Chapter 943

James glanced at the rearview mirror before chuckling. “Alright, I’ll back up and head out.”

“Drive along the edge,” Aaron said, giving him a look that clearly meant, you can leave now.

James let out a whistle. “Wish you success in winning the beauty’s heart.”

He drove off slowly, but as he passed Lena, he leaned his head out of the window. “Little sister, still remember me?”

Lena rolled her eyes discreetly. He obviously recognized her but still chose to tease. That was just who he was. Though James and Aaron were like brothers, Lena wasn’t required to call him “Mister” like Aaron. James had made it clear he didn’t want to feel old, so he insisted she just call him “James.”

“James,” Lena greeted without taking his teasing to heart.

“Have fun, and don’t waste your uncle’s thoughtful gesture,” James said with his usual bluntness.

Lena hadn’t overheard the earlier conversation between the two men and didn’t understand his comment, but she nodded anyway, waving goodbye as his car disappeared into the snowy road.

Once James’s car was out of sight, Aaron walked over to her. Her hat and scarf were covered in snow. He gently brushed it off, his touch careful. “Are you cold?”

“No, I’m actually sweating,” Lena said with a grin. She had been running and spinning in circles so much that she felt warm.

“Don’t overdo it. You’ll catch a cold,” Aaron said, his gaze soft as he noticed her flushed cheeks, reddened from the exercise. His hand moved to her face almost instinctively.

The coolness of his fingers startled her, and she reflexively took a small step back. The air between them grew tense.

When Lena noticed the slight stiffness in Aaron’s expression, she realized her reaction had been too abrupt. She quickly explained, “Your hand was too cold.”

Aaron withdrew his hand, slipping it into his pocket. “How about I draw something for you?” It wasn’t until he mentioned it that Lena remembered his talent for drawing. Back when she was in school, he had helped her with every hand-drawn poster, leaving her with little to do besides adding a few words.

“Here? In the snow?” she asked, surprised not that he could draw but that he wanted to do it here.

“Of course. I’ve done it before, haven’t I?” Aaron replied.

Chapter 943

It wasn’t her fault she couldn’t remember. He had been overseas for so many years; naturally, some memories had faded.

“Stay right there. Don’t move,” Aaron instructed her.

Lena smiled, recalling his past works. There was nothing he couldn’t draw. “Uncle, are you going to use me as your model this time?”

“Wait and see,” Aaron replied, crouching down. The same hands she had just complained were too cold were now working deftly in the snow.

Standing still, Lena could only see what was directly in front of her. She tried to look behind but couldn’t turn far enough because of her bulky winter clothes. Aaron seemed to notice, working swiftly to finish.

Although she couldn’t make out what he was drawing, she noticed his hands turning red from the cold. Regret bubbled up inside her—she shouldn’t have let him do this.

Finally, Aaron stepped back, finishing the snow art with one last stroke. He walked a few steps away and took out his phone. “Tilt your head back and look at the snow,” he instructed.

Lena obeyed. With a soft click, he snapped the photo, then walked back over and handed her the phone.

On the screen, the photo showed her standing at the peak of a snow-covered mountain, gazing up at the sky. But in reality, she was standing on a mundane road. Aaron had used his fingers to draw mountains in the snow, creating the illusion that she stood at their summit.

“Uncle, your drawing is so realistic it’s almost deceptive. I didn’t expect your skills to improve so much in these past few years,” Lena said, her tone filled with admiration and praise.

Aaron’s gaze deepened, unreadable. “I had a lot of free time overseas. Drawing kept me occupied.”

“What did you draw while you were abroad?” Lena asked curiously.

Aaron’s lips moved slightly before he finally murmured, “…You.”