country bumpkin

In early December, the cold wind was biting, and the whole world was shrouded in a gray veil.

The sky felt like a giant lead plate, pressing down heavily and making people feel inexplicably uneasy.

Su Qing wrapped her red down jacket tighter around her as she walked down the streets of Jia City, her breath instantly dissipating into the cold air.

This was her first winter in City A.

Snowflakes began to fall sporadically. The first snowflake, like a lost child, drifted down from the sky and gently kissed Su Qing's nose.

She instinctively looked up, and more snowflakes fell, fluttering down like countless white butterflies dancing in the air.

The shops on both sides of the street lit up their warm yellow lights early in the morning, and the halo of light spread out in the snow, adding a touch of warmth to this cold winter day.

At the flower shop on the street corner, a little girl wearing a pink apron was busy carrying several pots of blooming daffodils into the shop, muttering, "This snow came so early, I hope it doesn't freeze my precious flowers."

Su Qing walked over and smiled slightly at her. The little girl returned a simple and honest smile, a smile that carried the simplicity and warmth unique to family.

The snowflakes fell heavier and heavier, and soon a thin layer of snow accumulated on the ground, making a "crunching" sound when stepped on.

Su Qing arrived at a small square in the city center, where several children were already playing excitedly. They chased each other in the snow, their laughter echoing in the empty square.

A little boy accidentally fell down, but he got up without a care, brushed the snow off himself, and continued to join his friends in their game. His innocent smile was even more dazzling than the warm winter sun.

Su Qing sat down on a bench in the square, quietly watching everything. Snowflakes fell on her hair and shoulders, but she was completely unaware.

Just then, a black coat was gently draped over her shoulders. She turned her head and saw Chen Yu's warm smiling face.

"Why are you sitting here all alone on such a cold day?" Chen Yu sat down next to her and asked with concern.

Su Qing was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "I like watching snow. I feel that the whole world becomes quiet and beautiful when it snows."

Chen Yu looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness: "Yes, the snow is beautiful, but even the most beautiful snow can't compare to your beauty."

Su Qing's cheeks flushed slightly. She lowered her head, looked at the snow on the ground, and said softly, "Chen Yu, do you know? Every snowflake is like a little dream, falling from the sky, searching for its own home."

Chen Yu gently held her hand, warming it in his own palm: "So what is your dream? I want to be a part of your dream."

Su Qing raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears, yet also filled with a happy smile: "My dream is to walk with you through every spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and watch every snowfall."

The snow continued to fall, swirling and fluttering, as if to transform the entire world into a dreamlike white kingdom.

The children's laughter still echoed in the small square, and the sounds of people chatting and laughing came from the shops.

Su Qing and Chen Yu clung to each other amidst the swirling snowflakes, their love as pure and beautiful as the first snowfall, radiating the warmest light in this cold winter.

Chen Yu was Su Qing's "lifesaver" whom she met when she visited Jia City.

At the time, Su Qing was working at a garment factory and was ridiculed by several gossipy colleagues. They said she couldn't find a boyfriend and that she would never get married.

The worst thing people say is that she's a cursed star, that no one will ever want her, and that anyone who dares to marry her will be cursed to death by her.

Of course, this wasn't true, but it still dampened her spirits. She also vaguely sensed that these slanderous rumors about her were spread by her former good friend, Qian Ningning.

Su Qing was very disappointed in Qian Ningning. She hadn't expected Qian Ningning to take her anger out on her because of Su Ze's matter. She had ruined her reputation; appearances can be deceiving!

Su Qing didn't want to pay attention to these people's gossip, but she still got angry whenever others looked at her with disdain.

She wanted to get away and relax, so she took a long leave of absence and went to City A, which was more bustling than her own city.

Arriving in Jia City, a place she knew neither, she walked to a relatively secluded street and heard a whistling sound behind her.

Su Qing turned around and saw four or five sleazy-looking men walking towards her with ill intentions.

"Hey, little beauty, all alone?" one of the men, with a face full of scars, said with a grin.

Su Qing was startled and quickly ran to the flower shop next door.

A little girl wearing a pink apron saw Su Qing running over in a panic and went up to ask, "Miss, what's wrong? Do you need help?"

Su Qing stepped forward and grabbed her hand, saying in a flustered voice, "Little sister, where are your parents? Can you help me? I'm being followed by thugs."

Before the girl could say anything, a handsome and upright man named Chen Yu came down from the second floor.

Chen Yu shielded her behind him and coldly said to the group of thugs, "You'd better leave right now."

"Heh, kid, mind your own business. We've got our eye on this chick today." The man said, waving the stick in his hand.

Passersby quickly moved aside, fearing they might get into trouble. Chen Yu clenched his fists, his eyes resolute, showing no sign of backing down.

Onlookers commented, "Judging from his stance, this handsome young man is a trained martial artist."

Just as the thugs were about to make their move, police sirens suddenly blared.

It turned out that a shop owner on the street had secretly called the police. Upon hearing the siren, the group of thugs panicked and scattered in all directions.

Su Qing breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the shop owner gratefully. Then she stepped forward to thank him. The shop owner waved his hand, "It's alright, young lady. Don't go out alone in the future."

Su Qing smiled sweetly, and her eyes met those of Chen Yu, who had turned to look at her.

Chen Yu felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest. This was the first time he had ever felt this way.

Chen Yu calmed himself down and subconsciously smiled to comfort her: "Don't be afraid, I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you."

Su Qing nodded shyly, her heart filled with gratitude. She could tell that Chen Yu was a good person, and that he seemed to treat her differently.

Through this incident, the two became acquainted. Although Chen Yu failed to save her, Su Qing believed that even without calling the police, he would have saved her anyway.

Chen Yu invited her to have a cup of Americano at the flower shop.

Americano is made by mixing espresso with hot water. It has a milder taste and is very suitable for beginners.

Su Qing took a small sip and wasn't used to the taste. She coughed lightly, and Chen Yu quickly handed her a napkin.

Su Qing took it shyly and wiped her mouth. Then she quickly thanked him. Chen Yu looked at her adorable, flustered appearance and felt another flutter in his heart.

He asked Su Qing why she had been targeted by these thugs. Su Qing replied, "I'm from Yicheng. I came here to relax and unwind. I'm unfamiliar with the area, so I just wandered in. I don't know how I ended up being targeted by these bad guys."

Chen Yu covered his face and laughed, his stern expression vanishing. He looked at Su Qing and said tactfully, "Perhaps it's because you're too beautiful that you attract those bad people."

Su Qing felt a little embarrassed and glanced shyly at the flowers and plants in the room. She didn't say anything more.