Chapter 6

A sudden heavy snowfall silently covered the entire campus. Everything around was a pristine white, as if we had stepped into a fairy tale world. Snowflakes danced in the air, settling on rooftops, tree branches, and the playground. Everything was transformed into a pure white hue. Walking on the snow produced a pleasant “crunching” sound.

Julian Hamp wore a thick pink down jacket as he quickly caught up to Samuel Girard ahead of him. He grabbed Samuel’s arm tightly and said in a slightly whining tone, “Samuel, wait for me! Didn’t you promise to go to school with me from now on? Why are you walking so fast again?”

Samuel Girard stopped in his tracks, gave her a helpless look, and gently pulled his hand away from hers. “There’s an important student council event at school today. I need to get there early to prepare. I can’t be late,” he said, quickening his pace slightly, his eyes filled with urgency.

Julian Hamp bit his lip and hurried after him, saying firmly, “Then I want to join the student council too! That way, no matter what activities there are, we can participate together. I can also help you with some of the tasks.”

“No.” Samuel Girard refused without even thinking, his tone firm. “I don’t want you to join the student council.”

Julian Hamp’s expression darkened instantly. His eyes were filled with resentment and dissatisfaction, and his eyelids were slightly reddened. “Why? Are you worried that I might ruin your plans? Or do you think I’ll keep an eye on you and prevent you from spending time with other girls?”

Seeing Julian Hamp’s tearful expression, Samuel Girard couldn’t help but laugh. He reached out to rub her hair gently, his tone softening. “What on earth is going on in that little head of yours? I didn’t want you to join the student council because I thought all the trivial tasks would be too much for you. This is a school, not a place for you to act willfully or act like a spoiled child. I’ll take care of all those tedious tasks myself.”

Julian Hamp’s eyes lit up instantly. The look of frustration on his face disappeared, replaced by a tone of surprise. “You… are you actually caring about me?”

“What else could I do?” Samuel Girard nodded with a smile, his tone tinged with helplessness. “Ever since you ran home crying last time, my mom gave me a harsh scolding, saying I was bullying you. How could I not care about you now?”

“Haha, that’s great!” Julian Hamp jumped up excitedly, reaching out to take Samuel Gillard’s arm. “That’s how it’s supposed to be! Now see if you’ll still dare to annoy me on purpose!”

“Alright, alright, stop making a fuss.” Samuel Girard gently patted her hand. “I really need to go now. It’s snowing heavily, and the roads are slippery. Be careful where you walk, so you won’t fall.”

“Then can’t you let me go with you to take a look?” Julian Hamp insisted, gripping his arm and refusing to let go.

Samuel Girard sighed helplessly and explained patiently, “I really can’t. It’s urgent. There are already members of the student council waiting for me. I want to go with them. I don’t want to burden you with this extra work. It’s too much for you to handle.”

Julian Hamp frowned, still unwilling to agree: “Why can’t I come with you? I’m not afraid of hard work.”

“Because you’re our school’s most popular girl,” Samuel Girard joked, smiling. He took out a black umbrella from his bag and handed it to Julian Hamp. “If those boys see you, they’ll definitely surround you with questions. Then I won’t be able to concentrate on my work. Take the umbrella. It’s not rain, but if it keeps snowing like this, you might catch a cold. I certainly don’t want to have to take care of you when you’re sick.”

Upon hearing the words “school beauty,” Julian Hamp’s cheeks turned red instantly. His heart felt sweet, and all his displeasure vanished. She took the umbrella and said with a smile, “I know! I’ll hold the umbrella properly. You go ahead, don’t worry.”

Samuel Girard nodded, waved his hand, then turned and walked away quickly. Soon, he disappeared into the vast expanse of snow. Julian Hamp held the umbrella tightly in his hands, staring at his back with a happy smile on his face. It seemed as though this umbrella carried all of Samuel Girard’s care, warming the entire cold winter.

Samuel Girard rushed to the agreed-upon location, only to hear Xiao Zhou, a member of the student council, say anxiously, “President, this is bad! I forgot to bring the most important drawing board. We need to create a theme painting this time, and we can’t proceed without it!”

Samuel Girard’s expression darkened instantly, his tone laced with anger. “How could you be so careless? This event is crucial. How could you forget to bring your drawing board? We need to set up the scenes in the administration building right now. Without a drawing board, how are we supposed to create the theme paintings?”

Xiao Zhou looked guilty, lowering his head and saying softly, “I’m sorry, President. I was too anxious and forgot in my haste. I’ll go get it right now!”

“No need, there’s no time to waste,” Samuel Girard said helplessly, waving his hand. “You go ahead and set up the scene in the administration building. I’ll get the drawing boards myself. I’m faster than you.”

“Thank you, President!” Xiao Zhou quickly expressed his gratitude. Along with the other student council members, he hurried toward the comprehensive building.

Samuel Girard turned around and walked quickly toward the studio. To get there, one had to cross a small grove of trees and then pass through an open playground. At this moment, the grove was completely covered in snow. The branches were laden with snowflakes, and when the breeze blew, the snow fell softly, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

Since it was still early, there were hardly any people on campus. Throughout the small woods, all that could be heard was the sound of snowflakes falling, creating a very quiet atmosphere. Just then, a white figure suddenly came into Samuel Girard’s sight.

It was a girl wearing a white down jacket. Her long, black hair fell over her shoulders, swaying gently with her movements. She wasn’t carrying an umbrella. She stood there in the snow, with her arms open, letting the snowflakes fall on her hair and shoulders. It seemed like she was dancing with the snowflakes, her figure graceful, free, and carefree.

Although he couldn’t see her face clearly, Samuel Girard felt somehow that this girl must be very beautiful. She was like a fairy in the snow—pure and beautiful, blending seamlessly with the white landscape, making it impossible to take one’s eyes off her. He stood there, staring as she carefully stepped in her own footprints, as if afraid of ruining this pristine snowy world.

Suddenly, the girl slipped on her feet, lost her balance, and fell heavily onto the snow.

“Are you okay?” Samuel Girard instinctively rushed forward, bent down, and carefully helped the girl up. His fingertips accidentally touched her arm. The cold sensation sent his heart skipping a beat.

The girl raised her head, and only then could Samuel Girard see her face clearly. She was extremely beautiful. Her large, dark eyes resembled black grapes—clear and lively. Her snow-white skin appeared even fairer against the backdrop of the white snow. Her cherry-like lips were slightly pursed, and her cheeks were reddened from the cold wind, resembling ripe apples—extremely tempting.

The girl, supported by him, became even redder in the cheeks. A hint of shyness flashed in her eyes as she gently broke free from his hand and said softly, “I’m fine, thank you.” Her voice was soft, like cotton candy, sweet enough to make one’s heart tremble.

Samuel Girard watched her shy expression. His heart beat faster, and his cheeks grew slightly warm. He gathered his thoughts and asked softly, “It’s so cold outside. Why are you playing alone in the snow? Usually, only children like to frolic in the snow like that.”

The girl smiled, her brows and eyes curved in delight. There was a gleam in her eyes as she said, “I really love snow. Snow is pure and beautiful. I was born on a snowy day, so I have a special affection for snow. I came to school early just to see the snow here. The snow here is cleaner than anything I’ve ever seen before—it’s not polluted at all.”

Samuel Girard looked at her radiant smile, feeling an inexplicable flutter in his heart. It was a feeling he had never experienced with Julian Hamp. He gazed at the snow-covered sky, then at the girl before him, and said softly, “But no matter how pure the snow is, it will melt when the sun comes out. And it becomes dirty when stepped on by people. Snow is the least able to withstand pollution.”

Upon hearing this, the girl’s gaze darkened slightly, but she soon smiled again, her tone thoughtful: “Isn’t that just like love? Everyone hopes their love is as pure as snow. But love often faces various hardships, gets shattered by reality, and becomes scarred.”

Samuel Girard was stunned. He never imagined that a girl who seemed so innocent could say something like that. Looking into her clear eyes, he asked softly, “If that’s the case, why do you still like snow so much?”

“Because snow has its own strength.” The girl looked up at the snow-covered sky, her voice firm. “Although it’s pure and fragile, even if it’s defiled or melted, it never gives up. After melting, it turns into ice, into water, and disappears quietly. But come winter again, it returns in its purest form. It’s always pure and flawless. It never changes its true nature, no matter how it’s defiled.”

Samuel Girard stared at her in awe, his heart filled with shock. This girl was different from every other girl he had ever met. She was pure and innocent, yet also strong and resilient, like snow—pure and powerful at the same time. His heart continued to beat faster. He knew that he was completely captivated by this girl from the snowy landscape.

“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet.” The girl turned around and said to him with a smile, “My name is Logan Thurman. I just transferred here. Thank you for saving me earlier. I still don’t know your name.”

“My name is Samuel Girard,” Samuel Girard said quickly, his voice carrying a barely noticeable hint of panic. “With such heavy snowfall, you’d better go back to the classroom. Don’t catch a cold.”

Just then, Samuel Girard suddenly remembered that he still needed to pick up his drawing board and set up the scene in the administration building. He became anxious immediately. “Oh no, that’s bad! I have important things to do. I need to leave now!”

Logan Thurman watched his flustered expression and couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s so urgent? I’m fine right now. If there’s anything I can help with, I’d be happy to do so. I just transferred here and don’t have any friends yet. Please consider it as helping me get acquainted with the school, okay?”

Samuel Girard looked at her expectant eyes. The words of refusal came to his lips, but he couldn’t bring himself to say them. He never allowed people who weren’t part of the student council to get involved in its affairs. Even Julian Hamp he refused to let join. But with Logan Thurman, for some reason, he wanted to agree.

“Well… okay then.” Samuel Girard nodded, his tone tinged with resignation, yet also a barely noticeable hint of anticipation. “I need to go to the art studio to get my drawing board, and then set up the event space in the administration building. If you don’t mind, you can come with me.”

Logan Thurman immediately smiled, his brows and eyes curving like blooming flowers. “That’s great! Thank you, Samuel Girard!”

Samuel Girard looked at her radiant smile, and the chaos in his heart gradually subsided, leaving only a sense of excitement. He turned around and walked toward the studio, along with Logan Thurman. In the snow, two sets of footprints were left behind—one deeper than the other, one right behind the other. It was a heartwarming sight. He had no idea that this accidental encounter in the snow would completely change his life and force him to face a difficult decision.