It was Christmas Eve once again, with large snowflakes falling from the sky. By 7 p.m., it was already completely dark. Jiang Xiaosi bid farewell to her colleagues and quickly ran out of the city museum. Over two years had passed, but she had hardly changed. To hide the fact that she hadn’t grown at all, she had to wear height-increasing insoles every day and buy more mature-looking clothes, but her baby face was something she simply couldn’t conceal.
Shen Mo stood under a streetlamp on the opposite side of the road, holding a black umbrella, waiting for her. He remained perfectly still, like a statue.
Seeing his figure, Jiang Xiaosi’s smile widened. She quickened her pace, crossed the road, and slipped under his umbrella.
“Slow down.” Shen Mo scolded her with dissatisfaction. He frowned as he looked at the young girl in front of him, her cheeks flushed red from the cold, blowing into her hands to warm them.
Over the past two years, Jiang Xiaosi had diligently upheld the agreement they had made. She focused seriously on her studies, practiced her skills with great effort, and treated him with the same respect other students did—no more spontaneous hugs or attempts at affection.
But that didn’t mean she had forgotten her feelings. On the contrary, the way she looked at him became more intense and fiery, so much so that Shen Mo could barely meet her gaze.
He had initially made those rules as a stalling tactic, thinking that four years would be enough time for her feelings to cool down. During those years, she would meet many outstanding boys at university, and eventually, she would forget about him.
But what he didn’t expect was that Jiang Xiaosi would work like crazy. In just over two years, she had completed all her courses, including the extra ones he had deliberately assigned to her. She even self-studied extensively, spending her days either in the classroom or the library. She barely had time to pester him, and their meetings became rare, mostly limited to class.
Jiang Xiaosi was so obedient and hardworking. Her only request was to have dinner with Shen Mo once a month. And when she asked, it was in such a pleading tone that he couldn’t refuse. To think, this was the same girl who used to barge into his house every day, demanding dinner!
This month, Jiang Xiaosi had chosen Christmas Eve for their dinner, which happened to be on a Sunday. On Sundays, she usually interned at the museum, an internship Shen Mo had helped arrange for her.
Jiang Xiaosi always looked forward to their monthly dinner. Even though it was just a simple meal where they only discussed academic matters, she was still happy. Afterward, she would feel recharged and full of energy, already anticipating their next private meeting. Even though she still had the key to Shen Mo’s house, she hadn’t used it in a long time.
These past two years had been tough, but they were also the most fulfilling of her life. She felt that these years had more meaning than her previous two hundred years combined. With Shen Mo in her life, she had a goal and something to look forward to, which filled her with sweetness and happiness.
Shen Mo, as always, wore his black coat, looking as intimidating as ever. But just seeing him made Jiang Xiaosi feel warm.
“What do you want to eat?” Shen Mo asked as he tilted the umbrella to cover her completely.
“Your cooking.”
“It’s too late. Let’s eat out.”
“Then I want lamb hotpot.”
“Alright.”
The two of them walked slowly together. Jiang Xiaosi glanced around at the couples passing by and the brightly lit holiday decorations, and suddenly remembered the time when she was heartbroken, sitting in the snow, only to be scooped up by Shen Mo and taken home. She couldn’t help but giggle.
“What are you laughing at?”
Jiang Xiaosi shook her head and reached out to slip her hand into his coat pocket, finding it just as warm as she expected.
Shen Mo raised an eyebrow slightly, hesitated for a moment, then shot her a glare that said she was breaking the rules.
Jiang Xiaosi grinned. She had been so well-behaved, so couldn’t she indulge herself just a little on a holiday? He had no idea how much she had to restrain herself all the time to keep from pouncing on him. After all, they had kissed before, so it was hard to go back to square one. But the thought that she was just a few months away from graduating and could finally hold his hand openly made her so happy she could hardly contain herself. So, she would continue to be patient!
The two of them walked through the snow like this—one handsome and the other cute—occasionally catching the attention of passersby.
Shen Mo took her to a nearby Little Sheep restaurant. Jiang Xiaosi had been very tired lately and was eating a lot.
“You’re eating a lot, but you’re not getting any taller. Even the dumbest head doesn’t need that much food to grow smarter.” Shen Mo teased coldly as he continued to place pieces of cooked lamb into her plate.
Jiang Xiaosi choked on her food, coughing, so Shen Mo handed her some tomato juice. She gulped down half a bottle and then went back to devouring her meal. When she was about 80% full, she started chatting with Shen Mo about school. They spoke carefully, avoiding any mention of the past and keeping the conversation free of any awkwardness.
After their meal, they stepped outside and bumped into a group of T University students, greeting them casually. Jiang Xiaosi didn’t mind their teasing or curious looks. Rumors about her and Shen Mo had spread far and wide. It made her feel a bit smug because, in the end, Shen Mo only seemed close to her, which fueled the gossip.
Shen Mo’s face darkened even more. While Jiang Xiaosi was counting down the days until she would be free, he felt like he was counting down to his impending doom. Her early graduation, a year ahead of schedule, was something he hadn’t anticipated at all.
He had seen her thick skin and shamelessness before, but how would he deal with her inevitable advances? Or her tears? Would he have to reject her again and hurt her? Or would he have to use that forgetfulness powder again?
Shen Mo felt lost. The more time they spent together, the deeper their connection grew. Had he made a mistake by keeping her around in the first place?
Every time he saw Jiang Xiaosi working so hard and striving forward with hope in her eyes, he felt a deep sense of guilt. Even if she reached adulthood, how could he possibly be with her? She was still just a child in his eyes, while he was already in his thirties.
But Jiang Xiaosi wouldn’t care about any of that. She had been working so hard all this time, waiting for that one day. If he rejected her again, he couldn’t imagine how she would react. Crying, causing a scene, threatening to end it all? She was definitely capable of doing any of those things. Even though she seemed more grown-up and mature these past two years, deep down, she was still the same as always.
The more Shen Mo thought about it, the more his head hurt, and the faster he walked. Suddenly, he realized Jiang Xiaosi wasn’t beside him anymore. He turned around just in time to be hit squarely by a snowball. He didn’t even bother dodging, letting it hit him.
Jiang Xiaosi burst into laughter when she saw her snowball hit its target, feeling as triumphant as if she had won the lottery.
Shen Mo ignored her and kept walking forward. Jiang Xiaosi slid along the snow as she ran after him. Whenever she was with Shen Mo, unless the distance was really far, they usually walked. She used to be lazy, hating to walk and always wanting Jiang Liu to carry her. But now, she wished the road were longer so she could walk with Shen Mo for as long as possible.
Shen Mo walked her all the way to Tuogu Xiang and simply said, “You should go inside.” before turning to leave.
Jiang Xiaosi nodded and said goodbye, standing at the door and waving at him until he disappeared from sight. Inside the shop, Jiang Liu watched through the glass window, and once Shen Mo was out of sight, he stepped outside.
“Dad, you’re back. Have you eaten yet? I bought some barbecue from the snack street for you.”
Jiang Liu looked exactly the same as he had two years ago, not a single wrinkle added. Dressed in a sweater, he seemed even more gentle.
“That’s probably for you, right?”
“You caught me.” Jiang Xiaosi bounced into the shop. “Did Yucheng leave?”
“I sent her home when I got back.”
“Too bad, she’s missing out. We’ll have to eat it all ourselves.”
Yucheng had volunteered to work at Tuogu Xiang whenever Jiang Liu and Jiang Xiaosi weren’t around, helping out from time to time.
“How’s school going?”
“Good. Most of the courses are nearly done, and I’ve started writing my thesis. Dad, how are things progressing with Sister Koudan?”
“What?” Jiang Liu froze.
“You fix up the dead while she helps with makeup. She exorcises spirits in the front while you catch demons in the back. You two are like a perfect couple! Not to mention your trips to Qianlixiang for drinks, strolling through the streets, and watching movies together. The only one who still believes you’re not dating is that silly Yucheng!”
Jiang Liu fell silent. Over the past two years, it was true that he and Shen Koudan had grown closer. Shen Koudan was a rational person who understood their zombie identities and knew they couldn’t be together. Because of that, he had never shied away from her. Having a friend who was so like-minded and easy to talk to was rare, and he cherished their relationship. He didn’t care if others misunderstood, but it seemed he should explain things more clearly to Xiaosi.
“We’re just friends.”
Jiang Xiaosi shook her head as she ate her lamb skewers. “The reason you’re still just friends is that you both know it’s impossible. You can’t forget Mom, and she knows you’re a zombie. But Dad, you know she likes you. Feelings aren’t something you can control, and if they grow deep enough, they’ll explode one day. You need to handle this carefully, or you might lose even the friendship.”
Jiang Liu couldn’t help but laugh. “When did my Xiaosi become a love expert?”
“When I had free time, I started reading dating guides and romance books. Oh, by the way, Zhang Qi invited me to dinner tomorrow.”
Jiang Liu thought for a moment before remembering who Zhang Qi was. “He’s not trying to get back together with you, is he?”
“Of course not. He and his girlfriend are inviting me to dinner. He spent two years chasing her, and now they’re finally together. They’re such a pair of fools.”
“You’re really going?”
“Why not? Free food! I’m even dragging Li Yueyi along with me.”
“Isn’t Yueyi taller than you by now?”
“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Jiang Xiaosi yelled angrily as she stomped up the stairs, rushing off to measure her height.
“Girls shouldn’t use bad language.” Jiang Liu said, leaning against the wall and laughing heartily.
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