The estate glowed with the warm hues of Christmas lights, a sharp contrast to the cold and quiet corner where Lixue sat. Her room, tucked away in the servants' quarters, was small and barely furnished—a bed, bathroom, a table, and a tiny cabinet that barely held her belongings.
Through the thin walls, she could hear muffled laughter coming from the main house. Plates clattered, voices chattered, and the sound of carols played faintly from a distance. The grand living room must have been a sight, decorated with a massive tree, shimmering ornaments, and the soft glow of candles.
But none of that was for her. She couldn't partake in it.
