Chapter 174: The Space for Love Is Limited

Time marches on inch by inch, a slow pace, yet also a wait.

The year-end snow.

It seems much slower than usual.

Even the witch in the snow, with her twirling figure as she holds her skirt, seems slowed down several times in Xu Xi's eyes.

Does she look good twirling?

Not really.

The witch's movements are clumsy, stiff and unnatural, and the expression on her face is very solemn, as if she is performing some grand, sacred task.

Such movements and such an expression are not associated with grace.

But Xu Xi likes this version of the witch.

He smiles.

Pure, flawless snowflakes flutter down from the sky; the falling snow blends with her gray hair, the hat's brim intersects with her eyes, and her bright, hollow eyes reflect the traces of light.

"…Mentor?"

Seeing Xu Xi's smile, the witch stops.

She thinks she has done something wrong.

Causing Xu Xi to laugh.

"Does it look bad?"

Her hollow eyes blink, revealing clear confusion from within the magnificent three-colored irises.

That scene is somewhat cute.

In the snow, the witch stands blankly; because of the sudden stop, her Witch Hat is slightly tilted, showing a unique kind of obedience amidst the disorder.

"No," Xu Xi shakes his head, dismissing the witch's guess.

"Klisa looks very good wearing it."

As he speaks, he walks up to the witch, reaches out both hands to grasp either side of the wide brim, and adjusts the hat for her.

During this process.

Xu Xi's fingers touch the witch's gray-silver hair.

It is a very smooth sensation.

A silent, sharp contrast to the parched dryness of their first meeting.

Klisa stands quietly in place, feeling the warm hands pass by her ears, lightly brushing her hair as they adjust the oversized Witch Hat for her.

The winter cold seems to be blocked out, bringing a warm sanctuary to the witch.

Once the adjustment is finished.

She politely thanks Xu Xi: "Thank you."

She is thanking Xu Xi for fixing her attire.

And also for his compliment.

It wasn't that the hat looked good, but that Klisa looked good wearing it.

The clumsy witch catches the key words, and an indescribable joy rises and falls in her chest, causing ripples to appear in her eyes.

Xu Xi asks: "Klisa, is the hat uncomfortable to wear?"

The witch shakes her head.

"That's good then." Xu Xi takes a few steps back to observe Klisa from head to toe from a further, more comprehensive perspective.

He nods with satisfaction, showing an appreciative expression.

"Not bad, not bad at all. This hat suits you very well, Klisa."

"It gives off a very mysterious aura."

Xu Xi thinks that the witch at this moment is quite beautiful; she not only has an exquisite face but also a magnificent posture. Her long gray-silver hair and the black pointed hat complement each other, making her very eye-catching.

He praises her from the bottom of his heart.

And buys the hat.

The hat isn't expensive; it's just a regular price.

"Mentor, is this… my New Year's gift?" After leaving the hat shop, the witch asks Xu Xi.

"Of course not."

Xu Xi is somewhat surprised by the witch's question.

He explains with a smile that this is just a common item and doesn't count as a New Year's gift.

Xu Xi feels that using a trinket bought by the roadside as an important New Year's gift would be somewhat irresponsible.

The reason he bought the Witch Hat this time.

Was simply because he felt the hat suited Klisa, and Klisa was interested in it.

That was all.

"Is that what you think…"

Her slender white fingertips touch the necklace on her chest, then reach up to the brim of the hat, lightly stroking it for half a circle, feeling these two items gifted by Xu Xi.

The witch feels that these two completely different items share a similar essence.

It is something hard to describe.

A warmth that can thaw a frozen heart.

"Mentor…"

Klisa speaks softly: "Let this hat be my New Year's gift…"

The gift itself isn't important.

The value isn't important.

What matters is the sentiment hidden within the gift.

The immortal witch has already felt that warmth from Xu Xi; it envelops her at all times, driving away the cold of the harsh winter for her.

"I really like the gift… you gave me."

The witch adds.

Her flat voice seems different than before, like a smooth-flowing stream that has gained a few splashing waves.

"This—"

Xu Xi hesitates; he still feels that giving a common hat is a bit too perfunctory.

But since Klisa likes it and says she wants it to be so.

Xu Xi can only agree.

"Alright, as long as Klisa likes it."

Xu Xi chuckles and continues leading the witch through the quiet streets of Yanshan City, heading back toward the Courtyard.

Events often develop beyond expectations.

Xu Xi didn't expect that one of the three New Year's gifts that had been troubling him would be resolved so coincidentally.

"Now, only Mo Li's and Yingxue's are left."

"I hope the rest will go just as smoothly."

Feet move, crushing the silence of the winter day.

Gaze looks out, taking in the frost-covered city.

The winter sun shines on the snow, reflecting a shifting halo; amidst the blurred dreaminess, it is crushed by the passing pedestrians.

Xu Xi leads Klisa by the hand through the noisy main road, then turns into a quiet alley, lightly stepping up the stairs, moving from the shadows toward the light.

The witch allows herself to be led.

In a daze.

She recalls that day from long ago.

A dark, windowless alley, the foul smell of decay, and then a piercing light shining into the darkness, gently taking her hand and leading her toward the light.

Just like now.

Klisa takes off her hat.

One of her hands is held by Xu Xi, while the other lightly grips the hat, pressing it against her chest.

The overly wide brim would obscure her vision, preventing the witch from seeing the full extent of the 'light,' so she takes the hat off.

"Mentor."

The outline of the Courtyard appears before them.

At the moment they are about to return home, Klisa asks Xu Xi a strange question:

"Is the power of love truly infinite?"

Xu Xi is slightly stunned, and his pace stops: "I'm not sure either, but perhaps it is."

"What's wrong, Klisa, to suddenly ask such a question?"

"It's nothing…"

The witch shakes her head.

She gazes blankly at the high, distant sky.

The power of love might indeed be infinite, as her mentor said.

But—

The space for love is limited.

Warm and burning love is the only salvation in the cold winter, and those who covet it are countless.

The witch does not have a greedy or selfish personality.

But she doesn't like crowds.

And even less does she like allowing others to occupy her space, making her unable to see the sun's light or feel the warmth of that light.

Ah, how annoying…

Klisa silently tightens her grip on Xu Xi's hand.

The shadow born from the light no longer wishes to follow silently, passively moving forward together.

This time, the shadow will take the initiative to catch up to the light and walk alongside it.

"Let's go, Klisa, we're home."

"…Yes."