The Little Brat's Sweet And Sassy Chapter 1249 - Side Story 28: He Will Love Her Forever

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Previously on The Little Brat's Sweet And Sassy...
Shen Zhijin has been uncharacteristically volatile and distracted, leading his colleagues to speculate that his change in mood stems from Gu Tingyin’s recent absence. After enduring rumors about her giving up on their one-sided pursuit, an uncharacteristically hurried Shen Zhijin finally heads to her dormitory to track her down. He is met with the unsettling news that she has gone to an art exhibition with someone else, leaving him standing in the cold with two unused tickets.
1249 Side Story 28: His Eternal DevotionShen Zhijin maintained his vigil from morning until the afternoon faded away. As the twilight deepened, a gentle chill alighted upon his brow. He glanced upward to find the air filled with falling snow. The year’s inaugural snowfall had arrived in the Capital. Tiny flakes drifted from a somber sky, quickly painting the pavement in pristine white under the amber glow of the streetlights. A biting wind howled through the deserted thoroughfare, leaving the world so still that he could hear the steady rhythm of his own breathing. Standing ramrod straight, he remained shrouded by the encroaching dark and the cascading snow. Though the art exhibit was scheduled to close by five, she had yet to materialize. With a silent sigh, he bowed his head and continued to wait.The snowfall intensified, dusting the base of the dormitory buildings in a thick layer of white. Holly branches bowed under the icy weight, and the pathways became increasingly treacherous. Finally, the rhythmic crunch of footsteps reached him. Shen Zhijin looked up, his body tensing to move forward, but he froze midway. She had returned, yet she was not alone. A tall young man walked beside her, radiating an aura of understated elegance. While the man’s features remained somewhat obscured by the night, his refined side profile was unmistakable. Shen Zhijin stood paralyzed by shock. He had known she planned to visit the gallery with someone, but he had not realized that someone was a man. They strolled in close proximity; the boy held a folded umbrella, opting not to shield them from the elements. Snowflakes settled upon their figures. As she looked toward her companion and spoke, her eyes sparkled, and the genuine joy etched upon her face was blinding. The young man offered a faint smile, making little effort to conceal the adoration within his gaze. A sudden tightness constricted Shen Zhijin’s chest. Drawing a sharp breath, he allowed the frigid air to fill his lungs, feeling an ache that cut deeper than the cold. He realized, with a heavy heart, that he was not the only one permitted to offer her shelter. It seemed he was not the sole observer of her radiant laughter or her exuberant spirit. Her warmth and favors were not his alone to claim.“Third Brother, I shall head inside then!” Gu Tingyin stood at the entrance of the dorm, waving a farewell. Gu Tingyun reached out, gently brushing the accumulated snow from her hair. Seeing her nose reddened by the freezing air, his heart stirred with a protective helplessness. “You are truly overjoyed by a bit of snow, aren't you?” “It is the first time I have witnessed such a glorious snowfall!” Having grown up in the pleasant, year-round warmth of Hong Kong and the temperate climate of Bai City, genuine snow was a rare treasure for her. She had been so captivated that she’d insisted on being dropped off at the gates just to walk the rest of the way. Ever doting, Gu Tingyun had accompanied her the entire distance without bothering to open his umbrella. He raised an eyebrow, teasing, “My flight leaves tonight, and I shall be departing shortly. Do you not feel even a flicker of regret?” “Third Brother,” she sighed, spreading her hands. “I have done little else these past few days but keep you company.” He tapped her forehead playfully. “You have become far too independent since arriving in the Capital. You barely find the time to call home anymore.” Gu Tingyin looked conflicted. “If I call you, I must answer to Mom, Dad, and my other brothers as well. Even Tinglan began grumbling that I was cold-shouldering him!” A weary expression crossed her face. After a moment of contemplation, Gu Tingyun reluctantly yielded. “Very well, our Yinyin has indeed worked tirelessly to entertain me. Off you go, before you catch a chill.” She flashed a smile. “Since you escorted me back, I shall watch you depart!” Gu Tingyun chuckled. Once he rounded the corner and faded from sight, Gu Tingyin turned, ready to ascend to her room.Suddenly, a familiar, imposing silhouette caught her eye. She paused, squinting through the gloom. “Shen Zhijin?” The night was absolute, and hidden in the shadows, he had remained invisible until now. His face was masked by the lack of light, his expression unreadable, though his gaze remained fixed upon her. Overwhelmed with delight, she sprinted toward him. “Shen Zhijin, what are you doing here…?” Closing the distance, she noticed the snow dusting his shoulders and hair, a telltale sign of a long wait. Growing anxious, she reached out to touch his hand; it felt like frozen marble. “Why are you so cold? Did you come specifically for me? Have you been waiting long?” Shen Zhijin pulled his hand away, his voice calm yet carrying the sharp bite of frost. “Not very long.” Gu Tingyin gazed at her vacant hand. “I came today to bring you something, but it appears my gesture is no longer necessary.” With a gentle exhale, he added, “Since you have returned safely, I shall take my leave.” He turned on his heel, his stiff legs moving with effort as he prepared to depart. Gu Tingyin lunged forward to catch his sleeve. “Wait!” He made no move to make contact. He seemed to have waited only for this moment of parting. As he walked away, his retreating figure appeared strangely defeated, as if he were fleeing. He feared that staying a heartbeat longer would shatter his fragile sense of control. “Shen Zhijin! Wait a minute!” Though she didn't grasp the depth of the situation, the duration of his wait was indisputable. How could she simply let him walk away? In the past, he had always adjusted his pace to match hers; now that he was determined to leave, how could she hope to keep up? The gap between them widened, and Shen Zhijin’s spirit plummeted. He craved the freedom to turn back, yet he lacked the courage. The image of the two of them together replayed in his mind, fueling a tumultuous emotion he did not recognize. He feared what he might do should he gaze upon her one more time. The footsteps behind him abruptly ceased. He pressed his lips together. Just as he suspected, she could not spare another moment for him. Furthermore, he had witnessed her watching that other man until he had vanished completely. Enduring the stabbing pain in his chest, he slowed his pace, harboring a vague, unspoken hope. A sound of labored breathing echoed from behind. Startled, he pivoted to see Gu Tingyin hunched over, clutching her chest, her face flushed with apparent distress. His mind went blank, and he rushed to her side to steady her. “Yin Yin!” Fearing an allergic reaction, his anxiety surged. “What is wrong? Did you accidentally ingest peanuts?” Her grip on his hand tightened. Distraught, he promised urgently, “Do not be afraid, I am taking you to the hospital immediately.” Her body shuddered. As he prepared to lift her, a muffled laugh broke the air. He stiffened, arresting all movement. Gu Tingyin straightened, peering up at him through her lashes. The distance between them vanished as she rested in his arms. Her almond eyes danced with pride and mischievous delight. She had been feigning the entire episode. As the truth dawned on him, his trepidation was replaced by a surge of jarring, righteous indignation. Gu Tingyin purred, acting coy. “I do not need the hospital. I shall recover if you only hold me!” Shen Zhijin remained silent. Observing the icy darkness in his eyes, she grew nervous. “Ah Jin, I was only teasing. Are you upset?” Given his earlier silence, this had been her only way to coax him back. Moreover, he had addressed her as “Yin Yin” for the first time. He released her, turning to walk away without a word. Panic finally set in. “Shen Zhijin!” He did not hesitate, his silhouette appearing colder than the night itself. “You… didn't you say you had something to give me?” He stopped cold. The tickets to the exhibition. The event had long since ended. A tension that had been coiled within him snapped. He wheeled around and marched toward her. Seeing him return, she sighed in relief and prepared to apologize. “I never meant to…” He had no patience for explanations. He stepped into her space and seized her hand. Stunned by the frigid temperature of his palm, she shuddered. Overwhelmed by raw impulse, he drew her into his embrace, his arm circling her waist as he leaned down to claim her lips. Her eyes widened. He had stood in the snow so long that even his mouth felt like ice. The contact sparked an electric jolt through her, leaving her dazed. His kiss was possessive and rapid, a turbulent storm that consumed her. All she could do was cling to his hand, gasping for air. Finally, he withdrew, leaving her dizzy and breathless, her face burning with aflush that prevented speech. “Shen… Shen Zhijin… You…” Shen Zhijin shut his eyes, struggling to restore his shattered rationality. He had lost his mind. “I apologize,” he whispered, his voice ravaged. He reached into his pocket and placed an object in her hand. She looked down, stunned. Two tickets to the Zong Pei art exhibition, dated for today. They were never meant for anyone else. “So… you have been waiting since this morning?!” She looked up, but it was too late. “Since someone else has had the pleasure of your company…” He drew a ragged breath, enunciating each word with heavy precision. “You may dispose of them.” Gu Tingyin’s eyes rounded. “Right now… did you witness everything?” He stared into her soul. “You may do as you please. But, Gu Tingyin, never manipulate me with such fears again.” His heart had ceased beating the moment he thought she was in danger. He had never realized how terrified he was of existence without her. That she had been playing a game had driven him to lose all composure. Ever since their paths converged, his order had dissolved into chaos. He could not tame it, so he simply surrendered. Her lashes fluttered as she smoothed the wrinkled tickets, tucking them safely into her bag. “This is the first time you favored me with an invitation to an exhibit. How could I discard it?” His misunderstanding had once again birthed impossible expectations. He had gained a foothold, yet he grew greedy for more. He was insatiable. He gritted his teeth. “Gu Tingyin, you…” “The exhibit continues tomorrow. Shall we attend together?” she asked, tilting her head. He had no answer. His resolve, built moments ago, crumbled under her soft entreaty. How could she do this to him? He clenched his fists, the denial dying on his tongue. He knew he should refuse, but when it was her, how could he? “Had I known, I would have sent Third Brother packing yesterday.” She pouted. He stared at her, dazed. “Third… Brother?” She chuckled at his rare, unguarded confusion. “Shen Zhijin, why be jealous of him? He visited the Capital, and I felt obliged to keep him company. He arrived so suddenly I had no time to inform you.” She looked away, lowering her voice. “Fortunately, he has departed.” Shen Zhijin’s lips parted, finding no words. “It is entirely his fault. I missed my first invitation with you because of his visit.” She frowned in frustration, then smiled. “At least I gained something else.” She met his gaze. It was as if she had peeled away his defenses, leaving him flustered and exposed. “Shen Zhijin.” She called him, and he instinctively turned back. Falling snow tangled in her hair, messy and beautiful. She clutched her heart, blushing, her eyes bright and lips tinted red. She murmured, with a helpless, embarrassed softness, “What shall I do? I seem to be dreadfully allergic to you.” Her lack of recovery was evident. Shen Zhijin gazed at her with quiet intensity. He captured her hand and pulled her close. “Will I never be cured?” He bowed his head, sealing her lips with his own. If she never recovered, it mattered little. Shen Zhijin would love Gu Tingyin for all eternity.