His eyes revealed a calm and composed demeanor. Although he had some worries, he believed he could handle anything. He had full confidence in his abilities and was convinced that all difficulties were only temporary.

He silently calculated in his heart that as long as his father didn't return, those with ill intentions would find it difficult to succeed.

“Dad really didn’t come back. Who knows if he received Zhou Jing’s letter beforehand and did what he shouldn’t have done?” Xia Wan glanced at her brother and thought to herself, “No wonder Grandpa suggested that he join the army for training. He always lacks keen insight in these complicated matters.”

A hint of worry flashed in her eyes, and she paused involuntarily, as if tripped up by this terrible thought. In that instant, she felt a chill run up from the soles of her feet, making her body tremble slightly.

She worried that her father had been involved in something dangerous without their knowledge.

"I also left her a small gift," Xia Wan added, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible pride, a confident smile playing on her lips.

That smile seemed especially warm in the cold wind, like a ray of sunshine in winter, illuminating her originally somewhat dull face and giving her a unique radiance.

She felt a sense of accomplishment as she recalled the meticulous planning she had done to prepare the "gift".

"What did you leave behind?" Xia Tao's curiosity was immediately piqued, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, like stars twinkling in the night sky, bright and full of longing.

He leaned closer to his sister, bending down slightly, eagerly awaiting her answer, as if it were a mysterious treasure about to have its veil lifted. He couldn't wait to know what his sister had done.

He even imagined that the gift his sister left behind would be something strange and unexpected for Liu Cuilan.

Xia Wan simply waved her hand casually and said lightly, "Just some small things. Anyway, she'll get what she deserves."

After saying that, he quickly changed the subject and started talking about other trivial matters in the village, as if he didn't want to mention this matter anymore.

A sly glint flashed in her eyes, as if she were guarding an interesting secret, a secret like a pearl hidden in a treasure box, the value of which only she knew.

She knew in her heart that once the secret was revealed, it might lose its magic.

The two quickly entered the village. The old locust tree at the village entrance still stood quietly, like a silent guardian, witnessing the changes in the village.

A few withered yellow leaves remain on its thick branches, rustling in the wind as if whispering stories of the past.

The swaying of each leaf seems to tell the story of past joys and sorrows, prosperity and decline. It is a witness to the village's history and a recorder of time.

As children, they used to play under this tree, playing hide-and-seek and beanbag toss. The old locust tree's shade sheltered them from the summer sun. Today, it still stands here, witnessing everything that has happened in the village.

Xia Tao looked around and said to Xia Wan, "Let's split up first. I'll go and take care of the house matter in the village."

He patted his sister's shoulder gently, a gesture that conveyed trust and encouragement, as if telling her that he believed she could handle her own affairs and that he would do his best to complete his mission.

Then he turned and walked toward his destination. His back looked particularly firm in the cold wind, as if he had an unwavering determination that he would not back down no matter how many difficulties lay ahead.

He silently encouraged himself, determined to handle the house matter properly and not disappoint his family.

Xia Wan nodded in agreement, and the two of them walked in different directions, their figures gradually disappearing into the village alleys.

A faint scent of cooking wafts through the alleyways, occasionally punctuated by the barking of dogs, adding a touch of life to this tranquil village.

The aroma of cooking, mixed with the scent of food, evokes a sense of simplicity and warmth in life.

Only the north wind continues to howl over the village, as if playing a symphony of winter. Its stirring melody seems to tell the story of this winter and also foreshadow the unknown and challenges of the future.

Xia Wan walked along the familiar alley, each step treading on childhood memories. She passed by her neighbor's yard, where the old dog lay in the corner, only wagging its tail lazily when it saw her.

In the past, she would always stop to play with it, but today, she was preoccupied with her own thoughts and had no time for that.

The image of Liu Cuilan kept appearing in her mind. What secrets did that seemingly calm woman hold?

When will the "gift" she left behind come into play? These questions lingered in her mind, refusing to leave.

She quickened her pace, wanting to get home as soon as possible and sort out her thoughts.

On the other side, Xia Tao walked towards the other end of the village.

The house he was dealing with was a family property from many years ago, and now it involved some complicated matters.

As he walked, he mentally sorted out the details of the situation, considering how to resolve it properly. The cold wind was still biting, stinging his face, but he was oblivious, his mind focused only on the matter at hand and his hopes for the future.

He recalled every detail related to the house, trying to find the key to solving the problem.

As the two figures gradually disappeared into the corners of the village, the entire village returned to its usual tranquility, broken only by the howling of the north wind and the occasional bark of a dog in the icy snow.

Beneath this seemingly peaceful village lie countless secrets and stories, waiting to be uncovered.

Perhaps in some unknown corner, something unusual is happening, and Xia Wan and Xia Tao are about to be drawn into this unknown storm.