Chapter 61: The Headband

Leaving the lively banquet, heavy snow began to fall outside, limiting visibility and making the ground slippery. The car moved slowly along the road.

Ming Can, bored, gazed out the window when she suddenly noticed a dark alley where a group of thugs was beating someone who couldn’t fight back.

“Stop the car,” Ming Can pointed outside. “Uncle Chen, is that a fight over there?”

Uncle Chen was Ming Can’s bodyguard, sitting in the passenger seat. He turned to her and said, “Miss, Mr. Ming wants you home as soon as possible. It’s freezing out, and it’s best not to get involved in other people’s business.”

At that time, Ming Can and her father were on the worst terms. Since her father wanted her home quickly, she decided to do the opposite. She calmly said, “If you won’t handle it, I will,” and pushed the car door open, stepping out.

A defenseless girl, she naturally couldn’t rush in to break up the fight. Remembering the trunk was filled with fireworks and firecrackers she had bought earlier, she grabbed a bunch and calmly lit them at the alley entrance, tossing them into the dark alley.

The bright fireworks and deafening explosions indeed intimidated the thugs.

She remembered that the original purpose of fireworks and firecrackers was to ward off evil and disaster.

With an expressionless face, Ming Can lit a large roll of firecrackers and hurled it forward.

The crackling noise echoed through the alley, and the smell of blood in the air was gradually replaced by the strong scent of gunpowder.

The fireworks were blinding, shooting diagonally into the sky as if driving away something filthy.

Ming Can knew that these fireworks and firecrackers could only scare people at best.

But she wasn’t alone. Her bodyguard quickly joined her, his tall and muscular figure appearing in the glow of the flames and smoke, exuding an intimidating presence. Seeing this, the thugs panicked and fled. Ming Can tilted her chin, signaling the bodyguard to check on the person lying on the ground.

The injured man was in bad shape and needed the bodyguard’s support to walk.

His face was covered in dirty blood, and as the bodyguard helped him out, Ming Can only clearly saw his light-colored eyes.

Cold as snow in the night.

He looked like he was barely breathing, yet he stubbornly kept his eyes open, his gaze lingering on her face.

“Uncle Chen, please take him to the hospital.”

After saying this, Ming Can withdrew her gaze, turned around, and got into the Maybach parked by the roadside.

Uncle Chen nodded and took the injured boy to the nearest hospital, paying for his medical expenses upfront.

Throughout the treatment, the boy remained conscious. As soon as he could speak, his first question to Uncle Chen was, “What’s that girl’s name?”

Uncle Chen, assuming he was just a vagrant, thought such a person had no business getting involved with the Ming family’s young lady.

“You don’t need to know.”

With that, Uncle Chen, seeing that the boy hadn’t suffered any life-threatening injuries, left him some money and walked away.

Chi Xiao stayed in the hospital overnight.

The next morning, his family found him and transferred him to a VIP room.

That year’s New Year’s Eve dinner was eaten in the hospital. His father came to stay with him, but Aunt Duan didn’t show up.

The father and son didn’t exchange a single word the entire time.

After recovering from his injuries, Chi Xiao moved back home, acting as if nothing had happened, continuing to live as the subdued, repressed eldest son of the Chi family.

It wasn’t exactly surrender.

After venting, he had come to understand his own powerlessness. Everything he had was given to him by his father. Without this family, he was nothing.

Life went on day after day. Using the excuse of heavy academic pressure and needing peace, Chi Xiao increasingly stayed at his own place outside, rarely returning home. He turned a blind eye to his stepmother’s provocations, both overt and subtle.

When he wasn’t studying, he spent his time doing crafts or wandering the streets where he had been beaten that day.

Months passed, and he never ran into that girl again.

Every time he recalled her appearance, she seemed too beautiful to be real, more like a figment of his imagination.

Proud, beautiful, her gaze sweeping over everything, as if she were a goddess born from flames.

It wasn’t until he entered his second year of high school.

At the freshman welcome performance, he saw that radiant face again.

…

No wonder he insisted on exchanging gifts on the 29th of the lunar month.

Ming Can had always felt that the timing was a bit rushed and had thought Chi Xiao was deliberately making things difficult for her, given her lack of skill in crafting. She never expected it was for this reason.

The habit of assuming the worst about people was a bad one.

Ming Can felt she needed to work on that.

The fireworks on the ground had burned out, so Chi Xiao lit a few more. Bright sparks burst forth in the snowy night, their light flickering, casting his profile in alternating light and shadow.

Ming Can no longer remembered what the person she had saved five years ago looked like.

To be honest.

She only remembered how cool she must have looked while saving someone.

As for the day in their first year of high school when Chi Xiao confessed to her, she only had a vague impression of that moment.

But today.

The way he looked while watching the fireworks with her.

For some reason, Ming Can felt that after just one glance, she would never forget it.

“Senior,” Ming Can suddenly said, “there’s something I need to apologize to you for.”

Chi Xiao was surprised: “What?”

Ming Can’s expression was calm, her tone sincere: “When you confessed to me in our first year of high school, I shouldn’t have responded the way I did. What I said wasn’t from the heart—it was because of other reasons, and I had a bias against you. Now I know I was wrong, and I’ll think twice before speaking in the future.”

Chi Xiao was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to bring this up so suddenly and even apologize to him.

In that moment, he had only one thought.

What had he done to deserve her apology?

Chi Xiao was silent for a while, then asked, “What kind of bias did you have against me back then?”

“…” Ming Can didn’t want to drag her friend into this, nor did she want to repeat the harsh words. She simply said vaguely, “I can’t remember clearly. Just know that I said the wrong thing.”

Chi Xiao replied calmly, “I don’t think you did anything wrong.”

“I was wrong,” Ming Can insisted, her stubbornness showing even while apologizing. “I shouldn’t have been so rude to you. You’re not as bad as I made you out to be.”

Chi Xiao naturally remembered what Ming Can had said that day.

He never thought she had said the wrong thing. It was clearly his fault for being too presumptuous, not knowing his own worth, and daring to pursue someone so far out of his league.

At this moment, he looked down at Ming Can and asked softly, “Are you pitying me?”

“What’s there to pity about you?” Ming Can said. “Your family is wealthy, you’re a top scorer in the college entrance exams, and you’re… decent-looking. People should be envious of you, so don’t sell yourself short.”

“Hearing you say that,” Chi Xiao nodded slowly, “it seems like I’m actually quite a catch?”

Ming Can blurted out without thinking, “If you weren’t a catch, how could I possibly marry you in the future?”

As soon as the words left her mouth.

The atmosphere suddenly turned quiet.

Ming Can’s eyelids twitched as she realized, starting from the topic of “pity,” she had been led into a trap, saying one thing after another that someone wanted to hear.

Maybe Chi Xiao had truly been insecure in the past.

But now, he had openly declared his intention to pursue her, acting boldly and without restraint. How much insecurity could he really have left?

He was just using the guise of insecurity to test how she currently viewed him.

The result of the test was.

In her heart.

He was good enough to marry.

Ming Can: “…”

“The smoke is so thick, it’s messing with my head,” Ming Can said, ignoring the man’s amused gaze beside her. She bent down and grabbed Miaomiao’s arm, awkwardly changing the subject. “Little one, when are you going to give me your gift? I’ve been looking forward to it for so long.”

The fireworks continued to bloom in the snowy night, tirelessly shooting into the sky.

Chi Xiao, hands in his pockets, followed them indoors with a faint smile at the corner of his eyes.

“Ta-da~” Miaomiao held up a glass-covered object, presenting it like a treasure. “Mom, this is my gift for you.”

Inside the glass dome was a lifelike preserved rose.

It was unlikely that a five-year-old could create such an exquisite gift on his own.

Ming Can pretended not to know he had help and happily hugged Miaomiao. “It’s so beautiful! Miaomiao is amazing. Mom loves the gift you made.”

After praising her son, she turned and walked to the entrance, taking a delicate gift box from the cabinet. She pulled out the shorter sports headband from the box and tied it around Miaomiao’s head herself.

The headband was blue on one side and black on the other, made of high-quality fabric and perfectly tailored. Each side was embroidered with a cartoon corgi, Miaomiao’s favorite animal.

“Wow. My son is so handsome,” Ming Can said, straightening up and taking out her phone to snap countless photos of Miaomiao.

Miaomiao ran to the mirror to see what his mom had made and exclaimed, “It’s so pretty! Did you make this yourself, Mom?”

“Of course,” Ming Can said, walking over and tapping his forehead lightly. “Are you doubting your mom’s skills?”

Miaomiao quickly covered his mouth. “I wouldn’t dare.”

After a pause, he added, “But isn’t Mom supposed to give a gift to Dad too?”

“There’s another one in the box for him,” Ming Can said casually. “By the way, what did your dad give you?”

Miaomiao: “Dad gave me several cool models he made himself—a waterwheel, a castle, and a solar system star track… They were too big to bring here. Oh, and there’s also a scarf he knitted himself.”

“He can knit scarves?”

Ming Can’s tone was cool as she glanced at the man standing a few meters away.

The things he had given Miaomiao weren’t something that could be made in a short time. He had probably prepared them long ago and just brought them out when it was time to give them, unlike her, who had rushed to finish her gifts at the last minute.

More importantly.

He could give Miaomiao so many things at once. Why couldn’t he think to give her something too?

Even someone as unskilled as her had prepared gifts for both of them.

Ming Can felt a bit upset and walked over to the bar to pour herself a glass of cold water.

Miaomiao ran over and asked if he could watch TV. Ming Can glanced at the time—it wasn’t too late—so she allowed him half an hour before he had to wash up and go to bed.

While helping Miaomiao turn on the TV, Ming Can noticed that the box containing the remaining headband, which she had casually placed on the table earlier, had disappeared.

Chi Xiao had gone back to his room to continue unpacking. Ming Can thought for a moment and decided to go in and help.

Compared to their trip to the ski resort not long ago, Chi Xiao was much more efficient now. Following the checklist Ming Can had given him, he had neatly arranged everything in its proper place. Ming Can glanced around and realized he had pretty much finished. There wasn’t much left for her to do.

The bedroom was also a suite, with a small living area attached.

Ming Can’s gift box was now placed on the coffee table in the living area. The headband lay neatly on the raffia grass inside, seemingly untouched.

Ming Can stared at the headband, feeling inexplicably irritated. She walked over quickly, intending to close the open box.

“What are you doing?” Chi Xiao suddenly spoke up. “Trying to take back a gift you’ve already given?”

“I’m not that petty,” Ming Can said sarcastically. “If something is meant to be given, it will definitely be handed over. I’d never do something like taking it back halfway and pretending nothing happened. That’s just stingy.”

Chi Xiao: “…”

He walked slowly to the coffee table, bent down, and picked up the headband from the box, gently running his fingers over the fabric.

Ming Can asked calmly, “How is it?”

“Not bad,” Chi Xiao said. Then, as if remembering something, he raised his eyebrow and corrected himself, “I’m crazy about it.”

Ming Can: “…”

In front of Ming Can, he casually smoothed his hair and tied the headband around his forehead, the blue side facing up, contrasting sharply with his pale complexion.

“What are you doing?” Ming Can pouted. “The front is all twisted. Don’t you know how to use it?”

“I’ve always used elastic ones before,” Chi Xiao said. “You just slip them on. No need to tie them.”

Ming Can didn’t hesitate to praise one while criticizing the other: “Those have no texture. This open style is much more sophisticated.”

“Right, right,” Chi Xiao turned to face her and asked, “Where is it twisted?”

Ming Can pointed to the spot above his temple.

Chi Xiao adjusted it slowly for a while, then sighed, “I can’t get it right.”

Ming Can: “Go to the mirror and fix it. You can’t see anything here.”

“Even if I could see, I wouldn’t know how to fix it,” Chi Xiao said. “I’m all thumbs.”

If you’re all thumbs, then there aren’t many capable people left in the world, Ming Can thought to herself.

“How about this, Miaomiao’s mom,” Chi Xiao looked at her, his tone casual, “since you’re already being so kind, why not help me tie it properly?”

Ming Can was startled. She looked up at him and instinctively said, “You’re too tall. I can’t reach.”

Chi Xiao nodded.

As if to say, that’s a valid point.

The next moment.

He took a few steps back and sat down on the sofa.

His height was suddenly within easy reach.

Chi Xiao looked up at Ming Can, who was standing frozen by the coffee table, his gaze straightforward. “Is this better now?”

Ming Can clenched her sleeves. For some reason, she didn’t turn and leave.

She told herself in her heart, He’s tying it so poorly, it’s a waste of my gift.

She was helping out to save face for her own creation.

So, steeling herself, she stepped forward, took the headband Chi Xiao handed her, bent her knees, and calmly knelt on the sofa, leaning closer to him.

The familiar scent of mint filled her nostrils, cool and refreshing.

Ming Can straightened the headband with both hands, gently pressing it against the man’s forehead, then wrapped it around to the back of his head.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted downward, landing on his well-defined face.

This was probably the closest they had been since they met, aside from that hurried moment on the snow mountain.

His skin was pale, his eyelashes thick and long, not too curly, lying straight over his eye sockets.

His nose was narrow and high, with a faint mole beside the tip.

Ming Can knelt upright, her line of sight slightly higher than Chi Xiao’s.

Her arms encircled his head, the motion almost like a hug, bringing his face close to her neck.

Ming Can’s thoughts froze for a moment.

Then, with a soft click, the slipper on her foot fell to the floor. Chi Xiao instinctively lowered his head, his short hair brushing against Ming Can’s wrist, tickling her. She reflexively said, “Stop moving.”

Chi Xiao looked up and said unhurriedly, “As you wish.”

His voice was low, and because they were so close, it almost seemed to reach her ears through bone conduction.

Ming Can’s hands trembled as she tied the headband.

It wasn’t until this moment that she belatedly realized that, since she had tied Miaomiao’s headband from the front earlier, she had instinctively done the same for Chi Xiao. She could have easily gone behind him to tie it instead of ending up in such an awkwardly intimate “hug.”

Ming Can’s breathing grew uneven. Her fingers hastily tied a knot and pulled it tight.

As long as the front looked neat, it didn’t matter if the back was messy—he wouldn’t see it anyway.

She withdrew her hands and sat down, pretending to be calm as she glanced at him. “Done.”

Chi Xiao nodded, sitting perfectly still, as if he didn’t care how she had tied it.

“Did you embroider the pattern on this?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“What does it mean?”

“An iceberg,” Ming Can said. “It suits your cold, aloof persona.”

“Really?” Chi Xiao reached up and touched the center of the headband, his fingers brushing over the white embroidery. He chuckled softly. “I thought it was a volcano.”

“What volcano?” Ming Can’s heart raced as she flatly denied it. “It’s clearly an iceberg. How does it look like a volcano?”

Chi Xiao: “I see what looks like a crater.”

“No, you don’t,” Ming Can leaned closer to look and noticed that the top of the mountain was indeed a bit bare. “Anyway, I embroidered an iceberg. If you don’t think it looks like one, just pretend I didn’t do a good job.”

Chi Xiao: “Can’t I just think of it as a volcano?”

Ming Can: “No.”

Chi Xiao: “Miaomiao’s headband has a corgi. Why?”

Ming Can: “Because he likes corgis.”

“Oh, so it’s favoritism,” Chi Xiao said. “But I don’t like icebergs.”

Ming Can was left speechless.

She felt her cheeks burning, and her legs, still kneeling on the sofa, were starting to go numb. It was as if her entire body had been electrified.

“Fine,” Ming Can said. “Whatever. Think of it as whatever you want.”

She tried to get off the sofa, awkwardly stretching out one numb leg and stepping down.

“Ouch—” Chi Xiao feigned a sharp intake of breath. “You stepped on me.”

“That’s exactly what I meant to do,” Ming Can said, looking down for her shoe. Her socked foot lifted and landed precisely on Chi Xiao’s foot, grinding down as if to vent her frustration. “Oops, I stepped on you again.”

It seemed like once shoes left your feet, they were destined to end up under the sofa or bed, in places you couldn’t see.

Ming Can couldn’t find her slipper after searching for a while, so she simply kept one foot planted on Chi Xiao’s foot, bossily ordering, “I can’t find my shoe. Go get it for me.”

Chi Xiao: “Alright.”

After a pause, seeing that she still hadn’t moved her foot, he looked up and asked, “Enjoying yourself?”

Ming Can raised an eyebrow: “It’s alright.”

Chi Xiao: “I’m enjoying it too. Why don’t you put a bit more force into it?”

Ming Can: “…”

So shameless.

She immediately lifted her foot and sat back on the sofa.

Chi Xiao slowly stood up, but instead of crouching down to look for her slipper as Ming Can had expected, he walked around to the back of the sofa.

“Where are you going?” Ming Can’s eyes followed him. “If you’re getting new slippers, shouldn’t you go outside?”

Chi Xiao, now behind the sofa, said calmly, “No rush.”

Ming Can: “But I’m in a hurry.”

“Then stop being in a hurry,” Chi Xiao said, meeting her irritated gaze. He tilted his chin slightly and spoke leisurely, “Sit and wait for a bit. I have a gift for you.”