When they arrived at Fang Xue's house, Luo Chen stopped the car.

The two of them didn't exchange a single word the entire way.

Outside the dark villa, Fang Xue got out of the car and stood to the side without going in.

Luo Chen looked at her, nodded, started the key, and prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute." Fang Xue called out to Luo Chen, as if she had something to say.

Luo Chen didn't say anything, he just looked at her.

"Thank you for bringing me back."

Luo Chen nodded: "It's nothing, go back and rest early."

"Um."

Fang Xue responded, but remained standing in the same spot.

Is there anything else?

Luo Chen was puzzled by Fang Xue's appearance.

Fang Xue gazed at him, shook her head slightly, and sighed, "I just feel like you've suddenly changed."

Tonight's events were somewhat different from usual; Luo Chen exuded a more domineering aura and confidence.

Compared to how he had seen her before, Luo Chen felt a sense of unfamiliarity with her today.

It seemed that Luo Chen was a completely different person when they met again.

Moreover, his demeanor has changed, giving him an alluring charm.

Luo Chen smiled but didn't say anything.

Before, I lived my life as if I were wearing a mask for the sake of the plot. Now that the mask has been taken off, I will naturally become my original self.

He didn't intend to tell Fang Xue these things.

Fang Xue hesitated for a moment, then gently pursed her lips as if she had made a decision, and asked, "Luo Chen, I want to ask you a question."

"What's the problem?"

"Did you... ever truly love me?"

Fang Xue thought back to that day, her birthday, Luo Chen's behavior, and his performance. At that time, Fang Xue was happy.

Although, I embarrassed myself more times than ever before.

I've never had that kind of experience before.

At that time, Luo Chen's emotions gave her a strange feeling, as if the two of them were in a romantic relationship.

This is outrageous, Fang Xue understands.

In his heart, she was just the female lead in the book, and his character and the plot forced him to interact with her.

None of his actions were what he truly wanted to do.

Moreover, he never truly expressed his feelings of liking someone.

If it weren't for Luo Chen appearing at the banquet tonight, when she was feeling helpless and confused...

This issue will probably never be brought up again.

In her heart, she already had the answer, but for some reason, she still wanted to ask it.

Luo Chen looked at her and remained silent for a long time. A cold wind blew, making her hair flutter, which, combined with her outfit tonight, created a beautiful scene.

Her eyes were fixed on it, seeking an answer.

Luo Chen pondered for a long time, unable to think of any reason not to hurt her.

After a while, Luo Chen started the key, and the roar of the sports car began.

He said, "Don't you already have the answer in your heart? So my answer isn't very important to you."

"It's late, you should go back and rest early."

"……good."

"Um."

Luo Chen drove away.

Fang Xue stood silently in place, watching him leave.

Fang Xue only looked away when she could no longer see him.

She looked up at the night sky; the stars were bright tonight, and even the moon was round.

But Luo Chen's answer made her feel as if she saw gloom obscuring such a beautiful night.

White snowflakes suddenly fell and landed on her.

Fang Xue suddenly remembered that today was Christmas Day, and it had finally snowed again in Ningcheng.

Snowflakes drifted down, and she stretched out her hand, opening it wide. Snowflakes landed on her hand, and the warmth of her palm caused the falling snowflakes to turn into water droplets.

Looking at the water droplet, Fang Xue murmured to herself, "Merry Christmas..."

These words seemed to be spoken to herself, yet also to the person who had already left.

Luo Chen returned to the entrance of the residential area.

We haven't gone in yet.

Under the streetlights, a beautiful figure stood there.

She was dressed warmly, with a scarf and a woolen hat.

A pair of high boots covered most of her straight, beautiful legs, leaving only her calves under the skirt to be admired.

Cai Jingya.

She stood there.

Luo Chen stopped the car, puzzled as to why Cai Jingya was here at this time.

"Luo Chen, have you missed me?"

Cai Jingya greeted them sweetly as she walked over.

Luo Chen's face darkened; he was truly having a headache dealing with Cai Jingya, this little devil.

"What are you doing here so late at night?"

Me?

Cai Jingya tilted her head cutely, then laughed, waving the bags she was carrying in both hands in front of Luo Chen.

"Isn't today Christmas? That's why I've come here to give you a present."

"Gift?"

Luo Chen cautiously examined the bag, watching Cai Jingya warily.

The last time the cosplay store ripped him off, all the cosplay clothes were packed up and sent to her home.

It's Christmas today, that's true, but Cai Jingya was so kind as to give him a gift.

Luo Chen dared not accept it.

Who knows if there are women's cosplay outfits inside? What if Cai Jingya suddenly gets a pervert and makes him dress up as a woman?

Hey! What's with that expression?!

Cai Jingya glared at Luo Chen.

Luo Chen scoffed, "What kind of gift could you possibly give me? You probably just want to see me make a fool of myself!"

"How can you talk like that? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"You are it."

"..."

Cai Jingya was speechless, revealing her little tiger teeth and the urge to bite Luo Chen.

"See, I was right."

"Luo Chen!"

Cai Jingya threw the bag directly into Luo Chen's car. Luo Chen dodged it, and the bag landed on the passenger seat, its contents rolling out.

It was a bright red apple, and half of a scarf was sticking out.

Cai Jingya pointed at the bag and glared at it, saying, "Excuse me, Young Master Luo, how did these two items embarrass you?"

Luo Chen looked over and his gaze froze.

It was quite unexpected that Cai Jingya would give him something like this.

Cai Jingya walked to the passenger side, opened the car door, put her things away, and got in.

Luo Chen watched her actions without saying a word.

Cai Jingya took the apple out again and placed it in Luo Chen's hand.

"Although Christmas Eve has passed, Christmas Day is similar in meaning to Christmas Eve. This apple symbolizes peace and safety, so you should keep it safe."

Then, Cai Jingya took out the red scarf.

"I knitted this myself. It's getting cold, so remember to take care of yourself. Here, let me wrap it around you."

Cai Jingya gently wrapped the scarf around Luo Chen's neck, a familiar gesture.

Some long-forgotten memories surfaced in his mind.

In my memory, there was a girl who did the same thing, specially giving him apples on Christmas and putting a hand-knitted scarf on him that day.

Unfortunately, that girl is no longer with us.

We'll never see it again.

Cai Jingya's actions seemed to gradually overlap with a figure in the scene.

Subconsciously, Luo Chen's voice trembled as he asked.

"Cai Jingya, who... exactly are you?"

Cai Jingya tilted her head slightly, her clear eyes reflecting Luo Chen's face.

She smiled sweetly.

"Young Master Luo, what are you trying to do? Are you so touched by the scarf I gave you that you want to pursue me? Even though you're good-looking, I'm very picky, you know~"