The winter sky was gloomy and overcast, while the bitter wind cut across people’s faces like knives. Carrying large bags filled with pastries and candies, Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling hurried toward the place where they had parted ways with the ox cart that morning.
Along the way, Yun Yixuan repeatedly stomped her feet to keep warm.
“It’s freezing! We definitely can’t miss the ox cart.”
Li Meiling quickly agreed. “Exactly. If we have to walk all the way back, we’ll suffer.”
From a distance, they spotted Uncle Wei sitting on the ox cart. He was wrapped in an old but freshly washed cotton-padded coat, smoking his long pipe as he repeatedly glanced around with an anxious look in his eyes.
Even the ox seemed drained by the freezing weather. It stood quietly nearby, occasionally flicking its tail.
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling quickened their pace and approached the cart with smiles on their faces.
Yun Yixuan breathed out a cloud of white mist and asked with concern, “Uncle Wei, have you been waiting here this whole time? It’s already freezing, and the cold wind keeps blowing. You must be frozen stiff.”
As she spoke, she pulled several fruit candies from her pocket and stuffed them into Uncle Wei’s hand before he could refuse.
Uncle Wei stared at the candies in their colorful wrappers and was just about to turn them down when Yun Yixuan continued, “Take them home for the children. Kids love sweets.”
Uncle Wei froze for a moment, a trace of emotion flashing through his eyes.
He did indeed have three lively and adorable grandchildren at home. Because the family was struggling financially, it had been a long time since he’d been able to buy them any candy.
Imagining their excited faces when they saw the sweets, Uncle Wei silently nodded. He carefully tucked the candies into the pocket of his cotton-padded coat and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.
“Then I’ll thank you on behalf of the children. You’re such a kindhearted girl.”
“Uncle Wei, you’re being too polite.”
Yun Yixuan smiled sincerely, her eyes curving into crescents.
“Your grandchildren are so well-behaved and adorable. I really like them. Every time I see them, they warm my heart.”
Hearing this, Uncle Wei gave an honest, simple smile and scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.
“Really? They’re still young and don’t know any better. Sometimes they’re pretty mischievous. They’ve probably caused everyone plenty of trouble.”
“Mischievous children are the clever ones!”
Yun Yixuan hurriedly waved her hand and smiled.
“Think about it, Uncle Wei. They’re always coming up with new ideas because they’re smart. I’m sure they’ll accomplish great things when they grow up. You’re truly blessed to have such adorable little ones around you.”
Her words made Uncle Wei burst into hearty laughter. The wrinkles on his face relaxed, revealing teeth slightly yellowed from years of smoking.
“You girl! Your mouth must be coated in honey. You certainly know how to sweet-talk an old man.”
After laughing for a while, Uncle Wei suddenly seemed to remember something and slapped his forehead.
“Look at me, I’m getting forgetful in my old age! Hurry up and stop standing there in the cold. Get on the cart. There’s still another hour before we head back to the village. Don’t catch a cold while you’re waiting.”
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling happily agreed.
They lifted everything they had bought onto the ox cart before clambering aboard.
A thick layer of straw covered the bottom of the cart. Although simple and crude, it somehow made the cart feel much warmer.
The three of them sat together and began chatting.
They talked about everything from everyday happenings in the village and amusing stories about the children to this year’s harvest.
From time to time, Uncle Wei’s stories made Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling laugh so hard that they doubled over. Their youthful energy was contagious, and Uncle Wei laughed along with them until his eyes narrowed into thin slits.
Time passed amid their cheerful conversation and laughter.
Even the bitter cold seemed to fade beneath the warmth of the atmosphere, leaving only a comforting sense of happiness.
As the freezing wind continued to blow, Uncle Wei occasionally rubbed his reddened hands together and breathed warm air onto them while staring down the distant road.
Finally, the other two older women and the young woman came hurrying toward them. Their cheeks were bright red from the cold, and they were panting heavily.
“Sorry, Uncle Wei. We made everyone wait so long,” one of the women apologized.
Uncle Wei smiled and waved his hand.
“It’s fine. Now that everyone’s here, let’s head back.”
With that, he raised the whip in his hand and lightly flicked it against the ox’s back.
The ox cart slowly began moving, swaying from side to side as it headed toward Weijia Village.
The weak winter sunlight seemed almost frozen by the cold as it slowly sank toward the western horizon.
Gradually, dusk enveloped the land.
Sparse stars twinkled in the night sky like blinking eyes. Their faint light fell upon the rows of low, dilapidated houses in Weijia Village, making the village appear even more impoverished and desolate.
Sitting on the ox cart, Yun Yixuan stared at the familiar yet rundown scene before her, and her heart tightened painfully.
Her parents’ health was deteriorating day by day.
She couldn’t continue wasting her time in this impoverished, remote village.
She had to find a way to get her parents out of here as soon as possible and bring them somewhere they could properly rest and recover.
By the time the ox cart finally reached the village entrance, night had completely fallen.
Everyone climbed down and stretched their stiff bodies after sitting for so long.
Just as Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling were about to retrieve the large pile of bags they had stacked on the cart, Uncle Wei’s warm, gentle voice sounded behind them.
“Girl Yun, you two get back on the cart. It’s already dark. I’ll take you to the educated youth compound.”
As he spoke, Uncle Wei looked at them with concern.
Yun Yixuan quickly waved her hand, a warm smile appearing on her face.
“There’s no need, Uncle Wei. You should go home and rest. You’ve been out in the cold all day, so you must be exhausted. The educated youth compound isn’t far from here. We’ll reach it after walking for a bit, so don’t worry about us.”
As she spoke, she and Li Meiling struggled together to unload their “spoils” from their trip to town—pastries, candies, and various other purchases.
These things carried their hopes for a better life while also holding their longing for their families.
Uncle Wei looked at Yun Yixuan’s determined expression and knew there was no point trying to persuade her further.
He could only reluctantly give in.
“All right, then. You two be careful. It’s dark, so watch where you’re stepping. If anything happens, come find me. I’ll head home first.”
His eyes were filled with genuine worry and concern.
“Mm, don’t worry, Uncle Wei. You take care on your way home too.”
Yun Yixuan smiled brightly as she said goodbye, gratitude shining in her eyes.
“All right!”
Uncle Wei answered cheerfully.
He raised his whip once more and guided the ox cart away, slowly disappearing into the darkness.
Only the creaking sound of the wooden wheels remained, gradually fading into the silent night.
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling stood there for a moment, watching the direction in which Uncle Wei had disappeared.
Only then did they turn around and begin walking toward the educated youth compound.
Under the faint starlight, their figures appeared slender and fragile, yet there was an unmistakable strength in their steps.
The moonlight flowed like water over the winding country path, covering everything around them in a hazy silver veil.
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling walked side by side toward the educated youth compound.
Their surroundings were completely silent except for the occasional chirping of insects.
When they passed the cowshed, Yun Yixuan suddenly stopped as though something had caught hold of her feet.
She turned toward Li Meiling.
“Meiling, there’s something I need to do. Wait here for me.”
Yun Yixuan lowered her voice, but in the stillness of the night, every word remained exceptionally clear.
Li Meiling looked puzzled but instinctively nodded, her gaze following Yun Yixuan as she walked away.
Yun Yixuan took a deep breath before heading toward the cowshed with determined steps.
Under the cover of darkness, the cowshed looked particularly gloomy and dilapidated.
Rotten wooden planks had been crudely nailed together in every direction. Some sections were already on the verge of collapsing, looking as though a single strong gust of wind could bring the entire structure down.
The straw covering the roof was sparse and uneven. Under the moonlight, its messy silhouette resembled a head of unkempt hair.
Yun Yixuan cautiously approached, repeatedly glancing around.
Every step she took was light and careful, afraid that someone might notice her.
After confirming that no one else was nearby, she moved her thoughts.
Two cans of milk powder instantly appeared in her hands.
Yun Yixuan quietly placed the milk powder into a bag and continued toward the cowshed.
The moment she reached the entrance, the pungent smell of cow dung assaulted her nose.
She wrinkled her nose but didn’t retreat in the slightest.
Her eyes gradually adjusted to the dimness as she leaned closer and peered through a gap in the cowshed.