Cecilia Ye couldn’t help but feel that Julian Jarvis was different today. He’d always been so attentive and polite before, so why did he seem just the slightest bit ‘bad’ all of a sudden?
She’d never skied before, and now, with Julian Jarvis watching her, her hands and feet felt even more awkward.
The moment she strapped on her skis, she plopped straight onto the ground, unable to get up. Her hands pressed hopelessly against the snow, but she just couldn’t get any leverage.
People all around glanced over with amused looks. Even in the freezing weather, Cecilia Ye’s cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Julian Jarvis let out a low chuckle and reached a hand out to her.
Honestly, Cecilia Ye was so adorably helpless—like a little bunny who’d taken a tumble in the snow.
But he couldn’t bear to just watch her struggle. If he left her like this, she might get mad later.
With one strong pull, Julian Jarvis hoisted Cecilia Ye to her feet. He crouched and shook her boots a little. “Are they too loose? You don’t want them too loose, or you’ll twist your ankle.”
Cecilia Ye wiggled her feet, mumbling, “It feels okay.”
“Bend your knees a bit. If you fall, lean forward on your hands—don’t be scared.”
Cecilia Ye nodded, and Julian Jarvis slowly let go of her hand.
But the skis seemed to have a mind of their own. The second she let go, they slid outward on their own.
She spent the whole morning falling over and over, making Julian Jarvis laugh so hard he could barely stand up straight.
In the end, Cecilia Ye gave up, flopping down in the snow. “Forget it. You go ski, Julian Jarvis. I’m too hopeless.”
Julian Jarvis squatted down to look at her, eyes deep and shining, with white snow reflected in them and a smile tugging at his lips. “You’re not hopeless—it’s your first time! Look at Yao Yao.”
Cecilia Ye followed his gaze. Mia Moore was sprawled in the snow, flapping around helplessly.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve brought her here, and it’s always the same. I’m a lost cause as a teacher.”
From a distance, Mia Moore glanced at them suspiciously. She had the sense they were talking behind her back.
“Hey! You better not bully Cecilia, ge! Teach her properly!”
Cecilia Ye couldn’t hold back a laugh. Julian Jarvis shrugged at her.
He helped her up and took off her skis. “Come on, let’s take a break. Let’s go sit over there.”
There were benches and a restaurant outside the ski slope. Julian Jarvis went to buy drinks, and Cecilia Ye waited for him.
Seeing them resting, Mia Moore huffed her way up from below, looking thoroughly exasperated.
“Done! I’m done! Everyone else comes to ski, I just come to take wipeouts.”
She tossed her skis aside and plopped down next to Cecilia Ye, hugging her tight.
“Ugh, Cecilia, I’m so tired.”
“You’re exhausted? Then rest,” Cecilia Ye said, brushing melting snow from Mia Moore’s collar.
“Seriously though, who really comes to a ski resort to, like, ski? Come on, let's take some photos! The sunlight’s perfect right now.”
She had a point—the sunlight was golden, turning the wintry world into something dazzlingly beautiful.
Julian Jarvis came back carrying a few hot drinks. He handed Cecilia Ye a hot milk and passed one to Mia Moore too.
“Ge, ge! Take a picture of us right now—this place looks amazing.”
Julian Jarvis frowned. “You little troublemaker.”
Still, despite his grumbling, he took Mia Moore’s phone, stepped back, and aimed it at the pair.
The blush hadn’t quite faded from Cecilia Ye’s face. Her bunny-ear hat drooped behind her head, and her hair was tied in two playful braids. She'd pushed her oversized ski goggles up onto her head, and her small face was nestled between her hat's flaps.
The sunlight illuminated Cecilia Ye’s face, highlighting even the soft fuzz along her cheeks. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows, making her impossible to look away from.
Compared to Cecilia Ye’s shy cuteness, Mia Moore was all lively mischief, her big round eyes sparkling playfully.
Two beautiful girls and a handsome guy—they were an instant spectacle, with passersby sneaking glances their way.
Mia Moore, of course, didn’t care. Clinging to Cecilia Ye, she called out, “Ge, if you take an ugly photo of us, I’ll push you right down this slope!”
She brandished a fist in mock threat, drawing laughter from those nearby.
“Got it, got it. Quit nagging.”
Julian Jarvis stood there lazily with the phone, but when he saw the tiny Cecilia Ye in the frame, his heart skipped a beat.
They’d skied for an hour, but spent two taking pictures.
By the time they left the slopes, it was already evening. After changing, they headed to their reserved restaurant for dinner.
The private room was on the second floor, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
The setting sun poured through, painting the room with a wash of dazzling color.
The sunset outside was a riot of shifting hues, making everything look dreamlike and surreal.
The colors were so breathtaking that Cecilia Ye couldn’t resist taking a photo. She opened her social feed, thinking she might post it.
Maybe Xavier Foster would see it, too. It could be her way of sharing this moment with him, just like before.
She’d always liked to share beautiful things with Xavier Foster—whether it was the first bloom of a hibiscus flower or sunlight spilling into her studio at dawn.
Sometimes, Xavier Foster would even write back a word or two: 'It looks great.' That was enough to fill her heart with joy.
“Cecilia, what are you doing?”
Mia Moore popped her head over Cecilia’s shoulder, reaching for her phone. “No, no, you can’t just post a sunset! Where am I? After all those pictures we took today!”
Cecilia Ye laughed. “Then what do you want to post?”
“Obviously our best selfies! Those girls on your feed need to see our beauty!”
Mia Moore started furiously scrolling through their pictures. Cecilia Ye let her be—she wasn’t usually much for taking photos, but today was different.
Mia Moore managed to pull together nine snapshots, muttering as she posted, “Cecilia, you're so pretty—the photo editing app is totally useless on your face.”
Leaned back in his chair, Julian Jarvis listened to their banter and grinned. “So it’s all my photography skills, then?”
Mia Moore shot him a look of mock disdain. “So you’re saying Cecilia’s not pretty, ge? No wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.”
Julian Jarvis gritted his teeth. “Mia Moore, I was going to get you something nice for New Year’s, but now I’m reconsidering.”
“How could you! Ge, your photos are amazing! If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have so many good ones today!”
Cecilia Ye watched the siblings bickering, a soft, envious smile on her lips.
How lucky Mia Moore was, to have a brother who cherished her so.
Dinner arrived quickly. Mia Moore handed the phone back to Cecilia Ye.
Cecilia Ye saw that the sunset photo was right in the center, surrounded by pictures of her and Mia Moore. The caption read: 'Beauties! Sunsets! I want them all!'
She couldn’t help but laugh, then turned off the phone and concentrated on dinner.
After eating, they planned to soak in the hot spring. The springs outside were crowded, but luckily each room had its own private hot bath.
Julian Jarvis returned to his own room, while Mia Moore eagerly pulled Cecilia Ye away for a soak.
Their room had a private hot spring pool, and as soon as they slipped into the steamy water, Cecilia Ye couldn’t help but let out a sigh of contentment.
“Wow, Cecilia, this feels incredible.”
“Yeah, it really does.”
The pool was large enough for both of them to stretch out comfortably.
Mia Moore scooted closer to Cecilia Ye, noticing a faint scar on her neck and looking at her with concern.
She hugged Cecilia Ye suddenly. “I’m so sorry, Cecilia. I wasn’t even in the country back then—I didn’t come see you. You must’ve been so scared.”
Cecilia Ye froze for a second. Mia Moore was usually all carefree bravado, but she truly cared deep down.
“Don't be silly. That’s all in the past—I'm fine now.”
But Mia Moore only cried harder. “Boohoo, from now on, I’ll definitely protect you, Cecilia!”
Cecilia Ye laughed despite herself. “Okay, okay, I’m counting on you, Yao Yao!”
Mia Moore let herself be teased, then mischievously tugged at Cecilia Ye’s shoulder strap—her fair skin flashing beneath the thin bathrobe.
In a flash, Mia Moore scooted away, grinning wickedly. “Wow, not only are you gorgeous, Cecilia, but you’ve got a killer figure too!”
“If I were a guy, I’d snatch you up on the spot!”
Cecilia Ye scooped up some water and splashed Mia Moore. “Oh, so now you’re flirting with me? What about that promise to protect me?”
“Can’t blame a girl for charging a little ‘protection fee’ in advance!”
Their laughter echoed through the steamy air, while outside, snow had begun to fall without them noticing.
After their soak, the two returned to their rooms.
The long day left Cecilia Ye exhausted, on the edge of sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
She hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. Lying in bed, a gentle smile lingered on her lips.
With friends like these, she really was lucky. Even if Xavier Foster wasn’t in her life anymore, she’d still be just fine.
Cecilia Ye closed her eyes, not noticing her phone lighting up and fading again on her desk, displaying a string of missed calls.