Xia Wan tightened her cotton coat, trying to wrap herself up in more warmth to ward off the biting wind. But even so, the wind was like a cunning thief, always managing to sneak in silently through the gaps in her clothes, making her shiver and her body tremble slightly.
Carrying the carefully prepared gift in her hand and cherishing this sentiment, she walked with firm steps straight toward Aunt Cuihua's house. The mystery in her heart drove her, and her steps never stopped for a moment.
The wind howled in her ears all the way, stinging her cheeks, but her gaze remained steadfast as she looked ahead.
She was eager to find out more, hoping to unravel the clues from those trivial daily chatter, find the key to solving the mystery, reveal the truth, and restore peace to the village.
She knew that these mysteries were not only a matter of her personal doubts, but could also affect the peaceful life of the entire village.
At this time of year, the land is frozen solid by the bitter cold, like a huge block of ice. When you strike it with a hoe, it only produces a dull sound, as if it is the earth sighing under the pressure of the cold.
With no more farm work to be done in the fields, most villagers choose to stay at home, sitting around their warm kang (heated brick bed) and enjoying this rare leisure time.
That's why Xia Wan was certain that she could find the person by going directly to Aunt Cuihua's house. Aunt Cuihua was known in the village for her warm heart, and she loved to chat with everyone. She walked through the streets and alleys of the village every day and could chat with every villager.
She knows everything that happens in the village, big or small; she's practically the village's "information machine." If it's anything happening in the village, you can always ask her.
In the eyes of the villagers, Aunt Cuihua is like a "living map" of the village; no matter what happens, it cannot escape her notice.
When the villagers, young and old, encounter anything new or troublesome, they are willing to confide in Aunt Cuihua, and she always listens patiently and helps them come up with ideas.
Xia Wan walked along the familiar path. The withered grass by the roadside drooped its head in the cold wind, lifeless, like a soulless shell, at the mercy of the cold wind.
Along the way, she saw wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys of several houses, a symbol of the warmth of home in this cold winter. The white smoke slowly rose and blended into the gray sky, adding a unique touch of warmth to this icy world.
But her mind was filled with questions, and she paid no heed to the warmth brought by the smoke. The doubts in her heart burned like a raging fire, driving her forward. Soon, she arrived at Aunt Cuihua's house.
The firewood in the yard was neatly stacked, like soldiers waiting for inspection. Each piece of firewood was placed in an orderly manner, all thanks to Aunt Cuihua's hard work.
A few chickens strolled leisurely in the corner, occasionally scratching the ground with their claws, searching for food that might be hidden in the soil. They occasionally let out a few "clucking" sounds, adding a unique vitality to this cold and quiet winter day and making the cold atmosphere more lively.
Xia Wan raised her hand and gently knocked on the door, her voice clear and loud: "Aunt Cuihua, are you home?"
The sound shattered the village's tranquility, startling several sparrows perched on the branches. They flapped their wings and flew frantically into the gray sky, chirping as they quickly disappeared into the distance.
Soon, Aunt Cuihua's familiar voice came from inside the house: "Yes, who is this?"
Immediately afterwards, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar; it was Aunt Cuihua's voice, eagerly welcoming the guests, and one could hear her anticipation for their arrival.
The door creaked open, revealing Aunt Cuihua's kind face.
She was wearing an old scarf, the edges of which were worn. It was an old item that had been with her for many years, carrying countless memories, and every wear mark recorded a story of a bygone era.
The face bears the deep and shallow marks left by the years, and each wrinkle hides a story, a story of laughter, tears, hardship, and happiness.
But her warmth and friendliness have not diminished at all; the passage of time has only made her smile even more endearing.
The moment she saw Xia Wan, a smile immediately bloomed on her face. Her eyes narrowed into slits, resembling crescent moons, and her smile was full of sincerity and joy: "Oh, isn't this Xia Wan? Come in, come in! It's terribly cold outside, don't catch a cold."
As she spoke, she reached out and took Xia Wan's arm, leading her into the house with concern in her gesture.
Xia Wan walked into the house with a smile, and the room was filled with a warm and cozy atmosphere.
The earthen bed was heated up nicely, and as soon as Xia Wan entered, she felt the chill in her body instantly dissipate, as if she were enveloped by an invisible barrier of warmth, which warmed her heart.
She handed over the gift with a sincere smile on her face: "Auntie, this is just a small token of my appreciation."
It's nothing valuable, just something to show how much you've taken care of us, and we've always remembered it. You've helped us so much; this is just a small token of our appreciation.
Aunt Cuihua quickly took it, weighing it in her hand, and kept saying, "This child, it's good that you came, why did you bring anything! You're always so polite, it makes me feel really bad. I'm so happy that you came to talk to me."
As he spoke, he warmly pulled Xia Wan to sit down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), picked up the teapot on the kang table, and poured Xia Wan a cup of steaming tea. The steam rose gently, and the aroma of tea filled the air.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
