A Moment of Defiance

This might be the first time I’ve defied Miss’s orders.

Frost is pushing the wheelchair down the street with a complex mix of emotions. Her mind is a blank slate, and she has no idea what she’s doing. Yet, she’s unsure whether what she’s doing is right or wrong. Or perhaps, not all of Miss’s instructions are correct?

Despite the tension, there’s a hint of joy in her heart. But is this the emotion she should be feeling?

Looking at Luo Yao sitting in the wheelchair, Frost feels that everything is worthwhile.

“We agreed on just one lap, okay?” Frost pushes the wheelchair, whispering to Luo Yao with a gentle smile. Such an expression rarely appears on Frost’s face.

Luo Yao, meanwhile, is gazing at the sky, deep in thought. He ponders, sensing that he might be a bit of a ‘green tea’ guy. To be honest, Luo Yao doesn’t hold any extra affection for Frost. His feelings for her are more like those for an older sister, someone he can rely on.

Frost is too pure, almost naive. Luo Yao feels guilty deceiving someone like her. Yet, he can sense Frost’s inexplicable affection, even though there’s no future in it. Everything feels meaningless and contradictory.

“Is there anything you want? We’re approaching the pedestrian street.” Seeing that Luo Yao hasn’t responded, Frost doesn’t rush. Her personality is such that she’s already projected her worldview onto Luo Yao. Frost notices the pedestrian street ahead, a place she’s never been but has heard about. As Mu Yaochen’s personal assistant, she’s familiar with all the enterprises under Blue Bird.

“Let’s just walk around a bit.” Luo Yao interrupts his thoughts, realizing he must sacrifice something to regain his freedom. He hopes that Frost’s feelings for him won’t harm her. Even though it’s still afternoon, the pedestrian street is bustling. Though not as lively as at night, there are plenty of people coming and going. Couples walking hand in hand are common and unremarkable, while those walking alone might be seen as odd.

Frost looks at the couples passing by, then at Luo Yao in the wheelchair. She feels they’re no different from these happy pedestrians. Yet, their striking appearance ensures they’ll be the talk of the pedestrian street. Luo Yao, with his various bandages, looks fragile, as if he might break at the slightest touch.

“Want something to eat?”

Frost pushes Luo Yao to various street vendors, her eyes falling on the ice sugar-coated sugar apples. Remembering that men usually like sweet things, she suddenly recalls a childhood memory where these treats left a bad impression. As a child, she could eat an entire string, the sour hawthorn balanced by the sugary coating. As an adult, her girlfriend always took the sugary parts, leaving Luo Yao with the sour hawthorn.

“Mm-hmm.” Luo Yao nods lightly, seeing the sugar apples, though he feels no particular emotion. Still, he misses their taste.

“Okay, which type do you want?” Frost’s excitement is palpable, perhaps because she guessed correctly. Yet, faced with the vendor’s array of colorful sugar apples, she’s unsure. There are even exotic varieties with fruit or vegetables like onions and peppers.

“Just a regular one will do.” Luo Yao finds Frost’s hesitation endearing, especially for someone who towers over him.

“Here you go!” Frost eagerly hands Luo Yao a sugar apple, each hawthorn round and red, coated in a shiny layer of sugar, instantly stirring appetite and tantalizing the taste buds.

“Thank you…” Luo Yao sees Frost’s genuine joy, thinking how easy it is to please her. Watching Luo Yao take small bites of the sugar apple, Frost feels a surge of pride. Her usually cold expression softens with a smile.

The sugar apple is both sweet and sour. Women like Frost, cold on the outside but warm on the inside, are easily manipulated. Like a puppy, they’re loyal with the slightest reward.

Frost feels an unprecedented sense of joy, being close to Luo Yao and defying Mu Yaochen’s orders. Simply put, today’s outing with Luo Yao is both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

Soon, Luo Yao finishes the sugar apple.

“Let’s head back.” Luo Yao is now familiar with the nearby paths, though he didn’t plan this for an escape. He doesn’t want to waste time. Knowing Mu Yaochen, he’ll likely be confined to the hospital for a long while. By now, the shop should be renovated, and he’s probably still Mu Yaochen’s prisoner.

“Um…” Frost hesitates, looking at Luo Yao’s mouth and collar, which are stained with sugar from the sugar apple.

“What is it?” Luo Yao notices Frost staring at his face and is curious.

“Your mouth…” Frost reaches out, gently touching Luo Yao’s mouth with her finger. The sugar fragments stick to her fingertip, as well as his collar. Luo Yao doesn’t stop her, perhaps even intending for these stains to remain.

“Let’s go. Don’t let Miss see these.” Frost’s hand is still sticky with sugar, but she suddenly remembers Mu Yaochen’s instruction to walk Luo Yao in the hospital park. Yet, she’s already pushed him out.

“It’s okay, this is just a secret between you and me. She… she won’t know.” Luo Yao smiles softly, whispering to Frost.

“A secret, just between you and me.” Frost pushes Luo Yao, her heart growing happier with each step. There’s no fear of doing something wrong, only joy. Frost wants more secrets with Luo Yao; the feeling of shared secrets is comforting and delightful.

****

Writing every day

I owe some updates, sigh, I’ll pay them back slowly.