With Christmas just around the corner, Di Fan finally summoned the courage to call Jiang Xiaosi.
“Xiaosi…”
“Xiaodi, it’s been a while! Are you home?”
“Yeah, I’m back to spend the holidays with my family. Do you have time on Christmas Eve? My family is hosting a party. Do you and Uncle Jiang want to come?”
“I haven’t been to Italy in ages, and I miss it, but I’ve been swamped with schoolwork lately, and I already have plans for Christmas Eve. Please send my regards to your parents! I’ve already mailed your Christmas gift. Be sure to check your mail!”
Di Fan wanted to ask who she had plans with, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Frustrated, he tugged at his hair, wondering why he was always so shy.
Jiang Xiaosi hung up the phone and continued adjusting her false eyelashes in the mirror. With Christmas fast approaching, she needed to learn how to make herself look beautiful.
Jiang Liu leaned against the doorframe, sucking on a lollipop, amused by her efforts.
“Your eyelashes are already long and thick. Why bother with fake ones?”
Jiang Xiaosi shook her head like a rattle drum. After nearly an hour of struggling, she finally managed to attach the lashes properly. Then she rummaged through the pile of high-end makeup she had gotten from Miao Yan, searching for black mascara, but ended up clumsily turning herself into a panda.
Jiang Liu almost dropped his lollipop from laughing. “Why go through all this trouble with makeup?”
“Dad, stop laughing and help me! I’ve got a date on Christmas Eve!”
“It’s true what they say: girls dress up for those they care about. Even a little girl like you is starting to use makeup.”
Jiang Liu raised an eyebrow and walked over with a smile. He carefully wiped away her panda eyes with a cotton pad before taking the mascara from her and expertly applying it.
He had applied makeup for the dead for so many years, but this was his first time doing it for someone living. Jiang Xiaosi’s big, dark eyes blinked at him as she tried to hold still.
“Be good, don’t blink.”
“I don’t know how Miao Yan and those other women put up with this routine every morning!”
“If you want to look pretty, you’ve got to put in the effort. Haven’t you heard? There are no ugly women, only lazy ones. So, who’s your date? Can you tell your dad?”
“I haven’t secured the date yet!”
“It’s not Shen Mo, is it?” Jiang Liu frowned.
“Of course not.”
“Is it RH?”
“Dad, you know me too well! Sending a kiss your way!”
Jiang Liu sighed with relief. As long as it wasn’t Shen Mo, he was fine with it.
“You’re growing up, and I’m not against you dating, but no matter what you do, don’t sneak around and hide things from me.”
“Mhm, I promise!”
Jiang Liu casually grabbed a butterfly hair clip from the table and used it to pin up Jiang Xiaosi’s bangs, lightly flicking her forehead. People say that girls change as they grow up, but because Jiang Xiaosi’s growth had been so slow, she seemed to be frozen in his mind as the same little girl she had always been.
As he delicately brushed her lashes with mascara, Jiang Xiaosi’s long eyelashes fluttered slightly like the wings of a butterfly. Every time she blinked, it was as if purple glitter spread through the air, creating a mist that blurred her face. In a daze, her features began to overlap with Liu Zhi’s—the serene smile, the joy in her eyes, her face as radiant as a blooming lotus. It was the same face he used to quietly watch as Zhao Bing painted her eyebrows in the garden pavilion.
His hand trembled suddenly, smudging mascara at the corner of Jiang Xiaosi’s eye, making it look like a teardrop.
Jiang Liu handed the mascara back to Jiang Xiaosi. “Be a good girl, Xiaosi. Keep practicing—you’ll have to learn this on your own one day.”
Jiang Xiaosi nodded absentmindedly as she watched him leave the room. She pulled out some lip gloss, but ended up making her lips look like a monkey’s bottom.
On Christmas Eve morning, the weather suddenly changed, as if it was about to snow. But nothing could dampen Jiang Xiaosi’s excitement to look pretty. She slipped into high heels and a mini skirt, her colorful tights adding a festive touch. Jiang Liu helped her style her hair into cute curls, and she put on a hat with two fluffy pom-poms. Grabbing her bag, she was ready to head out.
“Xiaosi, wait! Take a scarf and an umbrella. The weather might turn bad later.”
“Got it!” Jiang Xiaosi’s long lashes fluttered as she responded. This time, she hadn’t used fake lashes, and her entire outfit had been curated by her dad. With light makeup and a natural look, she appeared cute and fresh, like a little doll.
“Be careful out there!”
Jiang Xiaosi blew her dad a kiss as she hopped on her electric scooter and zoomed off. “Don’t worry, Dad! I’ll bring back a son-in-law for you!”
Jiang Liu chuckled, shaking his head as he got ready for work himself.
Shen Mo was startled when Jiang Xiaosi came rushing into the classroom. She was usually dressed like a tomboy, but today she was wearing makeup, and with the help of high heels, she had added some height. Although she was still lacking in curves, there was a unique charm in her youthful innocence and purity.
Jiang Xiaosi wasn’t paying much attention in class today. She kept looking around, doodling on paper, or covering her mouth and giggling to herself. She wasn’t listening to the lecture at all, and Shen Mo had the urge to throw a piece of chalk at her.
Before the bell had even rung, she kept glancing at the clock, clearly impatient. Sure enough, the moment Shen Mo dismissed the class, she grabbed her bag and bolted for the door.
“Jiang Xiaosi!” Shen Mo called out.
“What is it, Professor? Can I stop by your office later this afternoon?” Jiang Xiaosi was bouncing from foot to foot.
“Are you in such a hurry to use the restroom?”
“Uh, no, I’m going to the library.”
Shen Mo raised an eyebrow, his face full of doubt.
“Really, I am!” Jiang Xiaosi didn’t dare meet his gaze. Shen Mo, as usual, was dressed in a black Tang suit. Despite the tailored fit, he somehow exuded an aura of restraint, almost like a monk’s robes. Yet, he was still undeniably handsome—enough to make someone’s nose bleed.
Jiang Xiaosi tried to calm her racing heart, reminding herself that the real prize, the RH fragrance, was waiting for her in the library. She couldn’t afford to lose focus.
“Why do you look like a Christmas tree?” Shen Mo frowned.
“I have a date tonight!”
“A date?” Shen Mo’s voice rose sharply. He suddenly thought of Ye Miao and Li Yueyi. He wasn’t sure whether to tell Jiang Xiaosi to stay safe or remind her to bring protection. A cold shiver ran down his spine as he waved his hand and left the classroom.
Jiang Xiaosi hurried to the library, but the handsome guy wasn’t there yet—he must have been grabbing lunch. His usual seat by the window was still occupied by his books and bag. Jiang Xiaosi rushed over and slipped her love letter under his book, making sure a corner of it was visible so he wouldn’t miss it. Just as she was finishing, the handsome guy walked in, catching her off guard. Feeling guilty, she smiled nervously and waved at him before quickly dashing out of the library.
By 5 p.m., Jiang Xiaosi was already waiting anxiously in the walnut grove on campus. She couldn’t help but worry—what if he didn’t show up?
The sky was dark and overcast, but the lights strung in the trees twinkled brightly, reflecting her excitement and anticipation. After an hour passed, however, the handsome guy still hadn’t arrived.
Did he not see her letter? Or did he not realize it was from her? That couldn’t be—he had clearly seen her. Maybe he thought she was too young? But if he wanted to reject her, he should at least come and say it to her face! Or could he have gone out with another girl for Christmas Eve?
The more Jiang Xiaosi thought about it, the sadder she became. The dream of her sweet RH sundae slowly melted away in her mind.
As the night grew darker, it finally started to snow. Jiang Xiaosi sat alone under the streetlamp, drawing circles in the snow as she watched groups of friends and couples pass by, laughing and enjoying the evening.
She waited until 10 p.m., her legs numb from crouching in the cold for five hours, but he never showed up.
Her first confession had ended in failure, and Jiang Xiaosi felt utterly miserable and pitiful.
“Jiang Xiaosi, what are you doing squatting here? Growing mushrooms?”
A tall figure blocked the light from the streetlamp. Jiang Xiaosi looked up to see Shen Mo standing in front of her. He seemed even taller than usual, dressed differently tonight in a long black coat, his hands in his pockets. He was as cold and imposing as ever, and even the snowflakes seemed to avoid landing on him.
“Professor…” Jiang Xiaosi looked up at him with teary eyes that sparkled so brightly they almost hurt his eyes.
“Did you sprain your ankle again? Weren’t you supposed to be on a date?” Shen Mo asked, trying to soften his tone.
“I got dumped…” Jiang Xiaosi lowered her head, feeling even more miserable.
Shen Mo scoffed. “You? Dumped? You’re just a kid. What do you know about heartbreak?”
“Get up, you’re blocking the way.” Shen Mo grabbed her by the arm, not at all gently, and brushed the snow off her hair and clothes. Her skin had turned icy and translucent from the cold, making her look like a little snow doll.
“Don’t you feel the cold at all?” he scolded, frowning.
Jiang Xiaosi listlessly shook her head. She was half-zombie, after all; she didn’t get cold that easily.
Shen Mo noticed the snowflakes clinging to her long lashes and gently brushed them off, creating a warm breeze as he did so. Jiang Xiaosi shuddered at his touch and looked up, her lips accidentally brushing against his palm. Startled, she took two steps back.
Unfazed, Shen Mo continued brushing the snow from her back. Under the dim streetlight, Jiang Xiaosi gazed up at his silhouette, which seemed to be outlined in gold. His dark figure, though ethereal, made her feel inexplicably safe and secure.
Time seemed to stop. Suddenly, Jiang Xiaosi felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if she were remembering something. Her breathing grew rapid, and she hurriedly turned away, crouching down again, unable to look at him.
Seeing that she seemed genuinely upset, Shen Mo was worried she might get sick, so he opened his coat and scooped her up, tucking her under his arm as he headed toward his house in the hills.
“Where are you taking me?” Jiang Xiaosi squirmed.
“Don’t move, or I’ll toss you into the pond.” Shen Mo threatened coldly.
Jiang Xiaosi pouted. Couldn’t he show her a little more sympathy after she just got dumped?
Her cheek brushed against Shen Mo’s coat, which was soft and warm. It felt like a little tent, and she suddenly had the urge to stay inside forever.
Though her position was still awkward—facing backward with her legs dangling—Shen Mo’s coat draped over her, shielding her from view. All she could see was the snowy ground below, glistening like gold under the streetlights, and the footprints Shen Mo left behind. She counted them, one by one, almost falling into a trance.
The world was utterly silent, except for the soft rustle of snowflakes landing on bamboo leaves and the steady rhythm of Shen Mo’s footsteps. Each step seemed to echo in her heart.
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