Time marched on, step by step, a leisurely pace that seemed to be waiting for something.
The snow at the year's end.
It seemed slower than usual.
So slow, in fact, that even the witch's twirling figure, as she lifted her skirts, appeared to Xu Xi in slow motion, stretched out several times its normal speed.
Was she spinning beautifully?
Not really.
Krisha's movements were clumsy, her body stiff and unnatural, her expression solemn, as if she were engaged in some grand ritual.
Her posture and demeanor didn't lend themselves to gracefulness.
Yet Xu Xi loved the witch like this.
He smiled.
Pristine snowflakes drifted from the sky, mingling with her ash-gray hair, the brim of her hat crossing her eyes, her luminous, hollow gaze reflecting the light's traces.
"… Master?"
Seeing Xu Xi's smile, Krisha stopped.
She thought she had done something wrong.
Something that made Xu Xi laugh.
"Is it ugly?"
Her blank eyes blinked, revealing clear confusion beneath her vibrant tri-colored irises.
The scene was somewhat endearing.
In the snow, the witch stood still, her hat slightly askew from the abrupt halt, revealing a charming awkwardness beneath the disarray.
"No," Xu Xi shook his head, dismissing Krisha's assumption.
"You look lovely in it, Krisha."
He walked up to her, reached out his hands, and gently adjusted the wide brim of the hat from both sides.
In the process.
Xu Xi's fingers brushed against Krisha's silver-gray hair.
The texture was incredibly smooth.
A stark contrast to the dry, rough feel he had experienced upon their first meeting.
Krisha quietly stood still, feeling the warmth of Xu Xi's hands glide past her ears, gently tucking her hair into place under the oversized witch's hat.
The coldness of winter seemed to fade, replaced by a warm shelter enveloping her.
Once he finished.
She politely thanked Xu Xi: "Thank you."
A gratitude for both his help in adjusting her attire
and for his compliment.
Not that the hat was beautiful, but that Krisha was.
The clumsy witch had caught the nuance, an indescribable joy rising in her chest, making her eyes shimmer.
Xu Xi asked, "Krisha, does the hat feel uncomfortable?"
Krisha shook her head.
"Good," Xu Xi stepped back a few paces, observing Krisha in the hat from a distance, taking in the overall effect.
He nodded with satisfaction, his expression approving.
"Very nice, this hat suits you well, Krisha."
"It gives you a rather mysterious air."
Xu Xi found the witch quite lovely at that moment, her delicate features, elegant posture, and the contrast between her silver-gray hair and the black witch's hat making her eye-catching.
He praised her sincerely.
And he bought the hat.
It wasn't expensive, just an ordinary price.
"Master, is this… your New Year's gift to me?" After leaving the hat shop, the witch asked Xu Xi.
"Of course not."
Xu Xi was slightly surprised by Krisha's question.
He laughed and explained that it was just a small trinket, not worthy of being a significant New Year's gift.
Xu Xi thought that using something bought off the street to represent a meaningful gift would be irresponsible.
The reason he bought the witch's hat this time.
Was merely because the hat suited Krisha, and she seemed interested in it.
That was all.
"You think like that…"
Her slender fingers touched the necklace around her neck, then moved to the brim of the hat she wore, gently caressing it halfway around, pondering over the two gifts Xu Xi had given her.
The witch felt that these seemingly disparate items shared a common essence.
A warmth that defied description.
A warmth that could melt the icy core of her heart.
"Master…"
Krisha spoke softly, "This hat… consider it your New Year's gift to me…"
The gift itself wasn't important.
Its value didn't matter.
What mattered was the sentiment hidden within.
The immortal witch had felt the warmth from Xu Xi, enveloping her ceaselessly, shielding her from the harsh winter.
"I really like the gift you gave me…"
She added.
Her voice, calm as ever, seemed to have shifted slightly—like a gently flowing stream with a few splashes of water.
"This—"
Xu Xi hesitated for a moment. He still felt that giving such an ordinary hat as a gift was a bit too casual.
But since Krisha liked it and was inclined to make it so,
Xu Xi agreed.
"Alright, as long as you like it, Krisha."
Xu Xi chuckled and continued leading Krisha through the empty streets of Yanshan City, heading back toward their courtyard.
Things often don't go as planned.
Xu Xi hadn't expected one of his three troublesome New Year's gifts to be resolved so unexpectedly.
"Now, only Mo Li and Ying Xue’s are left."
"Hopefully, things will go as smoothly with them."
Their footsteps crunched through the silent winter, their gaze stretching across the snowy city as sunlight reflected off the snow, creating a fairytale-like halo that was soon shattered by passing pedestrians.
Xu Xi led Krisha by the hand, guiding her through bustling avenues and then quieter alleyways, stepping onto the steps that led from the shadows to the light.
The witch let herself be led.
She vaguely recalled a distant day.
A dark alley, the fetid smell of decay, a blinding ray of light piercing the gloom, a gentle hand reaching out, leading her toward the light.
Just like now.
Krisha took off her hat.
One of her hands was held by Xu Xi, while the other clutched the hat to her chest.
The overly wide brim obscured her view, preventing her from fully seeing the "light," so she removed the hat.
"Master."
The outline of the courtyard came into view.
In that moment before they reached home, Krisha asked Xu Xi a strange question:
"Is the power of love truly infinite?"
Xu Xi was momentarily taken aback before answering with a smile: "I'm not sure, but perhaps it is."
"Why do you ask, Krisha?"
"It's nothing…"
The witch shook her head.
She gazed at the faraway sky.
The power of love might indeed be infinite, as her master had said.
But—
The position of love was limited.
Warm and ardent love was the only salvation in the cold winter, desired by many.
The witch, while not selfish or greedy by nature,
Didn't like the idea of sharing.
She didn't like others intruding on her space, blocking her view of the sun, depriving her of its warmth.
Ugh, it's so annoying…
Krisha tightened her grip on Xu Xi's hand.
The shadow born of light no longer wished to follow passively, traveling alongside unwillingly.
This time, the shadow wanted to chase after the light, to walk alongside it.
"Come on, Krisha, we’re home."
"…Yes."