The main purpose of Shu Yanrong and his son’s visit was to discuss with Shu Wanxiu about going to the county town to collect grain. Now that it was settled, it was almost time for them to head home.

Half a day had passed, with the snow falling heavily at times and lightly at others, never quite stopping.

Before leaving, Shu Yanrong worriedly circled the two thatched huts, carefully checking whether the windows and doors were drafty, if the roof was leaking snow, and if they had stored enough firewood for the winter.

He discovered that Shu Wanxiu had stuffed the tiny gaps between the window frames and walls with wild grass and other materials. The newly replaced roof this year was completely sealed, and firewood was piled high everywhere in the wooden shed, the main room, and under the eaves leaving no worry of shortage.

No matter how meticulously he inspected, he found only one issue that needed addressing.

“The snow on the roof has piled up quite thick. Borrow a ladder from down the mountain. Once we clear the snow, we’ll head back.”

No wonder Paternal Uncle held such high regard in Shu Wanxiu’s heart. Matters like snow clearing if he hadn’t mentioned it, she might not have thought of it until evening or the next day.

She closed the door, took the lead to show the way, while Shu Yanrong carried Shu Shouyi behind her, and Shu Chenglin trailed at the very end, dragging his still slightly painful injured leg.

“Ah! That’s bad.”

Before they even reached the stream, Shu Wanxiu grew frustrated.

“With the snow, the log bridge will be hard to cross.”

In such freezing cold, slipping and falling into the stream would chill even the sturdi of bodies.

“No matter, keep leading the way. When we get there, you and Shouyi wait on this side. I’ll take your cousin across.” For two grown men, a small log bridge was nothing just a few steps to cross. Shu Yanrong didn’t share her concern.

Shu Wanxiu glanced back at Shu Chenglin’s leg but said nothing more, instead leading them in another direction.

Xun Yi’s blacksmith shop was built at the foot of the mountain, and the path from his home to the village also required crossing the stream. Since he sometimes used a wheelbarrow to transport iron materials and heavy items, he had specially built a sturdy wooden plank bridge.

At first, Shu Wanxiu hadn’t passed by often enough to notice the difference, but after frequently fishing in the stream and crossing here more times, she suddenly realized it.

By the time Shu Yanrong noticed Shu Wanxiu had taken a detour, the wooden plank bridge was already in sight.

Usually, the crisp sound of blacksmithing could be heard from afar, but today it was quiet. The Xun Family’s door was tightly shut, and not even smoke rose from the chimney.

Shu Wanxiu glanced over there a few more times. Shu Yanrong noticed and asked, “Whose household is that?”

“Well…” Not expecting her paternal uncle to ask suddenly, Shu Wanxiu replied thoughtfully, “The owner’s surname is Xun. He’s the village blacksmith.”

Remembering that her paternal uncle’s family would likely need to purchase quite a bit of ironware in the future, and since Xun Yi was known for having the best iron forging skills in the area, she recommended that he come to Xun Yi’s shop next time he needed ironware.

Hearing that this was the best blacksmith for miles around, Shu Yanrong said, “Alright, I’ll definitely come by.”

The wooden plank bridge was also covered in a thick layer of snow. They crossed one after another, leaving several trails of footprints behind.

After clearing the snow, Shu Yanrong told them not to go down the mountain.

“We’ll return the ladder on our way. You two stay home by the fire and don’t go out in the cold again.”

“Don’t worry, walking a few more times warms up the joints.”

Carrying a freshly picked basket of vegetables, Shu Wanxiu insisted on seeing them off to the village entrance.

Amidst the vast expanse of falling snow, two groups parted ways at the village entrance, yet there was no sorrow, for they would meet again the next day.

Once the two who had seen them off were out of sight, Shu Chenglin offered to carry the vegetable basket in Shu Yanrong’s hand.

Shu Yanrong replied indifferently, “Focus on walking properly.”

Shu Chenglin fell silent, enduring the slight discomfort in his leg as he quickened his pace toward home.

Just as cold sweat was about to bead on his forehead, Shu Yanrong called out to stop him.

“Do you want your leg to heal too quickly? Stay behind me and walk steadily!”

Though his father’s tone was harsh, the tension in Shu Chenglin’s heart instantly eased.

“Alright!”

He cheerfully halted and stepped aside, allowing his father to take the lead.

Shu Yanrong didn’t spare a single glance for his foolish son, striding straight ahead along the path he had cleared.

Halfway through their journey, both father and son were dusted white with snow. Bored, Shu Chenglin followed his father up a slope. As they looked downward, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and pointed ahead, saying, “Father, look over there isn’t that a person?”

The entire land was blanketed in silver, making any living creature moving across it particularly conspicuous.

Shu Yanrong followed his son’s pointing finger and indeed spotted a moving figure.

From their elevated position, they couldn’t discern the person’s height or features clearly, but a quick glance revealed snow covering his shoulders, head, and even scattered across the front of his clothing.

Shu Yanrong gave a cursory look before turning his attention back to the path underfoot. Shu Chenglin, however, trudged down the slope through the snow while pestering his father, “On such a cold day, what do you think that person is doing out here? It looks like he’s pushing a cart.”

Naturally, no one engaged him in this discussion.

Left to his own curiosity, Shu Chenglin quickened his pace, eager to get a closer look.

Despite his injured leg, he moved without pause, and logically, the distance between them should have closed quickly yet it did not.

“Why has that person stopped?”

As they neared the bottom of the slope, Shu Chenglin saw the reason.

The man was pushing a wheelbarrow, with two covered bamboo baskets fastened on either side. For some unknown reason, he was untying the straw ropes securing the baskets, preparing to unload them.

Noticing someone approaching, the man paused his task and straightened up.

Standing three steps away, Shu Chenglin’s gaze lifted along with the stranger’s stature. When the man stood fully upright, he encountered an exceedingly rare situation.

He actually had to look up at this person.

Since turning sixteen, Shu Chenglin had seldom met anyone taller than himself.

He scrutinized the young man before him and frustratingly realized that this person appeared to be around his own age. Not only was he taller, but he also seemed to surpass him in build and appearance.

“What are you staring at?” Shu Yanrong snapped, snapping Shu Chenglin out of his daze.

That his son would rush to gawk, despite his painful leg, left Shu Yanrong speechless.

He spoke up only out of concern that his son’s previously uninjured leg might get broken today, forcing the family to spend more money on a doctor.

As for the other young man in the snow, Shu Yanrong assessed him briefly and guessed without much thought that he must be in some difficulty.

He spoke as kindly as possible, “Young man, in this freezing weather, do you need any help?”

Xun Yi could sense the goodwill in Shu Yanrong’s tone, but facing two unfamiliar faces, he shook his head lightly.

“Thank you, but no need.”

Neither father nor son were the type to press unwanted offers. Having been refused, they simply nodded in acknowledgment before parting ways.

Xun Yi then bent down to untie the ropes, but as his hands touched the bamboo basket, he couldn’t resist glancing back at their retreating figures.

Some questions would be too impolite to ask directly. He rephrased his inquiry, probing gently: “Do you happen to know any refugees who’ve fled here from famine-stricken areas?”