Silence lingered in the small grove.
Ji Yu continued to gaze at Mo Yachen, her thoughts a mystery even to herself. His hand hovered, brushing gently through the strands of her hair—at least, that was what the shadows on the snow seemed to show.
Yet he never truly touched her skin.
He never truly felt her warmth.
Even so, there was no trace of discontent in his eyes. Simply standing there in the snow, letting their shadows overlap, was enough for him.
Ji Yu's mind replayed scene after scene of their ordinary days together. None of them were special—just plain, repeated moments. And yet… were those days truly so precious to him?
Was she worth that much?
To her, their relationship was simple: they met, they became friends. She had endured many things, grown a little more confident. But to add one more label to herself…
Mo Yachen's girlfriend?
It wasn't about morality or shame. It was the simple, absurd reality—just months ago she had been male, and now she faced becoming someone's girlfriend.
The thought unsettled her.
That stubborn streak deep inside, useless as it was, flared again.
His hand froze midair.
Mo Yachen's gaze shifted away, landing instead on two fluffy white bundles tumbling out of the trees. He gave no response to Ji Yu's glistening eyes.
Only when he pulled his coat back on did Ji Yu make her decision. With quiet resolve, she turned, eyes fixed on his back, and followed step by step in his footprints.
"Hmm? …Wow~~~! Such cute dogs! Mo Yachen, look!"
Her laughter rang across the empty clearing. The three hidden observers in the grove exchanged knowing glances—her reaction had already revealed the answer.
Qin Xiao shrugged. From the beginning, Ji Yu had never intended to accept him. This ending was inevitable.
On either side, streetlamps flickered back to life at Mo Xunhan's subtle gesture, casting a dazzling brightness over the snow. She frowned, a touch of regret tugging at her lips. Had she let the dogs out too late?
But no one could say. All that remained was this silver-white world before their eyes.
Snow.
Beautiful snow.
The drifting flakes fell like dancing sprites, swayed by the occasional northern wind into even more graceful, enchanting steps.
On the path, their footprints were already filling in with fresh snow. In the lively district nearby, people pulled their scarves tighter and rushed into warm shops, grumbling at the sudden storm. Children laughed, stomping patterns into the white like blossoming petals.
And here—
A girl crouched in delight, her hands buried in soft fur as two little white dogs wriggled happily, her laughter ringing bright in the frozen air.
Whoosh, whoosh.
The newborn snow lifted from the ground, carried back into the sky by the wind.
In the open park, the three shadows trailing them slowed their pace. The cold glow of the lamps seemed almost to warn them: do not disturb this first snowfall.
"Woof! Woof, woof!"
A third dog bounded out of the woods, racing freely under the lights, fur rippling with every stride as it dashed into the falling flakes.
With a soft plop, it slipped and tumbled.
Ji Yu chuckled, stroking the two at her side before calling the third to join them.
"Woof, woof, wooof!"
On this festive Christmas night, even the places where snow fell must be filled with joy.
Watching the carefree dogs, Ji Yu's smile grew brighter.
"Mo Yachen… there's something I want to say."
She turned to him, meeting his eyes directly. This time, there was no shyness, no hesitation—only sincerity, determination, and warmth.
"I think the way we met was almost laughably simple."
"But… you were the first friend I made after coming to Yuyang, even though I was a little scared of you at first."
"These months with you have been fun. I've seen the side of you that isn't always so serious."
The biting wind whipped across her, blowing her hat away into the night.
"To be honest, I don't know what you see in me. I'm just an ordinary girl, with barely any friends. Why would someone like me catch your eye?"
"But I think… I can understand your feelings. In those quiet days, I was happy too. Whether it was you teaching me those scores, or the places you took me—I've remembered them all."
The world blurred under the veil of snow, as if trying to bury every hidden thought.
The wind lifted her long hair, strands brushing across her cheeks, revealing earrings that glimmered blue like frozen teardrops.
"Your background is noble—you come from a family of musicians, you're an art student, and you're rich. Someone like you, liking me? It terrifies me."
"This Cinderella story… how could it happen to me? I never liked fairy tales. I never believed such things could happen in real life."
The lights flickered, then died—except for the single warm lamp glowing in the park's center.
Ji Yu faced the light, unable to see his expression. Perhaps that was a mercy—perhaps he could be glad the glow concealed what must surely be a painful face.
"That's why… reality is reality. You're no prince on a white horse. You're just a moody little artist who likes to act cool."
"And I'm no Cinderella. I have a happy family, and a few wonderful friends!" She tucked her stray hair behind her ear, planted her hands on her hips, and grinned playfully.
"The only thing we have in common is that I'm just as pretty as she is!"
Snow landed on her nose, melting into a sudden chill.
"Maybe it's because of my parents' marriage… even my mom couldn't hold on to it. So I don't think I could manage to maintain love either."
"But…"
Her voice rose, firm and clear.
"But! I want to try! I want to feel what it's like to be openly cherished. I want to take responsibility for the one I like!"
"So—!!!"
Laughter filled the streets of Yudu City.
Snow did not only bring cold. It brought beauty to adults, toys to children, and wishes for the year to come.
Christmas snow held too many hopes, too much meaning.
Beautiful… wasn't it?
Yes. Everything was beautiful.
Otherwise, why would the snow dance so enchantingly?
Why would the boy, face hidden in shadow, be smiling at last?