"Jinglebells, jinglebells, jingle all the way..."
A Christmas tree stood in front of the No.6 Middle School's convenience store, with Christmas carols playing inside. The tree twinkled with colorful lights and had Santa Claus stockings hanging on it. Li Fangqun disapprovingly remarked, "We're Chinese, why celebrate foreign festivals? Making everything all flashy like this is just inappropriate. In our generation, this was called worshipping foreign things and fawning over foreigners, you know?"
The classroom erupted in laughter.
Li Fangqun also smiled: "But maybe it really is me being old-fashioned. At my age, I don't understand you young folks. Your English teacher is young and trendy—she probably quite likes holidays like this."
The English teacher, whose class had been taken over, felt quite wronged.
During the first evening self-study break, Chen Feifei exclaimed in amazement while looking into Bei Yao's desk drawer: "Oh my goodness, Yao Yao, how many greeting cards did you receive!"
Her voice was loud, causing many classmates to look over and then cover their mouths to laugh.
Bei Yao said awkwardly, "Feifei, keep your voice down."
The thin Christmas cards, due to their quantity, formed a stack as thick as ten books piled together. They came from students ranging from first to third year, both boys and girls from her class. Everyone liked Bei Yao so much that during this holiday when giving cards was openly allowed, her desk became completely filled.
Some cards were exquisitely made, reportedly costing over ten yuan each. When opened, they could play music, while others were three-dimensional.
Wu Mo glanced sideways, then tucked the three cards she had received between her books, feeling somewhat sour. Her three cards seemed like a drop in the bucket compared to others'.
Chen Feifei was both amazed and envious: "I wish I could receive so many cards too."
Bei Yao buried her head in writing return cards.
Reciprocity was fundamental—she couldn't just accept others' cards without responding. After buying clothes for Bei Jun last time, she had spent all her pocket money on greeting cards. The ones she bought weren't expensive—just one yuan each—and Bei Yao wrote return cards for every lovely girl.
Though her cards weren't pricey, the messages were heartfelt, with unique blessings for each person.
As for the boys' cards, she definitely couldn't return them. If she sent cards to any boys, it would cause trouble—no matter who received one, rumors about the school beauty having an early romance would spread across campus tomorrow.
Among the cards was one from Fang Minjun.
Fang Minjun was in Class 8 and had quite good grades.
This year, without Chang Xue's overshadowing presence, Fang Minjun lived peacefully and had actually become much happier. The conflicts of their youth had all melted away in a heavy snowfall.
After finishing writing cards for everyone in sequence, Bei Yao kept one card aside—the one she intended to write for Pei Chuan.
But that previous kiss had left the young girl feeling shy, so even after writing cards for everyone else, this particular card remained blank.
The evening self-study was supposed to be the English teacher's class, but because the English teacher had family matters, homeroom teacher Li Fangqun took one period, and then the physics teacher took another. During the third evening self-study period, the English class representative quietly announced: "The English teacher isn't coming tonight—everyone can happily celebrate Christmas!"
The classroom filled with suppressed cheers—Class 6's luck was really good.
Allure World also seized the opportunity to make money, specially organizing a Christmas-themed event.Unlike the modest Christmas tree at the Sixth Middle School's small shop, Allure World had somehow procured a massive pine tree adorned with countless twinkling lights, as if stars had descended to the mortal realm—exceptionally luxurious and beautiful.
It was already Saturday night, with a holiday the next day, so students had either sneaked out or been officially granted leave.
Bei Yao, along with Chen Feifei and the others, had also come to see the spectacle outside Allure World.
Tucked in her school uniform pocket was that wordless greeting card.
Chen Feifei exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, how much must this tree be worth? Are the gifts and boxes hanging on it real?"
Bei Yao then lifted her gaze to look.
The colorful lights shimmered, fake snowflakes hung in the sky, while real snowflakes danced wildly in the glow, creating a scene as beautiful as a painting.
Pei Chuan was watching her in that painting.
Bei Yao's roommate held her arm, the girl's vibrant charm making the world feel alive.
Pei Chuan lit a cigarette while Jin Ziyang and the others were plucking gifts from the tree.
Only wealthy troublemakers dared to do such a thing—anything taken had to be paid for at triple the price.
A girl who had taken off her school uniform approached: "Pei Chuan."
Pei Chuan shifted his gaze from Bei Yao. Leaning against the tree, his eyes cold, his presence carried a wintry chill.
Wu Mo said, "What a coincidence meeting you here. Merry Christmas. Could you accept my greeting card?"
Pei Chuan's dark pupils showed no emotion.
Wu Mo mustered her courage, speaking a bit louder, "I—I don’t mind the rumors about you before, or your family background. It’s fine if you don’t have money. I truly, sincerely thank you."
Pei Chuan let out a soft, derisive laugh.
Wu Mo didn’t understand his meaning. Last time, the school had been buzzing with rumors that Pei Chuan wasn’t particularly wealthy—his family was just an ordinary, moderately well-off household, and he even had a stepsister. When Wu Mo first heard this, she was shocked, feeling somewhat awkward and disappointed. So he wasn’t a rich second generation after all.
But then she thought, at a time like this, Pei Chuan must really need someone by his side. If she showed she didn’t mind the rumors, wouldn’t he be deeply moved?
Thinking this, Wu Mo happened to see Pei Chuan smoking alone in a corner untouched by the lights and approached him.
Pei Chuan said, "Like me?"
Wu Mo’s face flushed instantly. She knew Pei Chuan was direct, but this... was utterly embarrassing. She nodded, "I’m sincere."
Pei Chuan’s smile faded abruptly, "So, last time you were messing with me?"
Deliberately provoking him about Han Zhen, spreading false information, making Bei Yao touched by Han Zhen’s feelings.
Wu Mo hadn’t expected a casual remark to lead Pei Chuan straight to the heart of the matter. Her face paled, "No, it’s not that. Bei Yao, she... she does like Han Zhen a bit. She told me herself. And today is Christmas, right? She even received a gift from Han Zhen. I’m not lying."
Pei Chuan’s eyes darkened, "Shut up. Who she likes, who likes her—what’s it to me?"
Wu Mo couldn’t grasp his meaning.
But Pei Chuan detested this girl intensely. Such a lowly, scheming type—only someone like Ding Wenxiang would fancy her.
"Hold out your hand."
Wu Mo’s heart pounded as she extended her hand.
Pei Chuan flicked his index finger, and glowing cigarette ash landed in her palm, making Wu Mo cry out in pain.
"You! You..."
Pei Chuan said, "Get lost. Don’t bother me."Wu Mo was somewhat afraid of him, yet she felt this man was different from Ding Wenxiang's deliberate elegance—his aura was particularly masculine, carrying a unique allure. With red-rimmed eyes, she said, "I'm sincere."
Pei Chuan was extremely impatient: "Fine. Eat this cigarette butt, and I'll believe you."
The ember glowed faintly, the young man's pupils cold. Wu Mo said, "Even if I truly liked you, how could anyone be willing to swallow that?"
Pei Chuan remained silent, not a trace of amusement in his eyes.
How could it be that no one would be willing?
At the very least, if someone else made an even more excessive demand, he would comply without hesitation.
Seeing his foul mood, Wu Mo didn't dare provoke him further and scurried away.
Not far off, Bei Yao pursed her lips, puffing her cheeks in displeasure. Zheng Hang said, "This is for you. You're Bei Yao, right?"
Bei Yao sat on the stone steps, watching Wu Mo leave Pei Chuan's side.
She couldn't hear what they had said, but an inexplicable heaviness settled in her chest.
Hearing Zheng Hang speak, she turned her head.
Her porcelain-like face was clean and delicate, carrying a touch of youthful innocence and charm. She lowered her gaze to a twinkling star-shaped light—freshly plucked from a Christmas tree.
Bei Yao shook her head: "Thank you, but I don't want this."
Chen Feifei, however, quite liked the star light, but since Bei Yao had refused it and it wasn't meant for her anyway, she merely gazed at it longingly without speaking up.
Noticing Chen Feifei's expression, Zheng Hang generously offered, "Do you like this light? I'll give it to you."
Chen Feifei was overjoyed: "Thank you!" Having accepted his gift, she felt a bit embarrassed.
Zheng Hang said, "No problem. Meeting is fate—do you see any other lights you like?"
Chen Feifei turned around only to realize that Bei Yao was no longer beside her.
~
Bei Yao ducked under the string lights, brushing the snow off her head. Her hands tucked in her pockets, the greeting card inside felt scalding hot.
She was upset by what she had just witnessed, though she couldn't quite identify the emotion.
It was like suddenly realizing someone she didn't particularly like was always close to someone she cared about. It left her feeling stifled, a vague frustration with no outlet.
She headed toward a secluded corner, her nose catching a faint whiff of cigarette smoke.
She walked further in, away from the noisy crowd. It was dark there, but lifting her eyes, she could just make out the cold, sharp outline of a young man.
Pei Chuan looked down, his gaze meeting her bright eyes in the night.
Even in such dim light, her almond-shaped eyes shone like morning stars, clear and luminous as grapes.
Since that kiss on the cheek, this was the first time they had seen each other.
He stood so close to her, his left hand holding the cigarette dropping to his side.
The glowing tip stood out sharply in the darkness. He tightened his grip, silently extinguishing the cigarette with his fingertips.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Bei Yao was caught between shyness and irritation, while Pei Chuan... felt a turmoil of emotions, too tangled to put into words.
Petite as she was, she stood squarely at the exit of the large tree in the corner.
Pei Chuan, acutely aware of the cigarette smell clinging to him, felt uneasy. He frowned: "Move."
Listen to that! What a detestable tone!
Her small hand clenched the card inside her pocket. She didn't want to give it to him anymore.
She stood her ground, feeling both wronged and confused.
Looking at her, Pei Chuan couldn't help but feel ripples of emotion stirring within him—bitter and sweet intertwining, as if threatening to consume him in these extreme feelings.
His voice slightly hoarse, unconsciously softening, he asked, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
Bei Yao's cheeks slowly flushed red.Ah... It seemed she really had nothing to do. She originally thought if she happened to run into Pei Chuan while out, she'd casually give him the greeting card. If she didn't meet Pei Chuan, then so be it.
But seeing Wu Mo brought back the frustration from the autumn marathon.
Hadn't she already told Pei Chuan that Wu Mo was no good?
Bei Yao was actually still curious—that day at the hospital when I kissed you, what did you feel? Was what they said online true? That a light kiss could make hormones surge, creating an excitement so intense it felt like dying?
Pei Chuan couldn't see her slightly flushed cheeks, only her delicate profile and those clear, dewy eyes gleaming in the darkness, exceptionally endearing.
The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward. Bei Yao whispered, "I'm not feeling well..."
He instinctively frowned. "Where don't you feel well?"
In her heart, it felt strange.
Yet she instinctively knew it probably wasn't appropriate to say it out loud.
If she really did... really did like Pei Chuan a little, then did he like her? Would he hate the foolish thing she did in a moment of impulsiveness that day?
She said, "Um... dizzy."
Pei Chuan pressed his lips together, a bitter ache rising in his heart. This was someone else's treasure. Just yesterday, he had promised her parents to stay away from her, to keep from tainting their precious girl. But seeing her approach today, he couldn't help the faint flicker of hope in his heart.
He only wanted to talk to her, nothing more.
Summoning all her courage, Bei Yao said softly, "Can I lean on you?"
Taking the initiative, she stepped forward, nervously testing the waters as she rested her small head against his chest.
She was only this tall—there was no other way.
The night was quiet, heavy snow falling on the lush leaves of the evergreen trees. Under the tree, the young girl gently pressed her forehead against his chest.
The boy tensed up almost instantly, as if under a immobilizing spell, unable to move.
Beneath where she leaned were his ribs, his heart.
His hands—one still wrapped in bandages, the other hiding a cigarette butt—remained stiff as he let her lean against him.
She must have heard his frantic heartbeat, right?
The boy's chest was warm. How strange—for someone with such a cold, bad temper, his body temperature was always so high. The girl rested her head against his chest, secretly feeling his heartbeat.
But to her surprise, his heartbeat couldn't even be described by its rhythm—it was intensifying bit by bit, so powerful it felt like a tremor.
Oh no, oh no, Bei Yao grew flustered. It really was making her head spin.
His muscles were rigid, and a delayed sense of shyness made the tips of her ears turn red.
Pei Chuan gritted his teeth, at least remembering what he had promised Aunt Zhao yesterday. They had already disregarded over a decade of affection and practically handed their family assets to him, just begging him to stay away from their daughter.
He asked, "Are you feeling better now?"
The girl timidly replied, "No, it seems like I'm still... still dizzy."
For a moment, Pei Chuan felt like breaking down.
How on earth did Aunt Zhao raise this treasure of hers!
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