As winter returned, Ren's life felt fuller than ever. He spent evenings with his friends, weekends teaching, and quiet mornings reflecting. Yet, there was still a longing within him—a wish for someone to share his life with on a deeper level.
One evening, Mei invited him to a holiday party, where the warmth of laughter and music filled the air. Underneath the mistletoe, she gave him a soft, almost wistful smile. "You know, Ren, you're not alone. You have all of us."
Ren nodded, moved by her words. "I know, Mei. And it means the world to me."
In that moment, he felt the love and connection of those around him, a bond that needed no words. The snowfall outside mirrored the quiet peace within him—a peace he had fought hard to find, surrounded by people who had become family.