Outside, the heavy snow falls, further enhancing the tranquility and harmony within the room. The burning fire makes the girlās face glow rosy red.
Due to the sudden cold weather, the smell of charcoal fire isnāt as overwhelming as it usually would be.
The sound of burning is reassuring, and the girl is quite beautiful, with her smooth long hair draped over her shoulders, adding a gentle softness.
The atmosphere is perfect... as it should be.
āā
Clothing?
Miss Yunās words were like a cold splash, dampening Xu Changāanās enthusiasm. He then realized Yun Qian had been concerned about her clothing this whole time, while he had deliberately shifted his attention away from her for various reasons.
Now that his enthusiasm fell, he recalled the girlās casual mention of feeling cold had been dismissed so easily.
With another girl, one might question if he didnāt love her.
"Ahem, naturally, Missās clothing is beautiful." Xu Changāan reached out to tug on the white fur of Yun Qianās garment: "Do you know what this is?"
"..."
Yun Qian just felt that Xu Changāanās attempt to change the subject was as awkward as her own.
The girl touched the soft edge of her jacket and then said, "I donāt know."
"It should be hare fur." Xu Changāan looked out at the snow-covered scene beyond the window.
"Snow... hare?" Yun Qian was unclear about Xu Changāanās intent.
"Hare fur is very soft, and when sewn tightly, itās not easy to let the wind through. But this bit on Missās garment is merely for decoration, as hares are naturally very beautiful." Xu Changāan admired the girl in front of him with her little mood swings and smiled softly.
The charcoal scent in the room grew stronger, making Xu Changāan even more eager to go for a walk.
"What are you trying to say?" Yun Qian was puzzled.
"I wanted to say... hares are not originally this color." Xu Changāan recollected something, "In summer, the hareās fur is dark, mostly reddish-brown, not the crystal you see now."
"...Really?" Yun Qian responded.
"Thatās what books say. Hares, to adapt to the snowy winter environment, become more pristine white... but eventually fall victim to humans, becoming a decoration on clothing." Xu Changāan lamented.
"...I see." Yun Qian nodded, Liu Mei slightly furrowing: "So, what are you trying to say?"
"I mean, since hares become more beautiful because of the snow, then compared to the decorations on Missās clothing, itās only natural for me to be more attracted to the snow." Xu Changāan spoke earnestly: "After all, the hareās beauty stems from the snow."
"...?"
Silence.
After speaking, Xu Changāan even imagined a delicate question mark floating above the girlās head.
"Donāt tilt your head like that... acting cute." Xu Changāan coughed lightly and walked to the window, speaking seriously: "Since even the hare becomes pretty for the snow, people must be the same. Letās go out for a walk together."
Xu Changāan glanced at the thick garment on Yun Qian and thought about the warm innerwear he handpicked for her, then reached out to push the window open.
The cold wind instantly rushed in, accompanied by fresh air, brushing Xu Changāanās face, invigorating him.
The window fully opened, revealing a silver world, the scene very beautiful.
"..." Yun Qian couldnāt help but take a step back, hiding behind Xu Changāan, instinctively reaching out to his garmentās open neckline.
"What are you doing?" Xu Changāan helplessly caught Yun Qianās mischievous hand: "Youāre weak, the intense charcoal scent might make you dizzy. A bit of fresh air is needed."
He had tried it himself.
Snow fell rapidly and accumulated quickly, but it didnāt feel too cold.
Logically, the real chill should come when the snow melts.
"Open the window and itās cold, let me warm up." Yun Qian pressed tightly against Xu Changāan. If she were any smaller, she might appear to burrow into his embrace.
Only in moments like these does the girl show an adorable helplessness.
"Didnāt I give you a hand warmer?" Xu Changāan pointed at the hand warmer hanging around Yun Qianās neck: "Use that to warm your hands."
Without thinking, Yun Qian took off the warmer and threw it on the ground, looking at Xu Changāan, her tone calm: "Not as warm as you."
"...I really canāt handle you." Xu Changāan said, grabbing Yun Qianās hands and stuffing them into his clothes.
Yun Qian was delighted; she watched the falling snow outside, her gaze shifting to Xu Changāanās profile, observing his shining eyes, and said softly: "You... really do like snow."
"Shouldnāt I like it?" Xu Changāan leaned against the window, feeling the snowflakes on his face, laughing: "As a butler, when Miss doesnāt like something, I naturally shouldnāt either."
This was the self-restraint of a butler.
But wait, he was no longer a butler.
"I want to hear the truth." Yun Qian blinked.
"The truth is, east wind heralds a new year, auspicious snow promises a bountiful harvest." Xu Changāan looked at the snow-white world seriously: "A bountiful harvest is Changāan, how could I not like it?"
"Changāan?" Yun Qian was taken aback; she hadnāt thought of it from this angle.
If snow represents Changāan, then she would like snow.
"Alright, Miss shouldnāt let me persuade you." Xu Changāan stretched lazily, "Everything in the world has two sides, the so-called auspicious snow signifies a prosperous year, seemingly like Changāan... but sometimes, the harsh winter weather brings not peace, but disaster."