Winter Solstice in Old Street
The subtle ripples caused by her mother's phone call were quickly smoothed out by the warmth of daily life. Lin Zhiyi didn't bring it up again, and Lu Shixu didn't ask again. There was an unspoken understanding between them, knowing that it was a topic that needed to be faced together, but there was no need to rush it. Life seemed to have returned to its previous track, only this time with a touch more composure and steadiness after weathering the storm.
The winter solstice is just around the corner. Beijing is shrouded in a dry, cold chill, and the north wind bites against your face with a biting force. There is a saying among the people that "the winter solstice is as important as the New Year," a day for family reunions and eating dumplings to prevent ears from freezing off.
In the afternoon, Lin Zhiyi left work a little early, carrying large bags of ingredients and walking into "Shixu" with her breath steaming in the air. The shop was a bit warmer than usual, and Lu Shixu was unusually not busy at the work counter, but instead in the small tea room at the back, tending a small charcoal stove with a bubbling casserole on it, the rich aroma of meat broth with medicinal notes filling the air.
"Are you... making soup?" Lin Zhiyi asked in surprise as she placed the ingredients on the small table beside her.
Lu Shixu turned around, his nose slightly red from the steam. He was holding a long-handled soup ladle in his hand, his expression as calm as ever, but his eyes held a hint of gentleness that was hard to detect: "Grandpa brought me some mutton this morning. He said he bought it specially from a familiar shop in Inner Mongolia to make soup to ward off the cold. I was thinking... today is the winter solstice."
He spoke simply, but Lin Zhiyi understood his meaning. His grandfather's concern and his special preparations in advance silently conveyed his emphasis on this traditional festival, and... a kind of tacit acceptance and expectation that she would spend this night with him.
“Perfect,” Lin Zhiyi said with a smile, waving the bag in her hand. “I bought flour and filling, let’s make dumplings.”
The small tea room suddenly became even more crowded, yet also more filled with the warmth of everyday life. Lin Zhiyi rolled up her sleeves and began kneading the dough and preparing the filling. She did this skillfully and nimbly, and the dough gradually became smooth and pliable under her hands. Lu Shixu couldn't help much, so he quietly watched from the side, occasionally handing her something, or following her instructions to neatly arrange the wrapped dumplings on a plate.
His fingers, capable of precisely calibrating even the smallest clock parts, appeared somewhat clumsy as he pinched those plump white dumplings, the pleats he made crooked and uneven, a stark contrast to the beautiful, ingot-like dumplings in Lin Zhiyi's hands.
Lin Zhiyi couldn't help but burst out laughing when she saw his earnest but ineffective expression.
Lu Shixu watched her smile, not annoyed at all. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and there was a warm, indulgent feeling in his eyes. He placed a dumpling he had made that was almost falling apart aside and said self-deprecatingly, "This... I'll keep it for myself."
Outside the window, the sky was already completely dark, and a cold wind howled across the eaves of the old street. Inside the shop, however, it was warm and cozy, with gentle lighting. The rich aroma of stewed mutton mingled with the delicate fragrance of flour, and the clay pot on the charcoal stove bubbled and simmered, like a cozy winter concerto.
The dumplings were dropped into the pot, tumbling and floating in the boiling water, gradually turning plump and white. The mutton soup was also stewed to perfection, its broth milky white and its aroma irresistible.
They brought the food to the worktable in the front of the shop, temporarily setting aside the delicate tools and parts, and laid out a clean cloth, creating a dining table full of life.
"Happy Winter Solstice." Lin Zhiyi raised a cup filled with hot soup, smiling broadly.
"Happy Winter Solstice." Lu Shixu raised his glass and gently clinked it with hers. His gaze fell on her cheeks, which were slightly flushed from the steam, and on the simple yet heartfelt meal on the table. His heart was filled with an unprecedented and abundant warmth.
During dinner, they chatted about trivial matters. Lin Zhiyi talked about the minor troubles she encountered while typesetting her manuscript, while Lu Shixu mentioned an extremely rare pocket watch that a guest had given her. There were no earth-shattering events, just the sharing of ordinary life, which made this cold winter night exceptionally warm and comforting.
After finishing their meal and clearing away the dishes, the two stood side by side by the window, each holding a cup of hot tea. Outside, the old street was quiet, with only a few scattered lights, and the distant city lights tinged the sky with a dark red hue.
"It looks like it's going to snow," Lin Zhiyi said softly, looking at the fine water droplets condensing on the glass.
"Mm." Lu Shixu responded, paused for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice low and clear, "Thank you, Zhiyi."
Lin Zhiyi turned her head and looked at him with some confusion.
"Thank you," he repeated, his gaze still fixed on the deep night outside the window, as if speaking to her, or perhaps to himself, "for making me feel... that this winter isn't so cold."
His words were soft, yet like a pebble thrown into a still lake, they rippled outwards. Lin Zhiyi understood that he was thanking her not only for the dumplings and the hot soup, but also for her companionship, for the warmth and color she brought to his otherwise lonely and desolate world.
She didn't say anything, but simply reached out and gently grasped his slightly cool fingers.
Just then, a tiny, pure white snowflake silently drifted down from the dark night sky, stuck to the cold glass window, and instantly melted into a drop of water.
Then came the second flake, the third flake... Fine snowflakes began to fall in a flurry, dancing in the glow of the streetlights, silently covering the bluestone path and the ancient roof tiles.
"It's snowing," Lin Zhiyi said softly, with a hint of surprise in her voice.
"Yes, it's snowing." Lu Shixu squeezed her hand.
The two stood quietly by the window, watching the unexpected winter snow fall outside. Inside the shop, countless clocks ticked, recording this tranquil and beautiful moment. Outside, snowflakes drifted down silently, gently enveloping the entire world.
This winter solstice felt complete and fulfilling because of each other's company, the warmth of hot soup and dumplings, and the timely first snow.
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