It was noisy behind her.
The mall speakers were playing a cheerful song, children ran past her carrying balloons, and an announcement sounded in the distance, calling moviegoers to the ticket checkpoint.
But suddenly, all those sounds seemed far away.
All that remained was the sound of her heart pounding violently in her chest.
Once, twice, deafeningly loud.
Her memories fluttered like pages blown open by the wind, turning back to the station where they had parted, back to that summer filled with the smell of engine oil.
Two years ago, he had hardened his heart and pushed her away, telling her to keep going and not look back.
Because he would no longer be there waiting behind her.
Two years later, beneath this Christmas tree hung with wishes.
He had crossed mountains and seas just to tell her-
"Look back."
"I've been here all along."
Pu Yu's fingers began trembling uncontrollably around her phone.
Standing beside the glass railing, she turned around slowly, as though afraid of shattering some beautiful dream.
In the brightly lit mall atrium, the three-story Christmas tree was covered in golden bells and red presents, its star casting a gentle glow from the top.
And beneath those brilliant lights, amid the laughing crowds coming and going, stood a figure so familiar she wanted to cry.
Yuan Su stood right there.
He wore that long black coat, his posture straight, snow still resting on his shoulders that he hadn't had time to brush away, a bouquet of roses in his arms.
Across a dozen or so meters, their eyes met.
Pu Yu felt her eyes grow hot in an instant.
She couldn't hold back that aching, burning rush of emotion.
Yuan Su casually ended the call and opened his arms, a bold yet tender smile curling