The liveliest part was probably that evening. By the time they went to visit the sightseeing plank road the next day, there were hardly any people outside. Some stayed in because of the cold, others had already left. Looking around, all she could see were bare trees and snow-covered houses, making the path seem a bit desolate.
"This is good too—quiet and peaceful. Find a nice view, and I'll take your picture," Xiao Yu said as he took out his phone.
Ye Qingli looked around and pointed to one side. "Over there. The houses behind look really nice."
She trotted over, leaned against the railing behind her, and flashed her signature row of small white teeth. She held up two frozen fingers and made a peace sign at the camera.
Her go-to photo pose, unchanged for ages.
Xiao Yu held back a laugh and started recalling the tips those bloggers taught online—zoom in, find the light, place the subject in the lower right, then half-crouch to find the best angle. He busied himself with it, looking every bit the professional.
Ye Qingli was surprised he knew all this. Her smile had grown cold from the freeze, but thinking that a great shot would come out soon, she kept her pose. If the photo turned out particularly well, she planned to post it on her Moments to show off.
After about two minutes, he finally lowered the phone. Ye Qingli felt like her face was about to crack from smiling. She rubbed it, asking "How is it? How is it?" as she eagerly leaned in to look. But the final product was so bad it made her eyes hurt—even an enemy would pity her.
"If you don't have the skills, don't show off, okay?" Ye Qingli punched his chest in anger.
"..."
To prevent him from showing it to others, Ye Qingli snatched the phone and deleted those pictures. Scrolling further back, she found the photo booth shot they had accidentally taken the other day at the arcade.
"How did you keep this picture?"
"Hey, this one can't be deleted. I'm keeping it as a treasure," Xiao Yu said, grabbing the phone back and hugging it tightly, afraid she would snatch it again.
Ye Qingli grabbed his arm and coaxed, "Delete this one, and I'll send you two nicer ones, okay?"
"No way. I like the ugly ones."
"..."
How could he be so infuriating?
Ye Qingli stomped her foot in frustration. "What's there to treasure? Delete it now!"
"Beg me."
"Please."
"Call me big brother."
"Big brother."
Xiao Yu couldn't help it; he burst out laughing and ruffled her hair. "Ye Qingli, can't you have some backbone? A single picture and you're under my thumb, doing whatever I say."
But you're the one who caused this!
Ye Qingli only dared to complain inwardly, while still putting on a pitiful face. "Look, I've already stooped that low. Can you delete it now?"
"No, I didn't promise you."
"..."
For a moment, Ye Qingli felt her heart would leap out of her chest.
Fine, don't delete it. It wasn't that big a deal anyway. She sighed. Xiao Yu thought she was really angry, but he genuinely liked that photo. He put an arm around her shoulder and tried to console her, saying she looked especially cute in it, just like the bunny from The Secret Life of Pets.
In the end, he kissed her again. Ye Qingli had no choice but to push him away, saying, "Then you have to promise not to send it to anyone else."
"Fine."
...
They spent two more days in Ice City, visiting famous attractions. Considering Xiao Yu's wallet, Ye Qingli barely let him spend money on anything except necessary meals. No matter what he wanted to buy, she shook her head firmly, insisting on saving for what mattered most.
"Even though your boyfriend used to spend recklessly, I've saved up some. I'm not as poor as you imagine." Xiao Yu pinched her cheek—soft, with a great feel. He couldn't bear to let go. "And I'm still working part-time at the Taekwondo Gym, right? Lots of kids come to learn, and Xu Nuo pays me pretty well each month."
Everything he said was true. Besides, he still had his motorcycle back in Gu Cheng. Even if he sold it cheap, he could get about three hundred thousand. So he was actually fairly well off now—at least enough to give her the life she wanted.
And buying trivial things was nothing.
Ye Qingli understood all this, but during the trip, Xiao Yu hadn't let her spend a single cent. That was a bit unreasonable. Since she couldn't spend, he shouldn't either.
It wasn't until they were about to return to Xi Zhou that Xu Qingsong said he wanted some Ice City specialties. Only then did she relent and let Xiao Yu buy some to take back.
They lugged two huge bags back to Xi Zhou. But Xu Qingsong, always picky, complained again, saying he hated bread the most, and all they brought back was bread.
"You never said you didn't like it. How about trying this? It's Changbai cake—sweet and delicious." Ye Qingli opened the package and handed him one.
Xu Qingsong waved it in his hand. "Why does it look like a shoe insole?"
Ye Qingli: "..."
"Oh, if you don't want it, forget it. You're always nitpicking." Liu Xu snatched it and took a bite. His eyes lit up. "Hey, it is tasty! But why is it so soft?"
Ye Qingli smiled at him. "Changbai cake has that texture. It's more suitable for the elderly and children."
"So you bought this for us because you think we're kids?" Xu Qingsong chimed in again.
"No, we bought it thinking you're old people."
"..."
Xiao Yu choked him up and shot him a glare. Just as he was about to tie the bag, Xu Qingsong stopped him. "Don't tie it! I'm taking some home to eat."
Before they returned, Xu Qingsong and Liu Xu had already moved houses—into the building next door. They had wanted to rent next to Xiao Yu, but it was fully occupied. Going back and forth for food was too troublesome; it was easier to take it directly.
"Weren't you just complaining? Now you want to take it home? It's so bulky." Liu Xu leaned against the sofa, a smirk on his face.