It snowed heavily all night. The next morning, when Mo Lixia opened the door, a thick layer of white greeted her.
On the first day of the New Year, Mo Lixia changed into new clothes—a light purple cotton jacket and a matching pleated skirt. She tied her hair up simply with a ribbon.
"Master, Happy New Year."
She knelt before Qian Chuan's spirit tablet and kowtowed three times.
Although she was alone, the house felt warm.
Later that morning, Shen Muqing came up the mountain to pay his respects. He brought a basket of dried dates and nuts.
"Lixia, Happy New Year," he said, his cheeks flushed from the cold.
"Happy New Year, Brother Shen. Come in and warm up," Mo Lixia invited him inside.
Aunt Shen had also made some new shoes for her, which Shen Muqing shyly presented.
"My mother made these. She hopes they fit."
Mo Lixia tried them on. They were perfect—sturdy, warm, and embroidered with delicate flowers.
"Thank you, Aunt Shen. They are beautiful."
The village was lively during the New Year. Firecrackers popped throughout the day, and children ran around in new clothes, chasing each other.
Mo Lixia didn't go down to the village much. She preferred the quiet of the mountain.
However, visitors still came.
Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu brought pork and vegetables. Mo Lixia gave them some of her almond cream and medicinal herbs in return.
Even some villagers she had treated over the year came to offer thanks, bringing eggs, baskets of fruit, or homemade cakes.
Mo Lixia accepted their kindness with a warm heart.
In the evening, she sat by the fire, reading a medical book her master had left behind.
Suddenly, she heard a scratching noise at the door.
She opened it to find a small, white creature shivering on the doorstep.
It was the "Dragon Cat"—the chinchilla she had met in the forest!
It looked thinner than before, its fur matted with snow. It stared up at her with large, pitiful eyes.
"You poor thing," Mo Lixia murmured. "Come in."
The creature hesitated, then darted inside, heading straight for the warmth of the stove.
Mo Lixia smiled and fetched some dried fruit and nuts. The little creature devoured them eagerly.
"From now on, you can stay here," she said softly, stroking its soft fur. "I'll call you... Xiao Bai (Little White)."
Xiao Bai squeaked in agreement, curling up into a ball by the fire.