Another January, colder days ensued.
On Wuzhe Lake, the bitter wind howled, yet countless boats still shuttled to and fro.
In a relatively secluded small bay, a tiny dark covered boat had made its sole berth.
Smoke curled up from inside the boat, where a boy lay prone on the edge, eyes fixed anxiously on the water beneath.
Suddenly, with a splash, a person emerged from the water, nimbly climbed onto the bow, and without a care for the biting wind, pulled a Green Fish from their pants and carefully placed it into the fish basket.
After completing these tasks, the tense nerves finally relaxed, and the body felt the cold soaking through from the lake and wind; skin that was once wheatish turned deathly pale from prolonged immersion, shivering uncontrollably as the north wind blew.
"Big sis, here!"
The boy hurried to her side, handing her a small gourd.
Qing, quivering, took the gourd and poured its contents into her mouth.
"Gurgle, gurgle!"