Miao Dahai offered Hua Yusen and Zhao Nuanyue some more words of encouragement. When the villagers started chatting about local affairs, the couple listened for a while, but soon lost interest and took their leave.
Though it was New Year's Day, the weather was bleak. A hazy fog filled the air, a gray sky hung over the land, and the wind was bitterly cold. The more experienced villagers were already predicting snow for that evening.
"It's so cold," Zhao Nuanyue said softly, rubbing her hands together and blowing on them.
Seeing this, Hua Yusen took Zhao Nuanyue's hand and said softly, "Let me warm them for you."
Zhao Nuanyue's small hand was held tightly in Hua Yusen's large one. Unlike her icy fingers, his hand was very warm.
"You should let go. It would be so embarrassing if someone saw us," Zhao Nuanyue said shyly. She tried to pull her hand away, even though his grasp was wonderfully warm.
