When Winter Falls in Love - Chapter 8

Dong Yin didn’t manage to kiss her.

First, it would be impolite to kiss her so abruptly, and she didn’t have the courage; second, Xie Mingjun turned her head away, facing the sofa.

Dong Yin took something out of her backpack and went to Xie Mingjun’s kitchen. It was fully equipped with pots and pans, and the counter was spotless, but when she opened the fridge, she found only instant noodles and some drinks.

When you have a cold, you should eat something fresh.

Luckily, she had thought of this beforehand and bought some vegetables.

Dong Yin closed the soundproof door, washed the rice, and let it soak for a while before cooking it. She chopped the greens and fresh meat, tossed in a few slices of ginger once the water boiled, and waited until the rice turned soft and sticky. Then she removed the ginger, added the meat, seasoned it, and sprinkled in the greens.

It smelled delicious.

Carrying the small pot out, she saw Xie Mingjun prop herself up on the sofa. Xie Mingjun went to the kitchen and came back with bowls and chopsticks, and the two of them ate the porridge at the coffee table.

It wasn’t that the porridge was exceptionally tasty, when you have a cold, nothing really appeals but this bowl was just right. The first sip was still hot, soothing her throat.

Xie Mingjun ate while scrolling through her phone.

Dong Yin glanced at her own phone but saw no messages in the gaming group. She wondered what Xie Mingjun was looking at.

Was she chatting with Zou Yuxi?

After all, Zou Yuxi was good at pretending. He had agreed to call Dong Yin over, so he wouldn’t just leave it at that, he’d definitely say something to Xie Mingjin. What if he took all the credit?

Dong Yin thought seriously about how to badmouth Zou Yuxi.

She took a sip of porridge, holding the bowl, and said softly, “We can only eat porridge, but Zou Yuxi’s probably feasting on all kinds of delicious food.”

Xie Mingjun looked up at her, lips curling into a smile. “I’m not chatting with Zou Yuxi.”

“Oh.”

Dong Yin’s face flushed red with embarrassment. She nearly buried it in her bowl.

The pot was soon empty, and Xie Mingjun’s cheeks looked healthier. She set down her bowl. “We’ve eaten. Can you go back now?”

Dong Yin gathered the dishes. “Let me wash these first. Don’t touch cold water.”

A few minutes later, she finished cleaning and wiped her hands. “Xie Mingjun, are you feeling better now?”

“Yeah.” Xie Mingjun didn’t seem as drowsy as before.

“Then, Xie Mingjun, let’s go to the hospital.”

“Huh?” Xie Mingjun looked at her, puzzled.

Dong Yin explained, “You’re in better shape now, not feeling too terrible. If we go to the hospital, you’ll recover faster.”

“I don’t like seeing doctors either. But think about it if you don’t go, you’ll be sick for a week. If you go once, maybe you’ll only be sick for a day.”

Her voice was soft, not annoying, just persistent. If Xie Mingjun didn’t get up, she kept talking, her voice drawing closer, her tone gentler, as if coaxing a sulking child.

Xie Mingjun frowned. “So, the porridge just now…”

“You need energy to walk,” Dong Yin said. “I didn’t lie, I said I’d leave after you ate the porridge. I just meant taking you with me when I go.”

“You’ve got some nerve.”

Xie Mingjun stared at the patterns on the sofa cover.

Half a minute later, she got up and headed to the bedroom. Dong Yin followed, thinking she was going to sleep, and tugged at Xie Mingjun’s clothes.

Xie Mingjun said, “Are you following me to change? Want to watch?”

“I won’t follow.” Dong Yin’s face turned slightly pink. “But wear something warm. Don’t dress too lightly.”

Dong Yin let go, and Xie Mingjun slammed the door shut.

Dong Yin touched her face it felt so hot.

She had never dared to imagine this before.

But not daring didn’t mean she wouldn’t dream of it someday.

Dong Yin had seen Xie Mingjun in a tank top before, those sharp shoulders, the deep hollow of her collarbones, the proud curves wrapped in snug, thin fabric.

Back then, she had only looked with admiration and envy. How could a woman be so sexy, so breathtakingly beautiful?

She never dared to say it out loud, keeping those thoughts buried deep inside.

Someone insecure might not even dare to look up at the sky while standing in the sunlight.

But the world inside her heart was vast.

Dong Yin sat on the sofa, where the spot Xie Mingjun had lain on was noticeably higher than the rest. Pressing her palm against it, she could still feel the lingering warmth in the fabric’s weave.

The door opened, and Xie Mingjun stepped out, wearing a knitted sweater in light khaki with a white V-neck trim. She had tucked the hem in slightly and was holding a thin knit cardigan red and white, somewhat like a Christmas design that didn’t quite match her outfit.

Dong Yin stood up. “Xie Mingjun, are you ready?”

Xie Mingjun flicked her wrist, tossing the cardigan toward her. Dong Yin didn’t react in time, and it fell to the floor.

She quickly picked it up and followed Xie Mingjun out, hugging the cardigan to her chest. After locking the door, they headed to the elevator. When the doors opened on the ground floor, Dong Yin immediately felt the chill. Xie Mingjun didn’t ask for the cardigan back, she was dressed warmly, while Dong Yin only wore a long-sleeved shirt.

Slowly, Dong Yin realized and put the cardigan on.

They waited outside for a while until their ride arrived. The car was cramped, and the two sat close together as the driver tuned into a traffic radio station. The DJ was discussing nearby road conditions and the weather forecast for the next couple of days.

The driver sighed. “A cold front’s coming. ‘If autumn begins in the morning, the whole season will be chilly; if it starts in the afternoon, winter will be scorching.’ This year’s gonna be freezing.”

He recited the proverb in the local dialect, and it took Dong Yin a moment to understand. She tucked it away in her mind, this year would be cold, so she’d need to drink more hot water.

Yesterday’s rain had been sudden, flooding the hospital with patients. Registering, blood tests, and check-ups took over half an hour.

Dong Yin made Xie Mingjun sit and wait while she handled the queues alone, even bringing her a cup of hot water.

Despite her timid nature, she was surprisingly good at taking care of others.

Except for the blood test, which Xie Mingjun had to do herself, Dong Yin insisted on doing everything else. She’d tug at Xie Mingjun’s sleeve, saying, “Don’t move, I’ll handle it. Just stay put.”

“Can you even help me go to the bathroom?” Xie Mingjun grumbled, already full of the water Dong Yin kept pushing on her. “I’m not an invalid.”

“But you’re sick,” Dong Yin said.

Xie Mingjun stared at her for a few seconds before looking away and sitting back down.

Dong Yin asked, “Don’t you need to go?”

“I’ll hold it.”

“You’ll have three IV drips later. It might get uncomfortable.”

“Then why are you forcing water on me?”

“I brought it to warm your hands… but since you love drinking hot water so much, I got a few extra cups…”

It wasn’t winter yet, but Dong Yin’s surname was “Dong” winter.

After Xie Mingjun returned from the restroom, she sat quietly, waiting for the nurse to administer the IV. She sent a message in the group chat:

Xie Mingjun: 【Anyone free to talk? My head hurts.】

Chu Ning’an: 【You caught a cold?】

Xie Mingjun: 【Yeah.】

Chu Ning’an: “Gotta say, yesterday’s rain was really heavy. The cold rain mercilessly lashed against my delicate face.”

Chu Ning’an: “So you’re alone at the hospital?”

Xie Mingjun paused while typing, her fingernail tapping against her phone case before replying: “Mhm.”

Chu Ning’an: “Lu Hanqiu is sick too. I came to pick up medicine I’m at the hospital as well. I’ll come find you, and we can go together.”

Xie Mingjun: “Wait, why are you at the hospital just to get medicine? Couldn’t a pharmacy handle that?”

Xie Mingjun: “Don’t come over.”

“Hey, Xie Mingjun!” Chu Ning’an arrived surprisingly fast, she had been in the building across the way. Then, startled, she asked, “Dong Yin’s here too?”

Dong Yin was sitting in the inner seat, only visible once Chu Ning’an walked closer. Chu Ning’an clicked her tongue inwardly, eyeing Xie Mingjun with a knowing look.

Dong Yin tilted her head, glancing at Xie Mingjun first. Xie Mingjun leaned back, looking exasperated. Dong Yin said, “Yeah, I caught a bit of a cold, so I came to get medicine and ran into Xie Mingjun. What about you? Are you sick too? What a coincidence.”

Chu Ning’an replied, “Not me it’s Lu Hanqiu.”

Dong Yin asked, “Then why did you come alone? If she didn’t come with you, how are you supposed to get her treated?”

Chu Ning’an shook her head. “She’s way too timid, scared of needles. Honestly, I can’t stand her. Weak and sickly, yet refuses to see a doctor.”

Dong Yin said sympathetically, “Does she have a fever? If she does, she really should see a doctor. Besides, if she doesn’t come, you probably can’t get the medicine for her, right?”

Chu Ning’an sighed. “Exactly. Wasted my trip for nothing.”

“Then tell her to come. A cold shouldn’t be ignored she should get treated early.”

“Good point. If Xie Mingjun can come, what’s Lu Hanqiu so afraid of? Why’s she being such a coward…”

The two chatted back and forth while Dong Yin glanced at Xie Mingjun, who was back on her phone, ignoring her.

Dong Yin’s conversation with Chu Ning’an had a hint of deliberate provocation, she wanted Xie Mingjun to pay attention to her. Without that attention, she felt a faint pang of disappointment.

“By the way, Chu Ning’an,” Dong Yin called softly, noticing Xie Mingjun’s gaze before leisurely adding, “There’s something I wanted to tell you.”

“Hm?” Chu Ning’an looked at her.

Dong Yin deliberately lowered her voice. “Can you thank Lu Hanqiu for me? Just say, ‘Thank you for carrying my backpack.'”

“Backpack? Lu Hanqiu didn’t last night she was helping me hold up a tarp the whole time ”

“Ahem!” Xie Mingjun, who had been reclining, abruptly sat up straight and said to Chu Ning’an, “Should I leave so you two can chat properly?”

“No need, no need. I wouldn’t make you give up your seat.” Chu Ning’an pressed her lips together and fell silent.

Xie Mingjun looked a little fierce, her presence overwhelming. Dong Yin shrank back slightly before eventually tilting her head and giggling quietly.

Chu Ning’an stood up, phone in hand, and waved at them. “I’m gonna go pick up Lu Hanqiu.”

Xie Mingjun exhaled, leaning back again into her previous posture just in time to catch Dong Yin’s smile. “What’s so funny?”

Caught, Dong Yin grinned more boldly. “You seemed a little jealous earlier like you didn’t want me talking to Chu Ning’an. Do you maybe, just a little bit, like me?”

She blinked her eyes, looking somewhat sly, like she was pressing her advantage. Xie Mingjun had originally intended to mock her with a “wishful thinking” remark, but found it unexpectedly difficult to speak now.

Who would have thought?

That girl who used to be so insecure, how could she make such an expression now?

“Me? Jealous?” Xie Mingjun retorted.

“Yeah, otherwise why did you get so angry earlier?”

“I ” Xie Mingjun bit her lip. Dong Yin looked genuinely puzzled, her eyes wide with anticipation for an answer. Xie Mingjun said, “You two were giving me a headache with all that noise.”

“Oh, is that so?” Dong Yin nodded as if she believed it, but her smile only grew brighter.

Not long ago, she had been a girl who kept her head down and stammered when speaking. Now, she was radiant beyond measure.

She sat on the blue single-seat chair, tapping her fingers on the armrest.

When the nurse arrived with the prepared medication for the IV, calling out Xie Mingjun’s name, Dong Yin immediately raised her hand. “Here, here! Over here!”

As the nurse approached with the IV bag, Dong Yin pointed at Xie Mingjun and said, “She’s Xie Mingjun.” When the nurse was about to administer the injection, she added in a hushed voice, “Be gentle, please.”

The nurse chuckled. “Who’s the one who’s really scared here, you or her?”

As the needle went in, Dong Yin averted her gaze first. After the nurse left, she heard a soft “tsk” Xie Mingjun was laughing at her.

Xie Mingjun teased Dong Yin, and Dong Yin simply gazed at the smile on her face.

She looked so beautiful when she smiled.

Dong Yin leaned closer, wanting to be near her.

The IV drip required three bottles, and the process was slow. Sitting there doing nothing quickly became boring. Halfway through the first bottle, Xie Mingjun took out her phone and searched for a movie to watch.

A sci-fi film one of those time-bending stories.

Dong Yin watched along. At first, Xie Mingjun held the phone herself, but since one of her hands was occupied with the IV, Dong Yin offered to help. Holding a phone with one hand was inconvenient, and Xie Mingjun didn’t refuse.

While watching, a notification popped up a message from Zou Yuxi asking how Xie Mingjun was doing. Dong Yin stared at the screen.

Xie Mingjun said, “Don’t move, I can’t see.”

Once the message disappeared, Dong Yin handed the phone back. “Sorry, I got too absorbed in the movie.”

She leaned closer to Xie Mingjun, angling the screen toward her, thinking to herself: Xie Mingjun is fine, she’s just leaning on me while watching a movie.

The IV took nearly three hours. They had arrived at the hospital at six and left at nine in the evening.

By the time they returned to Xie Mingjun’s place, it was already ten.

Dong Yin placed the medicine prescribed by the doctor on the table and picked up her bag, ready to head back to campus. Any later, and the buses would stop running, she might even find the dormitory gates locked.

Just as Dong Yin was about to say goodbye and mention that she’d come back tomorrow, Xie Mingjun’s phone rang. Xie Mingjun answered, and Zou Yuxi’s voice came through.

“Mingjun, how are you? Is your cold any better? I’ve already called a cab, I’m coming to check on you.” Zou Yuxi’s tone was gentle, his concern practically overflowing. “Dong Yin went to take care of you, right? I had to beg her for ages.”

Xie Mingjun, changing her shoes by the entryway, pursed her lips and replied casually, “I’m fine.”

“Then can I come see you?” Zou Yuxi’s voice softened, carrying a hint of something ambiguous.

Dong Yin had been ready to leave, thinking it wouldn’t be proper to stay overnight at Xie Mingjun’s place and disturb her. But Zou Yuxi’s words gave her courage…

She set her bag back down on the table, abandoning the idea of leaving.

She walked to the entrance and looked up at Xie Mingjun.

Dong Yin whispered, “I came here on my own, yet he’s so shameless, taking credit for everything without lifting a finger. He films videos laughing with other girls, preferring to entertain fans rather than take care of you.”

“Not like me… I didn’t even do my homework just to accompany you to the hospital.”

“It’s not even safe for me to go back alone.”

“Why should he get away with it?”

Her voice was soft, murmuring under her breath. Zou Yuxi on the other end couldn’t hear clearly and said, “Is that Dong Yin talking? She’s been taking care of you all day you should really thank her.”

Xie Mingjun raised the phone to her lips and said, “Dong Yin says my cold is none of your damn business. She told you to get lost.”

“Huh?” Zou Yuxi was momentarily stunned.

Xie Mingjun hung up directly. Dong Yin put the slippers back, putting on her shoes while muttering, “I took care of you all day, yet he’s so shameless. I came here on my own! If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t go even if he begged on his knees.”

“Then tell him that. Why take it out on me?” Xie Mingjun crossed her arms. “You’re really something. Just now, when talking to Zou Yuxi, your voice was as tiny as a sparrow’s. But the moment the call ended, you started yelling and throwing a tantrum.”

Dong Yin, usually silent and insecure, leaned against the wall without a word, looking genuinely frustrated and anxious. Zou Yuxi was a smooth talker, and Dong Yin’s words had grown impulsive.

Outside the window, the night was pitch black.

“Fine, I’m not making you leave. You can go tomorrow morning.”

Xie Mingjun kicked the shoes toward her and turned to walk into the living room.

Dong Yin lowered her head and changed her shoes again.

A little nervous, she clenched her hands to suppress her emotions, yet also somewhat exhilarated. She looked up at Xie Mingjun’s retreating back and smiled.