Sleet

In the past week, Long Aotian had spent nearly every day immersed in training.

The day before the New Year's Eve gala.

After wrapping up today's training session,

Huang Fei and the others gathered in their dorm.

"I’ve already reserved a spot outside. Once the sports meet is over, we’re going out to celebrate!"

"My nerves have been stretched tight this whole time. Look, have I lost weight?" Xu Shuai patted his noticeably slimmer stomach and asked.

He had indeed slimmed down. The change was obvious—his once-visible belly under his clothes was now gone, though his face still carried a hint of baby fat.

"If we’re talking about this, I think Old Ao here is the real expert. Doesn’t he look like he’s put on some weight lately?" Li Longlong clapped Long Aotian on the shoulder.

"This is called being muscular. Slim in clothes, solid underneath." Long Aotian flexed his arm, his bicep bulging impressively.

Deep down, he felt a bit helpless. The trio had small appetites, and every time they cooked, they made extra just in case. But it always ended up as leftovers.

Not wanting to waste food, Long Aotian ended up eating the extras.

Over time, the trio maintained their figures just fine, while he’d gained a little weight!

Thankfully, he was still an athlete with daily training—otherwise, it wouldn’t just be "a little" weight...

"Are you still not staying in the dorm tonight? Tomorrow’s the sports meet. You could get some extra sleep here."

The three of them looked at Long Aotian.

"I’ll head back." Long Aotian glanced out the window. The weather had been off all day, gloomy and overcast.

Li Qingxue was the smart one—she hadn’t joined any clubs after enrolling and hadn’t signed up for any New Year’s Eve events.

She was probably already cooking at home by now. He had to go back and help her. She was hopeless in the kitchen—if he didn’t step in, she might burn the place down!

"Then make sure to come early tomorrow. After the event, we’re having a proper get-together. You’ve skipped too many dorm gatherings—this time, you’re not getting away. We’re making you drink all the alcohol you owe us!"

Long Aotian chuckled. "Fine."

He really had missed too many dorm hangouts. If this kept up, the dorm atmosphere would suffer!

"Deal. Now hurry up and leave. The forecast says tomorrow might be rough."

The school took the event seriously. Even if it rained knives tomorrow, the sports meet would go on as planned!

Long Aotian packed his things and left the dorm.

Walking across campus, he tightened his coat and quickened his pace.

This kind of weather was best enjoyed in a sunroom, sipping tea by the fireplace!

On the balcony of Dorm 147, the trio sighed as they watched Long Aotian leave.

"When will I get to rent a place with Juan?" Xu Shuai murmured wistfully.

"When will I get to rent a place with my senior?" Li Longlong echoed with a sigh.

"When will I get to—"

Before he could finish, Xu Shuai and Li Longlong shot Huang Fei a skeptical look.

"What’s with those faces? Shen Mengjie and I have made progress lately, you know."

Huang Fei was annoyed. Their expressions felt like a personal attack.

"Look, we’re the only ones who’d say this, but... we just don’t think you and Shen Mengjie are that compatible."

Xu Shuai nodded. His girlfriend lived in Shen Mengjie’s dorm, and he’d occasionally overhear things. He didn’t know how to bring it up, so he just agreed. "Yeah."

Huang Fei fell silent. If it were just Long Aotian saying it, he wouldn’t care. But when everyone said the same thing, he knew there was truth to it.

Long Aotian had tried to talk sense into him before, but some things were just... complicated.

Half the year had already passed. He could feel Shen Mengjie’s attitude toward him shifting...

Seeing Huang Fei’s expression, Xu Shuai and Li Longlong exchanged a glance and dropped the subject.

They patted his shoulder. "Let’s go play Biohazard. I found a fun trick recently!"

With New Year’s Eve tomorrow, today’s training had been light.

It was still early—even if they played until 10 p.m., it wouldn’t be too late.

So off to the internet café they went!

Xu Shuai wielded his M60, shouting, "If you turn into a zombie, block for me in the back!"

Li Longlong: "I’m infected! Where are you?" He glanced at Xu Shuai’s screen, then positioned himself at the pyramid’s rear, blocking the doghole entrance.

With the zombies outside unable to reach Xu Shuai, he unleashed a barrage of bullets!

Huang Fei grinned. "Damn, that’s smart." Next round, he joined them at the doghole.

"I’ll go in first and crouch. You jump on my head. Whoever turns into a zombie blocks outside!"

"Got it!"

"Deal!"

And then... they got kicked from the server.

Still, the fun lifted Huang Fei’s mood.

Noticing this, Li Longlong suggested, "Let’s defend the cage this time. All of us with machine guns—our teamwork’s unbeatable!"

One M60, one minigun, and one silenced camo rifle from the supply box.

"Let me try the silenced one. I’ll trade you the minigun."

Huang Fei eyed Li Longlong’s camo rifle.

"Here."

As they swapped, Xu Shuai yelled, "Quit trading! The zombies are breaking in—hold the line!"

......

On his way back, a cold droplet hit Long Aotian’s forehead.

He wiped it away and looked up.

Another drop landed on his cheek.

"It’s raining!"

He held out his palm. Mixed with the rain, a tiny snowflake melted against his skin. "Rain and snow!"

The first sleet of the year. For some reason, Long Aotian felt a surge of excitement.

He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo under the streetlamp, the light highlighting the falling sleet.

After sending the picture to the trio, he wondered: Hu Yuying and Lin Wanning were indoors—they might not have noticed yet.

Li Qingxue should’ve just gotten home. Was she inside or out?

His phone buzzed with replies.

At the Hanfu Club entrance, a graceful figure in white stood under the eaves. A pale pink tassel adorned her waist, her hair loosely tied with a pearl-white ribbon. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she watched the sleet fall.

At the entrance of the music academy's practice room, a young girl stood in a simple evening gown, her fair skin exposed to the chilly air as she shivered slightly. Yet she lifted her gaze to the dark, overcast sky. Under the glow of the streetlamp, she gently closed her eyes, exuding an irresistible charm.

Her palm brushed against the fogged glass, covered in condensation, as she watched the rain and snowflakes drift down under the courtyard lights. Her beautiful eyes curved into crescents, and a soft smile graced her lips—blooming like a flower, full of wonder and romance.

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