Golden Dice Buried in Snow

One year, inside Hengwu Garden, Baochai walked alone through the snow, admiring the scenery, until a gloomy ghost with a pale face suddenly appeared, bringing a chill utterly unlike her own.

A mysterious fragrance wafted beneath the moon. Perhaps the rich scent had bewitched her for a moment, and she began to share absurd, futile conversations and games of strategy with this Western demon of unknown origins.

Snow buries the golden dice; a wandering soul stirs from a dream.

One day, the monster finally bared his fangs. In a deranged state, he invited her: "Miss, would you like to blow this place up and come with me to see the world outside?"

◆ Reader's Guide ◆

1. Xue Baochai from Dream of the Red Chamber x Jerome Valeska, the Joker from the TV series Gotham. The reason for this unlikely pairing: "Even the most unsentimental can be captivating."

2. For now, this is just a concept short story. "Snow buries" is a pun on the pairing name "Xue Mai," and the golden dice are the token of their love. If I resume and expand it into a medium-length or long story, Gotham and the Grand View Garden will coexist across time and space, following a dreamlike Peony Pavilion approach. If this sounds interesting, please add it to your collection for now, if you feel so inclined :D!

Premise: Kindred spirits, but not lovers.