As the sun set, Todd, filled with anxiety, entered the "Sisters Hotel," chose a table towards the back, and, looking at Karin Forman walking towards him, forced a smile and said, "A glass of pomegranate juice and a seafood rice bowl."

The girl glanced at him with a worried look, then turned and walked towards the bar.

Five minutes later, Karin awkwardly walked to Todd's desk, shoved by Rachel.

Seeing the girl's hesitant expression, the latter asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"Sister Rachel asked me to put down what I was doing and chat with you..."

Todd was taken aback and turned to look at the nun at the bar. She winked at him.

He stood up, walked to the other side of the table, and gently pulled out a chair. When Todd unconsciously did these actions, both he and Karin were stunned. They both recalled the meal in Watchtower.

Watching the girl sit down, Todd sighed softly, returned to his seat, and for a moment didn't know how to start a conversation.

An awkward silence followed.

After a long pause, Todd coughed lightly and asked, "What are the local customs and habits?"

Karin nodded slightly.

Todd glanced at the girl resting her chin on her chest and said, "Back in the circus, you were a well-known star. Now you're stuck in a hotel. Don't you feel sad?"

Karin looked up and said in a puzzled tone, "Why be sad? Everything here is great. I see new things every day, and as long as I work hard, I will always reap the rewards. But in the circus, although I have no worries about food and clothing, and people applaud my performances, I feel like a caged bird, without freedom."

Todd was somewhat surprised. He looked the other person in the eye and said, "You mean, Muxi Town is better than that place?"

“Of course.” Karin rested her index finger on her chin, looking upwards as she recalled, “Uncle Hudgens once told me that he found meaning in life here, and there are things he would protect with his life; Grandpa Aiden also told me that he used to be just a discriminated-against craftsman, but now his work is respected, and his works can be found everywhere in town; and Sassoon, who brings us vegetables, tells everyone that there are no whips here, no heavy taxes, and his life is getting better every day…”

Hearing the girl's words, Todd's heart gradually calmed down for some reason.

Karin recounted her experiences, becoming increasingly excited as she spoke. She talked about everything from the Sisters' Inn to the soon-to-open grand market, from the bustling night market to the arrival of a group of bards in town, and from the seaside lighthouse to the fishing boats that returned laden with their catch the day before yesterday.

Todd didn't interrupt her, and listened to the girl with a smile.

"...People say this place feels like a warm home..."

Hearing this, Todd's eyes went unfocused, and he murmured, "Home...?"

"It's snowing!"

Someone walked in from outside the hotel, pointing outside and calling out happily.

Karin stopped talking and happily ran towards the door.

Todd stood up and followed the girl out the door.

Large snowflakes fluttered and danced in the wind, settling on the land of Muxi Town and adorning the lively night. Children from every household rushed out of their homes, running and playing in the snow, listening to the sound of their shoes crunching on the snow, watching the snowflakes land on their tongues, laughing and frolicking together.

Karin joined the children's group. She stretched out her hands, and tiny, sparkling snowflakes landed on her palms, looking like pieces of transparent icing that slowly melted.

As Todd watched the snow fall heavier and heavier, his thoughts drifted back to that life-or-death night a year ago when he first arrived in this other world.

The snow fell heavily on his shoulders and head for a long time, until someone brushed the snow off him.

He turned his head, and Rachel rubbed her hands together, smiling as she asked him, "What are you thinking about? You were standing there motionless, like a statue."

Todd looked somewhat lonely, didn't speak, and shook his head.

Karin stood beside Rachel, her eyes filled with sadness, and carefully grasped his sleeve: "Todd, I don't know why, but I always feel like you're getting further and further away..."

"Far?"

Karin lowered her head, her eyes slightly moist: "When we first met, you would share our sorrows and laughter. In this past year, even though you were right beside us, it felt like you were drifting further and further away from us... You often stayed in your room alone for long periods without going out, and the smile you used to have was gone from your face. Even when something happened, you always silently bore it all by yourself..."

The girl kicked at the snowballs on the ground: "Uncle Huggins, Mr. Alfonso, Sister Rachel, Grandpa Aiden, Edgar, Little Jerry... and so many others, when they get together, they talk about you the most. Everyone wants to help you, but they don't know where to start..."

Rachel looked at Todd and gently brushed the snowflakes off his shoulders: "When a person's burden is too heavy, even the strongest spine will break one day. Why not try to find someone else to share the burden with?"

The latter stood in the heavy snow, the cold wind biting to the bone, but a warm current surged in his heart.

“Ratchet, I hope we can hold a meeting tonight…”

Snow blankets the world, and my heart is warmed, solitude has receded.

——————————————

That evening, in the chapel of the church in Muxi Town.

Standing on the pulpit, Todd first glanced at the people who were walking in through the door, then turned his attention back to the young deacon beside him.

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