Which way to go is the road?

The first snow of the season fell hastily in Yandu, snowflakes fluttering and accumulating on treetops, roadsides, and rooftops. The weather wasn't too cold yet, so the snow shouldn't have been able to hold on, but it kept falling for a long time. Eventually, the weather grew much colder, and everything was covered with a thin white coat.

The people inside "Shuiyunjian" were completely unaware. It wasn't until they saw someone from outside come in that they started to ruffle their hair and shake off something from their clothes that Xiang Fei realized it was snowing!

"Zhang Chu, come to the front desk for your shift, I want to go see the snow!"

Xiang Fei stretched and looked out through the revolving glass door at the swirling snowflakes. The hazy, ethereal scene drew him out to investigate.

"Enjoying the snow? It's snowing?"

In the QQ voice chat, everyone asked in unison, Zhang Chu's voice drowned out. It was almost lunchtime, and there weren't any important tasks in the game, so everyone got off the computer and ran towards the revolving door, ignoring Xiang Fei, who was filling in at the front desk! Looking at his carefree and irresponsible friends, Xiang Fei couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, still staying at the front desk and sticking to his post.

After leaving the house, the group didn't go far. They stood at the entrance, reminiscing and laughing, breathing in the moist, cool, fresh air. Through the large glass panes of the revolving door, from Xiang Fei's angle, Bai Xue's image was clearest. Her pure face, accentuated by her knitted beret and scarf, appeared even whiter and more beautiful. With her arms outstretched and eyes closed, she twirled around with a smile, letting the snowflakes patter against her face.

Xiang Fei was mesmerized, captivated by the hazy, silent atmosphere created by the glass. He found himself involuntarily walking out from behind the counter and pushing open the door. The scene immediately became clear, though still dreamlike. The sounds of playful fighting and laughter, the wind blowing in his face, felt so real. Xiang Fei stared blankly, as if detached from the world, beyond the five elements, oblivious to Tian Hai's dissatisfaction and jealousy beside him, as if this dreamlike scene belonged only to him.

A customer entered the internet cafe, and Zhang Chu nudged Xiang Fei: "Brother, a customer! A customer!"

"Ah? Oh!" Xiang Fei replied, but didn't move, still staring blankly. Zhang Chu followed Xiang Fei's gaze and glanced at Bai Xue, understanding what was going on, then pushed open the door and went inside.

Bai Xue's movements and expressions remained unchanged for a long time, at least in Xiang Fei's eyes, because that scene was already etched in his mind. This must be what "eternity in a second" means! However, the scene was eventually ruined by Dong Lu. She scooped up a handful of snow and jokingly threw it at Bai Xue. The snow landed on her hat and clothes, but inevitably splashed on her face. A chill woke Bai Xue up. She looked at Dong Lu, who was pretending to be calm, and chased after her with a playful laugh...

Qian Luomei wasn't there today; she went back to the courtyard house to visit her parents. Before leaving, she said she'd stay for two days and to call her if anything came up. Since they couldn't cook, Xiang Fei and the others went to a nearby restaurant to eat. It was just a casual meal, so they didn't look for a private room or a large table. Dong Lu, Zhang Chu, and Bai Xue sat at one table, while Xiang Fei and the other men sat at another. There were six men on the men's side, making it a bit crowded. Zhang Fang, shamelessly, went to the group of girls and chatted and laughed with them as if he were in his element.

"Xiang Fei, can I ask you for a favor?" Tian Hai whispered to Xiang Fei, seeing that the girls' attention had been drawn to him.

"Whatever it is, I'll do my best to help!" Xiang Fei said, picking up a handful of peanuts that had just been served and chewing them.

"Well, as you know, I've been pursuing Bai Xue, but it hasn't been going well. Tonight, I'm going to make one last effort!"

"Oh, great, a perfect match! You two are a good couple! Keep it up!" Xiang Fei said against his will.

"Hey! Second brother, how did you manage to get here tonight? Where did you book the room?" Du Xinpeng had obviously heard Tian Hai's words and was suppressing a wicked laugh.

"Get lost! You can't expect anything good from a dog's mouth. I meant I want to confess my feelings to Bai Xue tonight. The props are all ready, just give me a hand!" Tian Hai bowed to everyone with his arms crossed, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, everyone, please be kind and don't sabotage me. Remember to highlight me as the main character!"

"You're only good for supporting roles, what are you going to do with leading roles? Even Chen Peisi wouldn't look like a soldier in a leading role, he'd just be a traitor at best!" Du Xinpeng continued to be sarcastic.

"Alright, that's it. You each get three game cards, 150 points each! How about that?"

"I think this is a good idea!" Old You forced down his earlier laughter and said solemnly.

Du Xinpeng nodded reluctantly. Tian Hai turned his gaze to Xiang Fei with a sincere expression, which forced Xiang Fei to also express his opinion.

"Okay, what props should I use?" Xiang Fei bit his lip, as if he had made a big decision.

"You're such a talented person, how can I let you mess around with props? That's too low-class! These days, isn't singing all the time for proposing love? I think that's too cliché, and besides, my brother isn't that good at singing. I'd like to recite some poetry or something!"

"Sure! There are tons of love poems online. I'll find one for you this afternoon that I'm sure you'll love!" Old You seemed to sense something and quickly said.

"Find it online? That's so insincere! I want to recite a poem I wrote myself!"

"That's even better. You're missing background music, aren't you? I'll find some for you!" Old You was as enthusiastic as ever.

"Oh, no! Let me just say it directly, I'm not good at writing poetry, and I want Xiang Fei to write one for me. I think Xiang Fei's poetry is quite interesting, at least much better than mine! So, Xiang Fei, can you do me this favor? I'm begging you!"

Xiang Fei was a little dazed and conflicted. On the one hand, writing the poem himself would show sincerity, and having someone else write it would make it seem like someone else's feelings. On the other hand, his feelings for Bai Xue made him feel awkward about doing this. However, the shadow left by the absurd incident with Qian Luomei still lingered, and his principle of keeping his feelings for the opposite sex at bay urged him to agree.

"If that doesn't work, forget it. The rice bowl is here, come and eat! I'll think of something else!"

Tian Hai's tactic of feigning retreat was very effective, quickly making the hesitant Xiang Fei decide: "No, I'm just afraid my writing won't do you any favors in your confession!"

"It's alright, I won't blame you whether it's good or bad. I know writing poetry requires inspiration. Take your time this afternoon, and whatever it turns out to be is fine! Xiang Fei, you're a true brother!"

"Okay, I'll write it! I'll get it to you before 6 o'clock!"

"Okay, okay! Boss, give me six bottles of beer!"

Bai Xue turned around and asked curiously, "What's going on that's worth celebrating with drinks? Tian Hai, when did you become so generous?"

"Nothing to celebrate, I just wanted to have a drink!" Tian Hai said with a slightly flushed face, making up an excuse.

……

The afternoon passed peacefully. At six o'clock, Tian Hai picked up the poems on time. Xiang Fei, suppressing his disappointment, watched the departing figure with a sense of loss, only able to fill the emptiness in his heart with the self-deception of Ah Q. Just then, Lao You ran over and asked Xiang Fei for a cup of instant noodles. The front desk didn't have any in stock, so Xiang Fei took one out of the drawer and handed it to him!

"I bought this myself. You're hungry, so here, have some!"

"What a joke! You'd rather starve than eat this one bowl of instant noodles? And it's tomato and egg, I don't like that! Brother Fei, I can do you a favor, but don't go overboard. One bowl of instant noodles is fine, but you should really think twice about anything else!"

Lao You glanced at the instant noodle packaging, said a few words to Xiang Fei, and went back to playing the game with a blank expression. Xiang Fei understood the reasoning behind it all, but in this complicated situation, he really didn't know where to step or what path he should take.

At 7 p.m., it was completely dark, but Bai Xue was still engrossed in playing her game without a care in the world. She only realized something was wrong when she looked around and saw that Dong Lu and Du Xinpeng's seats were empty! She glanced at her phone and saw two missed calls, so she unlocked it and dialed them.

"Hey, Tian Hai? Where did you all go? Where are Dong Lu and Du Xinpeng? What? They're all outside? Why didn't you call me? You guys are really inconsiderate. Okay, I'm coming out too!"

Bai Xue walked to the front desk and got off the plane. Seeing only Xiang Fei standing there, she asked in bewilderment, "Where's Zhang Chu? This is outrageous! Why do they always make you cover their shifts?"

"It's okay, I can still use the computer to play games, right? They're all waiting for you outside! Go on out!"

"Aren't you going?"

"I have to be on duty; this place can't be left unattended! You go first, I'll be there in a bit!"

Bai Xue didn't reply, gave Xiang Fei a smile, and pushed the revolving door out.

Just a few steps from the gate, fireworks went off across the street. Bai Xue glanced sideways, but before she could see anything, she heard music begin—Richardson's piano piece "Wedding March." Looking ahead, she saw Tian Hai, carrying a bouquet of roses, dressed in a suit and tie, walking over "debonairly," reciting a modern classical poem as he did so.

Falling from the sky

Unrestrained and graceful,

A lovely expanse of white,

Flying everywhere, carrying the persistence of the soul.

Love you,

White snowflakes,

A tranquil mind, a graceful descent.

I laughed and then cried.

For those few fleeting encounters.

Get closer to see it.

Beautiful praise, cool touch.

Get rid of it.

That wavering, gladiator-like contemplation.

It landed in my palm, and seeped into my heart.

Let's keep each other company.

Time flows on, and years slip by.

after many years,

Youth fades, youth is gone

I will still hold your hand.

You are still with me.

As the recitation ended, while the music was still playing, Tian Hai knelt on one knee and uttered the three words he had long kept in his heart: "I love you, Bai Xue! From the first day we became classmates, I fell in love with you at first sight. Over the years, your laughter has been my laughter, and your sorrows my sorrows. Your place in my heart has never changed. Today, I've mustered up the courage to confess, Bai Xue, be my girlfriend! Accept me!"

At this moment, customers entering and leaving the internet cafe, and pedestrians passing by all stopped to watch this romantic moment. When Tian Hai finished his confession, they all cheered, "Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!..."

Bai Xue, her cheeks flushed and holding a bouquet of flowers, nodded seemingly happily and said, "Okay, I accept this love poem!"

Tian Hai was extremely excited and rushed over to hug Bai Xue. However, he didn't receive a response from Bai Xue when he tried to kiss her, so he stopped. But this didn't affect the success of the courtship ceremony. The internet users and passersby who were watching all applauded and cheered for this happy moment.

Xiang Fei stood by the revolving door, looking lost and dejected, before stumbling into "Shuiyunjian".