"Have you heard? On Christmas Eve, a meteor fell directly into the suburbs of Modu. However, when the authorities went to investigate, there was nothing but a crater in the suburbs."
"I heard too, but why do you think the meteor disappeared? Could it have been alive? Visitors from outer space, that's a bit far-fetched. Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go! It's time to decorate for home. It's been a peaceful Christmas this year, so let's enjoy the holiday."
"You're right, why bother thinking about it? It's not like we can do anything about it anyway. Let's just celebrate our Christmas."
Meanwhile, under a bridge in Modu, a man clutched his shoulder, looking at the city with unfamiliar eyes, his gaze fixed on the towering skyscrapers.
"Where... where am I? Is this? Where? I shouldn't have...! Ah! The wound is getting worse. I shouldn't have been so reckless. Sigh..."
Looking at the blood flowing from his arm, he finally admitted his own rashness. But he couldn't stay on that cold moon any longer.
No one to talk to, not even anything to accompany him, and having slept for who knows how many years. As the years passed, the scars on their hearts must have grown deeper.
"Cough, cough, let's figure out the situation first. As for where this is, if I'm not mistaken, it should be Modu City in Shenzhou. I haven't forgotten such an iconic building."
With that, he left the bridge and limped onto the street. To figure things out, he needed to find some clues. Internet cafes were a mixed bag, and spending a couple of hours there might just yield the information he wanted.
On the other side, Jizi was holding a Christmas tree, with a little girl happily twirling around her.
"Mom, do you think Dad will turn into Santa Claus and bring us gifts? I miss Dad so much. When can I see him again?"
Jizi didn't know what to say, so she simply reached out her right hand and stroked her daughter's head, smiling sweetly.
"Be a good girl, my darling. Dad is very busy. He's working hard abroad. When you grow up, maybe he'll come to see you. Let's hurry home and decorate for Christmas. Your sister Xichen might be waiting for you."
Her attention immediately shifted, and the red-haired girl leaped with joy and hurried towards home, her every step light and brisk, as befitted a child of her age.
Lu Ze's matters should not befall the children. Perhaps when they grow up, they will understand us.
Their father might never return.
(Fans can help name Jizi's daughter. If not, the author will have to come up with one. Please!)
The click-clack of high heels echoed as she stopped to adjust her slightly loose glasses.
Suddenly, a raggedly dressed person with torn clothes walked past her. Their steps were steady, their muscles strong, their hair long, and their face covered in dirt. Their shoes were caked with mud.
They looked like a scavenger, but... were scavengers supposed to have such well-built muscles?
And that back, it looked so much like...
By the time she reacted, the person had already disappeared, vanishing without a trace.
"I must be overthinking things. After all, he died right in front of me. How could there be hope? Even if there were, he wouldn't appear in this city. It's all just my imagination. I need to get some good sleep lately to stop imagining things."
Meanwhile, the man walked the streets with vacant eyes. He couldn't find any information. It was as if... everything he knew had disappeared.
"That woman just now... honestly, she looked like Jizi... But, is Jizi's hair that long? She probably wouldn't wear glasses, right? Besides, there was no alcohol in her shopping bag. She probably just looked like her. I shouldn't overthink it. This world... maybe they're not here. Where are you all?"
Her long hair obscured her eyes, but a gentle breeze blew, revealing her entire face.
Her face was covered in dust and dirt. If someone who knew him well were here, they might say:
"After all these years, you haven't changed one bit... That's true, after all... we're not of the same world."
The two people, each convinced they had perfectly missed each other, their Christmas encounter ended hastily.
"Today seems to be Christmas, huh... Heh... Maybe I'll go earn some Mora and have a good meal. It's gold, after all, they should accept it, right?"
On the other side, Jizi returned home and put down the Christmas tree with a slight smile.
Looking at the familiar faces, winter indeed felt warmer at home. If only they could have a turkey for Christmas.
"Ah, it's a bit hot... Everyone wash your hands, let's get ready to eat. Oh, right! When the children go to sleep tonight, remember to hang your stockings and all your wishes at the foot of the bed. Don't let Santa Claus miss your wishes when he arrives."
Raiden Mei said softly, looking at the children, a smile naturally forming on her face. After all, they were his descendants, their flesh and blood.
"Yay! I have to think of a wish. Hmm... Mom! What wish should I make?"
A white-haired girl rushed into Kiana's arms, rubbing against her as if playfully demanding attention, or perhaps simply wanting to hug her mother.
(I haven't decided on Kiana's child's name either. Feel free to suggest names you have in mind. Don't worry! There will be a happy ending.)
"Alright, alright! You have to think of your own wish, but Mom recommends wishing for a specific item. That's the easiest to achieve, you know. Santa Claus isn't omnipotent, understand?"
Since becoming a mother, Kiana had transformed from a mature young woman into a competent one. Perhaps due to her own regrets, she doted on her daughter immensely.
"Xichen, have you thought about your Christmas wish? Do you want your godmother to help you with one?"
With one blue eye and one red eye, Xichen, born with heterochromia, looked at Bronya with a doll-like expression and said softly:
"Godmother Bronya, you're stepping on my foot... It hurts..."
"Ah, sorry, sorry. Listen to your godmother and wish for the latest game console. It's so much better! You must wish for a game console, otherwise, your godmother will be disappointed."