With My Profound Love, I Offer to the Years

"Changing careers is good," Xiao Mubai thought for a moment, then nodded.

The scheming and infighting was too exhausting. If possible, he hoped she could live more easily and happily in the future.

"Whatever you want to do, I'll support you," he said earnestly, looking at her.

He no longer asked for anything now, only hoping she could be happy and content for the rest of her life.

The moment he decided to silently protect her, he had already given up hoping for any reciprocation.

"..." Shen Nian met his serious gaze, paused for a moment, then smiled gently and asked, "Really?"

"Really," Xiao Mubai replied.

"Hmm... then I'll have to think about it carefully." Shen Nian began to seriously consider this question. After about ten seconds, she looked at Xiao Mubai again and asked,

"What do you think about me going back to my original profession as an artist?"

Original profession... Shen Nian's university major was art.

"Because thinking carefully, I don't think I've ever gone traveling. I've always confined myself here."

Every day was the same routine: wake up, wash up, put on makeup, then go to work at the company, like an emotionless working machine.

"If possible... I'd like to take a proper trip, appreciate the beautiful landscapes of our country." The more Shen Nian spoke, the brighter the expectation in her eyes grew.

Just thinking about it was a wonderful thing.

"I really love the ocean..."

She had always loved the sea, standing on the beach, basking in the sea breeze – probably nothing could be more blissful than that.

As they were talking, the photo editor had finished retouching Shen Nian's photos and printed them out. He used a paper cutter to separate the photos into individual pieces, then put them in a small paper bag before handing it to Shen Nian.

"Thank you."

Shen Nian opened the small paper bag, looked at her ID photos inside, and was very satisfied.

Looking up, she saw Xiao Mubai staring at her.

She thought for a second, then picked out one photo and handed it to him: "Here."

Xiao Mubai didn't react immediately: "What?"

"It's for you," Shen Nian smiled.

"Last time when we went back to my place, didn't you want my photo? I really didn't have any then, so this time I'm making it up to you."

She finished speaking, then asked: "You don't want it?"

She started to withdraw her hand.

Xiao Mubai immediately took the ID photo: "I do."

How could he not want it?

Shen Nian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and asked: "Does it look good?"

He had already heard these three words for the third time today, but Xiao Mubai still nodded without hesitation, giving the same answer: "It looks good."

"Then shall I ask them to send the original image to your phone?" Shen Nian said.

"Okay."

The photo editor transferred the base image of Shen Nian's ID photo to Xiao Mubai. When he offered to do the same for Shen Nian, she declined, holding up the small stack of ID photos in her hand: "These are enough for me."

If she were to become a free and easy artist in the future, there would be very few occasions to use such ID photos.

While the photo was being transferred, Xiao Mubai took out his phone, peeled off his transparent phone case, and placed Shen Nian's ID photo on the back of his phone.

Some say that what's placed on the back of a phone is very meaningful to its owner. Xiao Mubai's phone back was empty before, but from now on, it would have Shen Nian's photo.

...

After returning, despite Xiao Mubai's advice, Shen Nian insisted on using the computer to write her resignation letter.

Every word on it was typed out by her, one by one, filling an entire page.

After finishing, she carefully read it from beginning to end. Once she was sure there were no problems, she typed her name at the bottom and sent it to Lu Lingchuan's email.

The screen displayed "Email Sent". Looking at these words, she had never felt so relieved.

Everything was over.

She was still hospitalized at the moment and didn't have the time or energy to go to the company to handle the resignation procedures and pack up her things. That would have to wait until after she was discharged.

Two more days passed in the blink of an eye, and it got much colder. Once evening came, the wind howled fiercely.

Xiao Mubai sat in the chair next to her, took out his phone to check the time, then smiled at Shen Nian and said, "It's the 31st today. Time has passed so quickly."

After today, it would be New Year's Day, the beginning of a new year.

Shen Nian leaned back on the hospital bed, staring blankly out the window: "Is it snowing?"

She asked.

Xiao Mubai followed her gaze and saw snowflakes floating outside the window. Because it was so cold, the window had fogged up.

"Yes," Xiao Mubai nodded, then said: "It's snowing."

He smiled again: "The first snow of the year came a bit late this time. Usually, it comes in early December."

This year had just been cold, but it hadn't snowed. Today, on the last day of the year, the first snow finally fell.

Shen Nian seemed to really like snowy days. She kept staring outside, unable to move her gaze away.

A nurse came to inform them that they could process the discharge procedures. Xiao Mubai went to handle it, letting Shen Nian stay in the hospital room. When he returned, Shen Nian was still looking outside.

"The nurse said it's quite cold outside," Xiao Mubai walked over, helping her pack up the things on the table.

"..." Shen Nian was still looking outside, not saying a word.

Over these days, Xiao Mubai had already gotten used to her silence. She spoke less, spending most of her time sleeping and staring into space. Sometimes she wouldn't say a single word all day.

But he didn't need to hear her answer. Xiao Mubai continued talking to himself.

"It's the 31st today. There's a New Year's Eve celebration tonight. I heard that some mall owners applied for fireworks permission, and it's been approved. There will be a fireworks show at exactly 0:00. Shall we go home to rest for a while, and I'll take you out early in the evening to get a good spot?"

"After today, it'll be a new year. When the new year begins, even if there were sad things, they'll all be last year's sorrows. Forget the bad memories and welcome the new year."

"I've pushed back all my work for next year, planning to take you on a good trip. Didn't you say earlier that you wanted to travel? These past few days, I've specifically looked up many travel guides and found that there are indeed many beautiful scenic spots in our country."

"The most beautiful snow mountain in China is Meili Snow Mountain. They say when golden light descends from the sky and shines on the snow-capped peak, it looks like a golden 'Potala Palace'. It's incredibly beautiful."

"There's also Swan Lake, known as the 'most beautiful lake'. A thin mist floats on the water surface, elegant swans sing their songs – it feels like being in another world."

"The West Lake - the epitome of poetic beauty and picturesque charm. 'To liken West Lake to Xi Zi, light makeup or heavy, she is always beautiful.' For centuries, countless poets and scholars have attempted yet struggled to fully capture the lake's beauty in words."

It wasn't until she did her research that she realized there were far too many breathtaking landscapes in China to visit them all.

Shen Nian's attention finally returned from the scenery outside. She didn't offer any comments, simply listening quietly as Xiao Mubai spoke, a faint smile curving her lips.

It was rare to see her smile so purely, so gently. For a moment, Xiao Mubai thought he glimpsed the sixteen-year-old Shen Nian from years past.