Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, light as willow fluff at first, then falling heavier, blanketing the city in white.
Pedestrians trudged through the crisp snow in thick padded coats, and I was among them.
Strolling with snow swirling around me, I couldn’t help but sigh.
Life truly is as lonely as snow.
Ring, ring, ring—my phone’s shrill tone made me halt.
The screen showed Ouyang Xue’s name.
It was Christmas Day—the perfect time for couples to confess. I’d had zero interest, but she’d dragged me out anyway.
“Where are you now? Far from the cinema? Need me to call a cab?”
Ouyang Xue’s clear voice came through the phone. Lately, that “triple nod” meme had gone viral online, and even she was playing along.
“On my way. Five minutes max.”
“Mhm, mhm, mhm.”
Rarely, I caught a hint of anticipation in her voice.
This might be our first holiday together since moving in. But honestly, I still didn’t grasp what “love” even meant.
After hanging up, I kept walking through the snow.
Kids nearby pelted snowballs at each other, shrieking when snow slipped into their coats.
Watching them, I felt a pang of envy—young and carefree. I’d have joined in, but they’d probably call me a creepy old man. Seriously, I’m not that old.
The walk from my apartment to the cinema took ten minutes.
When I arrived, Ouyang Xue sat by a fountain, cupping her cheeks and puffing out warm breath.
She wore a red Santa hat and matching Santa dress, looking like a female Santa Claus.
Her cheeks glowed red—whether from cold or excitement—and her glossy lips looked vividly tempting.
No wonder every passerby stared; some even tried to chat her up.
Honestly, she probably looked like part of a store promotion.
“Hey, gorgeous. Alone? Let’s go have fun—I’ll cover everything.”
“Come on, it’s freezing out here. Don’t just sit there.”
“Sorry, I’m waiting for someone.”
Three flashy-dressed men surrounded her, and her expression turned visibly annoyed.
“Don’t be like that. You’ve been here ages. Name your price to come with us.”
As one man reached for her arm—
“She said no. Didn’t you hear?”
I stepped forward and gripped his wrist.
“Aotian…”
Relief flashed in Ouyang Xue’s eyes as she ducked behind me. I’d never seen her look so vulnerable.
“Who the hell are you, greenhorn? Mind your own business.”
The other two closed in, grabbing my collar with “back off” smirks.
“Mind my business? She’s my girl.”
I pulled a cigarette from my pocket, lit it, and took a slow drag.
“Tch. Used goods. Looked pure, but now I’m not interested. Let’s go.”
“Apologize.”
“Let go, bastard! You wanna get beaten up?”
“I said apologize.”
I tightened my grip on his wrist.
“Ow! Ow! Ow!”
His face paled, body trembling with pain.
“It’s… it’s fine. Let’s just go,” Ouyang Xue whispered, tugging my sleeve.
She hated scenes, especially on crowded streets.
“Don’t push your luck, kid.”
“Release him, or you’ll spend Christmas in a hospital.”
They ripped my collar open. Seriously annoying.
Crack—
A sharp snap echoed, followed by a piercing scream.
“Close your eyes.”
I said it to Ouyang Xue.
“Please, don’t make trouble. Let’s just walk away, okay?”
“I said close your eyes.”
As I spoke, a fist slammed into my temple, tearing my shirt further.
My temper flared hotter.
“Okay…”
Hearing my icy tone, Ouyang Xue bit her lip and shut her eyes.
I flung the wrist-snapped man to the ground, then punched another guy—knocking him out cold.
Grabbing the third by his collar, I hoisted him up and hurled him into the snow. He didn’t stir.
Still not satisfied, I straightened my collar and kicked him twice.
“Apologize.”
His two buddies were silent. Only the leader remained, face twisted in pain.
“Y-you don’t know who I am! I’ll make you pay!”
Slap—I smacked his cheek hard. It swelled instantly.
“Apologize.”
“You’ll regret this! My dad is—”
Slap—his other cheek puffed up.
“I-I’m sorry! Don’t hit me again! I’m sorry, I messed up!”
“No sincerity at all.”
I almost hit him again, but Ouyang Xue hugged me tightly from behind.
“Enough. Let’s go, please.”
Crowds gathered, phones raised to film.
“Fine.”
It was Christmas. I didn’t want to embarrass her—rumors at school could ruin her reputation.
“Let’s go.”
Holding her hand, we pushed through the crowd. No one dared block our path under my fierce glare.
“Why do you always do this? Can’t you stay calm and solve things peacefully? Like at enrollment, and now again.”
“It’s just who I am. Like it or not.”
“You always say the same thing. Can’t you change for me? Just a little?”
“I’ll try.”
Our movie tickets were wasted after the delay.
In the end, we sat in a fast-food joint, staring out at the falling snow.
“Hey.”
Ouyang Xue broke the silence after a long pause.
“What?”
“I’m sorry. I caused this, then blamed you for fighting.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
I rested my chin on my hand, watching couples stroll by, clinging to each other. I felt a twinge of envy.
Too bad I wasn’t in the FFF Brigade—I’d need a torch and gasoline right now.
“Tonight… I don’t want to go home. Can I stay at your place near campus?”
Her face flushed crimson as she made this bold request.
She ducked her head onto the table like an ostrich.
I glanced at her briefly, then looked away.
Was this guilt? Or a reward? If it wasn’t genuine, I didn’t want it.
“No forcing yourself. ‘Like’ isn’t just a word you say. I didn’t do it for payback—I just followed my gut.”
I finished my fries and Coke, stood up, and walked out.
Christmas was so boring.
“Wait! Isn’t this what you wanted?”
Her voice stopped me at the door.
What I wanted? Just a simple, honest romance. I wouldn’t accept something built on no feelings.
“We’re from different worlds. Parallel lines.”
“Yeah. Different worlds.”
Ouyang Xue bit her lip, clutching her chest as hot tears spilled over.
Through blurred vision, my figure faded into the snow.
Why? I tried so hard to like you. Why isn’t it enough? How many times must you break my heart?
Her legs gave way. She collapsed onto the snowy ground, face buried in her hands, sobbing.
She stayed there for ages outside the fast-food joint, curled up like a discarded Santa figurine.
Snow piled on her red coat as she hugged her knees.
“How long will you sit there? I bought new tickets.”
“Huh?”
She looked up at the familiar voice. Her tear-swollen eyes radiated fragility.
“What’s wrong?”
“My legs… they’re numb. I can’t stand.”
I didn’t speak. Instead, I bent down and lifted her into a princess carry.
“Ah!”
“Bear with it.”
“Mhm… mhm.”
She nodded, curling against my chest like a kitten. People stared as we walked; she hid her face shyly.
Such a hopelessly pure girl.
Christmas ended not at the cinema or a hotel—but in a hospital.
“Why did it turn out like this?! Christmas is so romantic! You wasted the perfect chance for couple stuff!”
Back at school, Dongfang Yue fumed after hearing yesterday’s story.
“I couldn’t help it—my eyes hurt so much from swelling!”
“I misjudged you. You threw away such a golden opportunity.”
This year’s Christmas was over. But there’d be next year. And the year after that. At this thought, Ouyang Xue’s lips curled into a smile.
