Chapter 63: That Holiday
For Mu Le, the whole month of December was very calm. Of course, calm didn’t mean boring. In fact, her life felt surprisingly full.
Her relationship with Xiao Yuze slowly grew closer, and her bond with her friends became stronger. Life passed quickly in this peaceful routine, but it was still meaningful and enjoyable.
After fully accepting her new life, she realized that maybe this kind of life wasn’t bad at all.
Late December, more precisely, December 24th, the night before Christmas, also known as Christmas Eve.
Well… it was also the kind of day when the love hotels were really full. Okay… just kidding.
For many couples, Christmas Eve and Christmas were basically days to show off their love.
Come to think of it, these days, almost every holiday, except maybe Tomb-Sweeping Day, seemed to have turned into a “legal” day for couples to act romantic.
Even traditional holidays somehow ended up feeling like Valentine’s Day.
Why was it like this? Single people were clearly very nice too, so why did they have to be “hurt” even during holidays?
And honestly, what was the real meaning of Christmas anyway?
As a traditional Chinese person, Mu Le had never been very interested in Christmas.
The strongest impression Christmas left on her, aside from people showing off gifts and romance, was probably all kinds of games.
Yes… another excuse for game companies to make money.
Things like Christmas gift packs, holiday skins, and all sorts of strange items. There were countless variations.
Mu Le had long gotten used to it.
Other than games, she didn’t have much impression of Christmas, since she had never really celebrated it seriously before.
……………
Now that it was deep winter, the weather had already turned cold.
As if the weather was cooperating, at dusk, when the last light of the sunset faded and the streetlights came on, light snow began to fall.
She gently breathed warm air onto her slightly cold fingers. Watching couples taking photos under the streetlights on campus, Mu Le couldn’t help but pull her coat tighter.
Under the lights, the pure white snowflakes took on a soft, beautiful color.
It wasn’t surprising that these young people were willing to stay outside in the cold just to take pictures.
But clearly, none of this had much to do with Mu Le.
Compared to that, what she cared about more was when she could go back to her cozy place and drink a cup of warm tea.
Actually, Mu Le didn’t need to stay out this late.
But since New Year’s Day was approaching, the annual New Year party needed extra help.
For some reason, she had been helping out recently.
Though staying this late was a first for her.
She had planned to go home by herself like usual, but… one phone call from a certain someone meant she had to wait here instead.
“What are you thinking about?”
While Mu Le was lost in thought, the light in front of her was suddenly blocked by a tall figure.
Before she could react, a soft, dark-colored scarf was gently placed around her neck.
Through the soft fabric, she could still feel some leftover warmth, and a faint pleasant scent.
Looking at the girl still in a daze, Xiao Yuze shook his head helplessly and reached out to brush the snow off her hair.
“I told you it would get colder. You should have worn more this morning.”
As he spoke, he naturally took her hand.
When he felt the slight coldness, his eyebrows frowned a little.
“Alright, stop daydreaming. Let’s go to the car. Looks like the snow is going to get heavier.”
He placed her hand into his coat pocket and glanced at the falling snow, already thinking about whether he should prepare some cold medicine.
As he led her toward the car, Mu Le’s eyes drifted slightly. “Um… this scarf…?”
“Hm? Are you still cold?”
“No, it’s just…” Looking at the man staring at her seriously, Mu Le buried her face into the scarf. “Th… thank you.”
Xiao Yuze paused for a moment, then shook his head with a small smile.
The parking spot wasn’t far. When they got into the car, Mu Le let out a small sigh of relief.
Of course, it wasn’t just because of the warm air inside the car.
It was also because of the lingering feeling in her fingers, which made her feel like her face was heating up.
Well… it wasn’t just a feeling.
If you looked closely, you would see that Mu Le’s face was actually very red.
Deep in her heart, she couldn’t control a strange sense of satisfaction.
She couldn’t explain it clearly, but it felt warm, like it chased away all the cold around her.
The car slowly started moving. Looking at the man beside her who was focused on driving, Mu Le’s gaze became a little absent-minded.
This… still felt a bit strange, didn’t it?
“What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?” Xiao Yuze slightly turned his head and asked with a smile, noticing her staring for too long.
“Uh…!”
Like she had been shocked by electricity, Mu Le suddenly snapped out of it and quickly looked away.
“Nothing!”
Seeing her cute reaction, the man couldn’t help but laugh softly.
His quiet laughter only made Mu Le feel even more embarrassed.
“I wasn’t looking at you! I was just looking at the snow outside the window… yeah, that’s right!”
After hesitating for a moment, she felt she needed to explain herself.
Hearing this, Xiao Yuze glanced to the side, but all he could see were passing cars.
Mu Le froze, then buried her whole face into the scarf again. Only the tips of her ears, which were still visible, were bright red.
In this quiet atmosphere, the two finally returned home.
As soon as they got out of the car, before Xiao Yuze could react, Mu Le quickly opened the door and slipped out like she was feeling guilty.
Watching her back, the man shook his head helplessly, then drove the car toward the parking spot.
Even Mu Le herself didn’t know why she acted like that. By the time she realized it, she was already inside the elevator.
“What am I even doing… seriously… so strange.”
She patted her still warm face, showing a confused expression.
Yes, very strange!
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her fast-beating heart.
It was still cold outside. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she quickly ran back to her little home.
She opened the door smoothly, but what she saw in front of her was completely unexpected…
“Huh?”
Inside the dimly lit room, it was now filled with all kinds of cute decorations and colorful little ornaments.
In the center, there was a large Christmas tree. On it hung many beautifully wrapped gift boxes.
When… did all this happen?
Staring at the completely changed room, Mu Le blinked in confusion.
It hadn’t been like this when she left in the morning. And Xiao Yuze shouldn’t have had much free time today either.
“How is it? Do you like it? I also prepared a special Christmas Eve dinner…”
While she was still thinking, a gentle voice sounded from behind her.
“You…” Mu Le turned around, hesitating a little. “When did you do all this?”
“Of course, when you weren’t here.”
Since it was warm inside, Xiao Yuze casually touched her head and then took off his coat, placing it aside.
“The things on the tree are all gifts for you. I prepared quite a lot, so it took some time. And… I wrapped them myself, including the ribbons. They might not look very good…”
Mu Le: “……”
“Oh, right…”
As if remembering something, Xiao Yuze suddenly paused.
“Lele, it seems you haven’t given me my gift yet.”
Huh?!
Mu Le froze. A Christmas gift? She hadn’t even thought about preparing one.
Just as she was feeling a bit awkward, the man in front of her suddenly leaned down…
“Mm!?”
A light touch, gone as quickly as it came. By the time Mu Le reacted, he had already pulled back.
In Mu Le’s wide eyes, the man lightly licked his lips and said, “The Christmas gift I wanted the most. Thank you.”
What?!
“Merry Christmas.”
“Mm… Merry Christmas.” Mu Le replied shyly, then suddenly felt something was off. “Wait, today is only Christmas Eve. If it’s a Christmas gift… I can give it to you tomorrow, right?”
Seeing Xiao Yuze’s expression, like he had been found out, she puffed up her cheeks in anger.
“I get it now, you did that on purpose to take advantage of me…!”
“Oh?” Hearing this, Xiao Yuze chuckled. Then he leaned close to her ear and said softly, “So does that mean I can kiss you again tomorrow?”
His warm breath brushed against her ear like a small electric shock, making her face turn red instantly.
“Pervert!”
“Don’t worry, only with you.”
“Aze, you’re starting to become weird.”
Xiao Yuze: “……”