“Do you know, Jia Yu?”
“Hmm?”
“New Year abroad is a few days earlier than ours, it’s around the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month.”
“Is that it, Christmas Eve?” Nan Jiayu replied.
The two sat side-by-side on a bench outside a small eatery, chatting while eating the glutinous rice cakes in their bowls.
Su Tianqing extended the toothpick in her hand and picked up a small piece of glutinous rice cake.
The warm glutinous rice ball, coated with sesame powder and a little brown sugar, was carefully held by her small hand, hidden inside her sleeve with a tissue, as she brought it to her mouth.
Her Fox Girl ears stood high, and a sweet smile appeared on the half of her face wrapped in the scarf, slightly flushed in the cold wind.
“They say this is a very famous old shop nearby. Does it taste good?” The Cat Girl also chewed the glutinous rice cake in her mouth, asking with a smile.
“This is delicious!”
Her Fox Girl tail danced happily beside her, stirring up a gentle winter breeze.
This was the commercial street near Huatianli Community in Rong City, where a New Year's goods festival was being held before the New Year, attracting many leisurely residents from the surrounding area.
Su Tianqing was no exception.
Especially since she was going to buy some New Year's goods with Jia Yu, her interest in coming here became even stronger.
After finishing the glutinous rice cakes in their bowls, the two sat on the bench to rest for a while and continued their chat.
“Speaking of Christmas Eve, isn't there some kind of story behind it?”
Nan Jiayu remembered something and asked.
She only knew the name of the foreign New Year holiday and had never heard of its origin.
Su Tianqing confidently puffed out her flat chest and replied:
“I know this!”
“Jia Yu, do you know who the world’s first Magic Girl was?”
“Red Rose, I know that.” Nan Jiayu answered without hesitation.
“Then, Jia Yu, do you know that even before Red Rose, there were already girls with magical powers active in history?”
“Hmm… I’ve heard of that too, but at that time, there was no Observer yet, so they weren’t considered Magic Girls.”
Nan Jiayu nodded and replied.
Red Rose was the World Tree’s first “Magic Girl,” but not the first person with magical abilities.
“Exactly, that’s the origin of Christmas Eve.”
【Mercury’s Secret Words: This is a fabricated story from another world, unrelated to any real people. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.】
A whisper seemed to come from the void, but Su Tianqing paid no attention and continued:
“It is said that more than two thousand years ago, a girl with powerful magical talent was born in Europe. Everyone called her Little Sister Ye.”
“...What a strange name.” The Cat Girl’s ears perked up, and her tail coiled behind her, her urge to complain soaring.
“I can’t remember her difficult pronunciation, but that’s basically what it means!”
“Little Sister Ye used her powerful magic to fight the demonic monsters rampant on the European continent at that time, earning the love and respect of the people.”
“But she fell in a battle with a powerful demon. People thought she had died, so they held a grand funeral for her.”
“However, seven days after the funeral, Little Sister Ye kicked open the coffin lid and jumped out of the grave, ascending into the Star Realm under the gaze of the people, attracting countless people to worship her.”
“Thus, Little Sister Ye’s birthday is Christmas Eve, and the day she resurrected and ascended into the Star Realm is called Ascension Day!”
Nan Jiayu thoughtfully pinched her chin, imagining the scene the Fox Fox described in her mind.
“Hmm... In short, Christmas Eve is the foreign New Year, right?”
“That’s right, the day before Christmas Eve is called Christmas Eve, and tomorrow is Christmas Eve!”
The Fox Girl said happily,
“Foreigners go home to reunite with their families on Christmas Eve, spending New Year’s Eve by a warm fireplace, just like we celebrate Chinese New Year’s Eve.”
“Every place has different cultures, which is quite interesting.”
Nan Jiayu replied with a smile.
This was her first time hearing the story of Christmas Eve. Hearing it from the Fox Fox didn’t make it boring; instead, it had a strange cuteness.
“Speaking of which, Nan Xiaofeng also returned from her trip today, so why don't we celebrate together tomorrow night?”
“At home, or out?” Su Tianqing asked curiously.
“Although outside might be more convenient, it’s better at home, after all, it’s New Year.”
Nan Jiayu said,
“And we also need to prepare dinner for Grandpa and Grandma, and Uncle’s portion too.”
“I see. Then… let’s buy more New Year’s goods today, and tomorrow we can visit Grandpa and Grandma at the hospital.”
The Golden Fox linked arms with the Cat Girl beside her, suggesting with a light chuckle.
……
Evening.
At the main entrance of Huatianli Community, Rong City.
“Beep-doo~”
Nan Xiaofeng approached the facial recognition gate, dragging her suitcase as she entered the community gate.
This trip to Sui City and Hong Kong City had taken up most of her winter vacation.
Her winter vacation homework hadn’t even had a single word touched yet!
“Anyway, I’ll go home first to put away my luggage, then find Hua Ling to discuss what to do about the homework!”
Nan Xiaofeng thought, dragging her heavy luggage, and walked into the community she had walked countless times, following the familiar path towards her home.
Unlocking and entering, the sound of stir-frying from the kitchen caught Nan Xiaofeng’s attention.
“Hmm?”
Nan Xiaofeng was a little confused.
It was only 5:30 PM now; her dad usually didn’t get off work until at least 6:00 PM. Could it be that her dad came home early today?
That shouldn't be. In previous years, her dad almost worked all night at the end of the year, and she would heat up food from the refrigerator in the microwave for dinner. How could he possibly get off work early?
Could it be that the company went bankrupt and her dad got laid off?
A strange sense of nervousness immediately arose in Nan Xiaofeng’s heart, and she cautiously dragged her suitcase back to the living room sofa.
But just as she was about to peek into the kitchen, she suddenly saw a fluffy Fox Girl ear peeking out from the kitchen.
“Huh?”
The Fox Girl blinked, her Fox Girl ears twitched twice, and her tail slowly swayed left and right behind her.
“Oh… Nan Xiaofeng is back? Hurry up and wash your hands, dinner is ready, there’s something delicious tonight~”
“…………”
Nan Xiaofeng blinked silently.
She looked down at the kettle on the living room coffee table and the limited edition Bai Lili figurine under the TV cabinet, then silently walked back to the main entrance and looked at the house number.
Huatianli, Block A, Unit 3, 102.
That's right, it was her home, but why was Tianqing in the kitchen?
“Nan Xiaofeng is back.”
Nan Jiayu’s upper body immediately emerged from the kitchen. She was wearing an apron and had her hair tied in a braid, turning to take two eggs from the refrigerator, and said to Nan Xiaofeng, who was standing at the door,
“Quickly change your shoes, wash your hands, the dishes will be stir-fried soon.”
“Jiayu Jie?… You, why are you with Tianqing Jie…”
No, it’s quite normal for Jiayu Jie and Tianqing Jie to be together; they’re practically inseparable, almost to the point of marriage.
But why were they in the kitchen??
Had she seen this scene somewhere before???
Was she still trapped in Xin Yuehu’s dream????
She had to confirm it!
“...Jiayu Jie!”
Nan Xiaofeng suddenly mustered her courage and said to her Jiayu Jie, seemingly wanting to confirm something.
“What’s wrong? I’m still stir-frying. Just say it if you have something to say.”
Nan Jiayu replied as usual, only the Fox Girl lie at the kitchen entrance curiously perked up her ears.
“Have you and Tianqing Jie gotten married?”
““…………””
A long silence.
The Golden Fox’s mouth slightly opened, dumbfounded.
The Cat Girl was silent for a long time. After finishing the dish, she silently turned off the stove fire and rolled up her sleeves, walking out of the kitchen.
“Tianqing, help me scrub the pot.”
“I need to give her a beating.”
Huh?
No! This isn’t a dream! This is the real Jiayu Jie!
Nan Xiaofeng fled towards her bedroom as if escaping, but she couldn't escape the Cat Girl’s fierce pounce, and a familiar wail echoed through the house.
Su Tianqing was in the kitchen, running water and scrubbing the pot, a smile she couldn't suppress on her face.
How peaceful, holiday life.