What she experienced, what she saw, what she possessed, they couldnât even imagine.
However, she hadnât been to this ski resort, as it was a recreational activity that had only become popular recently.
When he heard about the West Suburb Ski Resort, for some reason, Chu Chengfengâs eyebrows furrowed involuntarily, feeling a sense of aversion and reluctance to go to this place. But when he saw the hopeful look in Liu Lingâs eyes, he couldnât help but nod, "Okay, Iâll take you there tomorrow."
Liu Lingâs face instantly lit up with a smile, "I knew Brother Mo Li is the best."
The inexplicable feeling of suffocation Chu Chengfeng felt earlier was somewhat alleviated by her smile. He felt a tinge of nostalgia, recalling the once proud Little Phoenix Bird, now so delighted just to visit a ski resort. One can only imagine how her life was during the time he hadnât found her.
At that moment, a sense of guilt rose in Chu Chengfengâs heart. He reached out his hand, gently patted her head, and said softly, "From now on, whatever you want to do, just tell me, and Iâll take you."
"Got it, Brother Mo Li. I wonât stand on ceremony with you."
Chu Chengfeng suddenly remembered something, "Donât keep calling me Brother Mo Li."
"Why?" Liu Ling asked gently, with a hint of displeasure, but still with her usual gentle demeanor. After all, that was just her nature, even when annoyed, she wouldnât lose her temper.
"Itâs nothing significant, just that no one knows me by that name now. If someone hears it, theyâll ask all sorts of questions, and Iâm too lazy to explain."
"But you told me last time that Sima Xiaowen advised you to use the name Chu Chengfeng less often. So, what exactly should I call you?"
Liu Ling suddenly asked with a half-smile.
Chu Chengfeng was taken aback. Yes, what should he be called?
"Forget it, Iâll call you Big Brother Chu from now on." Liu Ling seemed unwilling to see Chu Chengfeng troubled and gently compromised.
Chu Chengfeng felt a bit embarrassed. Scratching the back of his head, he admitted with some shame, "Ling Ling, do you think Iâm not as good as before now?"
He thought Liu Ling would surely say youâre just like before, but unexpectedly, Liu Ling nodded seriously and said, "Big Brother Chu, you have indeed changed in some ways. You seem to be bound in your actions, hesitant. Iâm not trying to sow discord. Iâm just saying that whatever name you want to use is your freedom, and it has nothing to do with me or Sima Xiaowen."
Chu Chengfeng was stunned, pressing his lips together without saying a word.
But his heart was far from calm.
Liu Ling was right. Why was he more constrained now than before, as if shackled?
Sima Xiaowen advised him to use the name Chu Chengfeng as little as possible, and now he didnât want others to know him as Mo Li. So, what exactly should he do?
Feeling a bit agitated, Chu Chengfeng ruffled his hair and changed the subject, "... Iâll go tidy up, then take you out for dinner."
Seeing Chu Chengfeng unwilling to continue the conversation, Liu Ling tactfully didnât press further and merely nodded with a forced smile.
Although she had more important things to do, this side of Chu Chengfeng made Liu Ling somewhat uncomfortable, sensing that some things might not be as straightforward as she imagined.
So she could only take things as they come.
At the West Suburb Ski Resort in the Imperial Capital, although it wasnât the weekend, it was still as crowded as usual.
Chu Chengfeng didnât recall ever being here.
However, the staff and the manager were extremely welcoming to him, as if he were a regular. Yet, this ski resort had only been open for two years.
His only explanation was that he and Sima Xiaowen must have been here before, possibly multiple times.
Even if he had no memory of it, the manager, staff, and even the instructors knew him, and he had a VIP card here.
Chu Chengfengâs expression was not very good.
After breaking up with Sima Xiaowen, he assumed everything was back to the way it was before. Yet he discovered that as long as he remained in the Imperial Capital, Sima Xiaowenâs shadow would inevitably appear in his life. Just because he didnât remember didnât mean others wouldnât, leading to the current situation.
After all, the manager here didnât know he had broken up with Sima Xiaowen.
Though curious about Liu Ling beside him, the manager warmly said, "Director Chu, why did you and Miss Sima come separately? Sheâs over there at the ski slope. Would you like me to tell her youâre here?"
What, Sima Xiaowen was also at this ski resort!
Not only Liu Ling, but Chu Chengfeng also furrowed his brow. How could it be such a coincidence?
Liu Ling was also frustrated, but she couldnât blame Chu Chengfeng since it was her idea to come here.
Who could have thought Sima Xiaowen would be here too? If they turned around and left, it would just give people something to talk about.
Chu Chengfeng shook his head vaguely, "No need, no need, Iâm heading that way."
Even though he didnât remember anything about the ski resort and even if he couldnât ski, this wasnât something that could trouble him.
Liu Ling felt the same. The manager knew this too and didnât assign them an instructor.
Holding the ski suits and equipment, Chu Chengfeng led Liu Ling in the opposite direction of where the ski slope manager had pointed. Liu Ling remained silent as she understood Chu Chengfeng was avoiding Sima Xiaowen; she didnât want to see that girl either.
This girl was still the same as before; her mental resilience was stronger than average. The fact that she could discuss marriage with Chu Chengfeng proved she genuinely liked him. Even now, although her true feelings were unclear, on the surface, she seemed to have returned to her previous bold and carefree self.
Even though this place should have been a place of heartache for her, she deliberately came here.
But as the saying goes, life is full of unexpected events. You encounter the very things you wish to avoid.
Thinking theyâd already avoided Sima Xiaowen, they ended up face to face.
The weather wasnât too cold today, so Sima Xiaowen wasnât wearing a mask. She wore a red ski suit, with black hair cascading like waves down her back, topped with a red hat with a pom-pom. Some might not be able to pull off such a red ensemble, but Sima Xiaowen wore it beautifully, even more dazzling than the sun, successfully making Chu Chengfeng avert his gaze.
But he quickly looked back because he realized Sima Xiaowen wasnât alone. Beside her stood a tall man, unfamiliar to him. Despite thinking hard, he couldnât place him, unsure if he forgot or if the person never existed. But undeniably, this man was handsome.
And the way he looked at Sima Xiaowen was gentle, with a seemingly hidden affection. Did it even require guessing?