A Wintering Diary

Adorable, bubbly older girl × scheming, cool younger guy

Good food and scenery | Two-year age gap | Shanghai vs. Altay

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After Xu Shinian hits a rough patch at work, she is transferred to the Altay branch. On her very first day, she meets her ridiculously handsome neighbor.

Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a black tank top, and just the right amount of lean muscle, naturally sexy. His looks are the perfect embodiment of her ideal type.

But he only has a high school diploma, went bankrupt running a bar, and is an unemployed layabout who doesn’t take life seriously. However she looks at it, they are clearly not cut from the same cloth.

−

Her neighbor may have no aptitude for studying, but he is an excellent cook.

At Li Muchi’s own suggestion, Xu Shinian, won over by the delicious food he makes, decides to save her neighbor and hires him as her temporary private chef.

To her surprise, Li Muchi, who is strapped for cash, has barely earned a few pennies before offering to take her on a tour of Northern Xinjiang.

He takes her skiing on General Mountain, to see the sunset in Hemu, along the mountain roads to watch cattle and sheep, and then for a stroll through Burqin’s Russian-style streets.

Xu Shinian gets it. He must be taking this one and only source of income, cooking for her, very seriously.

He is willing to spend his own money to keep his patron happy.

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The day she receives notice that she is being transferred back to Shanghai, Xu Shinian realizes their paths probably won’t cross again. The restraint in her heart cracks, and her wicked side wins out.

She buys two bottles of liquor with her meager savings and invites Li Muchi to drink with her in celebration.

In reality, she uses the alcohol to work up her courage and sleeps with the handsome, lonely poor guy.

Then she flees in the middle of the night.

When her plane lands at Hongqiao Airport and she switches to her local SIM card, the distant place seems to have become a dream.

−

Two weeks later, her boss takes Xu Shinian to a dinner with clients, where she unexpectedly runs into a familiar face.

He has transformed into a top student from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the young heir to a high-end restaurant, and the client representative she has to work with.

During a lull between drinks, Xu Shinian finds an excuse to step outside for some air.

Li Muchi appears outside the restroom at some point.

Their eyes meet in the mirror. He gives a lazy laugh. “Looks like Manager Xu can hold a lot more than one bottle of Wusu.”

Xu Shinian, caught out, snaps back, “And what about you?”

The words catch in her throat. “You weren’t drunk either, and back then you...”

Xu Shinian remembers clearly that her timid seduction only lasted through the early stages.

Later, the tables turned and he took control. Her body was drenched in sweat, her consciousness drifting almost to nothing.

Li Muchi leans in nonchalantly, their faces suddenly close. “And then what?”

Xu Shinian falters, her confidence shaken. “You know.”

Li Muchi nods, turning the tables on her. “I know. I was just taken advantage of by you, wasn’t I?”

Xu Shinian: “??”

A lazy smile plays in his eyes. “So...”

“I came to ask you to take responsibility, Manager Xu.”

*2026.07.21

Theme: The world is warm