Snowflakes fell in thick clusters, drifting down from the sky in a quiet dance. Aaron gently lowered Lena to the ground, but his hands remained on her waist, steadying her. His gaze locked onto her flushed face, red from both laughter and the cold. “Then… do you want to be with me?” Lena tilted her head up to look at him. Her neck was starting to ache, and the snow landing on her skin was cool to the touch. Had Aaron worn height insoles today? Why did he seem taller than usual? “I do,” she answered honestly. “But I don’t dare to.” His heart gave a sharp thud. Finally—finally—she had given him a response, even if it was just a sliver of acknowledgment. She was afraid. And he knew exactly what she was afraid of. His dark eyes deepened, reflecting the night’s shadows. “Whatever you fear, I’ll take care of it. You just need to be brave enough to move forward.” Lena’s eyes were filled with him—with this man whose face, in her eyes, was the most beautiful in the world.
Did he look like an Ace family member now? She called him Uncle Aaron—even if he didn’t like her, he still shouldn’t just abandon her like this. The two of them stood there in a silent standoff. After a few seconds, it was Aaron who gave in. Her small face was already red from the cold. If she stayed out any longer, she’d freeze. Without another word, he picked her up again, stepping through the wind and snow to place her into the car. This time, he set her in the back seat. She had always sat in the passenger seat before. Now, she wasn’t even worthy of that anymore? Maybe it was the lingering effects of the alcohol, or maybe she was just feeling too hurt, but Lena curled into herself, burying her face against her knees. Aaron saw everything. He even knew exactly what she was thinking. His heart clenched with pain, but he had to be ruthless. Only by forcing her into a corner would she find the courage to move forward—truly move forward. By the time they arrived
Sh*t! He had already left—why was he coming back?! Lena’s first instinct was to hide. Running back to the bedroom wasn’t realistic—Aaron would probably enter before she even made it. In the end, she chose the nearest possible hiding spot—the floor-length curtains. Lena’s fingers dug into the wall behind her. Her chest felt tight. Stifling. Maybe people really were pathetic—never realizing what they had until it was gone. She used to despise people like that. Now, she had become the very thing she hated most. "If you don’t like it, you can redecorate however you want before you move in," Aaron said casually. Lena’s eyes went wide. Move in? They’re moving in together?! It had only been a few days! Their progress was moving way too fast! An icy weight settled over her heart, as if a chunk of snow had been stuffed inside her chest, freezing her from the inside out. “Not at all, I quite like it,” Xandra’s voice was soft, carrying a shy undertone. Lena cle
Just as Lena was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Aaron say— “No need. I’ll do it later.” Lena: … What the hell do you mean, later? Just let her take the damn laundry so I can leave! “Aaron, can I take a look at this plant?” Xandra asked casually, but before waiting for a response, she was already walking toward the curtain—toward her. The plant was right next to where Lena was hiding. With the bright reflection of the snow outside, if Xandra so much as turned her head slightly, she’d definitely spot her. I knew I shouldn’t have hidden here! But where else could she have gone? Aaron was a minimalist—his entire home was pristine, with no unnecessary clutter. Everything was neatly tucked away in cabinets, leaving nowhere to hide. The truth was, she shouldn’t even be here. Lena held her breath, silently praying that Xandra would just glance at the plant and move on. But of course, the more she wished something wouldn’t happen, the more likely it did.
The curtain lifted slightly, and Lena felt a whisper of cold air brush against her skin. Her fingers dug into the wall once more. She didn’t see the look in Aaron’s eyes. He had known she was hiding behind the curtain. But he hadn’t expected her to be dressed like that… There was a saying among men—of all the countless things that could be considered alluring, a woman wearing nothing but a man’s shirt was undoubtedly one of them. “Aaron?” Xandra called out when he didn’t move. Aaron’s fingers loosened, and instead of pulling back the curtain, he let it drop back into place. Stepping in front of it, he said, “I just remembered I have something to take care of. Let’s check it out another time. I’ll take you home.” Xandra hesitated, sensing a brief flicker of something unreadable in his demeanor. Her eyes drifted toward the curtain for a second, but in the end, she nodded and followed him out. Lena waited, listening to the sound of the car engine fade into the distance bef
Aside from the slippery roads, there was also the joy of admiring the snowy scenery. "You haven't had breakfast, have you?" Ron asked as he handed over a bag. Lena glanced at him. Ron, unfazed, smiled and said, “It’s your favorite wheat toast.” She accepted the bag, opened it, and sure enough—it was exactly what she loved. “How did you know I like this?” “Because I’m your boyfriend,” Ron said matter-of-factly. “If I didn’t even know what you like to eat, I’d totally blow my cover if your mom ever interrogated me.” He had an easygoing charm, always carrying a smile. People said those who smiled a lot were the luckiest. Ron seemed like living proof of that. Lena finished the breakfast he had prepared for her just as they arrived at the hospital. Surprisingly, someone—either patients or the hospital staff—had built several uniquely shaped snowmen at the entrance. “I swear, this world is full of hidden talents,” Ron commented in amazement. “Look at these snowmen—each one co
"She was transferred from pediatrics and is now in charge of the VIP ward. She’s a senior nurse." Lena explained, and Keira immediately understood. "Rea, ever since you got yourself a man, you haven’t been coming around as often. The doctors and nurses have changed, and since nurses rotate throughout the hospital, many faces are probably new to you." That was true. The world was constantly changing, and very few people stayed in the same place forever. Just like Keira—she was now the owner of the courtyard house. Although she hadn’t given birth yet, Hayden was already extremely nervous, staying by her side 24/7. By New Year’s Eve, there was still no sign of labor, and she was getting restless from staying in the hospital. "Hayden, I want to go back and decorate the courtyard house. This is our first Spring Festival there." Keira had been looking forward to celebrating the New Year at the courtyard house for a long time. Lighting the big fireplace, hanging red lanterns eve
A generous boss who hands out big bonuses during the holidays? If it were Keira, she’d be worshipping him too. “We’re heading home for the New Year. If there’s any movement, we’ll come back,” Hayden said, explaining their situation to Aaron. He nodded at Keira from across Hayden and added, “Happy New Year.” “Happy New Year,” Keira replied. As she watched his car pull into the hospital, she couldn’t help but chuckle. Hayden glanced at Keira. “What’s so funny?” “He’s here to hand out bonuses. Lena will definitely run into him,” Keira said, before a thought struck her. “Hayden, do you think Aaron is so generous with this hospital because Lena works here?” Hayden simply replied, “I don’t know.” Keira tilted her head and looked at him. “Really? You don’t know?” Hayden reached out and ruffled her hair. “Most pregnant women get dumber, but you’re only getting sharper.” So Keira was right. At that moment, inside the hospital’s banquet hall, Lena was casually chatting with a
A generous boss who hands out big bonuses during the holidays? If it were Keira, she’d be worshipping him too. “We’re heading home for the New Year. If there’s any movement, we’ll come back,” Hayden said, explaining their situation to Aaron. He nodded at Keira from across Hayden and added, “Happy New Year.” “Happy New Year,” Keira replied. As she watched his car pull into the hospital, she couldn’t help but chuckle. Hayden glanced at Keira. “What’s so funny?” “He’s here to hand out bonuses. Lena will definitely run into him,” Keira said, before a thought struck her. “Hayden, do you think Aaron is so generous with this hospital because Lena works here?” Hayden simply replied, “I don’t know.” Keira tilted her head and looked at him. “Really? You don’t know?” Hayden reached out and ruffled her hair. “Most pregnant women get dumber, but you’re only getting sharper.” So Keira was right. At that moment, inside the hospital’s banquet hall, Lena was casually chatting with a
"She was transferred from pediatrics and is now in charge of the VIP ward. She’s a senior nurse." Lena explained, and Keira immediately understood. "Rea, ever since you got yourself a man, you haven’t been coming around as often. The doctors and nurses have changed, and since nurses rotate throughout the hospital, many faces are probably new to you." That was true. The world was constantly changing, and very few people stayed in the same place forever. Just like Keira—she was now the owner of the courtyard house. Although she hadn’t given birth yet, Hayden was already extremely nervous, staying by her side 24/7. By New Year’s Eve, there was still no sign of labor, and she was getting restless from staying in the hospital. "Hayden, I want to go back and decorate the courtyard house. This is our first Spring Festival there." Keira had been looking forward to celebrating the New Year at the courtyard house for a long time. Lighting the big fireplace, hanging red lanterns eve
Aside from the slippery roads, there was also the joy of admiring the snowy scenery. "You haven't had breakfast, have you?" Ron asked as he handed over a bag. Lena glanced at him. Ron, unfazed, smiled and said, “It’s your favorite wheat toast.” She accepted the bag, opened it, and sure enough—it was exactly what she loved. “How did you know I like this?” “Because I’m your boyfriend,” Ron said matter-of-factly. “If I didn’t even know what you like to eat, I’d totally blow my cover if your mom ever interrogated me.” He had an easygoing charm, always carrying a smile. People said those who smiled a lot were the luckiest. Ron seemed like living proof of that. Lena finished the breakfast he had prepared for her just as they arrived at the hospital. Surprisingly, someone—either patients or the hospital staff—had built several uniquely shaped snowmen at the entrance. “I swear, this world is full of hidden talents,” Ron commented in amazement. “Look at these snowmen—each one co
The curtain lifted slightly, and Lena felt a whisper of cold air brush against her skin. Her fingers dug into the wall once more. She didn’t see the look in Aaron’s eyes. He had known she was hiding behind the curtain. But he hadn’t expected her to be dressed like that… There was a saying among men—of all the countless things that could be considered alluring, a woman wearing nothing but a man’s shirt was undoubtedly one of them. “Aaron?” Xandra called out when he didn’t move. Aaron’s fingers loosened, and instead of pulling back the curtain, he let it drop back into place. Stepping in front of it, he said, “I just remembered I have something to take care of. Let’s check it out another time. I’ll take you home.” Xandra hesitated, sensing a brief flicker of something unreadable in his demeanor. Her eyes drifted toward the curtain for a second, but in the end, she nodded and followed him out. Lena waited, listening to the sound of the car engine fade into the distance bef
Just as Lena was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Aaron say— “No need. I’ll do it later.” Lena: … What the hell do you mean, later? Just let her take the damn laundry so I can leave! “Aaron, can I take a look at this plant?” Xandra asked casually, but before waiting for a response, she was already walking toward the curtain—toward her. The plant was right next to where Lena was hiding. With the bright reflection of the snow outside, if Xandra so much as turned her head slightly, she’d definitely spot her. I knew I shouldn’t have hidden here! But where else could she have gone? Aaron was a minimalist—his entire home was pristine, with no unnecessary clutter. Everything was neatly tucked away in cabinets, leaving nowhere to hide. The truth was, she shouldn’t even be here. Lena held her breath, silently praying that Xandra would just glance at the plant and move on. But of course, the more she wished something wouldn’t happen, the more likely it did.
Sh*t! He had already left—why was he coming back?! Lena’s first instinct was to hide. Running back to the bedroom wasn’t realistic—Aaron would probably enter before she even made it. In the end, she chose the nearest possible hiding spot—the floor-length curtains. Lena’s fingers dug into the wall behind her. Her chest felt tight. Stifling. Maybe people really were pathetic—never realizing what they had until it was gone. She used to despise people like that. Now, she had become the very thing she hated most. "If you don’t like it, you can redecorate however you want before you move in," Aaron said casually. Lena’s eyes went wide. Move in? They’re moving in together?! It had only been a few days! Their progress was moving way too fast! An icy weight settled over her heart, as if a chunk of snow had been stuffed inside her chest, freezing her from the inside out. “Not at all, I quite like it,” Xandra’s voice was soft, carrying a shy undertone. Lena cle
Did he look like an Ace family member now? She called him Uncle Aaron—even if he didn’t like her, he still shouldn’t just abandon her like this. The two of them stood there in a silent standoff. After a few seconds, it was Aaron who gave in. Her small face was already red from the cold. If she stayed out any longer, she’d freeze. Without another word, he picked her up again, stepping through the wind and snow to place her into the car. This time, he set her in the back seat. She had always sat in the passenger seat before. Now, she wasn’t even worthy of that anymore? Maybe it was the lingering effects of the alcohol, or maybe she was just feeling too hurt, but Lena curled into herself, burying her face against her knees. Aaron saw everything. He even knew exactly what she was thinking. His heart clenched with pain, but he had to be ruthless. Only by forcing her into a corner would she find the courage to move forward—truly move forward. By the time they arrived
Snowflakes fell in thick clusters, drifting down from the sky in a quiet dance. Aaron gently lowered Lena to the ground, but his hands remained on her waist, steadying her. His gaze locked onto her flushed face, red from both laughter and the cold. “Then… do you want to be with me?” Lena tilted her head up to look at him. Her neck was starting to ache, and the snow landing on her skin was cool to the touch. Had Aaron worn height insoles today? Why did he seem taller than usual? “I do,” she answered honestly. “But I don’t dare to.” His heart gave a sharp thud. Finally—finally—she had given him a response, even if it was just a sliver of acknowledgment. She was afraid. And he knew exactly what she was afraid of. His dark eyes deepened, reflecting the night’s shadows. “Whatever you fear, I’ll take care of it. You just need to be brave enough to move forward.” Lena’s eyes were filled with him—with this man whose face, in her eyes, was the most beautiful in the world.
Impossible. She felt uncomfortable, sure, but not to the point of crying. Just then, she overheard someone passing by. “It’s snowing.” Lena’s eyes snapped up to the sky. Snowflakes were drifting down, one by one, twinkling under the streetlights. “It’s snowing, Uncle Aaron! It’s snowing!” The excitement of the first snowfall instantly washed away the dull ache in her chest. Aaron hummed in acknowledgment. “It is.” “This is the first snow,” Lena said as she grabbed onto his arm, shaking it lightly. “Uncle Aaron, don’t you remember? First snow wishes always come true.” Drunk and giddy, Lena had completely reverted to her eighteen-year-old self. “Then make one,” Aaron said, indulging her. Lena rocked his arm again. “Let’s wish together! Let’s wish… um…” What should she wish for? For a moment, she blanked. Then, suddenly, she blurted out, “I wish you won’t be able to marry Xandra.” “…what?” Aaron’s sharp gaze locked onto hers. Meeting his eyes, Lena declar