In late December, Christmas is approaching.

In recent years, the Christmas atmosphere has grown increasingly festive. Since early December, shopping malls have launched various Christmas discounts, promotions, and limited editions. Christmas trees adorned with small colored lights and bells can be seen everywhere, making the cold and dry winter somehow feel tender and romantic.

One of the most anticipated things about Christmas is probably snow.

The weather forecast the day before had predicted no snow for Christmas, but upon waking in the morning, the world outside was already wrapped in silver, covered with a thick layer of snow.

Looking out from the bedroom window, the artificial lake had a layer of ice, with snow floating on top.

Because of this sudden and unexpected snow, everyone’s social media feeds were flooded early in the morning, making this Christmas feel even more atmospheric.

Jiang Wang wasn’t so romantic.

In his memory, he had rarely celebrated Christmas. Only when he was very young, when his mother was still alive, would she spend time and effort decorating the house.

However, these memories didn’t leave a deep impression on his mind. Now his memories of Christmas were mixed with commerce and profit—the several large shopping malls under his company launching activities to cater to the market, with sales performance doubling.

Despite saying this, Jiang Wang looked up at Shi Niannian standing in front of him with her back turned. She stood in front of the cabinet, holding a red and white greeting card sprinkled with gold powder, exquisite.

Her slender, fair fingers opened the card, and the faint scent of plum blossoms wafted out.

Shi Niannian looked focused as she examined the card repeatedly.

Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui sat beside him, one wearing a small Christmas hat, both lazily curled up on the sofa, looking somewhat dispirited.

The reason was simple, stemming from their mother, Shi Niannian, who was very enthusiastic about Christmas.

After having two children, she had bought many parenting books, which talked about protecting children’s innocence and childlike wonder, as well as their unrealistic fantasies.

Santa Claus was one of them.

Before Christmas, the kindergarten teachers gave everyone cards to write down what Christmas gifts they wanted, and then gave them to parents, suggesting they prepare surprises for the children.

This perfectly aligned with Shi Niannian’s educational philosophy. She wanted Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui to believe at this age that Santa Claus existed and would place gifts by their beds on Christmas Eve.

So she bought a pair of large plush stockings for each of them in advance, hanging them by their beds.

Shi Niannian pulled Jiang Wang along, full of anticipation and curiosity as they opened the gift cards written by Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui.

“…”

In the kindergarten parents’ group chat, parents were sharing their children’s wishes. Some were heartwarming, like wanting their business-trip fathers to come home for the holiday, while others wanted little dresses or game consoles.

Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui had written the same thing—childish handwriting on the colorful card paper: “Want a Santa Claus.”

Shi Niannian was stumped. She looked at Jiang Wang: “What do we do now?”

Jiang Wang was languid, not looking at all troubled or concerned about this matter. Sitting beside her, his index finger twirled around the ends of her hair.

He slowly offered a solution: “Why don’t you dress them up as Santa Claus?”

Jiang Wang said it casually, but Shi Niannian thought it was a good idea. She bought two children’s Santa Claus costumes and, after the boys fell asleep that night, sneaked into their bedroom and stuffed them into the large stockings.

Early the next morning, she even acted it out, saying these were sent by Santa Claus last night. Afraid they might be unhappy, she explained softly: “Santa Claus still needs to deliver gifts to other children and is very busy, so he left you two sets of clothes. You can be Santa Claus yourselves.”

Jiang Wang sat in the living room, watching her crouch in front of the two little kids saying those childish things, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui were obedient, neither crying nor making a fuss, but they were somewhat resistant when putting on the Santa Claus costumes. However, as soon as Jiang Wang’s gaze swept over, the two closed their mouths and obediently put on the clothes.

This was probably a “house rule” formed imperceptibly—everyone in this house had to humor Shi Niannian, and the two little kids were no exception.

Shi Niannian finally tightened the small black belts around their waists and was delighted to see the two little dolls.

They were just too cute.

She went back to the bedroom to get the camera. Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui looked at each other, then moved to sit on the sofa next to Jiang Wang, swinging their legs.

Jiang Shen suddenly turned his head: “Dad.”

“Hmm?”

“Did Mom buy these clothes herself?”

Jiang Wang paused, not daring to rashly undermine Shi Niannian’s grand educational plan, so he asked: “Why do you say that?”

Jiang Sui continued his brother’s thought, looking up: “Because our house doesn’t have a chimney.”

Fairy tales said Santa Claus climbs in through the chimney.

Jiang Shen nodded, asking with confusion: “And isn’t Santa Claus just a fairy tale character?”

The brothers took after who knows whom, but they had never believed in Santa Claus’s existence from the beginning. So when they filled out the kindergarten cards, they very half-heartedly wrote that they wanted a Santa Claus.

Because they knew he didn’t exist, it was a deliberate prank by the little boys.

Who knew they’d end up shooting themselves in the foot, having to play cosplay with their mother early in the morning.

Jiang Wang laughed, ruffling their Christmas hats: “Don’t tell your mom that you know there’s no Santa Claus.”

Shi Niannian came down from the second floor with the camera, and the family of four took a set of photos on Christmas morning.

In the evening, the family went out to eat. They arrived early, so Shi Niannian went to browse an accessories store.

Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui had changed out of their Santa Claus outfits but still wore the Christmas hats, both secretly feeling that these red hats diminished their masculinity.

The accessories store was filled with groups of friends and couples. Seeing the father and sons sitting on a resting sofa nearby, all exceptionally handsome, many turned their heads to look.

Shi Niannian turned around with the greeting card, asking: “Does it look nice?”

The two children raised their eyelids slightly, then nodded.

Seeing them sitting there getting drowsy, Shi Niannian quickened her pace, bought a few greeting cards, checked out, and went to dinner.

Cheerful Christmas songs played on the streets. After dinner, they browsed for a while before driving home. Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui had woken up early today and fell asleep in the car.

Jiang Wang carried one in each arm into the house, handing them to the housekeeper to take back to their rooms to sleep.

Night gradually fell.

Shi Niannian had washed her hair but hadn’t completely dried it. With a towel covering her head, she held her phone, selecting a few photos taken today to post on social media.

Both she and Jiang Wang rarely posted on social media. As soon as she posted, a group of people immediately liked it, howling about forming a team to steal her children.

Jiang Wang came out after showering, bringing a hair dryer to help Shi Niannian dry her hair.

He leaned forward, tossed away the phone, and pressed her down, biting her ear and asking hoarsely: “The two little brats have their gifts. There’s still an hour before Christmas ends.”

He paused, his tongue wrapping around her earlobe, “Can I unwrap my gift now?”

Previously, Jiang Chen had been a board member of No. 1 High School. After his death, his shares in the school were transferred to Jiang Wang. By calculation, shortly after graduating from high school, Jiang Wang became a board member of his alma mater.

Over the years, he hadn’t flaunted an image of a scholarly businessman passionate about education like Jiang Chen had before, so he hadn’t appeared at No. 1 High School as a board member.

However, this time it coincided with No. 1 High School’s 70th anniversary celebration, with a New Year’s Eve party inviting all board members.

The last time he went to No. 1 High School was with Shi Niannian, climbing over the wall at night. He hadn’t been back in years. Shi Niannian also wanted to see her former teachers, so she went with them.

Over the years, No. 1 High School’s uniforms had changed repeatedly, who knows how many versions. The current ones were quite similar to the ones they had worn—blue and white.

Shi Niannian and Jiang Wang arrived at the entrance of No. 1 High School in the evening.

Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui were playing at their aunt’s house. They planned to return to be with the two children for the New Year countdown after the No. 1 High School New Year’s Eve party ended.

Jiang Wang would have to sit in the front row among the leadership seats in a moment. He was dressed formally in a suit, looking serious and cold, with that aura of “Chairman Jiang” emanating from him.

No. 1 High School was beautiful at night, with snow not yet fully melted on the surrounding lawns.

Students performing tonight ran back and forth on the paths wearing their performance outfits. Shi Niannian was happy too, walking along the path, playing in the snow.

“Will you sit next to me later?” Jiang Wang leaned down slightly, asking by her ear.

“Huh?”

Shi Niannian looked down at her outfit—a creamy white fluffy dress with snow boots, a very casual look. Sitting in the front row like this would be quite strange.

Shi Niannian shook her head, “I’ll go find Teacher Cai and others, and sit behind their class section.”

Jiang Wang didn’t stop her, just cautioned her not to wander off.

Shi Niannian smiled: “I studied here for a year and a half, how could I get lost?”

The two walked inside. They had arrived a bit late, and the hall had already dimmed its lights, with only the stage brightly lit.

Shi Niannian’s night vision wasn’t good, so Jiang Wang didn’t rush to take his seat, accompanying her as they walked toward the back rows.

Cai Yucai was still a homeroom teacher, now for Class 1 of the senior year. Liu Guoqi, the former English teacher, was the homeroom teacher for Class 2 of the senior year.

The seats for the several senior classes were all clustered together.

Cai Yucai was the first to spot the two, craning his neck to look for a while before standing up abruptly, enthusiastically waving to them both, attracting the attention of his students.

“Jiang Wang! Shi Niannian!” Cai Yucai called out their names without hesitation, “You two came together!”

“Yes,” Shi Niannian smiled as she walked over, “Teacher Cai.”

Jiang Wang also followed with a greeting: “Teacher Cai.”

Liu Guoqi noticed the commotion and quickly came over. They both greeted him with “Teacher Liu.”

Liu Guoqi had a loud voice and laughed heartily: “Well, what a day! Our top scholar and the defending top scholar are here together, perfect timing to bring some luck to our senior students.”

Jiang Wang didn’t stay long, chatting for a while before getting up to walk to the leadership seats in front.

Many observant female students noticed the handsome man, their gazes following him as he took his seat. Some even stood up, stretching their necks and squinting to see the name on the plate on the table.

Unfortunately, the lighting was too dim, and one would need to focus to see even up close.

A bold female student turned to ask Cai Yucai: “Old Cai, was that handsome guy just now a director of our school? He looks so young!”

Shi Niannian heard this and smiled, noticing that today’s students still called him “Old Cai” and were just as casual in front of him.

Before Cai Yucai could answer, Liu Guoqi beside him roared: “How old are you?! With the college entrance exam coming up, do you have no sense? How many points did you get in the last monthly English test?!”

This roar was so familiar, thunderous. The girl shrank her neck and sat back down obediently. Shi Niannian’s eyes curved as she couldn’t help but laugh.

Cai Yucai shook his head, waving his hand: “This Old Liu, teaching for so many years without ruining his voice is quite an achievement.”

The hosts went on stage, beginning by introducing the school leaders.

When it came to Jiang Wang, the man stood up, turned to face the audience, and gave a slight bow.

Shi Niannian clapped along with everyone else. Suddenly, the girl who had spoken earlier exclaimed “Ah!” and tugged at the sleeve of the girl next to her, saying excitedly: “Jiang Wang!! That’s Jiang Wang!!”

“…” Shi Niannian didn’t realize Jiang Wang’s name still had such an effect at the school.

What kind of person had she married?

After the school leaders’ introductions ended, the first performance began.

At Shi Niannian and Jiang Wang’s wedding, they had also invited their former teachers, but there were too many people that day. Their classmates had chatted with the teachers for a long time, but the two main characters hadn’t talked much.

Shi Niannian wasn’t there for the most nostalgic senior year, so Jiang Wang was the most they could talk about.

Liu Guoqi had taught for so many more years and encountered so many students, but he still vividly remembered Jiang Wang from his senior year.

“He studied hard back then. He was very smart—getting good grades wasn’t difficult for him at all, but he still pushed himself so hard that Old Cai and I were worried about him.” Liu Guoqi sighed, “The entire senior year, I didn’t have the heart to scold him once.”

Cai Yucai nodded, also sighing: “Indeed, it’s rare. I was his homeroom teacher before he took a leave of absence. Back then, he would occasionally get into fights and cause trouble, but then he suddenly changed completely. But now seeing you two, we teachers are truly happy for you both.”

They would likely connect Jiang Wang’s transformation in his senior year with Jiang Chen’s car accident—a young boy suddenly hit with tragic news, finally changing as a result.

Shi Niannian didn’t explain further. Jiang Chen was completely in the past for Jiang Wang. Now he was a father himself, with two sons who loved him. The incompleteness and brokenness of his family had been fully mended.

This time, Classes 1 and 2 of the senior year had a joint performance—a multi-person dance. As it was about to be their turn, Cai Yucai and Liu Guoqi got up to check on the preparation backstage.

Shi Niannian sat alone in the last row, watching the performances. Suddenly, the phone in her pocket vibrated.

She took it out. Jiang Wang had sent a message.

“Bored? Want to come sit in front?”

Shi Niannian was about to reply when a girl’s voice sounded in her ear: “Sister?”

She looked up; it was the girl who had been scolded by Teacher Liu earlier.

“What is it?” Shi Niannian’s voice was very gentle.

The girl immediately relaxed from her previous nervous state: “That board member Jiang Wang, was he a student at No. 1 High School before?”

“Ah, yes.”

Shi Niannian nodded, quickly replying to the message.

“Not bored. Met a little fan of yours.”

“Sister, are you his girlfriend?” the girl asked.

Shi Niannian smiled and said, “We’ve been married for several years.”

“That’s marrying young!”

“Well, I guess so. We got married after graduating from university,” Shi Niannian said.

“Wow.” The girl exclaimed dramatically, covering her face, “Our coach still mentions ‘Jiang Wang’ to us every day! Always scolding us!”

Shi Niannian was taken aback: “Coach?”

“I’m a sports student.” The girl patted her arm and struck a pose, “The 100-meter and 1000-meter school sports meet records are all held by Jiang Wang. It’s been several years, and our coach always scolds us, saying that after so much training, we still can’t outrun someone who wasn’t even a sports student.”

The girl leaned back in her chair, counting meticulously, “He also says our grades are poor, while the record holder was also the top scholar.”

Shi Niannian hadn’t expected that besides Jiang Wang’s reputation as the school heartthrob and top scholar, there were people who remembered him for his athletic achievements.

But she quickly realized something was amiss.

When she was in school, Jiang Ling had told her about Jiang Wang’s good athletic performance. The school’s 100-meter record was his even before he came to their class, but she had never heard that he was also the 1000-meter record holder.

Jiang Wang also didn’t seem like the type who would voluntarily participate in sports meets.

When did he run the 1000 meters?

“Sister, did you also study at No. 1 High School?”

Shi Niannian brought her thoughts back: “Yes.”

“Don’t tell me you and that Director Jiang were high school sweethearts?!” the girl asked in surprise.

This girl was from Teacher Cai’s class and was still in her senior year. Shi Niannian thought for a moment and only said: “He and I were classmates in high school.”

“Wow.” The girl said enviously, “Then you must have seen his 1000-meter race in person. It was so cool!! We can only watch videos!”

Shi Niannian paused: “There are videos?”

“Yes, it’s in a very old post in the school forum.” The girl surreptitiously pulled out her phone from her pocket.

Today’s No. 1 High School was much stricter about phone checks than before, and there were teachers everywhere at this evening event. The girl had just lit up her phone screen before flipping it face down again.

“Sister, I’m afraid teachers might come over. Can I borrow your phone for a second? I’ll find it for you to see.”

Shi Niannian looked at the date on the post and calculated in her mind—it was during their senior year.

The girl clicked the link, which jumped to another website, and returned the phone to Shi Niannian.

Shi Niannian saw Jiang Wang from their senior year.

A special mature quality at the threshold between adolescence and adulthood. Standing on the red track, wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and black track pants, his eyes downcast, tall with long legs, very eye-catching.

No matter when, seeing Jiang Wang from the past still made Shi Niannian’s heart flutter uncontrollably.

It was the original flutter.

Men’s 1000 meters.

You could see many people in the stands around. Naturally, there were more people watching races with Jiang Wang in them.

That 4×100 relay in their second year was still a vivid, dramatic race in her memory.

In the video, with the sound of a gunshot, Jiang Wang sprinted out first.

Just as the coach had said before, his hearing was good—no one was his match.

The late September sunshine was dazzling. Even from the video, you could tell the weather was beautiful that day.

Shi Niannian watched the video, blinking slowly. Around her, the hall was noisy, but her heart instantly quieted.

Jiang Wang didn’t stay at the leadership seats until the end. After watching three or four performances, he chatted with the principal sitting next to him for a while before getting up to go to the back rows.

She wasn’t sitting in the back row behind Class 1 as before, but alone in the very last row.

“Why are you sitting here alone?” Jiang Wang smiled as he walked up.

Shi Niannian looked up, her eyes red.

Jiang Wang paused, glimpsing the page on her phone. After a long moment, he sighed. The hall was at the transition between two performances, completely dark. Jiang Wang slowly pulled her into his embrace.

…

That senior year, Jiang Wang started coming back to class.

His hearing, which had declined after the surgery, had recovered again by that time.

The sports meet, an activity that showcases class cohesion, was something Jiang Wang, who was lazy by nature, wouldn’t bother participating in. He had been accustomed to being independent since childhood.

When Xu Fei approached him with the registration form, he had already prepared a whole speech in his mind about how to persuade Jiang Wang to participate. To his surprise, as soon as the form was handed over, Jiang Wang wrote his name in the 1000-meter section without any hesitation.

The reason was simple, yet somehow inexplicable.

In their second year, Shi Niannian had participated in the 800 meters, coming in second because she was afraid of being bullied if she beat the first-place finisher.

Unable to see her, Jiang Wang wanted to at least participate in a race she had been in.

To win first place for her.

The 1000 meters, in a school like No. 1 High with many sports students, wasn’t easy to place well in. One had to maintain a sprinting speed throughout.

Jiang Wang still remembered how hot that day was, with the sun burning like fire overhead, scorching his neck and back.

Many people were in the stands, continuously shouting his name.

Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang.

He was the undisputed leader, far ahead, starting from the last lane, number one, and overtaking the other five people at the first turn.

The wind hit him, blowing his clothes back as he ran forward.

He wasn’t just occupying the first-place position; he was continuously sprinting forward, widening the gap with the second-place runner.

The shouts around him crescendoed in waves.

Shi Niannian, striving alone in a strange city.

And Jiang Wang, pushing forward.

He thought:

We’ve both shed sweat. If time overlaps, we’ll meet.

Finally, Jiang Wang broke through the finish line. Everyone in the surrounding stands stood up, calling his name. After watching this race, the ranking no longer mattered, nor did it matter whether it was a classmate from their class who won.

“Did he break the record?!”

“He must have!! That was way too fast!! Jiang Wang is just Jiang Wang, appearing and instantly defeating everyone!”

The school had a dedicated camera for recording, set up in front of the finish line.

Jiang Wang stood at the finish line, both arms supporting his knees, the bangs on his forehead wet and hanging down. He maintained that posture, catching his breath.

No other emotions could be discerned; he seemed to have calmly completed this race.

Then he slowly straightened up, his gaze meeting the camera lens.

Shi Niannian looked at Jiang Wang in the video—pupils black as ink, contours unrestrained and sharp, sweat sliding down his face gathering at his chin, dropping onto the synthetic track.

Shi Niannian watched the video. The young man looked at the camera, standing languidly, slowly curving his lips into a smile.

The weather was bright and hot, with people excitedly shouting his name in the background.

Her boy stood there in front of the camera, smiling with tenderness and resignation.

Shi Niannian couldn’t hold back after seeing that smile, feeling an intense ache in her nose. She excused herself to the girl and moved to the last row, quietly shedding a few tears.

She had to be thankful that she had never lost Jiang Wang.

She saw Jiang Wang slowly walking toward her from the front rows.

Her boy, the direction of her heart and the destination of her dreams, walked with firm and composed steps, coming toward her one step at a time.

Shi Niannian straightened up, wrapping her arms around Jiang Wang’s waist and holding him tight.

As if crossing countless days and nights, seas of people, mountains, and ranges.

After the New Year’s Eve party ended, they went to the aunt’s house to pick up Jiang Shen and Jiang Sui and returned home together for the New Year countdown.

But the two children slept early; by the time the car reached the front door, the two brothers were nestled together, head to head, sound asleep.

Shi Niannian gently carried the children into the bedroom, tucked them in, turned off the lamps, leaving only a small night light.

She slowly walked out of the bedroom, looking at Jiang Wang leaning against the doorway. The man looked down at her, his lips holding fragments of tenderness.

Shi Niannian tugged at his sleeve, saying softly: “Let’s go, just us two for the New Year countdown.”

“I run and run, just to catch up with that once-promising self.”

The once-brilliant, promising boy suddenly fell into darkness, imprisoned by the night. He couldn’t see anything else, like a trapped beast.

Until one day, when he was tired, he sat down, lifted his head, and saw a moon—moon-the only thing he could see in that expanse of darkness.

Like light, like burning, pouring down.

So he raised his hand, passing through dark clouds and lightning, running with all his might toward that beam of light.