In the depths of winter, the whole world seems to be shrouded in a cold veil, and all things shiver in the bitter cold.
The biting north wind, like a ferocious and out-of-control beast, rampaged through the streets and alleys, emitting a sharp and piercing howl that seemed to penetrate everything, sending chills down one's spine.
The trees along the street swayed violently in the gale, their dry branches clattering against each other, making a creaking sound as if they were groaning in pain.
The sun began to set early, and the sunset on the horizon was like a giant palette of paints that had been overturned. Intense and vivid colors such as orange-red, crimson, and bright yellow intertwined wildly, spreading across the vast sky, just like a magnificent and breathtaking oil painting.
The blending and changing colors seemed to be nature fully displaying its wonder and magnificence.
But as time slowly passes, these brilliant colors gradually fade away, as if gently erased by the invisible eraser of time.
The sky grew increasingly dark, like a huge, deep blue curtain slowly descending from the distant horizon, gradually enveloping the entire world.
Twilight, like a soft veil, drifted down from the distant horizon, silently enveloping the entire world and casting a hazy filter over everything before our eyes, making familiar scenes seem dreamlike and surreal, as if we were in a mysterious otherworld.
Inside the small kitchen, Xia Wan had been busy for quite some time. Petite as she was, she moved nimbly between the stove and the cutting board, like a graceful little swallow.
The flames in the stove leaped merrily, licking the bottom of the pot with relish. Under the high temperature, the ingredients in the pot released an enticing aroma—the taste of home, the taste of warmth.
The spatula in her hand stirred the food rhythmically, and the clattering of pots and pans created a unique melody full of life.
Sometimes she would intently watch the food in the pot, skillfully adjusting the heat; other times she would turn around and chop vegetables on the cutting board, her movements swift and fluid.
After careful cooking, a steaming hot dinner was finally served.
Wisps of steam rose up, carrying the mouthwatering aroma of the food, quickly filling the entire house and adding a touch of warmth to this somewhat simple home, making this cold winter night even more cozy.
Just as she had steadily placed the last dish on the table, she heard those familiar and steady footsteps approaching from afar, each step seeming to strike her heart.
Each sound made her heart clench involuntarily, then instantly relax. It was her brother Xia Tao's footsteps, a sound she knew all too well. To her, those footsteps were like a special signal, representing peace of mind and reliance.
She subconsciously stopped what she was doing, tilted her ear slightly to listen, and a look of anticipation appeared on her face.
Immediately afterwards, the old door creaked open slowly, the sound particularly clear in the quiet night.
Xia Tao's slightly tired yet joyful figure appeared at the door.
Xia Tao's face was etched with the weariness of days of running around. His cheeks were slightly sunken, and his once full face now looked somewhat thin. His eyes were also bloodshot, a sign of long hours of hard work.
In order to deal with the resale of his job, he has traveled almost all over the city in the past few days. First, he went to the freight company many times to communicate and negotiate with the leaders who had serious faces and indifferent expressions.
He was extremely cautious in every negotiation, and he racked his brains and talked himself hoarse in order to get better resale terms.
He patiently answered all the demanding requests and questions raised by the leaders, and tried his best to persuade them.
He then negotiated the details with each interested party, carefully considering every clause and requirement without daring to be careless.
He studied the contract terms repeatedly, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages, fearing that any oversight might cause him losses.
Every step of the process consumed a great deal of his energy. He was often so busy that he didn't even have time to eat or sleep properly.
Even so, at this moment, his eyes shone with a different kind of light—the joy and pride of success.
With a slight upturn of his lips, he exuded a sense of ease and satisfaction, as if he had accomplished something great.
It was a feeling of relief, as if a huge stone that had been weighing on his heart for a long time had finally been lifted. Every cell in his body was telling of this joy, and his shoulders were no longer as tense as before. His whole body relaxed.
"Wanwan, I'm back." Xia Tao said as he took off his slightly wrinkled coat. His movements were a little slow and he looked a bit tired, but his joy was still evident in his words.
His arms were sore from the long journey, and every movement seemed a bit strenuous; even taking off his coat became somewhat clumsy.
He gently hung his coat on the hanger, which creaked softly from its age, as if telling a story of the vicissitudes of time.
Then, he dragged his slightly heavy steps and turned to walk into the living room, plopped down on the somewhat old wooden sofa, and let out a soft sigh. In that sigh, there was the release of fatigue and the satisfaction of completing the task.
The sofa swayed slightly as he sat down, as if it were reassured by his return, responding with a soft creak.
Xia Wan came out of the kitchen, holding a cup of freshly brewed hot tea. Wisps of steam rose up, carrying a faint aroma of tea. It was Xia Tao's favorite tea.
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