After two days of fun, Cecilia Ye and Mia Moore had lost their initial excitement. The two of them sat side by side at the top of the ski slope, basking in the sunlight, snowboards still strapped to their feet.
Watching Xavier Foster and Julian Jarvis laugh and glide down the slopes, their hearts felt light. It was a pleasing sight.
But some people have a knack for ruining others’ good times, as if happiness is a provocation inviting trouble.
When Bai Yu zhi appeared on the far end of the slope, Cecilia Ye immediately wanted to leave.
But with her snowboard still buckled to her boots, she bent over to unfasten it.
Mia Moore followed her gaze and spotted Bai Yu zhi too. Sure enough, that woman was like a haunting ghost that never left them in peace.
This time, Bai Yu zhi wasn’t alone. Another woman stood at her side as they walked closer, speaking loudly with pointed glances in their direction.
When they drew near, Mia Moore didn’t hesitate—she positioned herself protectively in front of Cecilia Ye.
"Oh, Yu zhi, isn’t this the little orphan that got picked up and brought home?" The woman in gaudy makeup behind Mia Moore gave Cecilia Ye a theatrical once-over.
They all knew Bai Yu zhi’s story by now. The Fu family was originally supposed to marry Bai Yu zhi, but this girl had snatched that spot midway. If Bai Yu zhi really married into the Fu family, maybe they’d get to ride those coattails.
"Ha, no wonder it reeks around here. Turns out something disgusting finally crawled out," Mia Moore sneered, folding her arms and glancing sideways at Bai Yu zhi and her companion. "Tsk tsk, you’d think we’re here to ski, but some people look more like peacocks escaping from the zoo."
Mia Moore refused to back down. She hadn’t been around before, but Bai Yu zhi had bullied Cecilia plenty. Today, she’d stick up for her friend.
"Miss, we don’t even know you. Isn’t it unnecessary to talk that way?" Bai Yu zhi’s tone turned sweet and affected, as it always did around others. "I just noticed Cecilia was here, so I came over to say hello."
"Cecilia? And who are you to call her that? Brazen white lotus—why don't you just stick yourself into those snowdrifts? That's where white lotuses belong, isn’t it? Snowy mountains and all."
At last, Mia Moore’s blunt words made Bai Yu zhi’s expression darken with barely concealed malice. Her crimson lips curved into a cold smile. "Why shouldn’t I call her that? Sooner or later, I’ll be Cecilia’s sister-in-law—what’s wrong with a little familiarity?"
Speechless, Mia Moore kicked off her snowboard, ready to step forward.
But Cecilia Ye caught her arm. She didn’t want to argue, didn’t even want to meet Bai Yu zhi’s eyes.
Maybe Bai Yu zhi’s appearance today was just a coincidence, maybe not.
Regardless, Cecilia Ye only wanted to stay far away. Every time Bai Yu zhi showed up, nothing good ever came of it.
"Yao Yao, let’s go. We’ll get something to drink for Zhiye and your brother for later."
Mia Moore glanced at Cecilia Ye with concern, and seeing her still try to smile, she gave up the fight. There was no point squabbling with Bai Yu zhi today.
But when Bai Yu zhi heard that Xavier Foster was here, her eyes suddenly gleamed.
She huffed and bent over, pretending to help Cecilia Ye unstrap her snowboard.
The woman behind Bai Yu zhi, though, had no intention of letting things go. She stepped forward and aimed a swift kick at the crouched Mia Moore.
Cecilia Ye barely had time to think—she dove forward, shielding Mia Moore with her body.
The woman’s boot landed mercilessly on Cecilia Ye’s lower leg, and she tumbled into the snow. Her ski boots, still tightly laced, tugged painfully at her ankle. Gritting her teeth against the sharp pain, she pressed her hand to her throbbing ankle and let out a stifled cry.
"Cecilia!" Mia Moore’s anxious voice rang out.
She spun around and glared daggers at the two women behind her, then grabbed a fistful of snow and hurled it at Bai Yu zhi’s face. In the blink of an eye—before either woman could react—Mia Moore pushed them both down the slope.
The incline was steep, and this time, Bai Yu zhi really tumbled head over heels.
Cecilia Ye jumped in alarm and peered down, but thankfully, the slope was blanketed in snow, so at least they wouldn’t be hurt badly.
Bai Yu zhi and her friend had it coming for picking on them, especially for trying to kick Mia Moore. Cecilia Ye took a deep breath—let them blame themselves for their own actions.
They rolled nearly a dozen meters before crashing to a stop at the slope’s edge.
Coming off the ski lift, Xavier Foster saw it all. He shot Cecilia Ye a cold look, not even pausing to check if she was hurt.
He tossed aside his snowboard and bolted down the slope, urgency in his stride, his eyes locked on Bai Yu zhi.
His tall figure bent to scoop someone off the ground. Cecilia Ye didn’t have to look to know who—his face must be filled with concern. And as for Bai Yu zhi, she’d surely just weep in his arms, twisting the story her way.
Someone crouched down in front of her—it was Julian Jarvis. "Cecilia, what happened? Where does it hurt?"
Cecilia Ye shook her head and forced a smile. "It’s nothing."
"Bro, that woman must be crazy! She kicked Cecilia—" Mia Moore helped Cecilia Ye up, her eyes red. "It was meant for me. It’s my fault, Cecilia…"
"Silly, they were after me. I should be apologizing to you instead."
Cecilia Ye gently patted her head. The pain in her foot was so sharp that cold sweat broke out across her back.
Yet when Xavier Foster drew near, Cecilia Ye gritted her teeth and refused to utter a word about her injury.
Bai Yu zhi, still cradled in his arms, started to sob. "Aye, I only came out for a little fun with my friends. I didn’t expect to run into you… I’m sorry. It was my fault."
He ignored Bai Yu zhi completely, merely glancing at Cecilia Ye, while Julian Jarvis moved to block him, pulling Cecilia Ye behind him.
The two men—both imposing, both cold-eyed—stared each other down, the tension thick between them.
At last, Xavier Foster let out a dry laugh and walked past, still carrying Bai Yu zhi away.
Only after he’d left did Cecilia Ye stoop over, gritting her teeth as the pain in her ankle grew even sharper.
She tried to endure it, but a lone tear slipped and landed on the snow, carving a tiny hole that vanished instantly.
Julian Jarvis swept her effortlessly into his arms and strode toward the parking lot.
"Julian Jarvis…"
"I’ll take you to the hospital," he said, clearly seeing through her forced display of strength. Unlike her so-called husband, who seemed utterly blind.
Xavier Foster had just pulled his car into the lot when, through the tinted windshield, he saw Julian Jarvis carrying her over. Something twisted in his chest. His brow furrowed, his hands gripping the wheel so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Aye, where are we going?" Bai Yu zhi, sitting beside him in the passenger seat, gazed at him with a pitiful smile.
He glanced at her, and the memory surfaced again: last time, carrying Cecilia Ye from the passenger seat into his arms—the softness of her lingering on his fingertips.
Annoyed, he slammed the accelerator and sped away from the ski resort. "I’m taking you home."
"Um, but what about my friend…"
He hit the brakes hard, turning to glare at her. His inky-black eyes seemed icier than the snow outside. "Then get out and go find her yourself."
Bai Yu zhi hadn’t expected that. "No… no, it’s fine. I’ll give her a call."
His attitude confused her. Could it be…
Why did it feel like Xavier Foster was growing more and more impatient with her?
Resentment flickered in Bai Yu zhi’s eyes, though her voice remained saccharine. "Aye, I really just came to ski with my friend. Running into you was a coincidence."
"Mm."
"I didn’t even say anything to Cecilia Ye…"
"I know."
His clipped, icy words silenced Bai Yu zhi.
Xavier Foster couldn’t be bothered to continue. The car sped swiftly along the winding mountain road.
Meanwhile, in Julian Jarvis’s car, Cecilia Ye and Mia Moore sat in the backseat. Her ski boots had been swapped for her own shoes, revealing her ankle—now red and swollen.
"Tsk, why does Bai Yu zhi have to show up everywhere? Just seeing her pisses me off!" Mia Moore seethed, her tone thick with concern as she eyed Cecilia Ye’s injury.
"She’s not even married to Xavier Foster yet, but acts like she already owns him."
Cecilia Ye turned to gaze out the window. The pain in her leg was dulling, replaced by a strange ache in her stomach.
She pressed her palm to her lower belly, an inexplicable sense of unease taking root.
"Cecilia, does your stomach hurt?"
Cecilia shook her head lightly, not wanting Mia Moore to worry. "I’m fine. Maybe I just caught a chill."
But beneath her hand, without her realizing, a tiny life had quietly begun to grow.
Yesterday felt like a dream—the gentle Xavier Foster, the Xavier Foster who kissed her and looked after her—
All of it, just make-believe.
Like fresh-fallen snow that melts away the moment the sun comes out.
Now that Bai Yu zhi had arrived, perhaps she too would vanish, leaving nothing behind but water and emptiness.