The rare warmth of the winter sun pierced through the thin clouds, casting its light on the white walls and gray tiles covered with a thin layer of snow. Melted snow dripped from the eaves, striking the bluestone slabs with a crisp sound. On the canal, the thin ice was just beginning to break, and the awning boats glided gently on the shimmering water.
Shen Huaiyu, wrapped in a pale yellow cloak with a white fox fur collar, had a slightly flushed face from the cold, making her appear even more charming. She walked side by side with Xiao Ze on the wet cobblestone path, an arm's length apart between them, their sleeves occasionally brushing against each other with each step. Xiao Ze was still wearing his black mink coat, his posture upright, his gaze always unconsciously falling on the person beside him, carrying a gentle smile.
However, this rare moment of peace for just the two of them was closely followed by three enthusiastic "little tails."
"Cousin Ze! Sister Huaiyu! Look! There's a sugar painting stall over there!" Ning Jie'er, like a cheerful little sparrow, held her brother's hand with one hand and excitedly pointed to a small stall on the riverbank not far away with the other. She was wearing a bright red cotton-padded jacket with flowers, and her hair was styled in two buns, with silver bells jingling in her hair as she ran.
Yan Ge'er's eyes lit up as he chimed in, "Yes, yes! We want a dragon! The biggest one!" He was a little more composed than Ning Jie'er, but his youthful spirit made him unable to resist the allure of new and exciting things.
Walking a step behind the two, Shen Huaijin strolled slowly, his hands tucked into his sleeves. He watched the beautiful couple and their two lively children ahead, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. Today, he wore a royal blue brocade robe with a dark cloak over it. Tall and with a cheerful air, he bore a striking resemblance to his father, Shen Wenbai, in his youth. He teased, "Brother Ze, Huaiyu, you two are enjoying the scenery slower than a tortoise! Are you perhaps stuck to the snowy landscape of Jiangnan?"
Shen Huaiyu blushed as her brother teased her, and she turned around to glare at Shen Huaijin reproachfully: "Brother! Stop talking nonsense!"
Xiao Ze's ears also felt a little hot, but he remained calm and smiled at Ning Jie'er and Yan Ge'er, saying, "Alright, let's go buy sugar paintings. Brother Huaijin, shall we come along?"
"Of course!" Shen Huaijin caught up in a few steps, casually ruffling his younger sister's hair. "I have to keep an eye on things for our parents, so that no one gets away with our precious little flower without even realizing it." He glanced meaningfully at Xiao Ze.
Xiao Ze smiled calmly and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Huaijin, rest assured, Ze will definitely protect Huaiyu." He naturally stretched out his hand, placing it lightly beside Shen Huaiyu to prevent her from being bumped by the crowded pedestrians.
A crowd had gathered in front of the sugar painting stall. An old craftsman with white hair and beard was scooping up a spoonful of golden, hot maltose. With a few deft strokes, he sketched a lifelike sugar dragon soaring through the clouds on the cool stone slab.
Yan Ge'er got his "dragon" as he wished and was so happy he couldn't stop smiling, while Ning Jie'er asked for a sugar phoenix with outstretched wings.
"Sister Huaiyu, what do you want?" Ningjie asked, licking the wings of the sugar phoenix.
Shen Huaiyu looked at the dazzling array of sugar paintings and hesitated.
"Boss, please paint a twin lotus flower." Xiao Ze said gently and paid.
The old craftsman smiled and agreed. With a flourish of his sugar spoon, two lotus flowers, leaning against each other and standing gracefully, soon appeared on the "board," crystal clear and lifelike.
Xiao Ze carefully removed the sugar painting and handed it to Shen Huaiyu, his eyes filled with a gentle smile: "Jiangnan is full of lotus flowers, symbolizing twin blossoms and a united heart. May we be like that too."
Shen Huaiyu took the twin lotus sugar painting. Her fingertips touched his slightly cool fingertips, and her heart skipped a beat. A sweet feeling instantly spread from the bottom of her heart to the corners of her mouth. She lowered her head, took a small lick of the sweet sugar lotus petal, and said in a soft voice, "...Thank you, Brother Ze."
Shen Huaijin, watching from the side, felt a pang of jealousy and deliberately said loudly to Yan Ge'er, "Yan Ge'er, did you see that? Learn from this! This is how you should coax your wife in the future!" This made Shen Huaiyu stomp her feet in embarrassment and anger.
Yan Ge'er nodded as if he understood, licking his sugar dragon, and mumbled, "Oh... Cousin Ze's move is amazing!"
The group continued along the riverbank, passing an ancient stone arch bridge. A stream flowed gently beneath it, and several ducks, undeterred by the cold, frolicked on the surface. Ning Jie and Yan Ge leaned on the bridge railing, watching intently.
Xiao Ze stopped and watched a small boat slowly passing under the bridge. A girl with a slender figure stood at the bow, holding an oil-paper umbrella. He turned to Shen Huaiyu and said softly, "'Willows in the mist, painted bridges, green curtains in the wind,' the scenery of Jiangnan is indeed well-deserved. Huaiyu, look at that boat, doesn't it look like it's floated out of a painting?"
Shen Huaiyu followed his gaze and saw a touch of liveliness amidst the bleakness of winter, truly like a poem or a painting. She nodded gently, her gaze falling on Xiao Ze's profile, which was clearly outlined by the sunlight, and her heart softened: "Yes, Brother Ze is also like... someone who stepped out of a painting."
Though the voice was soft, it was caught by Shen Huaijin's sharp ears. He exaggeratedly clutched his chest, feigning heartache: "Ouch! My heart hurts! My own sister's sweet words are making me sick! Brother Ze, you need to control your wife!"
Shen Huaiyu was extremely embarrassed and raised her little fist to hit her brother. Xiao Ze reacted quickly, smiling as he gently grasped her wrist and pulled her to his side, blocking Shen Huaijin's "harassment." His voice was filled with doting helplessness: "Brother Huaijin, please have mercy. Huaiyu is easily embarrassed."
Shen Huaiyu's wrist was grasped by his warm hand, and she could feel the burning heat even through his sleeve. For a moment, she forgot to struggle and felt that her cheeks were so hot that she could fry an egg on them.
Ning Jie'er and Yan Ge'er, seeing the "fight" on the bridge, forgot about the ducks and ran over to join in the fun, laughing: "Brother Huaijin was defeated by Cousin Ze!" "Sister Huaiyu's face is as red as a plum blossom!"
The group laughed and joked as they continued walking along the cobblestone path. Passing a steaming stall selling glutinous rice balls, the sweet aroma made their mouths water.
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