Snow's Embrace: Chapter 5
During the first month of spring each year, Zayne always descends the mountain for a few days, leaving me to abide wordlessly with Little Bai Ze on the mountain.
But this year, , he’s invited me to come along.
Maybe it’s because of a recent ritual festival, so the streets are especially lively, full of bustling passerbys going to and fro.
I hide in Zayne’s shadow, walking a little stiffly.
Zayne: How is it that you don’t even know how to walk anymore after descending the mountain?
MC: I’m just not too used to such a noisy place.
Zayne: And here I thought you were very accustomed to this kind of noisiness.
Catching the implication in his words, I sneak a glare his way—but unfortunately, he coincidentally turns his head and is subjected to its full weight.
MC: …
Zayne: …
Zayne: They aren’t , and they won’t see you as a demon-spirit anymore. There’s no need to be so on guard.
MC: You don’t know how vicious they were back then. Just like the books say, “the human heart is full of treachery and deceit.” They weren’t wrong.
Zayne: And yet, living all alone on the mountain, that wasn’t scary?
MC: Not at all. Big Hua and everyone else always keep me company. And besides, I ended up meeting you, and also Little Bai.
Zayne: I’m the same as Big Hua and Little Bai?
MC: Eh… As for you, naturally, you’re not quite the same…
Normally, my conversations with Zayne are brief and restrained, but this time, he uncharacteristically follows up with one more question—
Zayne: How aren’t we the same?
MC: For example—for example…
I’m briefly stumped by the question. Spotting a small stall beside me, I think quickly and grab a , stuffing it into his hand.
MC: For example, right now I only want to give you alone a gift! Big Hua and Little Bai don’t get anything!
Zayne: Is that so?
MC: Mm, what else do you like? I’ll buy it all for you.
MC: Then, just this.
I let out a breath of relief, also a little happy—this is the first time I’ve ever given anyone a gift, and moreover, it’s for Zayne!
But when I reach into my sleeve and pull out a tree branch to give to the vendor, I’m met with refusal.
MC: Look a little more closely. This is a very precious branch from the . Not only does it give off light, but if you also keep it on you, you won’t get lost.
Vendor: I only take silver coins here, I don’t accept tree branches.
MC: Then how about this? This is agate. Though it isn’t jade, the color is beautiful—
Vendor: Don’t take rocks either.
MC: …
Zayne looks at me, , without the slightest intention of stepping in to resolve this issue. I laugh awkwardly and tug a little on his sleeve.
MC: Can you… help me pay for this first?
Zayne: The gift you’re giving me, you want me to pay for it myself?
MC: I haven’t descended the mountain in so long that I forgot money was even a thing… I give you my word, as soon as we return, I’ll pay you back.
Zayne: What do you plan to pay me back with?
MC: Obviously I’m going to pay you back with money… Or, is there something else you prefer?
Zayne: Why don’t you take a guess first? Once we’ve returned, I’ll tell you my answer.
Zayne reaches his hand into his sleeve, then freezes.
Zayne: …
MC: … You can’t have also not brought any money either?!
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