A Christmas of Snow and Smiles

Setting: Alternate Universe — Zhuang Xun (Senior) × Shen Xian (Junior), Meng Miao (Senior) × Ning Qi (Junior)

Shen Xian stood rooted to the spot, her tightly shut eyes snapping open in an instant. Her hand, clutching her staff, pointed directly at the monster.

“Flower Blizzard!”

“Excellent,” Zhuang Xun praised Shen Xian briefly before leaping onto a nearby rooftop. There, she began her chant: “Breath of Winter, become my spear—Ice Bind.”

In the very next second, the monster in the center of the plaza disintegrated into snowflakes under their combined assault, scattering across the ground.

Immediately after, the plaza’s lights flickered back on, and the faint strains of Christmas music drifted through the air. It was as if everything that had just transpired had never existed.

Zhuang Xun landed on one foot, simultaneously dispelling her transformation. Without a moment’s hesitation, she hurried toward Shen Xian.

Shen Xian, having deactivated her magic, stood in place, scratching her cheek in slight embarrassment before offering Zhuang Xun a bright smile.

“Senior Zhuang Xun…”

As Shen Xian began to speak, a highly ill-timed voice cut in from the side.

Ning Qi clapped her hands, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “Wow, that was truly well done.”

Zhuang Xun turned her head.

“Ning Qi, what are you doing here?!” Shen Xian’s face was etched with displeasure, nearly screaming her anger.

Ning Qi twirled a strand of her hair, her expression cold. “Oh, I got dumped. Came to see if someone else got ‘dumped’ too.”

Shen Xian immediately bristled. “Huh?! What nonsense are you spouting! Senior is so good to me; she would never abandon me!”

Ning Qi blinked dismissively. “Mhm, mhm, mhm.”

Despite her perfunctory response to Shen Xian, her gaze remained fixed intensely on Zhuang Xun.

Zhuang Xun, discerning Ning Qi’s unspoken meaning and feeling her scrutinizing eyes, was about to step forward to intervene in their bickering. Just then, her phone vibrated twice.

She picked up her phone, quickly glanced at the message, and then walked in front of Ning Qi, speaking slowly. “Ning Qi, Senior Meng Miao said she’s looking for you. Aren’t you going?”

“Are you telling the truth?” Ning Qi asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Shen Xian, standing nearby, pouted. “How can you be so disrespectful when talking to a Senior!”

Ning Qi rolled her eyes, ignoring her. “Are you telling the truth?”

“……”

Zhuang Xun remained unperturbed. “Yes, she’s waiting for you under the giant Christmas tree across the street.”

Ning Qi pondered for a moment. “Since Senior Miao is calling for me, I suppose I’ll go check it out.”

She leaned in and whispered something into Zhuang Xun’s ear, then promptly departed.

Shen Xian stood to the side, utterly bewildered. Upon hearing Ning Qi’s whispered words, a faint crack appeared in Zhuang Xun’s usually impassive expression.

As Ning Qi left, she waved backward at Shen Xian. “Be careful, you silly goose who knows nothing.”

Shen Xian knitted her brows, completely perplexed. “What on earth is that Ning Qi talking about?”

“It must be tough on you, having to work even on Christmas,” Zhuang Xun said smoothly, stepping in front of Shen Xian and casting her in shadow.

Shen Xian slowly looked up, waving her hand dismissively. “It’s alright. Working with Senior Zhuang is very enjoyable,” she said with a bright smile.

Zhuang Xun’s gaze swept over their surroundings. “Don’t overthink what Ning Qi said. Would you like to walk around together today?”

“Eh?”

“Is that not possible?” Zhuang Xun tilted her head slightly, seeking Shen Xian’s opinion.

Shen Xian quickly shook her head. “No, it’s just… Senior, don’t you have plans for Christmas?”

Zhuang Xun replied calmly, “I wasn’t sure if there would be a mission today. Did you… make plans?”

“Not at all. I feel so happy just working with Senior,” Shen Xian said from the heart. “If Senior hadn’t called me in to work today, I would have been heartbroken!”

“I was worried calling you today might disturb you.”

“How could Senior calling me be a disturbance? By the way…” Shen Xian’s gaze fell upon the large Christmas tree in the distance. “Senior! Should we go explore it?”

Zhuang Xun’s eyes followed Shen Xian’s pointing finger. “Alright.”

In the next moment, Shen Xian’s hand took hold of Zhuang Xun’s. Shen Xian pulled her along, heading toward the plaza. Her voice drifted back into Zhuang Xun’s ears.

“Then let’s go, Senior! Let’s have a Christmas that belongs just to the two of us!”

Zhuang Xun’s pupils widened as she watched Shen Xian’s retreating back, a faint smile curving at the corners of her lips.

She truly had no way to resist her.

Snowflakes slowly began to drift down from the sky.

“Senior, it’s snowing!” Shen Xian said, turning back to look at her.

“You smiled, Senior.” Shen Xian’s eyes lit up. “You look so beautiful when you smile! You should smile more often, Senior!”

Zhuang Xun nodded in agreement.

It seems Ning Qi was wrong, Zhuang Xun thought as she looked at the girl holding her hand. I won’t do anything bad to Shen Xian. Whether in the past, present, or future, the one whose lifeline is easily grasped will always be me.

After an unknown amount of time, as Shen Xian pulled Zhuang Xun to the base of the Christmas tree, fireworks bloomed across the night sky.

“Senior, Merry Christmas!”

“Shen Xian, Merry Christmas.”