Deep sorrow welled up in Tang Xu's eyes.
He found a white fluffy coat for Tang Yiyi and put it on her. After helping her put on her shoes, he carried her out of the rented room on his back.
Snowflakes began to drift down from the sky.
Tang Xu walked slowly forward, carrying Tang Yiyi on his back.
"Yiyi, do you remember? When it snowed when we were little, you insisted on going out to see the snow. Afterward, when you got tired, I carried you back just like this."
Back then, they were full of laughter and joy, and their family was harmonious.
Tang Yiyi was weak and found it difficult to speak even a single word.
"I... remember. We're like... before again."
"Yes, we can be like before again."
"Yiyi, are you cold?"
"Not cold."
How could she not be cold? Her hands were icy when she was in the rented room, let alone now that she was outside.
Tang Xu carried Tang Yiyi through streets, calling out to her from behind from time to time.
As they walked, they arrived at the dock.
Due to the snow, there were hardly any people on the dock.
The snow began to fall heavier. Tang Xu found a bench and gently placed Tang Yiyi down.
Tang Yiyi leaned her head on Tang Xu's shoulder, watching the snowflakes dance in the air.
"It's so beautiful today."
Tang Xu agreed, "Yes, and it will be even more beautiful when it gets dark and the dock lights come on."
So, you have to hold on...
"Tang Xu, I'm cold. Will you hold me, please?"
Tang Xu nodded and held Tang Yiyi in his arms, as if holding a baby.
At that moment, the lights on the dock flickered on as promised.
The dancing snowflakes, illuminated by the colorful lights, looked as beautiful as a fairytale world from a movie.
The snow continued to fall thicker and heavier.
Tang Yiyi raised her hand and tremblingly stroked Tang Xu's cheek.
Then, with trembling fingers, she pulled out the necklace from her neck.
She didn't cry or fuss as she usually would; she was incredibly calm.
"That day... I had already... walked into the shop, but... I still couldn't bear to... sell the necklace you gave me."
"Because it's the only valuable thing I have... the only thing you gave me... that still has meaning..."
"Only you... have always been good to me..."
Tang Yiyi's breathing grew weaker and weaker.
Tang Xu's heart ached, but he was helpless.
"Don't talk, just rest."
"No, I want to talk... If I don't say it now, I won't have a chance later..."
"I really wish I could be healthy and marry you."
"But I'm going to die... I know..."
"Tang Xu... I've realized... I truly... love you... What a pity..."
"My biggest regret... is... not being able to... have a proper romance with you..."
"I... love... you..."
At the final moments of her life, Tang Yiyi used her last bit of strength to confess her love to Tang Xu.
Tang Xu, by now, was already in tears.
He kissed Tang Yiyi's pale lips with tears in his eyes, feeling her breath gradually fade, her heart stop, and the process of her death...
Although this moment was fleeting.
In a way, they had experienced their romance.
Tang Xu held Tang Yiyi's body and sat in the snowy night until dawn, until the snow stopped.
The world was covered in a blanket of white, as if all sins had been purified.
Several prosecutors approached Tang Xu.
"A day has passed. You should go back."
Tang Xu looked at the prosecutors and said, "She is dead, and she has no family. Could you please arrange for her cremation?"
Tang Yiyi's death was due to illness.
For unclaimed bodies like this, the prosecutors would handle the arrangements.
Tang Xu took one last look at Tang Yiyi's body. They got into different vehicles, parting forever.
Tang Yiyi's body was sent to Xianfu Group for processing.
Lu Xing entered his office and said, "Miss Tang, Tang Yiyi's body has been cremated."
When a person dies, their sins in life vanish with them.
"Process it as an unclaimed urn and send it to the public cemetery."
"Understood."
For unclaimed bodies, Xianfu Group would handle them with humanity.
Free cremation, a complimentary eco-friendly urn, and burial in the cemetery managed by Xianfu Group.
However, the tombstone and the urn would not be maintained for very long, as it was a charity initiative.
Tang Xiaomin stretched and stood up.
She glanced at the time and realized it was time to go home.
As she passed the guardhouse, Li Changchun said, "Xiaomin, you're off work so early today?"
"I have plans with friends to watch a show tonight. Dad, I'm leaving now."
"Alright, come back early tonight."
Since returning from the resort, Li Changchun had not mentioned that day's events and carried on as if nothing had happened.
He was a simple and honest man, able to endure even poverty.
Tang Xiaomin's secret with Xianfu Group was naturally kept well.
Tang Xiaomin went back to change her clothes and then drove to meet Qian Lili and the others.
"Xiaomin, over here!" Qian Lili, linking arms with Liu Feng, waved to Tang Xiaomin.
As Tang Xiaomin approached, she realized something was amiss.
The men were dressed in smart suits, and the women wore formal dresses with thick coats, looking beautiful but shivering.
As for Tang Xiaomin, she was wearing jeans and a white down jacket.
At first glance, she looked completely out of place.
Liu Feng couldn't help but laugh.
"Manager Tang, wearing a down jacket to a show is a bit too casual, don't you think?"
Tang Xiaomin was speechless.
"I haven't been to a show before. How was I supposed to know you'd all be dressing up so formally?"
Tang Xiaomin had assumed it would be like their usual casual get-togethers, where comfort was key.
Shu Ya shook her head.
"You wouldn't understand. A fashion show is like a battlefield. The models are in a dazzling display on stage. Most of the people sitting in the audience are influential figures, and they also compete in terms of taste."
"You were too hasty."
Tang Xiaomin looked at the time and shrugged helplessly.
"It's about to start, and I don't have time to change. No one will notice me, let's go in."
Tang Xiaomin didn't mind; she was just there for the excitement.
The group walked in one by one.
It was then that Tang Xiaomin noticed that the attendees were dressed in increasingly extravagant outfits.
The venue was heated, so as soon as they entered, everyone took off their coats, looking like they were at a banquet. Those who knew each other would discuss each other's "battle outfits" from which season, which brand, and their value...
Tang Xiaomin wisely went to the restroom. Many people recognized her, and she tried to avoid eye contact to prevent unnecessary mockery.
A little later, Qian Lili called, "Xiaomin, it's starting soon. Hurry up!"