This was the first time Lynn had ever experienced a Hong Kong-style Christmas.
There was no turkey that even a dog would disdain, no Christmas pudding that looked better than it tasted, and certainly no inexplicable bean sprouts with chestnuts.
What they did have were boiled shrimp, clay pot rice with cured meat, steamed leopard coral grouper, pineapple buns with butter, iced milk tea, and so on, as well as the Hong Kong-style braised pork that Lynn had been craving for a long time.
After the meal, Lynn ran off to the attic to drink tea and chat with Professor Zhang, feeling quite happy and at ease. However, Cho, who was sitting to the side holding Modou, looked a bit unhappy.
"What's wrong?"
A hand gently brushed through Cho's hair, then rested on her shoulder.
"Nothing, Mom."
Cho shook her head and glanced at the beautiful woman standing beside her.
"Are you mad at your dad? He's keeping a close watch on the boy you like; is that making you unhappy?"
"Mom~" Cho whined slightly in a shy, coquettish manner. "It's not really that. Although Lynn is a good friend of mine, if we're talking about liking him..."
Cho thought for a moment. "I did like him before, because he's handsome and he feels very approachable, but I don't think it's the kind of 'like' you're thinking of, Mom."
"Oh? Then what kind of 'like' is it?"
Pulled by her mother to sit on the rattan chair on the small balcony, Cho curled up into the soft cushions. The snow was falling heavily outside, but neither the cold wind nor the falling snow could touch her. The warmth from the fireplace radiated all the way to the small balcony off the living room.
"I can't quite describe it. Lynn told me before that I don't understand what true 'like' is yet, nor do I understand what it feels like to fall in love with someone. I didn't really get it then, but later, when I thought back to how you told me you and Dad got together, I think I understand a little more now."
"If I only liked him because he's good-looking, then that liking wouldn't last very long. You and Dad have shared interests and a shared career that you both love. Those are the things that brought you together in the end, aren't they?"
"But Lynn... I don't really understand him. He's the type of person who takes initiative the moment his interest is piqued. He's very interesting, but I can't keep up with his pace. Being friends with him is pleasant because he always looks out for my feelings, but that feeling is actually a bit strange, too. It's almost like..."
Before Cho could finish, a cute chirp came from her bosom. A small, golden ball of fluff burrowed out of her collar. Compared to three months ago, this adorable Golden Snidget's feathers had grown in fully, and its ruby-like eyes were full of joy at the sight of Cho.
"Orange~ You're finally awake."
The Golden Snidget held in Cho's palm was only half the size of her fist. When it closed its eyes and tucked in its head, it looked just like a small, golden orange.
"I feel like Lynn treats me the way I treat Orange. Even though we are close together, we can never completely understand each other's thoughts."
"I will take good care of it," Cho said, stroking Orange's soft, fluffy body. "But it can't take care of me the way I take care of it."
The young girl whispered her secret thoughts, feeling a mix of happiness and worry.
"You really don't need to overthink it, Cho."
Professor Zhang's voice came from behind Cho. He was holding a cup of hot tea, sipping it in small gulps as he walked gently to his daughter's side.
"Dad! How could you eavesdrop on Mom and me~"
"I wasn't eavesdropping. I was simply passing by to get some snacks to take upstairs."
"Actually, I didn't think too much when I pursued your mother. It was simply because she was the best-looking girl I knew. Just seeing her made me happy and joyful, so I took action."
"A lot of the time, we don't actually need to think about those extraneous things. As long as something lifts our spirits and brings us happiness, then we should be bold and go for it."
"However, regarding that kid Lynn... based on my understanding of him, he might walk the path of pursuing novelty and the exotic forever. Because he possesses the talent and capital to do so, and he isn't someone who is easily satisfied. When the freshness of one thing fades, he will actively seek out something more interesting."
"Actually, I've thought about it. When he left Oxford University, it wasn't because the new security guard chased him away, but because he was already bored of that place. He had already learned the knowledge he wanted. Even if no one chased him away, he would have left on his own."
"I don't object to you being friends with Lynn. He is a very good kid. It's just that for girls, he's only suitable for dating, not for marriage. He's essentially a natural-born playboy. His 'like' and 'love' won't stay fixed on any one thing forever."
"If a person possesses too much more than others from birth, then he definitely won't understand what it means to cherish, because those things are too easily obtained for him."
"Don't fall too deep for him. Dad doesn't want to see you sad and crying."
Compared to those unknown punks running wild in the jungle, Lynn—this "punk plus"—was at least more pleasing to the eye. Papa Zhang knew very well that a daughter in puberty would be somewhat rebellious. Instead of blocking the road completely and watching her climb high mountains and take side paths only to end up battered and exhausted, it was better to explain things clearly so she could be mentally prepared.
Wizards have longer lifespans than Muggles; the happiness and beauty of youth are remembered longer, but so are the regrets and heartbreak.
Mr. Zhang returned to the attic study with the snacks and sat across from Lynn. The handsome boy opposite him was focused on a dry, boring book that would give many people a headache just looking at it. In his eyes, the obscure and difficult Ancient Runes were like treasure chests hiding gold, filling his curiosity about the unknown bit by bit.
"A pity..."
Staring at Lynn for a good while, Mr. Zhang shook his head slightly and sighed.
"Professor, what's wrong?"
Lynn closed the book and looked up at Professor Zhang.
"Such a handsome lad. Pity he's a fickle one."
"Heh heh..." Lynn didn't find this assessment hard to accept. After all, Professor Zhang was a teacher who knew quite a bit about his background. "I will forever like pretty girls with big chests, small waists, and long legs, so please rest assured, Cho and I will definitely only ever be good friends."
"Forget it. I don't like to meddle in you young people's affairs. Just know your limits."
Mr. Zhang waved his hand. "You can take that book back to read slowly. Now, take a look at this—actual Ancient Runes. Maybe you can bring me some surprises."
"You overpraise me, Teacher. I just have a slightly better memory, that's all. When it comes to magic, I'm still far behind."
Although he said this, Lynn still actively took the handed book and flipped it open quickly. However, after reading only a few pages, he frowned and began rubbing his temples.
"Can this ghostly stuff really be considered a form of writing?"
Lynn, already feeling a bit dizzy, was encountering these "ghostly scribbles" that he couldn't imprint into his brain for the first time. Looking at them for even a second longer made his head ache, as if he had downed half a pound of strong liquor.
"You feel its miraculous magical power, don't you? Actually, these rubbed characters haven't been infused with any magic."
"How is that possible?!"
"This is the most magical thing about Ancient Runes. When you are able to decipher them, perhaps you will be able to see the hidden, most authentic side of the world."
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