Chapter Twenty-One: Snow in Beijing

Early in the morning, the thick mist that had shrouded the world suddenly dissipated, and before long, delicate crystals of pure white began to fall from the sky, fluttering down like blossoms. A few landed on Wang Yuqing’s neck, sending a cool shiver through her that made her instinctively shrink her shoulders. At that moment, she heard Tan Linlin’s delighted voice: “It’s snowing! Wow, look, real snowflakes!”

“It’s snowing?” Wang Yuqing looked up at the sky. She saw tiny, translucent six-pointed snowflakes drifting down, each with its unique shape—some spinning, some dancing, some floating gently to the ground, to the rooftops, softly kissing the earth.

“This is the first snowfall of the year, the very first of 2013. It’s a little later than last year’s,” Tan Linlin sang out, swaying to a tune that was more enthusiastic than melodic.

“Come on now, enough of that. Let’s hurry, or we’ll be late for morning reading.” Wang Yuqing laughed softly and took Tan Linlin’s hand, pulling her into a trot towards the school.

That day, Wang Yuqing wore a white little jacket and matching white boots that reached just to her ankles, her bright red scarf wrapped snugly around her neck. As she ran, she looked like a sprite of the snow, the long scarf swinging behind her with her every movement, as if it were dancing for its mistress. Even the snowflakes seemed to whirl around Yuqing, enamored by her grace.

In no time, the two of them reached the classroom. Wang Yuqing gently brushed the snow from her clothes, the flakes falling to the floor and melting into tiny puddles. She blew on her cold, reddened hands and made her way to her seat.

No sooner had she sat down than she heard Xiao Lin reciting aloud: “Suddenly, like a spring breeze overnight, thousands upon thousands of pear trees blossom forth!”

“Ha! Xiao Lin, what’s gotten into you this morning? Feeling poetic all of a sudden?” someone teased, laughter in their voice.

Wang Yuqing’s cheeks, flushed from the cold, her neck pale as snow, and a few fine strands of hair clinging to her forehead from her run, gave her a charm all her own. Xiao Lin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, “She really is beautiful—no matter the circumstance, she draws the eye.”

“That’s right. I really do want to focus on my studies now. And I finished yesterday’s math test—you can check it for me later,” Xiao Lin said.

“Why didn’t you wear something warmer? It’s snowing, and when it melts it’ll be freezing.” Xiao Lin frowned as he watched Yuqing stamping her small feet under the desk. The classroom rarely used the heater, except during the sweltering days of summer.

“I left in a hurry—who would have thought it would snow? Never mind, I’ll check your test now,” Yuqing replied, brushing her bangs aside.

Xiao Lin took out his math test, then paused, reached into his bag, and pulled out a jacket—one he used to use as a pillow during naps in class. Though he hadn’t needed it lately, he still brought it out of habit.

“Here, lean forward a bit.”

“What are you doing?” Yuqing asked, her beautiful eyes full of surprise.

Xiao Lin gently draped the jacket over her legs. “This will help keep you warm.”

Yuqing looked down at the jacket across her lap and felt the warmth seep into her legs. Her heart filled with sweetness—this boy did care about her after all. The thought brought a smile to her lips, a smile that could captivate a nation.

Outside, the snow continued to fall, growing ever heavier. A gentle morning breeze swirled some of the flakes in spinning eddies. The voices of students reading aloud drifted through the windows, as if accompanying the dance of the snow outside.

The bell for the second class before lunch rang out, and the students stretched, relaxing their tense bodies. Xiao Lin massaged his head, a bit weary from his efforts.

At Innovation High School, there was a half-hour break after the second class. The school’s leadership understood the value of balancing work and rest.

“Wow, it’s really coming down!” exclaimed a student just outside the classroom, drawing several others out for a look.

Wang Tao, who had been doodling circles on the fogged windowpane, grabbed Yuan Weiye and headed for the door without a second thought.

As more and more voices sounded in surprise, nearly everyone left the classroom to see the snow. Xiao Lin and his friends naturally joined them.

The world outside was transformed, blanketed in pure white after hours of falling snow.

Suddenly, someone shouted, “Let’s go have a snowball fight!”

Many dismissed the idea as childish, but as always, all it takes is one leader—like the old tale of three men making a tiger. At first, only a few joined in, but soon more and more were swept up in the fun, even some of the girls—Tan Linlin among them.

With a thud, a snowball hit Xiao Lin square on the mouth. He spat out the snow, looking around indignantly for the culprit, and spotted Xu Tong showing off another snowball.

“Xu Tong, you dare challenge me? I’ll show you what happens when you provoke me!” Xiao Lin jumped down the steps, scooped up some snow, packed it into a ball, and threw it at Xu Tong. The snowball arced beautifully through the air and landed perfectly on Xu Tong’s head.

Xiao Lin burst into laughter at the sight of Xu Tong covered in snow. “That’s a bullseye if I ever saw one!”

“Unforgivable! You hit me on the head!” Xu Tong retaliated with a snowball of his own, and soon several others joined in. Snowballs flew back and forth, the group dissolving into cheerful chaos.

Wang Yuqing watched them at play, a charming smile on her lips, but she didn’t join in—she just stood quietly, watching Xiao Lin.

Suddenly, Tan Linlin shouted, “Yuqing, come down and play!”

Yuqing shook her head at the sight of Tan Linlin covered in snow. “No, I’m not as wild as you all…” She hadn’t finished her sentence before a snowball landed on her head. She cried out in surprise, flailing as she tried to brush the snow from her hair.

Xu Tong and the others looked at Tan Linlin in confusion. She waved her hands. “It wasn’t me!”

At that moment, Xiao Lin laughed triumphantly. “Haha, Yuqing, getting hit by a snowball is fun, isn’t it?”

Yuqing had just brushed the snow from her head when she heard Xiao Lin’s laughter.

“Xiao Lin, are you crazy? Why’d you hit me?” Her voice rang out, loud enough for everyone to hear. The boys stopped their play and turned to see who had dared to hit their goddess. When they realized it was Xiao Lin, many glared at him angrily.

Just then, Wang Tao shouted, “Boss Xiao, run for it! Time to make your escape!”

“Huh? Why should I run?” Xiao Lin asked, standing there confused.

“Get him!” came the chorus from the crowd.

“Aaah!” Xiao Lin watched as countless snowballs flew toward him and finally understood what Wang Tao had meant. But where could he run? The courtyard was full of people.

A minute later, Wang Yuqing looked at Xiao Lin, now thoroughly transformed into a snowman, and laughed so hard she bent double. “Xiao Lin, that’s what you call bringing disaster on yourself!”

Xiao Lin could have cried, but there were no tears left.