Audrey finally looked around and saw the mirror-like lake surface beneath her feet, the low rolling hills in the distance, and the trees adorned with ten million icicles. It was a scene of silver-clad purity and unbridled beauty.
She sighed with genuine admiration, turned in a circle, and excitedly said, "Dad, I love this place."
"Every year, at this time, Dad will bring you here," Gem promised.
"Okay," Audrey then leaned forward and kissed Gem's cheek, saying, "I love Dad."
"Dad loves you too," Gem kissed her little face and continued on with the task at hand.
Audrey quietly watched her dad take out the ice-cutting tools from the bamboo basket.
Breaking the ice was especially laborious since it was very hard.
After a lot of effort, they managed to make a small hole, but the ice underneath still seemed very thick.
Seeing her dad working so hard, Audrey squatted down and asked, "Dad, is the ice here very thick?"
