Today is Christmas.
Outside, snow swirled thickly under the moonlight, glittering like stardust. It blanketed the ground in a silvery-white carpet, piling halfway up my calves.
The city’s snowplows had already started buzzing down the street. I could hear their low roar from my room.
I peered out the window. Everything wore a coat of pristine white.
This snow arrived early—and heavy.
It was the winter of 2008, gripped by that once-in-a-century cold wave.
Though it caused massive losses across China, it looked breathtakingly beautiful.
I sat on the sofa, chin propped on my palm, lost in thought.
Maybe… the prettier something seems, the more dangerous it truly is?
That made me think of Xiao Yu.
She was stunning—and deadly.
Like a blood-red rose so vivid it seemed to drip, luring everyone close, only to pierce their palms with hidden thorns beneath its petals.
I sighed.
But strip away those thorns, reach her heart, and you’d find someone so fragile and delicate it ached to see.
*Ding-ding-ding—* A familiar ringtone cut through my thoughts.
The landline was ringing.
I shook off the cozy numbness from the heater, slipped on cotton slippers, and shuffled toward the phone.
I lifted the receiver. “Hello—who is this?”
A voice I knew by heart answered instantly: “Su Su? It’s Xiao Yu.”
Yu Qingyu. Her.
My tone turned icy. “Yu Qingyu? Why are you calling?”
“Nothing… it’s just—” She hesitated, uncharacteristically shy. “Su Su, are you free tonight?”
“No. Even if I were, I wouldn’t waste time on you.”
“…”
Silence filled the line.
I bit my lip—had I gone too far?
Just as unease prickled inside me, Xiao Yu spoke again:
“I’m sorry, Su Su.”
I froze.
Wait—apologizing? To me? Her enemy?
Absurdity washed over me. I sneered.
“Sorry? What’s your apology worth now? And I don’t recall you owing me one.”
“…”
She fell silent again, choked by my words.
After a long pause, her voice returned—exhausted, regretful, hopeful, and layered with something I couldn’t name:
“Su Su, can you give me one more chance? Please. Just the last one…”
I stared blankly.
Like a diamond-crowned princess fallen to dust, pleading with pitiful eyes for forgiveness.
My heart softened.
Maybe… just this once? Her tone felt genuine, like real remorse.
But…
What had changed her so drastically?
I puzzled over it but drew a blank.
Forget it.
I sighed, my voice softening. “Fine. One last chance. What do you want?”
“R-Really?!” Her voice burst with girlish delight—a side of her I’d never seen.
Shock hit me. What happened to her?
She rushed on: “Meet me at Liyu Cafe on the pedestrian street near your place. Eight o’clock. Don’t be late—please, you must come!”
Annoyed, I clicked my tongue. “Got it. I’ll be there.”
I hung up.
Eight o’clock…
I checked the wall clock.
Half past seven already.
If I went, I had to leave now.
Warmth inside. Biting wind and icy flakes outside.
Ugh. Suddenly, I didn’t want to move.
Yet my body betrayed me—I dashed to my room, grabbed two thick sweaters from the wardrobe, and yanked them on.
The old saying holds: women dress up for admirers. For Xiao Yu? No makeup, no fuss.
Too much trouble.
Warmth over style—way better.
I shrugged, wrapped a scarf around my neck, puffing myself up like a giant panda.
The mirror confirmed it: ugly, but cozy.
I sighed at my reflection, then snapped toward Bai Su’s room where he was still typing away. “I’m heading out.”
His voice shot back, sharp with jealousy: “Where at this hour, Su Su?”
“A classmate invited me.” I raised my tone deliberately.
“You?!!!”
A thunderous crash shook his room—like an earthquake. His door flew open and slammed against the wall in under three seconds.
I mourned that door for ten seconds, then watched Bai Su, practically jumping in place.
“Boy or girl? Older? Rich? Any weird habits in class…” he rambled on.
“Are you the police? It’s Xiao Yu! She invited me out!” I shot back.
His suspicion eased slightly. “Really?”
I rolled my eyes—why explain so much to him?
I glared coldly, turned, opened the door, and vanished into the snow with my umbrella. “Believe it or not. Your choice.”
[To be continued]
