"Take a break, old friend. You've worked hard today."
Yu Xie rode his horse to a tree, dismounted, and sat down on the ground.
The night wind brushed past, and he tightened his clothing, but the biting cold still struck his face.
He closed his eyes, resting.
At that moment, the horse came over and nuzzled against Yu Xie, letting out a sound from its throat.
"Don't worry, I'm just taking a short rest; I'm fine."
The horse seemed to understand him, quickly quieting down and munching on the grass nearby.
Time flowed on.
After an unknown duration, Yu Xie got back on his horse.
"Old friend, I need you to take me home again."
The horse raised its head and let out a whinny, as if responding to Yu Xie, then set off towards Guili Assembly.
By the time Yu Xie returned to Guili Assembly, it was already the next morning.
He went home, prepared some food for himself, and after eating, lay down on his bed, falling into a deep sleep.
When he woke up, it was already dusk. The crimson glow of sunset streamed through the window into Yu Xie's room, and he stood by the window, gazing out at Guili Assembly like a statue.
Suddenly, a white crystalline flake drifted in from outside, landing on Yu Xie's face.
He felt the chill from the crystal.
Soon after, more white flakes began to fall.
It was snowing.
The falling snowflakes grew denser, swirling chaotically in the wind.
Gradually, a thin layer of snow covered the ground, resembling a layer of white gauze.
"Yu Xie! Yu Xie!"
The crisp voice outside interrupted Yu Xie's thoughts. He closed the window, wrapped himself in a coat, and stepped outside.
Little Gan Yu had already entered the courtyard, taking off her shoes as she climbed the steps.
Her light footsteps echoed on the wooden floor as she shook off the snowflakes from her clothes, brushed the snow from her hair, and then smiled at Yu Xie, revealing her white teeth.
"Master and the esteemed Song Chen seem to have something to discuss after dinner, and I didn't have anything to do, so I came to find you."
"Come inside; it's cold out here," Yu Xie said.
Once inside, Yu Xie stoked the fire, and the flickering flames gradually dispelled the chill.
Gan Yu sat by the fire, extending her slightly chubby hands to warm them, her face glowing with happiness.
"Yu Xie, let's build a snowman tomorrow!"
"Build a snowman? Aren't you afraid of the cold?"
"I'm not afraid," Gan Yu giggled. "Indarias and Bonanus both said that if the snow piles up tonight, tomorrow will be a perfect day for making a snowman. They're going to make a really big one."
"Alright, then we'll go make a snowman together," Yu Xie replied, hesitating for a moment before smiling back at Gan Yu.
In truth, Yu Xie was quite afraid of the cold. He wasn't the same as before; in winters past, wearing just one layer was enough, but now, even with several layers and a coat on top, he still felt cold.
But Gan Yu's big eyes looked at him, filled with anticipation, making it hard for him to refuse.
"That's great!" Gan Yu exclaimed, nearly bouncing with joy.
"By the way, Gan Yu, you've had dinner, right?" Yu Xie suddenly asked.
"Mm, I've eaten."
"I haven't yet. I'm going to make myself dinner now. Do you want to eat a bit more?"
"...N-no, I'm full. I can't eat anymore," Gan Yu turned her head away, seemingly trying hard to resist temptation.
Seeing this, Yu Xie didn't press further, simply smiling faintly as he headed to the kitchen.
After some commotion in the kitchen, about half an hour later, Yu Xie returned with a large bowl of food.
He set the bowl on the table and went back to the kitchen to bring out two sets of bowls and chopsticks.
"Come on, Gan Yu, it's time to eat."
"Ah, okay—" Gan Yu instinctively responded, but quickly realized something was off, "N-no, wait, I've already eaten! I'm not hungry!"
"Really not going to eat? I made 'braised winter bamboo shoots.'"
"Braised winter bamboo shoots..." Gan Yu's gaze started to waver as she glanced at the dish on the table.
The winter bamboo shoots and various ingredients lay quietly in the broth, perfectly stewed, looking soft and sweet, having soaked up all the flavors.
Even though she had already eaten before coming, Gan Yu found it hard to resist the temptation now.
"Come on, eat up," Yu Xie said with a smile, already serving her a bowl.
"N-no... I... I want to lose weight!" Gan Yu turned her head away reluctantly.
"Don't worry; you'll definitely lose weight later. This meal won't matter in the long run, right?"
Yu Xie knew that his words might undermine Gan Yu's weight loss goals, but it was a small selfish wish of his; he hoped to see her face light up with joy and happiness as she enjoyed his cooking once more.
"...You do have a point. Well, I guess I'll eat a little."
Finally, Gan Yu sat down at the table.
She took the bowl and chopsticks from Yu Xie and started eating.
Immediately, a happy smile blossomed on her face, radiating warmth like a sunflower on a cold winter day.
Seeing her smile, Yu Xie couldn't help but smile back.
After a while, dinner came to an end.
A large bowl of braised winter bamboo shoots was devoured by the two of them.
In truth, Yu Xie's appetite wasn't that big; more than half of the bowl had been eaten by Gan Yu.
There was a reason why Gan Yu had been chubby as a child.
"Oh no, I couldn't help myself and ended up eating so much... Now I'm going to gain weight again," Gan Yu said, rubbing her full belly, a look of guilt mixed with satisfaction on her face.
Seeing her like this, Yu Xie wanted to say something comforting, but he found himself at a loss for words, as he was the one who had encouraged her to eat more.
"Cough... cough..."
Suddenly, Yu Xie began to cough.
This time, the cough was more intense than any he'd experienced before.
He could feel the fatigue in his lungs, his airways protesting, and his whole body trembled slightly.
Gan Yu, noticing this, looked anxious, but Yu Xie raised his hand to signal that he was fine.
"Cough... cough..."
The coughing continued, and he covered his mouth with his hand, tasting a hint of iron in his throat.
Once the fit subsided, he looked at his palm.
Red spots stood out starkly, like ink stains in the snow.
He had coughed up blood...
It was the first time this had happened, and it just so happened that Gan Yu saw it.
"Yu Xie, you've coughed up blood!" Gan Yu exclaimed, her eyes wide with worry. "You're sick... Come on, let's go find Master; she knows medicine and can help you."
"No need, Gan Yu," Yu Xie said, raising his hand.
"W-why not?" Gan Yu asked, utterly confused. "You look really unwell; you need to see a doctor!"
"I've already seen a doctor, and they gave me medicine. As long as I take it on time, I'll be fine," Yu Xie forced a smile. "Gan Yu, can you promise me something?"
"What is it?" Gan Yu still looked worried.
"Please don't tell anyone that I'm sick, okay? I don't want to make everyone worry, and I don't want to ruin the mood for tomorrow's snowman-making."