I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

He urged him softly.

The painter pursed his lips and stepped into the house. He stood outside the door, his umbrella shielding him from the wind and snow, and also from his face.

"Sir, it's cold at night, please remember to drink some hot soup to warm yourself up. Make sure the windows are closed and you're covered with a blanket. I..."

Before Bai Zhou could finish speaking, the artist suddenly turned around and pulled him inside.

The umbrella fell to the ground, and the melting snow on it dripped down.

The narrow wooden door was pressed down firmly by his broad back, keeping the wind, snow and cold outside firmly.

“Ah Xi…”

He could clearly feel the trembling of the woman in his arms and hear the joy in her voice.

At that moment, he didn't want to ask anything, and all his worries vanished.

■

"Your Highness, are you pleased?"

When the lynx found daylight on the street, the satisfied smile on his face was incredibly striking.

"It's the New Year, of course I'm happy."

Raising his hand to brush the snowflakes off the lynx's head, Bai Tian's words were filled with joy.

"I see."

The lynx didn't ask any further questions. She had only come to find Bai Zhou for New Year's Eve dinner. As for where he had been and who he had met during this time, she neither cared nor would she care. After all, she was just a harmless lynx; what bad intentions could a cat possibly have?

"Let's go back, Kal'tsit. It's almost time, don't keep Adu and the others waiting."

This year, Kal'tsit didn't miss the New Year's Eve dinner. After all, how could she be left alone in her room during this joyous occasion, watching everyone celebrate the festival by herself?

"Oh, right."

Bai Zhou turned around and smiled gently at her.

Happy New Year, Kal'tsit.

Happy New Year, Your Highness.

"So, will there be any red envelopes for New Year's? Kal'tsit."

The happiest thing during Chinese New Year is asking elders for red envelopes.

He had just received New Year's gifts from Xi, so naturally he wouldn't forget about the lynx.

"Your Highness, here you go."

The lynx had already prepared the red envelopes, just waiting for daylight to arrive.

"Thank you, Kal'tsit."

After receiving the red envelope containing the lynx's stipend, Bai Zhou carefully placed it in his pocket, and then, taking advantage of the lynx's inattention, picked her up in one swift motion.

"Your Highness!"

The lynx's screams were drowned out by the sound of firecrackers; all she could hear was Bai Tian's laughter.

"Haha, let's go back for dinner."

"..."

As the brushstrokes flowed, two figures were prominently depicted on the scroll, leaning against each other with joyful expressions, seemingly discussing something blissful.

"Xi, you are such a selfish and domineering woman."

She should have let go, but because of her own feelings, she took him for herself.

Doesn't that make all those things she did back then seem ridiculous and foolish?

But even if she had to play the clown, she... didn't want to lose this opportunity again, and she didn't want to lose him again.

Brother, country, all that can go with the wind. She only wanted that fool, that fool who would believe whatever she said.

He pulled the blanket up his lap, drank the hot soup from the bowl, and contentedly lay down on the table, closing his eyes.

Even if she never wakes up from this dream, her life has been enough.

If we get soaked in the snow together today, we can be considered to have grown old together in this life.

In that case, I will have no regrets.

"Today we gather together in joy and happiness."

After the New Year's Eve dinner, the little one was put to sleep. During the day, the brothers sat together, drinking and chatting. While laughing, they watched as Du's wife, Mu, talked with the lynx about some marital matters.

"Kal'tsit, how was your evening?"

After leaving the family dinner, Bai Zhou walked with the lynx on the veranda to digest their food, asking her with concern how she felt that night.

"I thoroughly enjoyed myself, Your Highness."

"The food was excellent, the drinks were also very good, and the Empress was very talkative and kind."

Lynx had drunk some wine tonight, and because of Mu's words, she became quite talkative. A blush appeared on her fair cheeks, and in the pale yellow light of the lanterns hanging in the corridor, she seemed to have lost some of her scholarly aloofness and gained more of a woman's tenderness.

"Kal'tsit, if this makes you happy, then tonight wasn't wasted."

"The snow is going to be heavy, let's go back."

During the day, he took her hand and led her towards the dormitory.

Walking beside him, Kal'tsit looked up at him, but because of his height, she could only see his profile.

She couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

In the blink of an eye, the boy who once walked alone on the Heavenly Punishment Platform with his unwavering will has grown much taller than her, and he can easily solve even the most difficult problems.

The dragon's former naiveté has long since disappeared as he has grown up.

But he was always so lonely.

Although he had only lived here for a few months, Kal'tsit knew clearly that he was still walking alone in this country, just like before.

Of those who once surrounded him, how many are still alive today?

Those old ministers who loved and respected him are all gone now, leaving only their descendants to continue to follow the monarch they once served; his most trusted uncle also fell by the erosion of time, entrusting his child to him like his father; the immortals he was close to mostly regarded him as their sovereign, while they addressed each other as subjects, their relationship both close and distant.

Now, there are only a handful of people he can talk to openly. In another sixty years, he won't even have a single person left to confide in.

How helpless he must have felt back then!

"Your Highness..."

"What's wrong, Kal'tsit?"

Hearing the call, the dragon turned its head and looked at her.

"Your Highness..."

A faint smile appeared on the lynx's face.

"I just... wanted to call out to you."

"Kal'tsit".

The dragon was slightly taken aback, then grinned, picked up the lynx, and, hearing her exclamation, laughed as he carried her freely through the corridor.

With a thud, the two of them fell into the snow together. But neither of them complained; instead, they were even more delighted.

"Kal'tsit".

He scooped the lynx up, brushed the snow off her, and lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze meeting hers.

"Your Highness, I'm listening."

"Kal'tsit, I swear to you. No matter what happens from now on, Kal'tsit will always be my best friend. If Kal'tsit ever encounters difficulties, just come to me, and I will do everything in my power to help you."

Bai Zhou raised his hand and placed three black scales into her palm.

“Use the scales as proof, and the burning of the scales will bring the result.”

"Your Highness..."

Before the lynx could say anything, Bai Zhou picked her up again.

"Kal'tsit, your clothes are all wet. Quick, let's go back and change and go to sleep."

He ran with the lynx in his arms, the wind blowing across his face and stirring his thoughts.

He was aware of the lynx's concern for him, and he was sincerely grateful for the lynx's help. He also knew that the lynx would not stay under him for long and would leave again when the time came.

Therefore, he was willing to do what he could for her and provide her with help within his capabilities.

Kal'tsit, my friend, may our friendship be like the towering mountains and the twin moons in the night sky, unchanging for a thousand years and unwavering for ten thousand generations.

Returning to Meicheng on the 22nd!

【Heavenly Book Mansion】

"So this spell can be cast like this... Truly worthy of a master's skill..."

A servant approached the lynx, who was recording in the book, and whispered to her:

"My lord... the Dragon Lord has summoned you."

"Dragon Lord... I understand. Please return this book to its original place for me."

Kal'tsit closed the book, put away her notes, gave her instructions to her attendant, and then got up and left the room.

"Kal'tsit, over here."

Once outside, she saw Bai Zhou standing on the veranda. At his call, Kal'tsit hurried toward him.

"Your Highness."

Approaching him, Kal'tsit gave him a slight bow as a greeting, then asked:

"I wonder what important matter Your Highness has summoned me for?"

"It is indeed an important matter. Come with me first."

Instead of explaining immediately, Bai Zhou took her hand and led her away from the Heavenly Book Mansion.