Chapter 57: A Shooting Star Falls into His Eyes

Jo Zhen stared repeatedly at the flowing English script on the paper, sensing an inexplicable familiarity. Was it just her imagination, or did it resemble Qin Yichi’s handwriting?

Even as she handed the note to the shop assistant, Jo Zhen remained in a daze, as if struck by the surprise of stars falling from the sky, her whole being suffused with a surreal emotion. It wasn’t until the prize was pressed into her arms that she snapped out of it, gazing at the exquisite, precious gift in her hands.

It was a Disney collaboration crystal ball music box.

The crystal ball resembled a flawless, pure pearl, shimmering in the faint light. Inside, countless snowflakes drifted gently downwards. At its center stood a castle adorned with intricate and lavish patterns; a simple twist of the base would set the elegant princess before the castle twirling gracefully to the light, soothing music.

The entire music box was large and heavy, impossible to carry with just one hand; she had to cradle the transparent case with both arms.

Jo Zhen’s gaze could not tear itself away; she was deeply captivated and amazed, as if holding the world’s rarest treasure.

People nearby watched with envy, their faces bright with admiration, exclaiming, “Wow!”

“Incredible—she really won it! Is this girl really that lucky?!”

“Damn, that limited edition is super popular! I think it sells for 1314 yuan online—so romantic!”

“Ugh, I’m willing to trade ten pounds of meat for the chance to win first prize, please…”

Jo Zhen stepped out of the crowd, her eyes curving with joy, sparkling like starlight. She was radiant and charming, as if she’d tasted the sweetest honey in the world. “Qin Yichi, look! I actually won it! That lucky apple really worked!”

Qin Yichi was right beside her, watching her delighted expression. Warmth welled up in him, spreading through his body. Her happiness somehow made him happy as well.

A faint smile touched his lips, and he replied with a soft “Mm.”

Feeling utterly content, Jo Zhen accompanied him through the mall, carefully cradling the box all the way.

It seemed as if she was about to sprout wings and soar bit by bit.

And that slip of paper, marked with luck and preference, she folded with care and tucked earnestly into her pocket…

Years later, Jo Zhen would finally understand: There is no Santa Claus in this world, but the favor and fortune of Christmas Eve are wrapped up as gifts by those who love you and secretly given to you.

Dusk descended, the ink-black night vast and boundless, studded with countless stars, everything settling into quiet.

The moon and streetlights cast a misty glow, enveloping the two of them.

A cold wind swept by, and Jo Zhen hunched her neck, her face nearly numb with the chill.

Suddenly, a group of girls walking ahead became excited, pointing at the sky and shouting,

“Ah, look! Is that a shooting star?”

Jo Zhen followed their gaze, but searched in vain, finding nothing. The sky was pitch-dark, utterly empty.

Another girl looked bewildered. “Where? I don’t see it. Are you messing with me?”

“I’m not messing with you, there really was one… Oh my god, another one just appeared!”

The girl hurriedly took out her phone to snap a photo.

Jo Zhen obediently looked up, her eyes reflecting the entire sky.

Suddenly, the dark horizon flashed—an arc of light with a sparkling pink tail swept across the night, vanishing in an instant.

Was that… a pink shooting star?

Jo Zhen felt as if she were dreaming, murmuring, “My god, what kind of day is this…”

She’d caught two dolls in a row, won a crystal ball music box, and now witnessed a shooting star with her own eyes.

Today must be her lucky day!

Qin Yichi stood beside her, also craning his neck to look skyward, sharing the same beautiful scene.

Neither of them expected that the true miracle was only just beginning.

A grand meteor shower slowly unfurled, countless stars tracing graceful arcs, shining like diamonds, dazzling and brilliant.

Like arrows poised to fly, burning through the atmosphere, converging into a thousand streams of silver light, mesmerizing all who gazed upon them.

The girls ahead were so excited they nearly leapt with joy, unable to speak.

Jo Zhen, too, was uncharacteristically quiet.

She had never seen a shooting star before, let alone a meteor shower.

She quickly raised her phone to record a video, hoping to capture the splendor.

But the footage paled in comparison to the breathtaking sight before her eyes.

It was a romantic ode gifted to them on Christmas Eve, a resplendent canvas painted by the vast universe.

She thought, she would never forget this lucky day, would cherish it all her life.

Suddenly remembering something, Jo Zhen patted Qin Yichi’s shoulder. “Qin Yichi, quickly, make a wish!”

There was an old legend about shooting stars—if you wished with sincerity, your wish might come true.

“Alright, let’s wish together.” Qin Yichi pressed his shoulder to hers, his lips curving ever so slightly, and closed his eyes to wish just as she did.

Meteor showers are caused by cosmic dust rubbing against the Earth’s atmosphere, self-heating and burning until they are entirely consumed.

Everyone knew, as materialists, that wishing upon them was pointless.

But life is lived for fleeting moments, and you can’t always be rational.

A short while later, two wishes traveled across the sky with the meteor shower, through the universe, landing in a corner no one knew.

—May my competition go smoothly tomorrow, may I bravely stand on stage and shine, may I get a little closer, ever closer, to my dream!

—May she shine as brilliantly as a meteor, but never fall.

When the wishes were made, Jo Zhen slowly opened her eyes, her long, thick lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

She couldn’t name the emotion blooming within her, as if a flower were gradually opening, adding a burst of vivid, dazzling color.

Jo Zhen secretly opened her eyes, stealing a glance at Qin Yichi.

In the next moment, she unexpectedly collided with the depth of Qin Yichi’s dark, profound gaze, their eyes meeting, stirring her heartstrings.

Jo Zhen’s heart skipped a beat.

Maybe it was the awe of nature, maybe she was simply too happy and excited today, or maybe…

But she didn’t look away as she usually did.

This time, their eyes seemed to converse, neither breaking the gaze.

He lowered his head slightly, his gaze intense and his breath deep, the wisps of hair on his forehead swaying gently, the faint scent of mint drifting to Jo Zhen’s nose.

Jo Zhen dared not breathe deeply, holding her breath as she looked at him, quiet and earnest.

She truly liked Qin Yichi’s eyes, especially the tear mole beneath his right eye.

His phoenix eyes were deep as a pool, their corners slightly upturned, giving him a devilish, rebellious air—at first glance, fierce, even ruthless, as if to say, “Get lost,” “I don’t know you,” “You owe me five million.”

But beneath the surface, once you truly approached him, his eyes were like obsidian washed clean, full of tenderness and affection.

In that instant, the dazzling meteor shower became nothing more than a backdrop to his presence.

Jo Zhen paused, a rush of panic rising in her heart.

Because she seemed to see a radiant, brilliant meteor falling into the depths of Qin Yichi’s affectionate eyes…