Late November, the chill intensified. A strong wind howled, sycamore leaves fluttered; migratory birds flew south, their cries echoing.
Li Se huddled on the warm tatami mat.
Her body was burning from the heating. Bored, she gazed out the window; the garden was shrouded in a white mist, even the empty swimming pool was enveloped in it. The heat condensed on the cold glass, forming a layer of condensation.
Li Se stretched out her fingertip and lightly traced a line across the glass, water droplets dripping from her fingertip.
She hastily wrote two words—"Fuck You."
"Knock, knock, knock—" A sudden knocking sound rang out.
Li Se glanced back at the bedroom door before slowly getting up. Barefoot on the scorching floor, she staggered towards the door.
Standing outside was her uncle, Li Xu.
"What?" Li Se's eyelids drooped, a muffled, breathy sound escaping his throat, the tone rising like a cat that had been woken up, whimpering impatiently.
Li Xu leaned against the doorframe, handing over an elegantly wrapped small gift box, the upper left corner [...]