My girlfriend is from the future!

Cao Aiqing's suggestion to go skiing was probably not something she came up with on the spot and just said it on a whim.

She has always been a very organized girl.

Today's incident involving the "young man" exposed a childish side of He Tianran that he had never shown to her before, and Jiang Xixi and Wen Liang's tolerant and understanding attitude towards this matter made her sense a crisis...

This sense of crisis does not stem from jealousy, but from a deeper sense of alienation and exclusion.

She suddenly realized that He Tianran, with whom she had known and known each other for ten years, whom she thought she understood each other well enough, was missing a crucial link.

Cao Aiqing possesses the "finished product" of He Tianran as an adult, when he faces the world with propriety, restraint, and deep affection, but she missed his stumbling, childish, and mischievous "semi-finished" period.

Wen Liang and Jiang Xixi, one with her flamboyance and the other with her acceptance, both easily left a mark, deep or shallow, on the heart of a boy she had never even met.

Cao Aiqing had always thought she knew everything about He Tianran, until today, when the adult's mask shattered, revealing a face she was completely unfamiliar with.

Therefore, she could no longer sit idly by and wait for her fate...

Especially now, He Tianran desperately needs someone by his side to help him regain his complete self.

Therefore, Cao Aiqing chose to take the initiative!
She wanted to personally add a touch of color that belonged only to them to the fractured portrait of He Tianran, instead of forever remaining in those deliberately displayed advantages, complicated pasts, and tacit understandings that needed to be carefully maintained.

"Let's go, the ski resort is upstairs."

The girl didn't give He Tianran much time to react. Her tone was calm, but her action of pushing the shopping cart toward the checkout area carried an undeniable decisiveness.

He Tianran stood there, stunned, watching her suddenly sharp and even nimble back. He thought to himself, "It's just skiing, why is she taking it so seriously, like she's going to war?"

After paying, leave your shopping bags full of groceries at the checkout.

The indoor ski resort is on a separate floor. As Cao Aiqing rode the sightseeing elevator up, she silently watched the floor numbers change. Her profile looked somewhat tense in the cold white light of the elevator until a soft "ding" sounded, the elevator doors opened, and a blast of cold air mixed with the crispness of snow rushed towards her.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the city's gray winter sky hangs in the air. Inside, however, is a bright white world illuminated by lights. The cable car glides quietly through the air, and on the ski slopes, people in brightly colored ski suits glide nimbly or fall clumsily. Screams and laughter seem somewhat distant through the thick glass.

Cao Aiqing walked straight to the front desk and greeted He Tianran, who was still watching others ski.

"Come here, you're a member here too, you get a discount."

"Huh? Just how much money have I put in all these places I spend money on outside...?"

"Then you can just insist on paying the bill from now on. You'll figure it out eventually."

Cao Aiqing rarely made a joke, and the man looked completely bewildered. He just hoped he wouldn't end up with a membership in some strange place.

Membership at this ski resort doesn't require a card; you just need to give the last few digits of your phone number. However, the receptionist unexpectedly said something like:
"Mr. He, the two sets of clothing you stored here a year ago were dry-cleaned four months ago because they hadn't been used. We called you to confirm this beforehand. The snowboards have also been cared for every month. Here are your pick-up slips. Our colleague will bring them to you when you get to the changing room. Just give him the slips."

"……it is good."

He Tianran casually handed one of the tickets to Cao Aiqing and asked:
"What, we've been here before...?"

The girl was also slightly surprised. She took the ticket, shook her head, and lowered her eyes, saying:
“I’ve never been here before. You did mention this shop once when it opened, but I was in England at the time. After I returned to China, your novel ‘Wild in My Heart’ was about to be released, and I couldn’t find the time. I probably just forgot about it because I was busy.”

That really was one time...

It was a long-awaited date.

He Tianran felt a pang of sadness, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside him.

Winters in the port city don't bring snow, but those forgotten everyday moments and promises that should have belonged to "them" accumulate silently and invisibly in their hearts like snowflakes...

The two separated temporarily and went to the changing area. Soon, two sets of ski suits and matching ski equipment, which were obviously carefully selected and of high quality, were brought over by the staff. Cao Aiqing's set was orange, while He Tianran's was blue. The styles were simple and neat, and the suits were very close-fitting.

While putting it on, He Tianran noticed a custom-made name tag on his chest—

Azure Sky

He felt that the two words were familiar, and after thinking for a while, he realized that they were the English translation of his online name "Azure Sky".
When He Tianran changed into his ski suit and came out dragging his somewhat heavy ski boots, Cao Aiqing was already waiting in the rest area.

She was wearing an orange ski suit, sitting on a bench with her long hair tied back. She was bending over, with one foot sticking out, trying to put her shoe back on.

On the ground, the sturdy snow boots held her ankles firmly in place, the intricate buckles making a "click" sound. Cao Aiqing was clearly not used to this; she tried to tuck her trouser legs into the snow boots, but couldn't manage it.

Hearing someone approaching, the girl looked up, her gaze lingering briefly on the man before shifting away, as if pleading for help, or perhaps flustered at being caught out...

Seeing her in this rare state, He Tianran's smile became even more genuine. He naturally squatted down, reached out, and silently began to tidy up Cao Aiqing's clothes.

His fingers touched the woman's slightly cool ankles, and even through a thick sock, he could still feel the delicacy.

Cao Aiqing's body stiffened, and she subconsciously tried to pull her foot back, but he held it firmly.

"do not move."

His voice was close, carrying a warm breath that brushed against her calves.

Cao Aiqing lowered her eyes and could only see his soft, fluffy hair when he lowered his head, as well as his familiar profile, which was focused and patient.

Since He Tianran developed a split personality, the subtle sense of estrangement between the two of them was somewhat dispelled at this moment by these warm hands and the unquestionable "Don't move."

Cao Aiqing suddenly felt that her plan to take the initiative seemed...

It's made a pretty good start.

After helping the girl tidy her shoes, He Tianran, who was squatting on the ground, looked up, seemed to notice something, reached out and pointed to a spot on his chest, grinning as he said:
"I'm actually quite a romantic man."

Cao Aiqing was puzzled for a moment, then looked down and smiled.

She also had a custom-made name tag in the same spot on her chest—

"Amber Sea"

Orange sea.

"This is the name we use on our chat software..."

Cao Aiqing brushed a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead as she lowered her head.

"Ok, I know……"

He paused, then didn't continue.

The two of them have never changed their online names on social media since their university days, even during the years Cao Aiqing was studying abroad, and even when He Tianran confessed his mental state to her on Nanzhi Island...

However, He Tianran and Yu Naoqiu changed their names after He Tianran brought Yu Naoqiu home that day.

Although this was just a pre-arranged act to avoid giving anything away, how could one not feel nostalgic when this nickname, which carries ten years of memories, reappears before one's eyes?
"You...have always been so romantic..."

Just as He Tianran was lost in sadness, he heard Cao Aiqing say something like this.

The girl exhaled softly, and the breath turned into a cloud of white mist in the cold air, dissipating before their eyes.

“In my eyes, you have always been a sensitive, perceptive, empathetic, responsible, and dutiful man. That’s why I was so surprised to see you as a ‘young man’ today…”

He Tianran's pupils trembled a few times, as if he wanted to say something in denial, but Cao Aiqing did not give him a chance to speak.

"Let's go."

She stood up, her tone firm, just as her assessment of the man in her heart was unshakable.

So, after getting dressed, the two of them, carrying their skis and wearing heavy ski boots, walked slowly and deliberately towards the top of the beginner slope.

“So, we’re skiing together…” He Tianran finally couldn’t help but speak, looking at Cao Aiqing beside him who was walking cautiously because she wasn’t used to ski boots, “Is that why you always have to come all the way here just to buy groceries?”

Cao Aiqing stood at the top of the slope, took a deep breath of the cool air, and nodded.

She didn't look at him, but gazed at the slowly gliding crowd below, and whispered:
"Tianran, I just feel... it seems like we've always been talking about very heavy topics..."

"Whether in the past or now... it seems like we're always solving problems—Jiang Xixi's problems, my studying abroad problems, your filming problems, my work problems... How long has it been since we've had a simple time like this?"

She turned her head and looked at him with clear eyes:
“So I think… from now on, let’s create some new, lighthearted memories. Even if we stumble and fall, even if we make a mess of things… at least we’ll be together.” He Tianran was stunned.

He looked at Cao Aiqing in front of him. She was standing in a pure white artificial snow field, with a noisy crowd of strangers behind her, filled with laughter and chatter.

Her cheeks were slightly red from the cold air, but her eyes were surprisingly bright.

At this moment, she was not the perfect goddess who needed his protection and careful treatment, but a companion who took the initiative to reach out to him, inviting him to fall down together, learn together, and experience embarrassment together.

At that moment, writer He Tianran's heart was gently touched by a familiar yet incredibly warm emotion.

He suddenly laughed, a genuine, relaxed laugh that came from the heart, a laugh that showed he had let down all his guard.

“Okay,” the man replied, picking up his skis. “But let me make this clear: my skills are just so-so. Don’t laugh at me if I fall.”

"Don't worry," Cao Aiqing laughed, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents, "I'll definitely take care of myself first and won't have time to laugh at you."

As she spoke, she slightly pressed down with her feet, but her body remained rooted to the spot, completely still...

"..."

"..."

"Mom, look at that girl, she was just like me! Scared and embarrassed!"

"Okay, okay... keep your voice down..."

The cold wind blowing across the ski resort ruffled the stray hairs on Cao Aiqing's forehead and carried with it the laughter of children in the distance. Their innocent and carefree voices only served to highlight the predicament she was in...

"I...I still..."

Looking down at the long snow slope that stretched for hundreds of meters, Cao Aiqing began to have second thoughts.

Just then, a dark shadow flashed past in her peripheral vision, followed by a steady voice that entered her ears.

"Don't be afraid..."

He Tianran was actually backing up, slowly sliding down towards her, his arms slightly outstretched.

“I’m here. If you fall, I can catch you.”

The man's gaze was focused and steady; at that moment, he seemed to have transformed back into the omnipotent and ever-reliable He Tianran.

As Cao Aiqing looked at him, at his still effortless figure as he slid backwards, and at the clear encouragement in his eyes, the hesitation in her heart caused by unfamiliarity and fear was finally replaced by a stronger trust.

She bit her lower lip and pressed her foot down slightly...

The snowboards finally started to slide.

"what--!"

The feeling of weightlessness came over her instantly, and Cao Aiqing let out a short cry of surprise as her body tilted forward uncontrollably.

Instead of the expected cold impact, she bumped headfirst into a firm and warm embrace.

He Tianran caught her steadily, and the two of them slid backward a short distance before stopping.

The man's arm was wrapped around Cao Aiqing's waist, and the girl's cheek was pressed against the man's chest. They were so close that a strong sound could be heard—

"Boom, boom, boom..."

"I can assure you, if I ever drag you to do any extreme sports in the future, it's definitely because I want to see you embarrass yourself~"

His deep voice sounded above her head, with a faint smile.

"Weird look!"

Cao Aiqing, who was still in his arms and hadn't rushed away, suddenly raised her head and pushed him away like an angry little rabbit with her cheeks flushed.

However, in the time that followed, He Tianran's words were repeatedly proven true.

Cao Aiqing, who always presents an elegant and composed image to the public, really doesn't have much of an athletic ability...

Cao Aiqing fell countless times in various positions, and each time, He Tianran would slide to her side in time, either pulling or supporting her, and dragging her up from the snow.

The initial embarrassment and awkwardness gradually faded away with each fall and each time someone helped me up, replaced by a long-lost, unrestrained laughter.

When the girl fell into a comical heap again, she simply lay down in the snow, looked at He Tianran squatting beside her with a helpless yet amused expression, and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He Tianran watched her smile, her eyes crinkling, her cheeks flushed with a healthy rosy glow from the exercise and the cold. Her smile was so bright it seemed to melt away the ice and snow of the world.

"Did I laugh at my own stupidity?"

The man asked knowingly.

"Hmm~"

Cao Aiqing made no attempt to hide it.

He Tianran smiled and extended his hand to her. The girl didn't immediately take it, but instead lay sprawled on her back in the snow, looking up at the bright lights of the dome above, and whispered:
“Natural, you know what? I just realized today that I seem to have never really been ‘clumsy’ before.”

Her words were soft, as if she were talking to herself.

“From childhood to adulthood, I feel like I’ve always been trying my best to be a good student and a good daughter in other people’s eyes… After being with you, I also want to be a good girlfriend. I’m afraid of making mistakes, afraid of disappointing you, afraid that I’m not perfect enough…”

She turned her head and looked at He Tianran with clear eyes, "But today, I fell so many times, and you... didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with me."

He Tianran squatted down beside her, listening quietly. He took her gloved hand and slowly pulled her up from the snow.

“Because,” he brushed the snow off her, his voice softer than ever before, “the way you fell, the way you looked embarrassed, was also beautiful…”

The two stood in the middle of the ski slope, surrounded by a constant flow of people.

This time, Cao Aiqing didn't slide down immediately. Instead, she stood in front of him and asked earnestly:

"Natural, if... I mean if, you could never get your original memories back, what would you... do?"

He Tianran fell silent.

The personality of a "writer" is essentially a defense mechanism born to cope with this complex world; the meaning of his existence is to "solve problems."

But this problem...

It was beyond his ability to resolve.

He looked at Cao Aiqing and saw the cautious expectation in the girl's eyes. He suddenly understood the real purpose of her bringing him here today.

She wasn't helping him recall the past.

She was... teaching him how to face an uncertain future.

"I have no idea."

It's the same sentence again...

Cao Aiqing was not disappointed. She stood beside him, tilted her head slightly, and her voice, mixed with her breath, came through clearly:
"Don't worry, I'm always here for you."

That statement is rather casual.

Cao Aiqing was telling He Tianran, and perhaps even herself, in this way—

She may have missed his stumbles and falls during his "half-finished" period, but she is willing to participate in all his clumsy "firsts" now and in the future.

She would no longer allow herself to remain uninvolved. (End of Chapter)