Chapter 112

"Sister, do you need any help?"

"Hmm..."

Lin Ruoxiao rubbed her eyes.

"Then can you help me wrap these in gift paper?"

"Sure, no problem."

Roxie Lin walked over and sat next to her.

Today is Christmas, and they prepared some small gifts to give to the children learning to play the piano here.

Actually, Lin Yinge doesn't have this tradition, but they thought of it temporarily.

Surprisingly, their usually strict father agreed without hesitation this time.

"Sister, do you think they will like them?"

"Well... probably?"

She smiled and said so.

Although they were cheap little toys, no child would dislike receiving a gift, right?

"That's great. I've never received a Christmas gift before."

Roxie Lin said with a smile as she wrapped the gifts in ribbons.

"..."

Lin Ruoxiao paused for a moment, looking at the gift in her hand.

"I'm sorry..."

"Sister, I didn't mean it like that..."

She quickly shook her head and explained in a hurry.

"Well, gifts and stuff don't really matter. I'm just happy being with you."

"Ruoxi..."

Lin Ruoxiao's nose felt a little sore as she heard her say that.

"What a good child... sniff."

She said, and hugged her tightly.

"Oh, by the way~"

Roxie Lin seemed to suddenly remember something, and stood up.

This made her hug thin air.

"Tsk..."

"I have to make a phone call to Xiao Yu and Xiao Ling. It will be too late for the bus to come here later."

She clapped her hands and said so.

"Phone, phone..."

Muttering to herself, she ran out.

...

"..."

In the spacious living room, she was left alone.

Roxie Lin's world finally didn't only consist of her as her sister. It should be such a natural thing, but when this day came...

It still felt a bit lonely...

...

...

"Samson Nan, over here~"

William Wei stood by the square and waved to him.

"Ah..."

He walked over.

"Why did you choose such a secluded place?"

Looking around, although this place is called a square, it is rarely visited even on holidays because it was built in the suburbs of the city.

If there's anything special about this place...

It would probably be the huge clock tower in front of them.

"Where's Luojia?"

"She's waiting for us over there. Let's hurry over. By the way..."

William Wei looked around, then leaned close to his ear and whispered.

"I heard that Luojia got scolded by her dad because she splashed that little overseas returnee with water yesterday..."

"Is that so..."

"Hey, I guess she must be feeling terrible right now..."

William Wei said, but just as he took a few steps, he turned back around.

"Huh? Yu Yu didn't come with you?"

"..."

He was taken aback.

"She went to her classmate's house."

"Is that so..."

William Wei glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice.

"It's really rare. Weren't you always together with your sister on every Christmas before?"

"It's not like we have to be together..."

He seemed unwilling to continue this topic, so he walked ahead.

"..."

William Wei looked at his back, hesitated, and followed.

...

...

"You two are so slow!!"

Jocelyn York pouted dissatisfiedly.

It seems unnecessary to worry. She looks energetic...

...

"Hehe, sorry... Actually, I was here early. I was just waiting for Samson Nan~"

"..."

Don't blame everything on me...

"I even bought gifts for you guys..."

"Huh? What gifts? Show them to me!"

"Here they are~"

She said, pulling out two deer antlers from behind her.

"What are these..."

William Wei paused for a moment.

"I just bought them at the square earlier, they're meant to be worn on the head, cost me 100 dollars~ here, try them on~"

"..."

So this is it...

Merchandise released to cater to Christmas.

No matter how rough the workmanship is, as long as it fits the festive atmosphere, it can be sold for a good price.

Even the merchants in this remote square would understand this simple logic...

"Why would I wear this stupid thing...?"

"Ah, it is a bit silly..."

On this point, they didn't have much disagreement.

"It's unacceptable, I even wanted to take a group photo with you guys wearing them..."

"It's just a photo. What's the point of wearing this annoying thing?"

"..."

Jocelyn York laughed and shook her finger.

She pulled out a plush Santa hat from her bag.

Put it on her head.

"Santa Claus~"

She said, pointing at the two of them.

"Reindeer A, Reindeer B"

"Only you would think of such a thing..."

"Just for a photo, not asking you to wear them home!"

"..."

In the end, they still went along with her idea.

In front of the clock tower, they left behind this group photo.

...

"It seems like more people are coming."

Samson Nan looked around, it was almost evening, and cars were beginning to park near the square.

"Well~ because later on, they will be singing Christmas carols here."

Jocelyn York pointed at the ground beneath the clock tower.

"Christmas carols?"

It's strange, why would people come from afar to gather in a place like this?

"Well, there is a small chapel here. I heard that people usually have mass here."

"Really..."

These were things he had never heard of before.

"Well~ by the way, do you know the name of this clock tower?"

"Isn't it called 'Samsara'? That's what it says on the signboard."

William Wei squinted, looking at the rusty signboard next to the clock tower.

"Yes, Samsara. In Catholic doctrine, it means 'reincarnation'... I heard that this clock tower was built here a long time ago by a French priest who came overseas."

"Oh~"

"After the priest died, he left behind this clock tower. In order to commemorate him, the worshippers would ring the big bell at noon and midnight, the first chime means 'reincarnation', and the second chime means 'rebirth'. It's probably hoping that the priest can be reborn after his reincarnation..."

"I see..."

Samson Nan thought for a moment, looking up at the brass bell on the top of the tower.

"But 'reincarnation' is rebirth... Isn't that something from Buddhism?"

"Oh, it seems like it... "

When he said that, Jocelyn York also became puzzled.

She propped her chin up and thought.

"Isn't Catholicism about believing in heaven and hell?"

"After all, you're just a fake believer..."

William Wei laughed beside her.

"I never believed in religion anyway..."

She glanced at William Wei with dissatisfaction and whispered.

"I just heard that there will be Christmas carols here today, so I wanted to come and see..."

Perhaps due to her experience studying abroad, her understanding of Christmas always carried some religious connotations.

...

"Anyway, let's solve the problem of our empty stomachs first before we talk about anything else, alright? It's passed dinner time~"

"All you think about is eating, you glutton."

"Hey..."

"I'm actually hungry too~ why don't we find a place to eat first?"

Samson Nan looked at the time and said the same thing.

"Well, I checked and there's a nice restaurant nearby. Let's go now~"

"Hey, wait a minute, we said the same thing, why are the answers so different? What's the deal? Creating a class-divided society? Treating us differently? Or maybe..."

William Wei grinned and nudged her with his elbow.

"Only Samson Nan is special, huh~~?"

"..."

She was stunned for a moment.

Her face felt a little hot as she glanced to the side.

"Let's go, let's go, there are too many people here..."

She said, a little flustered, and quickened her pace.

She walked ahead alone.

"Oh~ shy shy~"

William Wei laughed and placed his hand on Samson Nan's shoulder.

"Go after him, handsome."

"..."

Samson Nan didn't say anything, he turned his head and glanced at him from the corner of his eye.

There were no emotions on his clean face, just a smile with his mouth slightly open.

His narrowed eyes covered his pupils, making his irises invisible.

...

Why do we have to do this kind of thing...

"By doing this..."

Samson Nan moved his lips slightly, not looking at him.

"Is it interesting?"

Saying that, he also increased his pace and walked ahead.

"..."

William Wei stood still.

After a while, he lowered his voice and murmured.

"No fun..."

...

...

"Boss, two more servings of crab roe, please."

"How much are you planning to eat..."

Jocelyn York looked at the pile of dishes in front of William Wei's table.

"Athletes consume a lot and eat a lot, understanding~"

"..."

That does seem to make sense...

"Samson Nan, stop staring at your phone, or it will be gone~"

"Ah..."

Only then did he raise his head.

"Chatting with someone?"

"No."

He replied and glanced at the window. It was already completely dark outside.

Under the nearby clock tower, lights started to illuminate one by one.

There were moving Christmas hats below, accompanied by music, finally bringing a bit of a Christmas atmosphere.

"I'm going to make a phone call."

He said, standing up.

Walking towards the exit of the restaurant.

"Nan..."

"Leave him alone."

Jocelyn York looked at his back, just about to speak, but was stopped by William Wei.

He said, tapping the table.

"Eat~ Eat more~"

"..."

Even without saying a word,

Some things are still understood...

...

...

Beep... Beep... Beep...

On the other end of the phone, there was a continuous busy tone.

It went through, but no one answered.

"..."

He impatiently tapped his foot.

Beep... Beep...

Still no one...

...

Just as he was about to hang up the phone.

The busy tone stopped.

"Hello?"

He held the phone, straightening his back.

"Hello, is this Samson Nan?"

"..."

"Mom?"

He was stunned for a moment.

"What about Yuyu?"

"I knew it! How could there be a phone ringing? That girl forgot to bring her phone at home!"

"Well, where is she then?"

"She went to her classmate's house... I don't know when she'll come back! She's driving me crazy!"

"Okay, I got it..."

He sighed lightly.

"Hey, when you contact her, tell her to come back soon!"

"Oh, don't worry."

He said and hung up the phone.

"..."

After a moment of hesitation, he picked up his phone again and opened the contacts.

...

Fortunately, there was still another person's number in there.

"Hello, Roxie Lin?"

"Brother Nan...?"

After a half-second of silence, Roxie Lin's weak voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Ah, it's me... um, is Raina Nan with you?"

"Xiaoyu?"

"Yeah, can you give her the phone? I need to talk to her..."

"Xiaoyu didn't come to my house today..."

"Oh... huh?!"

He didn't react right away.

Hesitating, he tightened his grip on the phone.

"She said she was coming to your house for Christmas today, right?"

"Yeah, we had plans... but she suddenly called me earlier and said she couldn't make it... I thought she must be with Nan-gege..."

"No..."

"Who then..."

"Nan-gege..."

"Oh, that damn dog, what is he up to now..."

A familiar voice came through the phone.

...

"Is Bell Tong with you?"

"Yeah, Xiaoling is here too..."

"..."

He paused for a moment.

He had been thinking maybe Xiaoyu went to Bell Tong's house...

But it seemed that wasn't the case.

"Okay then, I won't bother you... bye."

He said, preparing to hang up the phone.

"Nan-gege."

Roxie Lin's voice, somewhat urgent, stopped him.

"Hmm?"

"Well, um..."

She seemed hesitant about something, gathered her courage, and continued:

"I have something I want to tell Nan-gege..."

"Oh, go ahead."

He said, took a few steps and leaned against the wall.

"Well, did Xiaoyu and Nan-gege... have a fight?"

"..."

Samson Nan hesitated for a moment.

"No..."

"Really?"

"Yeah... that girl has a temper, we... it's not a fight, we're used to it~ hehe..."

He suddenly didn't know what to say, stuttering, trying to brush it off.

"Nan-gege should understand, right?"

Her voice interrupted him before he could finish speaking.

"..."

"Xiaoyu, she's a bit of a stubborn girl..."

"..."

"Even though she doesn't really mean it, she always says things that she regrets, things that go against what she really wants to say..."

Roxie Lin smiled bitterly and spoke softly.

"Even though her mind is so sharp, she's unexpectedly clumsy... hehe..."

"..."

"It really doesn't put one's mind at ease~"

"..."

He looked up at the dark sky and remained silent.

"So Nan-gege, can I..."

She paused for two seconds.

...

...

"Entrust Xiaoyu to you?"

"..."

"No matter what happens, please don't leave her."

"..."

He remained silent, not speaking for a long time.

And on the other end of the phone, she was still waiting for his answer.

...

"Yeah..."

After a long silence,

He bit his lip and responded.

"Well... let's agree to that then~"

"Yeah..."

Hearing his answer, Roxie Lin seemed to exhale in relief.

Even though it was over the phone, you could faintly hear her slightly hurried breathing.

"Even though I'm just an outsider, I've said so much self-righteous nonsense, hehe..."

"Thank..."

"Oh no, Xiaoling is stealing my cake again! Nan-gege, I have to go, bye~"

Before he could finish speaking, Roxie Lin had already hung up.

...

...

He stood still, with his eyes closed.

Where did that person go...

...

...

Drip, drip.

William Wei picked up his phone and glanced at the screen.

Suddenly, he stopped his chopsticks and froze for a few seconds.

"What's wrong?"

Jocelyn York cocked her head and looked at him.

"It's nothing, just a message from Samson Nan..."

"Oh, speaking of which, he went out to make a phone call, why hasn't he come back yet?"

"Ah..."

William Wei hesitated, unsure of how to approach her.

"He, he seems to have left already..."

"Gone?"

Jocelyn York paused and looked up.

"Ah..."

"..."

She didn't ask any more questions, remaining silent as she looked out the window.

"Maybe... maybe it's something to do with the company... you know, their overtime is nothing out of the ordinary..."

"Boss."

She didn't let William Wei finish his sentence, raising her hand and calling out to the counter.

"Miss, can we have two more servings of crab roe?"

"Sure thing!"

"..."

William Wei hesitated, watching her from the side.

On her calm face, there wasn't much change.

"Are you still eating..."

"We're in the music business, we burn a lot of energy, is there a problem?"

"No, no problem..."

...

...

The Christmas lights on the tree were finally lit up.

The star at the top, crystal clear, reflecting the distant light.

She sat on the bench, looking ahead.

The thick scarf wrapped around her neck, but her ears still turned red from the cold.

...

She always hated this dry and cold air.

But even so, she didn't want to leave...

...

"Excuse me, sister, could you help us take a photo?"

The one who came over to talk was a young couple with children.

"..."

She nodded.

How many people have asked her to take photos tonight?

She couldn't quite remember...

"Daddy, I want to see Santa Claus!"

"Alright, let's go find Santa Claus together, okay?"

"Yeah!"

The man said, lifting the child above his head and onto his shoulder.

"Thank you, sister."

The woman took the camera and smiled at her.

She also took out an apple tied with a pink ribbon from her bag.

"This is for you, Merry Christmas."

"..."

She hesitated for a moment.

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome, bye bye."

The woman said, then turned and walked away.

After a while, she disappeared into the crowd...

She lowered her head and untied the ribbon.

After wiping the apple peel with her hand, she opened her mouth and took a bite.

"It's hard..."

...

The sound from the distant speakers in the park mingled with the conversations of the crowd.

Noisy echoes reverberated in her ears.

She remained silent, looking at the apple with a small bite mark in her hand.

"..."

...

Why?

Why are my eyes burning...

She bit her lip.

Hate

A surge of warmth swirled in her eyes...

Her vision began to blur...

...

"Little girl..."

A voice, defenseless, came from beside her.

She snapped out of it.

...Another person asking for a photo...

"..."

She buried her face in the scarf and rubbed her slightly red eyes.

She looked up.

Her vision was hazy...

That person's face was already right in front of her.

...

"Are you alone?"

"..."

She was stunned for a moment.

Before she could react,

His hand was already pressing against her head.

"Brother...?"