The biting wind howled outside, but the room was filled with warmth.
Huo Rou stopped writing, a rare winter that didn't freeze her hands.
"The heating is really nice," Huo Rou remarked lightly.
Dai County had no heating originally; she had never experienced it during her many years in the village. But this place was different. Because Grandpa Nong and Grandma Yao had settled here for their research, the authorities had specially installed heating for them to survive the winter safely.
Heating...
Her mind drifted to the Qin family in Yu Chang City.
It had just started to get warm when she left.
But why was it so cold when she departed?
The branches outside swayed; the wind picked up again.
"Mom!" An An burst in from the door, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, his face flushed. "It's time to eat! Grandma Yao sent me to call you!"
Shen Feng followed An An, nudging Huo Rou's pant leg with his nose and whimpering for her to get up and leave.
"Got it," Huo Rou said. She took a jade bookmark, thin as a cicada's wing, from the drawer, placed it in the book, and then closed it, rising to her feet.
An An looked at the bookmark with surprise. "Mom, did you make that bookmark? It's so pretty!"
It was so translucent, perfectly matching his mom!
The colored sections on it looked like a flower!
Huo Rou scooped An An into her arms and walked out. "Your Uncle Xiao Shan left it here."
Her nominal disciple was always researching these peculiar things. She had received many before. She didn't know how many practice pieces he had made; Grandpa Nong's study was piled with such bookmarks, Grandma Yao's study was piled with them, and even the guest room where she often stayed had a pile.
Grandpa Nong and Grandma Yao didn't use bookmarks. The older generation preferred copying notes. So, all these bookmarks ended up in her room.
"Girl, come sit here," Grandpa Nong beckoned Huo Rou over. The noon news was once again replaying the situation in Country B. As soon as Huo Rou sat down, she saw it.
She shook her head slightly. "Most of this has Country M's hand in it."
Grandpa Nong slapped his thigh, enthusiastically agreeing, "Right? I thought so too! If it were truly internal strife, it shouldn't have calmed down after just two gangs disappeared. It's like a rat dropping in the soup!"
"Rat dropping in the soup..." Grandma Yao chuckled, patting Grandpa Nong's hand. "You're a public figure now. Say something more presentable!"
Grandpa Nong turned his head. "I'm tired of being proper all the time. It's a rare chance to relax, and the girl doesn't mind."
Grandma Yao pointed at An An. "The girl doesn't mind, but what about the little boy?"
Grandpa Nong fell silent, unable to answer.
An An's eyes darted around, and he secretly giggled. "Grandma Yao, the little boy doesn't mind either."
"Little boy?" A soft laugh came from outside the door. "You're all little ones, so what should I be?"
The door opened, and Qiao Yushan entered, carrying a large bag, smiling like a little fox cub.
Seeing him, Grandpa Nong slapped his fan on the armrest. "Xiao Shan Zi."
"Hahahaha!" The remark sent An An into peals of laughter, and Huo Rou's lips curved into a slight smile.
"That doesn't sound very good," Qiao Yushan said, unfazed by the teasing as he walked in.
He wasn't surprised to see Huo Rou. He playfully pulled items from the bag, giving them one by one to Grandpa Nong and Grandma Yao.
"Or, calling me Xiao Qiao is also nice!" Grandma Yao took his gift, looked at the still-heavy bag, and could already guess Qiao Yushan's intentions.
Qiao Yushan waved his hand and then turned to Huo Rou. "Xiao Qiao is beautiful. Only I, your disciple, am worthy of such a title."
He handed the entire bag to her. "Master, your disciple offers this out of filial piety!"
As he said this, he deliberately cupped his hands and bowed, exuding the demeanor of a refined young gentleman.
Huo Rou smiled at his slightly affected display.
Seeing that she was hesitating to take it, Qiao Yushan pushed the bag forward again. "Master, are we going to have a 'back and forth' scene this year?"
He knew Huo Rou disliked the ritual of "You take it," "No, I don't want it."
Indeed, upon hearing him say that, Huo Rou reached out to take the bag.
Shen Feng was faster, leaping up and landing steadily, the bag now in his mouth.
"It's not heavy," Qiao Yushan pouted. "You're the only one who cares about your owner. Of course, I wouldn't let my master get tired!"
Shen Feng shot him a look, tilted his head up as if not deigning to argue, and carried the bag upstairs.
"Shen Feng has been very gentlemanly lately," An An said to Qiao Yushan, coming up to him to talk about Shen Feng's deeds. "Ever since we got here, he helps carry things every day. Whatever Mom needs, he accompanies her!"
Qiao Yushan glanced at Huo Rou out of the corner of his eye, pondering, and replied to An An with exaggerated enthusiasm, "So gentlemanly?!"
An An nodded. He knew Uncle Xiao Shan hadn't seen such a gentlemanly dog before. He would generously tell him more.
Before he could say much more, Aunt Luo came in with the dishes.
"The food is ready!" Aunt Luo's eyes lit up with a smile when she saw Qiao Yushan. "Xiao Shan is here?"
"Yes," Qiao Yushan saw the smile in Aunt Luo's eyes and curved his lips, a look of immense satisfaction on his face.
How could he miss such a golden opportunity?
It had been fine for so many years, continuing as before. He was her disciple, and she would greet him at the door with a gentle smile.
But Qin Ningyi's appearance had disrupted the life he desired.
If she were happy, that would be enough. But she had stayed at Grandpa Nong's place for so long...
He knew then that this was his chance.