Coexistence of Ice and Fire

“Oh, she’s so… so adorable!”

Xi Xue paused, captivated by Lan Ruobing’s timid demeanor, her heart stirring.

‘How could there be such an endearing girl in the world?’ she inwardly exclaimed.

Outwardly, she remained composed, feigning contemplation. “Lan Ruobing… is it the ‘Lan’ from ‘blue sky’?”

“Mm… yes.”

“I’ve heard that when icebergs at sea reach a certain thickness, they turn a deep, ethereal blue. Coupled with the white snow covering their surface, it looks like blue flames melting glaciers, a coexistence of ice and fire…”

As Xi Xue spoke, her eyes suddenly brightened. She praised, “Wow, what a profound name! It sounds beautiful and suits you perfectly!”

“Is… is that so? Thank you,” Lan Ruobing murmured, a warmth spreading through her heart.

‘She understands so much, and she even praised me…’

‘Praised me for being profound…’

Her name had been chosen casually, yet she never imagined it held such a profound meaning.

‘Ice and fire coexisting, perhaps…’

‘Just like life—one side cold, one side warm.’

In class, Lan Nuo had always been a loner.

After his parents’ car accident, his friends drifted away, making him wary of forming any close connections.

He simply wanted to live his own life.

His only hobby was to stand alone on the school building’s rooftop every day during lunch, while everyone else queued for food, watching the bustling crowds below.

He would clear his mind, relax his body, and pass the time.

This routine always brought him a sense of peace.

Until one day, this habit was no longer his alone.

It became a shared ritual between two people: him and Xi Xue.

On the third day after Xi Xue transferred to their class, Lan Nuo went to the rooftop as usual.

In his customary shaded spot, he found an intruder.

It was Xi Xue, the school beauty.

After a moment’s thought, he turned to leave, a pang of disappointment in his heart.

His secret sanctuary, which he had cherished for so long, was now gone.

However, Xi Xue called out to him.

Without turning his head, she simply asked Lan Nuo to stay and chat.

After a moment of hesitation, Lan Nuo walked over.

He knew a little about the new school beauty.

Xi Xue came from a wealthy family, yet she was modest, gentle, and patient with others.

Crucially, she had never looked at Lan Nuo with strange eyes.

Even when some classmates gossiped about Lan Nuo being gloomy all the time, claiming his parents were murderers, Xi Xue never paid them any mind.

When she spoke to Lan Nuo, her eyes were as gentle and pure as they were with anyone else.

There was no pretense, no excessive pity.

It was as if she treated Lan Nuo like any ordinary friend, chatting and confiding.

Thus, when Lan Nuo approached, he felt little apprehension.

He simply leaned closer to Xi Xue, enjoying the breeze and the alluring scent of her body.

Well, truthfully, it was intentional.

It wasn’t about apprehension at all.

That shaded spot was only big enough for two people, and they had to be close.

He could have stood further away, with one half in the shade and the other bathed in sunlight, but he didn’t.

The intense midday sun was one reason, but primarily, he just wanted to be close to Xi Xue, to inhale her alluring scent while subtly brushing against her soft body.

He reveled in that sensation, a delicate blend of cautious intimacy and soft, fragrant warmth.

He was a naughty boy in the throes of puberty.

As expected, Xi Xue didn’t seem to notice.

Instead, she pulled out a delicate pink box from her pocket, poured out two pieces of chewing gum, giving one to Lan Nuo and keeping one for herself.

The chewing gum was also pink.

It offered an instant, refreshing coolness upon tasting, like mountain spring water, instantly dispelling the heat.

It could be eaten directly, or chewed for two minutes until it dissolved into a clear, sweet, crisp, and smooth liquid that glided down the throat.

Xi Xue explained that it was a special blend made by her family, rich in energy, and could be used to replenish stamina in crucial moments.

In terms that Lan Nuo could understand, one piece of chewing gum was equivalent to a meal.

It was proven effective; from that day on, he stopped eating lunch, going to the rooftop daily to get chewing gum from Xi Xue.

Xi Xue was more than happy to share it with him.

And so, every day, the two of them would watch the people come and go below, chatting occasionally.

Through their conversations, Lan Nuo learned many things about Xi Xue.

He discovered Xi Xue deeply admired the Guard Corps, had once helped them capture criminals and eradicate exotic beasts, earning numerous honor medals.

Lan Nuo felt a pang of regret.

He, too, greatly admired the Guard Corps, but unfortunately, he hadn’t awakened any special abilities.

He could only live a mundane life, like any ordinary person, taking college entrance exams and then working.

Xi Xue would comfort him, saying not to give up until the last moment.

Even if he didn’t awaken an ability on the final day, he could still work as an assistant related to the Guard Corps in the future, fighting alongside them.

As she spoke, Xi Xue even clenched her small, rosy fists, making a vibrant expression that made Lan Nuo burst into laughter.

That period was Lan Nuo’s happiest time.

Every day, he eagerly anticipated their meeting on the rooftop.

Seeing the familiar girl in the white dress brought him a sense of peace.

He counted the remaining days before the ability awakening exam, cherishing every moment they spent together.

During their conversations, they confided in each other, sharing sorrows and joys.

When watching the crowds below, he would secretly steal glances at Xi Xue’s serene profile, observing the gentle breeze ruffle her hair and her calm, bright, inky black eyes.

His heart would flutter.

Of course, at that time, he understood that Xi Xue’s status was noble, and they were from different worlds.

In the future, they might not have any further interactions.

But he didn’t ask for more; he only yearned for the beauty of that moment, hiding his affection for Xi Xue deep in his heart, until one day in the future, he would witness Xi Xue’s marriage with his own eyes…

“Speaking of which, I also have a friend named Lan, called Lan Nuo. I wonder how he’s doing now…” Xi Xue suddenly said, looking towards the rooftop, her thoughts drifting far away.

“I hope he can awaken his ability; that was his dream,” she murmured, her eyes filled with nostalgia.

“He was a fun, kind, and adorable boy. I hope to introduce you two someday.”

Retrieving her thoughts, she suddenly gave Lan Ruobing a gentle smile.

It was sweet, yet tinged with a hint of melancholy.

“Eh?…” Lan Ruobing softly gasped, looking at the girl before her, whose face held a reminiscent expression.

A strange sorrow, entwined with emotion, surged within her, catching her off guard.

Her nose stung, and her vision blurred.

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing tears welling in Lan Ruobing’s eyes, Xi Xue looked puzzled.

She asked with concern, patting her on the back.

Lan Ruobing bit her lip, exerting force, and fiercely pinched her thigh, suppressing the complex emotions churning within her.

With her other hand, she clutched her stomach, feigning pain.

“Hungry…”

Her voice trembled.

It wasn’t truly hunger; she was overwhelmed.

She, who had always lingered at the edges of the class, long isolated, never receiving care or greetings, was now remembered by a newcomer—a newcomer who had been in class for less than a month.

This newcomer even called her a friend—interesting, kind, and adorable…

She was so happy, so moved.

Someone actually remembered her, and it was the school beauty she had always admired, the person she could freely talk to on the rooftop.

For the first time in six years… for the very first time… she had a friend.

Tears threatened to overflow; she could barely hold them back.

She pinched harder, digging her nails into her flesh, fiercely suppressing the tumultuous emotions.

‘I can’t cry, I can’t cry. This is the restaurant; so many people are watching. Lan Ruobing, you must not cry…’

Lan Ruobing’s tearful, pained expression made Xi Xue panic.

She pulled out the pink box, quickly poured out two pieces of chewing gum, and was about to pop them into Lan Ruobing’s mouth when she suddenly froze.

Lan Ruobing looked at the pink box, tears streaming down her face.

Hesitating for a moment, Xi Xue gently pushed the chewing gum into Ruobing’s mouth, then pulled her into a comforting embrace.

“It’s a special blend from my family. It can relieve hunger.”

A strange ache welling in her heart.

No, it was a wrenching pain.

Lan Ruobing leaned against Xi Xue’s soft chest, nodding, her body trembling as she quietly wept.

Her stomach still felt hungry, but it was much better.

She, too, felt much better…

Ice and fire coexisting.