By Zephyria 
The next morning.
Alex, fully prepared in his hotel room, received a message from his employer Mr. Jing: [“Good morning, the morning itinerary is canceled.”]
Alex was taken aback, sitting back on the bed as he hurriedly typed: [“Mr. Jing, we were supposed to visit Madrid’s largest bullring this morning. Are we really not going?”]
Having the morning schedule cleared was a rare opportunity for rest for a tour guide, but Alex was somewhat worried that Jing Mian might be suffering from travel fatigue. With Madrid’s significant temperature difference between day and night recently, it was easy to catch a stomach flu.
Reply:
There was no quick response from the other side. After some thought, the man quickly asked: [“Is there any discomfort? I have a medical kit here.”]
But this message went unanswered.
After what felt like a long time, when Madrid’s sunlight poured into the hotel room and the entire city transitioned from awakening to bustling noise, Alex finally received a reply:
[“He’s catching up on sleep.”]
Alex felt slightly embarrassed.
It turned out that President Ren had sent the message using the young man’s phone. Alex suddenly realized that the itinerary he arranged yesterday might have been too packed, exhausting Jing Mian.
Instantly overwhelmed with guilt, the tour guide quietly lightened the schedule for the next destination.
In the afternoon, they took a double-decker bus to visit ancient towns and villages around the city. When the bus made brief stops, it gave tourists ample time to explore the small towns.
As the sun set in the west, its warm glow resting on their shoulders marked the approaching end of their Madrid journey. They would move on to their next destination – Iceland – as night fell.
By the time they boarded the plane, it was already dark. Through the airplane’s round window, the young man watched the vibrant city of countless lights gradually recede into tiny specks.
[“We’re going to Iceland!!”]
[“The legendary northern lights, black sand beaches, ice caves and waterfalls!”]
[“MianMian fell asleep during lunch because he was so tired, so adorable”]
[“Our boy is full of energy now, seems really looking forward to Iceland”]
After getting off the plane, Alex contacted their pre-arranged pickup vehicle. Behind him, the young couple stood close – the young man raising his hands to wrap a scarf around his husband’s neck.
As the car drove through the streets, Iceland’s climate and environment felt like a completely different world compared to passionate Madrid. It was as if they had truly arrived at the opposite end of the globe, with coldness spreading everywhere. Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, greeted them with its famous Rainbow Street before they entered their guesthouse.
That very afternoon, Alex delivered gifts.
One was the locally famous hot dogs, the other was two pairs of thermal gloves.
Both gloves were dark-colored with white patterns – one pair larger, the other smaller. Alex explained with a smile: “They’re couple sets.”
In cold Iceland, this was quite a thoughtful gift.
Jing Mian gratefully accepted them. After simply settling their luggage, the young man dressed warmly and was about to leave the guesthouse when he saw Alex take out a third identical pair of gloves from his pocket, putting them on with a shiver.
The stunned young couple:
“”
Iceland was perfect for road trips – with endless highways, continuous mountain ranges, and very few tourists at Sólheimasandur’s beach where a red-and-white church stood alongside an open football field. Unexpected scenery always appeared along the way.
Jing Mian found the perfect angle to photograph the snow-capped mountains behind Diamond Beach. Alex picked up a half-person-tall block of ice, wanting to hand it to the young man for photos.
As a memento, intercepted midway by Ren Xingwan, Alex had to disappointedly put it back in its place.
[What are you trying to hand to my baby, you big fool?!]
[Hahahahahaha]
[Alex’s icy enthusiasm]
[LMAO Brother Ren just looked away for one second]
Most visitors coming here more or less hoped to encounter the aurora.
Jing Mian was no exception.
At night, waiting by the mountain’s edge, standing on thick, solid glaciers—this was reportedly a frequent spot for aurora sightings.
But that night, it didn’t appear. They stayed at a 24-hour hotel on the mountain, enjoying roasted lamb leg and dry bread personally made by the homestay auntie.
The auntie’s cat was very affectionate. While Jing Mian was eating fries, it settled in the youth’s lap, finding a comfortable position and stretching lazily.
That night, the young man sat on the sofa by the window, nestled in his Husband’s embrace for warmth, unwilling to miss any possibility of the aurora appearing before midnight. After all, the locals had told Jing Mian that every night in Iceland had a chance of revealing the northern lights.
The next day, they visited the locally famous black sand beach. The waves rolled in, their edges foaming white, creating a stark contrast between light and shadow—like a scene from a video game or movie.
Alex picked up a stone and wrote some characters on the black sand, calling Jing Mian over to see.
They were the names “Jing Mian” and “Ren Xingwan.”
The characters were blocky and awkward, yet carefully drawn stroke by stroke.
Alex handed the small stone to Jing Mian. As an experienced tour guide who deeply understood Chinese tourists, he asked: “Want to write ‘visited here’?”
Jing Mian paused slightly.
He crouched down, thought for a moment, and just as the stone was about to touch the sand, Alex suddenly stood up—he had spotted several seals lazily swimming in the glacier-fringed waters.
Soon, the young man was called by Alex to watch the seals eating fish. A few tourists gathered, raising their cameras to take photos.
The man remained standing where Alex had written the names, beneath the youth’s elegant and clear handwriting.
[Eternal romance.]
Soon, their Icelandic journey was nearing its end. But even on the final night, the group still hadn’t encountered the aurora.
[It’s okay, next stop is Finland—our baby will definitely see it there]
[Goodbye Alex!]
[After this trip to Iceland, MianMian developed trauma toward shark meat]
[Hahahaha]
[It’s truly a probability game—last time I stayed in Iceland for fifteen days and still didn’t see the aurora before flying home]
When their plane arrived in Finland, the clock had just struck 9 AM. The sky was misty, with pale orange dawn light barely peeking over the horizon. The entire city was blanketed in white snow, yet this was probably the best season for travel.
They settled into their pre-booked glass igloo hotel. This time, their guide wasn’t Alex anymore—they were handed over to a Swedish man named Rick who sported a short beard and spoke warmly. Though his Chinese wasn’t as fluent as Alex’s, he knew many idioms. He loved sharing local legends and customs, like a walking encyclopedia.
That same day, they went horseback riding in the wilderness. The ponies yawned sleepily, and Jing Mian’s was particularly beautiful—everyone couldn’t resist petting it. Rick told them they could visit Santa Claus Village in the evening, where giant snowmen stood guard. The restaurants there featured various hanging pendant lights and log cabins straight out of movie scenes.
The night might bring a sky full of heavy snow or a brilliant expanse of stars.
At this moment, Finland in his mind felt more like an early arrival of Christmas Eve—snowflakes, reindeer and sleds, energetic huskies ready to spring into action, and the world’s northernmost McDonald’s.
It was an utterly romantic place.
So much so that his legs felt weak every night.
Yet, after nearly five days in Finland, he still hadn’t seen the Northern Lights he had been anticipating since Iceland.
The young man felt a bit disheartened.
Rick patted Jing Mian’s shoulder to comfort him: “Catching the aurora is still quite a matter of chance. Many tourists wait a long time without success, while some see it the moment they board their departing flight. So don’t be discouraged—just enjoy the present.”
Jing Mian wasn’t discouraged.
Perhaps what he wanted to see most wasn’t the Northern Lights, but the person he wished to see them with.
What the young man longed for was the aurora reflected in Mr. Ren’s eyes.
On the sixth day, they visited a small tavern near their countryside homestay and had a long-missed taste of Chinese food. Jing Mian ordered Finland’s most famous wheat juice. After taking a small sip, he narrowed his eyes, pressed his lips together, and set the drink down with a serious expression.
So bitter.
Rick burst into laughter. Mr. Ren’s lips curved slightly as he calmly took the young man’s juice and, as if prepared in advance, replaced it with his own glass of iced cola.
【Got bittered, little one】
【So adorable, so adorable】
【Hahahaha the memory of shark meat suddenly attacks me】
【As expected, the secret of a famous juice is making it unforgettable】
Sharing their table were a white-bearded elderly man and a Singaporean. The old man resembled a winter-night Santa Claus, though his beard was much shorter, and he wore a heavy coat.
The Singaporean had brought playing cards, but they were short one player. He asked Jing Mian in Chinese if he wanted to join.
The young man wondered silently: Could it be Dou Dizhu?
………………Has it really spread all the way to Finland?
Seeing the young man’s attention captured by the cards, Rick quieted down. In the center of the table was a glass snow globe, its miniature snow swirl enclosing the tavern’s unique logo.
Remembering his other employer, the guide perked up and shared some trivia: “This town is famous for snow globes, crafted with exquisite beauty. A particularly rare one comes from an old artisan shop—the owner makes Northern Lights snow globes.”
The man’s gaze paused for a moment. “Northern Lights?”
“Yes, the effect is incredibly lifelike,” Rick said. “Many say the aurora is as fleeting as an ephemeral bloom, but a snow globe can preserve it forever—it’s the perfect recorder.””
Ren Xingwan asked, “Can you find the address?”
Rick nodded. “Yes, I’ll send it to you.”
After one round, Jing Mian found the game more interesting than Dou Dizhu. The Singaporean, having settled long-term in Finland, understood both languages and acted as translator.
While sorting his cards, Jing Mian asked, “Where in Finland is the probability of seeing the Northern Lights higher?”
The old man spoke up, saying something in Finnish.
Soon, the Singaporean eagerly translated: “He says he has a lucky reindeer. It doesn’t often pull sleds—it’s very capricious—but almost every time tourists go out with it, they encounter the Northern Lights. Nine times out of ten.”
Jing Mian was surprised.
The young man spoke up: “Can I go out with your reindeer?”
The Singaporean turned and quickly relayed the old man’s response:
“Sure, as long as you win this round against me.”
@无限好文，尽在晋江文学城
Jing Mian’s fingertips rested on the edge of the table. He lifted his lowered lashes, and in an instant, his fighting spirit ignited.
Later, the young man won three rounds in a row.
The old man put away the playing cards, his face flushed with anger. Before leaving, he reluctantly exchanged contact information with the young man, agreeing to bring the reindeer out that night and send Jing Mian the location.
That same night.
After returning to the guesthouse, Jing Mian informed Rick in advance. Rick gave an OK sign. They would set off first to reach the mountain road and wait at the best viewing spot. If they were lucky enough to see the aurora, they would give Mr. Ren a surprise.
So, under the pretext of going to the supermarket with Rick to buy fruits and snacks, the young man met up with the old man at the foot of the mountain.
Finland had reindeer and sleds straight out of childhood animations. They stopped in an open viewing area. The old man took out a telescope, observed for a long time, and said to Jing Mian, “You can call your partner out now.”
A look of delight flashed in the young man’s eyes.
However, just as Jing Mian was heading back the way he came, the old man suddenly shouted something in Finnish. Even Rick didn’t catch it clearly and asked, “What did you say?”
The old man explained, “That’s a dead end. At the end is a two-meter-high slope. That young man wouldn’t dare to jump down. He’ll definitely turn back and take another route.”
Rick froze for a moment, then said urgently, “I’ll go after him.”
“He’s already gone far,” the old man waved his hand. “The distance isn’t long, and the moonlight is bright. When he finds no way forward, he’ll turn back. There’s no need to chase.”
Rick thought it over and agreed. By the time he caught up, Mr. Jing would have already turned back. It was better to wait where they were, lest the old man grow impatient and head home.
When Jing Mian stopped, he realized he had reached the edge of the rocky mountain. Although the brightly lit town was just ahead, and he could even faintly glimpse the glass-roofed hotel, the path under his feet was a dead end.
Just as the young man was about to turn back, his footsteps unconsciously paused.
Because he saw a figure emerging from the thin snow and mist.
Behind the man was the town, dotted with lights under the night sky, bathed in a hazy glow.
Jing Mian’s breath hitched slightly.
He noticed that the man seemed to be carrying something. The closer he got, the clearer its outline and edges became.
In Mr. Ren’s hand was a faintly shimmering transparent sphere.
The background was as dark as inkstone, almost blending into the night, with only the pale blue light curtain swirling at its center, like a galaxy splitting the dawn.
When Jing Mian spoke, he realized his voice was a bit hoarse. “What is that?”
Mr. Ren had already approached. The man stopped, tucked the glass sphere into his coat pocket, and looked at the young man. “Just a gift.”
Jing Mian lowered his gaze. The moonlight was cool, yet it flowed softly over the contours of the young man’s face, as if he were enveloped by the moon—or perhaps he was the moon itself.
The man’s voice was deep as he asked, “Why are you standing here?”
The young man faltered slightly.
In his daze, he thought,
Actually, this was also a surprise.
Jing Mian hesitated, his ears reddening as he spoke, “I wanted to take you to see the aurora.”
Each carrying their own gifts and surprises, they met in the snowy night of Finland.
At this moment, love seemed to have reached its peak.
The edge of the rocky slope, covered in thick snow, was two meters above the ground. Jumping straight down was a bit high. Subconsciously, he naturally preferred to return the way he came. But just as he was about to leave, he saw a look of confusion in his husband’s eyes. Surprised, the young man parted his lips and asked, “Should I jump straight down?”
“Mm.” Ren Xingwan reached out his hand, “I’ll catch you.”
Jing Mian’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he stepped across the snow. This height required complete reliance and trust. The muffled crunching sound made the young man curl his fingers tightly, nodding slightly.
The next second.
A whisper of wind brushed past his ears, carrying faintly cool snow mist as the moonlight seemed to fall along with him.
This scene happened to form a picture he would remember for the rest of his life.
Before his friend landed in his embrace, the man caught a glimpse of Finland’s vast night sky, interwoven with flowing starry seas and green auroras—boundless, as if a grand banquet had quietly arrived.
What brought the aurora wasn’t the symbolic lucky reindeer, but his moon.
They say when the moon is full enough, people won’t be able to see the aurora, unless a miracle occurs.
He was his miracle.
The Finnish night held no echoes,
His moon came rushing toward him.