Snow drifted gently from the dark winter sky, covering the quiet street in a soft white blanket. Streetlights glowed warmly through the falling snow, and the cold night air carried a calm silence.
Two figures stood facing each other.
A young girl wrapped tightly in a thick winter coat and a pale scarf clutched her hands nervously in front of her. Snowflakes landed on her long hair and eyelashes, melting slowly as her breath formed little clouds in the cold.
Across from her stood a tall young man, equally wrapped in a winter coat and dark scarf. His sharp eyes watched her quietly, curiosity mixed with confusion.
Lin Qingyao lowered her head slightly, her fingers trembling.
"Gu… Gu Zeyan…" she called softly.
The young man lifted his eyebrows. "Hmm?"
Her heart pounded violently in her chest.
Say it… say it now…
She inhaled deeply, gathering every bit of courage she had.
"I… I like you," she blurted out suddenly. "No… I love you!"
The words hung in the snowy air.
Gu Zeyan froze.
For a moment he simply stared at her, clearly stunned. Snowflakes continued falling around them, the world strangely quiet.
Lin Qingyao's cheeks burned red.
Did I just ruin everything?
Before she could say anything else, Gu Zeyan suddenly stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
In a blink he was standing right in front of her.
Her heart skipped.
His hand slowly wrapped around her waist, pulling her gently closer to him.
"Gu—Gu Zeyan…!" she gasped.
Her heart pounded wildly against her chest.
Their faces moved closer… closer… until only a breath separated them.
Then—
Their lips met.
Warm.
Soft.
Lin Qingyao's eyes widened in shock before slowly closing. Snowflakes fell around them like tiny stars while time itself seemed to stop.
Seconds passed.
Neither of them moved.
Finally, Gu Zeyan pulled back slightly. His eyes softened as he looked at her flushed face.
"I love you too," he said quietly.
Before she could even react, he leaned forward again.
Their lips met once more.
This time longer.
Snow continued falling beautifully around them as if blessing the moment. The cold wind blew softly, but neither of them cared.
They kissed again and again, lost in the warmth of each other.
Then—
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
A loud alarm shattered the silence.
The snowy scene vanished instantly.
Lin Qingyao shot upright in bed, her eyes wide open.
Her lips were still slightly puckered as if she had been kissing someone.
She blinked.
Then groaned, rubbing her forehead.
"…Again… this dream."
Her messy hair stuck out in all directions as sunlight streamed through the small apartment window.
She turned to the clock.
8:00 AM
Her eyes nearly popped out.
"WHAT?! EIGHT O'CLOCK?!"
She jumped out of bed instantly.
"Today is my interview!"
Lin Qingyao rushed into the bathroom like a storm.
Toothbrush in mouth.
Hair half tied.
Water splashing everywhere.
Five chaotic minutes later she ran back to her room wrapped in a towel, quickly digging through her clothes.
"This one… no… too formal… THIS ONE!"
She quickly dressed in a neat but stylish outfit suitable for a job interview.
Standing before the mirror, she fixed her hair carefully and adjusted her collar.
She stared at her reflection.
A young woman with bright eyes and determined energy stared back.
She pointed at the mirror.
"You can do it, Lin Qingyao!"
Her stomach suddenly growled.
"Oh right—breakfast."
She grabbed a single slice of bread from the kitchen and stuffed it into her mouth while putting on her shoes.
After locking the door, she hurried down the apartment stairs while chewing.
Just as she reached the street, her elderly neighbor waved.
"Qingyao! Going somewhere so early?"
She quickly swallowed the bread.
"Yes! I have a job interview today!"
"Good luck!" the neighbor smiled.
"Thank you!"
She continued walking quickly along the busy road.
While walking, she spoke softly to herself.
"My name is Lin Qingyao. I'm 24 years old. I graduated from Chinese University with a major in design."
She sighed dramatically.
"I've attended so many interviews already… but every company says the same thing."
'Low vacancy.'
'Too many applicants.'
'We will contact you later.'
"And some people just get jobs because of family connections…"
She clenched her fists.
"But this time will be different."
She nodded firmly.
"This time I'll get the job!"
Just then her phone started ringing.
She checked the screen.
"Mei Lin?"
She answered quickly.
"Hello!"
A cheerful voice exploded from the phone.
"LIN QINGYAO! Did you wake up or are you still sleeping like a lazy panda?!"
"I'm already on the way!"
"Good! Don't miss this interview! This company is huge!"
"I know, I know."
"You MUST get this job," Mei Lin insisted dramatically.
Qingyao laughed. "I'll try my best."
"Not try. GET IT!"
"Okay okay!"
The two girls chatted happily while Qingyao approached a busy intersection.
"Alright," Qingyao said. "I need to cross the road now."
"Call me later and tell me what happened!"
"Deal. Bye!"
"Bye!"
Qingyao hung up the phone and stepped onto the crosswalk.
Halfway across the road—
A loud engine roared.
A black luxury car sped toward her at terrifying speed.
Qingyao froze.
Her eyes widened in shock.
The car was coming straight toward her.
"Ah—!"
She couldn't move.
Her mind went blank.
The car screeched violently—
SCREEEEEECH!
The tires screamed against the asphalt.
The car stopped just inches away from her.
So close that she could see her reflection on the glossy black hood.
Snow from the previous night slid slowly off the windshield.
Lin Qingyao stood frozen in the middle of the road.
Her heart pounded wildly.
Inside the car…
Someone slowly lifted their head.
And the driver's door began to open.
End of Chapter 1...