Chapter 239 Warmth
In the snowy night, footprints meandered, and lights faded into the distance behind.
Zhang Chunxue walked lightly between Song Xingzhi and Zhong Xiaoxiao.
The family chatted and laughed as they returned home.
Because they had walked through the snow, Song Xingzhi was worried that Zhang Chunxue's feet would get cold, so he specially prepared a basin of hot water for her to soak her feet.
Seeing that he seemed to want to help her wash her feet, Zhang Chunxue pulled him to sit down next to her.
"Take off your shoes, let's soak together!"
Song Xingzhi paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, "Okay, I'll listen to Sister Chunxue."
Both pairs of feet were immersed in the warm water, and steam rose between them.
Zhang Chunxue gently touched Song Xingzhi's instep with her toes: "The basin is still a bit small."
Two pairs of feet were squeezed inside.
Song Xingzhi rubbed his own foot against Zhang Chunxue's foot, saying, "I think it's just right... this is how it should be, all lovey-dovey..."
Zhang Chunxue glared at him, her face slightly flushed.
It started snowing again outside, but inside the room it was warm and cozy, full of the feeling of spring...
The next morning, the morning light streamed into the house through the window. The snow had stopped, and the yard was quiet except for the soft rustling of a broom across the ground.
Zhang Chunxue blinked, removed Song Xingzhi's hand from her waist, and sat up.
Before she could even process what was happening, a garment was draped over her shoulders.
Song Xingzhi put his arm around her waist again: "Put your clothes on when you get up, or you'll be cold."
He picked up his watch from the bedside table and checked the time: "It's only a little past seven! I don't need to go anywhere today, I can sleep in a bit longer."
“It’s time to get up,” Zhang Chunxue said, pulling her clothes tighter. “At home, we’d be up by this time getting ready to go to the meat processing plant.”
Song Xingzhi rubbed against Zhang Chunxue again: "I always feel that you work too hard, Chunxue-jie..."
Zhang Chunxue smiled and said, "In two more years, Xiaoxiao will graduate from high school. If she can get into a university in Beijing, we can come to Beijing and won't have to do this anymore... If she doesn't get in..."
"We still have to go back to the capital!" Song Xingzhi immediately said. "I can't bear to see you, Chunxue, so tired!"
Zhang Chunxue smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I understand!"
After arguing for a while, the two got dressed and went downstairs to wash up.
Zheng Wenbi is old, so she gets up earlier than the young people and is already sitting in the restaurant.
Seeing Zhang Chunxue come down, he immediately greeted her with a smile: "You're up? Breakfast was just made and it's still warm."
She said with a teasing look, "Nothing much is happening today. I thought you guys would get up a little later!"
Zhang Chunxue just smiled and said, "I usually get up at this time, I can't fall back asleep."
Just then, Zhou Mingli came in carrying Zhong Yuanyuan.
When Zheng Wenbi saw Zhong Yuanyuan, her smile became even brighter.
"Oh dear! Yuanyuan's awake too? Mingli, give me the baby! You two have breakfast first!"
She peeked outside and asked, "Where's Xiaoxiao?"
Zhou Mingli smiled and said, "Yes! I just passed by Xiaoxiao's room and there was no sound. She's probably still sleeping, so I didn't wake her up."
"Then don't wake her, let her sleep a little longer!" Zheng Wenbi said considerately. "The child is growing, so she needs to sleep more."
Qian Xiaowan and Song Xingyun also came in, and upon seeing them, they couldn't help but tease them.
"Oh, I thought we got up early enough, since we have to go to work later... Chunxue, why are you guys up so early too?"
"I'm used to it; once I'm awake, I can't fall back asleep!" Zhang Chunxue replied with a smile.
While teasing Zhong Yuanyuan, Zheng Wenbi added, "Today, let Xingzhi take you to visit various places in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. We can also see the snow scenery."
She thought for a moment, then added, "Let's not go to the Great Wall, it's so cold! Let's wait until spring when the weather is better."
Song Xingzhi couldn't help but laugh: "Okay, since we're going to settle down in the capital anyway, we can go anywhere we want."
After breakfast, Zhong Xiaoxiao and Song Yanzhe were still not up, so Zhang Chunxue and Song Xingzhi decided to go out for a walk.
Zhou Mingli didn't go. Firstly, it was too cold outside; secondly, if her parents went out for a stroll, wouldn't she be a third wheel?
If you really want to go shopping, wait until Zhong Xiaoxiao and the others wake up before going out together.
Zhang Chunxue didn't force her, and went out with Song Xingzhi.
Their first stop was Song Xingzhi's courtyard house.
This courtyard house is indeed smaller than the Song family's, but it is equally well-maintained, with green tiles and red walls. Now covered in snow, it looks quite beautiful.
Several old plum trees in the courtyard quietly bloomed in the snow, their subtle fragrance wafting in the air. The snow beside them gently slid off, making the petals appear even more delicate and beautiful.
Zhang Chunxue stood under the plum tree, gently reaching out to touch the branches, her fingertips catching a wisp of cool fragrance.
"Do you like it?" Song Xingzhi took her hand and walked step by step in the snow.
Because no one lived in this courtyard, no one came to shovel snow. Footprints, some deep and some shallow, stretched towards the eaves, as if turning the entire quiet courtyard into an undisturbed painting.
Zhang Chunxue nodded gently, her breath condensing into a thin mist in the cold air: "It's like a painting, so I don't want to step on it too much."
Song Xingzhi smiled and tightened his grip on her hand, whispering, "From now on, you're all ours. You can go wherever you want."
She turned her head to look at him, her eyes reflecting the snow, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up: "You're right, there's still a long way to go."
The two strolled around the courtyard house before locking the door and leaving.
After the snow, the capital city appeared even clearer and quieter, with occasional pedestrians walking through the streets and alleys, leaving behind soft sounds.
Zhang Chunxue wrapped her scarf tightly around herself and looked at Beijing in the early 1980s.
It was completely different from the capital city she had seen in her previous life; it had a more profound and dignified feel, and less of the hustle and bustle.
Amidst the gray walls and black tiles, a slow and steady pace of life is hidden, as if time itself has slowed down in this snow.
Every now and then you can see children having snowball fights and building snowmen, their laughter echoing deep in the alleyways.
Zhang Chunxue also saw several children holding bright red candied hawthorns, playing and munching on them.
The rock sugar on the candied hawthorn skewers glistened in the sunlight, yet its sourness made the children grimace.
Song Xingzhi stopped in his tracks: "Sister Chunxue, wait for me."
Zhang Chunxue was puzzled: "What?"
"Uh, let me find a restroom."
Watching Song Xingzhi run off in a hurry, Zhang Chunxue was speechless.
She guessed what he had gone to do.
Sure enough, Song Xingzhi returned shortly afterward.
He put his hands behind his back and only took out a string of candied hawthorns when he walked up to Zhang Chunxue.
"Sister Chunxue, have some candied hawthorn!" His eyes were full of smiles.
Zhang Chunxue smiled and took the candied hawthorn from his hand: "You went to the restroom to get this for me?"
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