Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

After a heavy snowfall, the entire Sapphire City was draped in a thin white veil. The gentle snowflakes danced through the sky, leisurely settling in every corner, attempting to accumulate little by little. It gave the impression of immaculate purity and flawlessness.

The tree branches were bent under the weight of thick snow. They drooped low, observing the ground covered in a blanket of snow. The once-visible grass blades were now buried beneath the snow mercilessly, a prevalent sight of pure white everywhere.

In a snow-capped area of Sapphire City, a group of children could be seen in the distance, chasing each other around in the snow. They were laughing and having fun. Their joyous laughter echoed through the snow-capped mountains, creating an environment that truly embodied childhood. It was what children should experience and cherish in their memories.

The children had already gotten along well, and the adults started to organize their teams.

Before the team allocation, Joseph said, "I'll look after the kids. You guys have fun." Wearing a heavy down jacket, Trevon swiftly scanned the few people around and thought of something. Then, he declared in a domineering tone, "Alright, Natalie, Frank, Ava, and | will be one group. The rest of you are a team of five." Christina, Quinn, and Leia didn't object, but Chris turned to glance at his team, feeling he was like an odd one out. It was as if he was the lone male amidst what seemed like a women's committee. Why did he have to be the only guy among them? Just as he was about to speak, Frank gave a wry smile and said, "We're all couples. Are you okay with splitting us up?" Trevon teased Chris, "You can consider yourself as female." Chris was rendered speechless by their response.

It crossed Chris's mind that it shouldn't be a big deal for the couples to split up just for a game, but he chose not to voice this thought.

Stella focused on something else. She said, "Con, Chris. We're five, and they're four, they'd definitely agree.

Let's go, we're okay with it." Chris agreed readily, saying, "Alright, let's do it." Before the gstarted, Trevon and Frank exchanged a glance, both simultaneously smirking mischievously. To Natalie and Ava, that kind of smile seemed conspiratorial, as if they were harboring smischief.

As expected, when the gstarted, these adults laughed loudly like children, throwing snowballs at each other with fervor. Joseph watched their interaction and smiled contentedly. He was in a good mood.

When the children at the side saw that their parents and the other adults were having so much fun, they couldn't resist joining the fun together. They automatically formed their own teams. George ran to his mom, Christina, to start playfully competing with his little friends.

Meanwhile, Jasper, Sophia, and Olivia went over to their parents to join in the snowball game. They were targeting Chris with playful snowballs while being considerate not to target their younger brother.

Trevon scooped up a snowball from the ground and teasingly glanced at Chris, then swiftly aimed the ball towards Leia beside Chris. Chris, watching the ball about to hit Leia, quickly turned and shielded her with a smooth move.

The impact landed the snowball on Chris's back, scattering snow over the dark coat, blending with the ground's accumulated snow. His attire bore the remnants of the snow, starkly contrasting the white against the black.

Leia, unexpectedly protected by Chris, felt a momentary flutter as she was shielded by Chris. It was unexpected, causing a quickened heartbeat in her chest. Before Leia could voice her surprise, another snowball was hurled toward her from Frank.

Neither of them had the chance to diffuse the awkwardness. Their actions were under everyone's watchful eyes, yet unspoken. In a silent collaboration, they inadvertently assisted each other. Christina shared a knowing smile with Joseph across the space.

Then, Chris seemed to attract a series of attacks. Trevon and Frank bombarded him with snowballs, but whether it was a case of Parkinson's, a lazy eye, or an intentional move, the snowballs consistently veered toward Leia.

Leia, who possessed a strong team spirit, joined Chris in their retaliation. Natalie, Ava, Quinn, and Christina engaged in the snowball fight, intensifying the battle. This effectively dispelled Leia's suspicions. After all, everyone was enthusiastically involved in the game.

Sophia, being a little assistant, also contributed. A tiny snowball hit Leia, prompting laughter from the group.

Trevon affectionately tousled his daughter's head, showcasing his pride.

George was a little short on strength from all the throwing. He took a break and joined his father. They began building a snowman in an open area. "Dad." George wanted to take off the scarf, and Joseph didn't want to spoil the children's nature. So, he wrapped George's scarf around him. He now had two scarves. "Okay." George's little hand was freezing. He tried rubbing it on his clothes, but it didn't warm up. He placed his hand against his leg. Seeing this, Joseph cupped George's small hand and blew on it gently. "It'll be warm in a bit." George's little hand becmuch warmer after his dad rubbed it. "Okay." Sophia said, "Uncle Joseph, we want to join too!" Running over, she saw her cousin and uncle building a snowman and was tempted to join. She started gathering snow on the side.

Sophia didn't feel cold at all, leaving Jasper feeling helpless. His parents were having so much fun. He could only watch his sister and quietly help collect snow on the side, rolling a huge snowball.

Before Joseph could praise Sophia, she had already taken the snowball herself, showing no embarrassment whatsoever. Olivia, on the other hand, continued diligently building the snowman, quite used to her sister's action.

Joseph smiled without saying a word, squatting down to help the children build a snowman together.

Laughter echoed from a distance. Stella specifically aimed at Frank and Trevon, while Trevon and Frank seemed to have a squint today, and the snowball always accurately veered away from Chris. However, they didn't focus solely on Leia, avoiding suspicion. Poor Stella ended up with snow on her neck after getting hit.

At this moment, Stella was hit by two goofballs, her neck covered in snow. She was freezing and hopping on one foot. Christina helped her sister clean up, saying, "I offered you a scarf, but you didn't want it." Stella's competitive spirit flared. "How was | supposed to know these two pranksters were after me?" Quinn aimed a snowball at Ava, but Frank swiftly stepped in the way, taking the hit on his shoulder. The snowball meant for Ava landed on Frank's shoulder and scattered on the ground. With a knowing look, Quinn whispered to Christina, "They're all skilled players. It's a diversionary tactic." Christina chuckled, offering a smile that indicated the answer. Everyone being sharp-minded, they could easily see through tactics. She hinted that getting caught up in the desire to win, like Stella, might cloud the bigger picture.

However, being somewhat on the periphery, Christina and Quinn had a clearer view of the situation.

Chris was covered in snow all over. Even his cheeks were dusted. Leia couldn't stand seeing him in that state.

After all, he took a hit trying to protect her from the snowball. She reached out, rising on her tiptoes, and brushed off the snow from Chris's hair. She reassured him, saying, "You don't need to shield me. It's okay to get hit." Leia's eyes could be seen when she lowered her gaze, clear as water, revealing a hidden trace of tenderness.

Chris said straightforwardly, "I'm a guy. | can't just watch my teammate get hit." Stella beside him thought to herself, 'I'm getting hit non-stop, and you didn't bother to shieldonce." Chris's actions spoke for themselves, and Leia remained silent. After all, Chris had shielded both Christina and Quinn several times, yet he hadn't stepped in to help Stella. Perhaps in Chris's eyes, Stella was resilient and sturdy enough to handle the hits.

As the halftbreak approached, a few of them were starting to sweat slightly. If they continued playing, they would catch a cold. They couldn't just stuff handkerchiefs like kindergarten kids.

Chris was still shaking off the snow, and just as it was ending, Frank hit him with another snowball. Covered in white, Chris cursed, "What's wrong with you? Can't you hear that the gis over?" Frank replied, "I don't want to waste the snowball | made." Leia felt that these people had good personalities, and she could tell that they had a strong bond. She said to Chris, "Bend down, I'll help you get rid of the snow on your hair." Chris shook his head again and refused, saying, "It's fine. I'll just shake it off myself." Christina, who had just arrived, heard her brother's refusal and couldn't believe it. Even a dog would shake its head at this missed opportunity. He declined Leia's help. Christina wondered if there might be something wrong with Chris's brain. She decided she would have Natalie help check on him another day. She then shook her head as she walked toward Joseph.

Stella followed behind and muttered. Quinn was helping her. "Don't move, and why haven't you zipped up your coat all the way? That way, the snow won't get into your neck." Stella replied furiously, "It's too hot! My toes are on fire from running. If | zip it up all the way, I'm afraid | won't be smacked to death by them. I'll die of heat instead." Quinn chuckled, suddenly hoping that Leia could be together with Chris. Christina's family atmosphere was really good. She reckoned Leia wouldn't feel unhappy marrying into that family.

When Natalie saw Sophia with only a white sweater left on, she felt a throbbing in her head. Sophia had shed her socks, shoes, coat, scarf, and hat by this point.

On the other hand, the snowman was decked out in Sophia's clothes, and there was even a stick hanging from its mouth. It wasn't a toothpick but a stick, probably meant to mimic a toothpick for the snowman to hold askew.

The others were speechless. This style was not bad. She was a genius.

Christina was speechless when she saw Sophia remove the socks and place them on the snowman's hand. Didn't Sophia feel cold? "Joseph, why did you let Sophia take everything off? She might catch a cold." Joseph had actually tried to stop it, but Sophia insisted on being innovative. As an uncle, he couldn't stifle the child's creative thinking. After completing the work, Sophia even asked him to take many group photos, saying she wanted to develop them.

At the moment, it seemed innovative, but once Sophia grew up in the future, these photos might becthe embarrassing moments she would want to bury. That was what Joseph thought.

Frank had his arm around Ava's shoulder, his smile gradually widening. He turned to glance at Trevon, who was also smiling, and said, "Sophia, you're quite creative." Thank goodness she didn't remove her pants and put them on the snowman.

Ava laughed, leaning against Frank's shoulder. She found her nephew too adorable.

In fact, Sophia wanted to take her pants off, but Joseph stopped her. Joseph threatened Sophia, saying if she took off her pants, Natalie would immediately send her back to Athana. Sophia thought about it again and again.

Then, with a regretful expression, she agreed not to take off her pants.

Before Natalie could get angry, Trevon reminded his daughter, "Sophia, we're going to the snow houses for pizza.

Hurry up and put your clothes on." Sophia sat down on the ground and took the socks from the snowman's hand, putting them directly onto her feet. When Natalie saw this, she took the socks and shook out the snow from inside. She scolded Sophia, "Aren't you afraid of getting cold? Aren't you feeling chilly?" Meanwhile, Jasper finished dressing up Olivia's snowman and stood up, no longer interested in looking at Sophia.

His hands rested inside the pockets of his down jacket as he calmly observed the scene.

Quinn placed a hand on Leia's shoulder and commented, "This kid has character." She didn't mention about Chris's incident.

Leia smiled and replied, "He's bolder and with a rather unconventional way of thinking." Soon after, Natalie helped her daughter put on her coat, socks, hat, and scarf. Holding her child's hand, she walked toward a row of circular-shaped snow houses.

Each snow house was constructed using thick accumulated snow, hollow in the middle, and had three warm yellow wall lamps, a table, and several stools inside.