Chapter 2
New Year's Eve Side Story
On the terrace of Eternal Castle, the cold wind howled, but it couldn't drown out the faint cheers coming from the distant city.
Bai Xu was wrapped in a thick blanket, only his small face showing, and his breath instantly dissipated into the night. He leaned against the railing, watching the occasional bursts of fireworks on the distant horizon, his eyes somewhat vacant.
"Go inside if you're cold." Shi Mo's voice sounded from behind. He was also only wearing a thin bathrobe, but he seemed not to feel the cold at all. He walked over and naturally wrapped Bai Xu, along with the blanket, into his arms.
Bai Xu leaned back, absorbing the cool warmth from the other person's body, and shook his head: "I want to see the fireworks."
"It's too far from the city center, there's not much to see." Shi Mo rested his chin on the top of his head.
"It'll be good to hear some noise," Bai Xu said softly. "It'll feel... a bit more lively."
Shi Mo didn't say anything more, but tightened his arms around her.
The faint countdown drifted over on the wind from afar.
"……ten!"
Bai Xu straightened up slightly.
"……Nine!"
Shi Mo looked down at him.
"...8.7..."
Bai Xu turned his head and looked up at Shi Mo. In the dim light of the castle, the outline of Shi Mo's black eye patch was clearly visible, and the exposed golden eye was looking at him intently.
"...6.5..."
Bai Xu's heartbeat inexplicably began to accelerate with the countdown.
"...four, three..."
He suddenly felt a little nervous, and his fingers unconsciously gripped the edge of the blanket.
"...Two, one!"
"zero--!!!"
Further away, the faint sounds of more fireworks booming could be heard, mixed with muffled cheers.
"Happy New Year, Captain." Shi Mo's voice rang out almost simultaneously, deep and resonant in my ears.
Bai Xu looked at his face so close to hers, opened her mouth, but the words "Happy New Year" stuck in her throat.
The next second, Shi Mo lowered his head and kissed him.
The kiss was light, carrying the cool air of a winter night, yet exceptionally gentle, tracing the shape of his lips delicately, unlike any previous kiss that had been playful, possessive, or comforting.
Bai Xu closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly. She reached out from under the blanket and wrapped her arms around Shi Mo's neck, responding awkwardly but earnestly.
Only when the noise in the distance gradually subsided did Shi Mo step back slightly, his forehead touching Shi Mo's, their breaths mingling.
"Happy New Year, Shi Mo." Bai Xu finally said those words, his voice a little hoarse, but with a smile.
"Hmm," Shi Mo responded, gently rubbing his flushed cheek with her fingers. "What's your New Year's wish?"
Bai Xu thought for a moment, looked at him, and said very seriously, "I hope... you will still be by my side in the new year."
Shi Mo's eyes flickered slightly, then he curled the corners of his lips into a smile: "That simple?"
"That's not easy," Bai Xu muttered. "Who knows if you'll just disappear again one day..."
"No more," Shi Mo interrupted him, her tone resolute. "I'll take you with me wherever I go from now on."
"real?"
"real."
Bai Xu smiled contentedly and buried her face back in his arms.
After a while, his muffled voice came: "Then... what's your wish?"
Shi Mo held him in her arms, looking at the deep night outside the castle, and remained silent for a moment.
"My wish..." he began slowly, his voice carrying a tenderness that Bai Xu had never heard before, "is that your wish can be fulfilled."
Bai Xu was stunned and looked up at him.
Shi Mo lowered his head and kissed the corner of his lips again, his golden eyes incredibly gentle in the night.
"So, for the sake of my wish, you have to stay by my side."
Bai Xu's nose tingled, she nodded vigorously, and hugged him even tighter.
The New Year's bells have long since faded, but their time seems to have just begun.
(End of extra)
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