After rebirth, I rejected the rich yandere lady

An Nuannuan no longer looked naive at this moment. Her clear eyes burned with an intensity that Xu Musen couldn't ignore.

They weren't sharp like the gaze of a sickly girl, yet they were more capable of melting hearts.

Xu Musen took a deep breath, "Nuannuan, give me some time, and I will arrange everything. Both for her and for you, I don't want to see either of you sad."

It was a very selfish thing to say, even somewhat inhumane.

But it was still better than constant evasion and secrecy.

After Xu Musen said this, he had actually braced himself for a slap.

An Nuannuan looked at him and reached out one hand to gently pinch Xu Musen's cheek, "I know, I don't blame you. She came into your life before I did, a reflection of your entire youth... I've long missed the chance to catch the first snowfall of your youth."

"Nuannuan..."

Xu Musen, looking at the An Nuannuan who was so different from before, felt a tightness in his chest. He acted like a scoundrel and had taken advantage of everything.

But for them, it was truly unfair.

"But, although I've missed the first snowfall, for me, I've arrived just in time for the biggest snowfall, when the snow builds up."

An Nuannuan picked up a chubby little snowman with her other hand, "Look, even though I missed the start with the first snowfall, I've always believed that after the snow falls and accumulates, you can make the best snowman."

"Xu Musen, I like you. Because I missed your first snowfall, that's why I want to cherish every ending after each time it snows with you... We may not be the first best for each other, but I want us to be the best for each other in the end!"

Her words were always gentle, like the fine snow fluttering outside, yet when they landed in Xu Musen's heart, it was an ineffable warmth and emotion.

"Nuannuan... thank you."

Xu Musen felt both his chest and the corners of his eyes growing warm.

But before he could finish speaking, An Nuannuan stuffed a shrimp paste covered in chili directly into his mouth.

Covered in layers of chili, this bite brought tears to Xu Musen's eyes from the heat.

"Nuannuan, you..."

"My mother said that we Sichuan and Chongqing girls don't get jealous; we make men taste our spiciness instead... This is what you owe me!"

An Nuannuan lifted her head, the tenderness from before now carrying a hint of spiciness.

Somewhere in the distance, it seemed possible to see the shadow of another girl.

The hot spiciness and acidity had long mixed together, and Xu Musen, despite the heat, ate it but couldn't help smiling like an idiot.

"Yes, I owe you..."

Liu Rushuang turned to look at her daughter shivering a little in the cold at the passenger seat and was about to turn on the heater when Yao Mingyue stopped her.

"Mom, don't turn on the air conditioner."

"Aren't you cold?"

"Yes, I am cold."

"Then are you trying to save me fuel costs by not turning on the heater?"

"I... I'm afraid it'll melt..."

"??"

Liu Rushuang turned to look and saw Yao Mingyue holding a delicately made little snowman.

She instantly understood.

"Did Xiao Sen make that for you?"

"Mhm."

"Silly girl... a snowman will always melt eventually. He can make a few more for you later. Why keep holding it? It's so cold."

"But, this is the first snowman he made for me in Huhai. It snows so rarely here; who knows if I'll be around for the next one..."

Yao Mingyue held the snowman dearly, yet didn't dare to get too close, fearing her breath would melt it.

Such pity, desire, yet also restraint and cherishing.

Such contradiction, yet so harmonious.

Liu Rushuang's heart trembled with pity, "Silly girl, you'll be all right. Don't talk like that."

"Mom, he knows about my condition..."

Yao Mingyue spoke softly.

Liu Rushuang zoned out for a moment before sighing, "It's probably for the best. These things can't be hidden from him forever... What did he say to you?"

Yao Mingyue shook her head, a slow smile spreading across her lips, "He said he wants to take responsibility for me and face everything together with me... He said if I keep secrets from him again and face them alone, he won't care about me anymore."

Liu Rushuang nodded with relief, "Xiao Sen has really changed a lot. Everything between you two... it all happened so suddenly. But I've watched Xiao Sen grow up, I know him. Even though he can be a bit rascal sometimes, once he says something, he means it. You should take good care of yourself..."

"But..."

Yao Mingyue gently interrupted her mother's words, the smile growing brighter on her face, "But, I think I might have to deceive him one more time."

Liu Rushuang's hand on the steering wheel trembled. She understood her daughter, seeing her smile but felt even more heartache, "Silly child, you..."

"Mom, I genuinely understand many things now. I've received so much from him already. I was the first person that appeared in his life. Naturally, his every first experience seems like it should be mine.

I always thought it should be that way. But now, I realize I was wrong.

I was with him for his first snowfall, but I may not be the one to sweep away the snow with him.

There's already someone by his side who can accompany him for a lifetime. I shouldn't make him give up his own life for me anymore..."

Yao Mingyue's eyes shimmered with tears, and her words left Liu Rushuang sighing silently for a long time.

"...What if Xiao Sen finds out and really stops caring about you?"

"He won't stop caring about me. He wouldn't be able to let me go; I know that."

Yao Mingyue smiled confidently, her eyes glistening with tears.

"You've always known how to tease him since you were young, really... why can't you two make it to the end together..." Liu Rushuang's own eyes turned sour, and she couldn't help but sigh.

In fact, seeing her daughter let go like this, she wished her daughter was a bit more selfish – at least that way, there seemed to be hope.

"Yes, oh Heaven, forgive me, I've deceived him once more..."

Yao Mingyue held the little snowman, looking out the window, and at that moment, her smile seemed to turn a bit naive and foolish.

Perhaps, on this snowy night, the two girls had become each other, or maybe... they were always each other.

They are an integral part of Xu Musen's life that can't be separated.