chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the depths of winter, snow was falling again on Pingan Ridge.

The radio was broadcasting the news. I sat on the heated brick bed, clutching a piece of Peach Slice Cake, my mouth watering as the aroma of chicken drifted in from the kitchen.

Dad had stewed an old hen today, but I hadn’t gotten to eat any yet.

As for the reason-

I glanced to my right. Cheng Yubai was sewing a Rabbit Fur Hat, his expression calm and indifferent.

Who isn’t excited on their own birthday? I grumbled inwardly. After rolling my eyes a few times, I scooted up to his right ear and whispered, “Cheng Yubai, are you hungry? Do you want some meat?”

Cheng Yubai glanced at me and replied slowly, “Not hungry… don’t want any.”

He was always like this. He clearly knew what I meant, but refused to go along with me.

I was a little unhappy.

Dad said older kids know how to care for others. Cheng Yubai was six years older than me, but he didn’t care for me at all.

I rolled my eyes again, changed direction, and leaned in to his left ear to quietly mutter, “Cheng Yubai is a big dummy.”

Cheng Yubai didn’t react, still focused on his handiwork.

He couldn’t hear out of his left ear, so even if I said bad things right in front of him, he wouldn’t notice.

Feeling satisfied, I sat back in my spot, looking perfectly innocent as I continued gnawing on my Peach Slice Cake. But Peach Slice Cake was nothing compared to the smell of chicken. After a few tasteless bites, I put it down.

Cheng Yubai was still sewing the hat, every stitch careful and precise.

Not bad.

It was getting cold, and he knew to make himself a hat. At least he wasn’t so foolish as to freeze in the cold.

Bored, I sprawled across the little table, watching him sew.

The more I watched, the more something felt off.

“Cheng Yubai.”

I poked his shoulder and kindly reminded him, “Your hat is too small.”

Cheng Yubai ignored me.

Kindness treated like donkey’s liver and lungs-who could be happy about that?

Pouting, I turned my head away and huffed loudly, deciding that if I ever spoke to him again, I’d be a little puppy.

The room instantly became very quiet.

I glanced here and fiddled there, and just as I was about to give in and talk to Cheng Yubai, Dad’s voice finally came from the kitchen: “…Dinner’s ready!”

My eyes lit up, staring eagerly at the door.

The curtain was lifted, and Dad came in grinning with a bowl of chicken soup. At the same moment, Cheng Yubai finished the last stitch.

“Manman.”

He suddenly called my name.

I turned my head instinctively, and in the next second, the freshly sewn Rabbit Fur Hat was placed on my head.

I was stunned.

Cheng Yubai reached out to straighten the hat for me, then said calmly, “Not too small. Just right.”