens cap spun a silver arc around his index finger.
“Let’s call this photo ‘The Fluffy Little Squirrel.'”
Utterly childish.
I hugged the Tripod in silence, staring coldly at this “genius” who seemed interested in everything except studying.
Yan Dong could drop a hundred and fifty thousand on a Leica just to indulge a whim, while I couldn’t even stay in my room to review my PPTs on a secondhand phone without giving way to him.
My mind wandered in circles until the frigid wind, laced with ice, slapped my face as we left the building.
Only then did I realize that the lingering Snow Pine Scent on my scarf was warmer than my own body heat.
“Why does it feel even colder than this morning?”
Instinctively, I pulled my old Cotton Coat tighter and buried my chin into the warm scarf, listening to the rhythmic crunch of my cheap Snow Boots on the icy road.
“Of course it is. Melting snow absorbs heat. Has the National Second Prize in Physics Competition winner already forgotten such basic knowledge?”
Yan Dong suddenly grabbed my right arm and pulled me to the side, the Snow Pine Scent mixing with his body heat as it enveloped me.
I stumbled to avoid a sunken patch of ice, the metal legs of the Tripod in my arms jabbing my ribs, a pain much sharper than the minus-three-degree air.
“Well, I have to remember more important things for certain people.”
I smoothed the folds of my scarf, catching a glimpse of a worn photo curled at the edge of his jacket pocket.
Yan Madam’s gentle features were faintly visible on the yellowed paper, a stark contrast to her son’s tense jawline.
“Like the skull you drew on your exam paper, Young Master.”
As expected, his cold, mocking laughter drifted past my ear, mingling with the white mist of post-snow air.
“Lin Yunxia, you still haven’t paid me back for ratting me out to my dad! I got chewed out and almost lost my credit card for the month.”
I adjusted the black metal Tripod and pulled it closer. Standing on the scattered snow, I shot Yan Dong a glance and replied in my usual flat tone, “That was your own doing, Young Master. I only told Uncle Yan the truth.”
“So, are you planning to tell him the truth about today, too?”
“Young Master is really clever.”
Though my words sounded like praise, my tone was utterly flat, and I didn’t even bother to look up.
“Lin, how many times do I have to tell you? Can you stop talking to me in that deadpan tone?”
The reason I butted heads with Yan Dong wasn’t because of that trivial matter yesterday.
I’m not that petty.
It’s just that seeing Uncle Yan still working overtime despite his poor health, while Yan Dong acted so nonchalant and unmotivated, made me a little angry.
Of course, at the end of the day, I was just an insignificant servant. I had neither the right nor the ability to meddle in the family’s affairs.
My only goal was to make things a little less pleasant for Yan Dong, so he’d stay home quietly and not add to Uncle Yan’s troubles.
So, after taking a deep breath, I deliberately provoked him again.
“Let’s talk when you stop upsetting Uncle Yan, Young Master.”
Sure enough, the glass of the shop window reflected his face, suddenly tense and cold. It was the same reaction he always had whenever anyone mentioned his family.
He stopped and turned, fixing me with a dark stare.
“Calling him Uncle Yan so sweetly, who are you trying to impress? He’s my dad, not yours.”
“Of course Uncle Yan is your father, Young Master. I’m just a little servant trying to repay a debt of gratitude. Surely you wouldn’t want to be outdone by someone like me, right?”
“Such a loyal Miss Lin.”
He suddenly stepped closer, the biting Snow Pine Scent pressing in like it could crush everything between us.
“Don’t forget, we still have nineteen years and eleven months left as master and servant…”
“Young Master, your mother’s photo is about to fall out.”
I calmly interrupted, avoiding his burning gaze and letting my eyes settle on his heaving chest.
That old, yellowed photo was slipping from his pocket with every shaky breath.
At my reminder, Yan Dong jerked back like he’d been burned, clutching his pocket.
I couldn’t see his face, maybe I just didn’t dare look into his eyes and see those complicated emotions.
But the way he clutched his pocket told me all I needed to know about what he was feeling.
Lin, for things you shouldn’t see, you’d better keep your eyes shut.
If I spoke now, Yan Dong would probably say that to me.
In the end, the two of us stood stiffly in the cold wind for a long time before he suddenly turned and strode toward the subway station.
“What are you spacing out for?”
Yan Dong’s impatient voice, laced with the chill of the snow, reached my ears from not far away.
With no other choice, I hugged the Tripod tighter and hurried after him, letting out a quiet sigh.