Peerless Young Master

Winter, the eighteenth year of Taikang.

The heavy snow arrived as expected.

The heavy snow fell silently, covering the entire mountain forest, turning the winding mountain road into a silver ribbon, extending into the distance and gradually disappearing into the vast sea of ​​snow.

The trees were covered with thick robes of snow, and the branches were hung with crystal clear icicles. Occasionally, when a breeze blew, tiny snow beads fell down, making a tiny and crisp sound.

The cold wind howled, bringing with it a biting chill, penetrating layers of snow and making the door creak.

Li Xuan, who was sleeping, suddenly felt a chill. He curled up and pulled the quilt, but still couldn't resist the cold.

After a struggle, he reluctantly opened his eyes.

Finding that the door was not closed properly, he got out of bed to close it. He curled up and walked to the door, ready to close the door and continue sleeping, but he saw a bunch of white things dancing in the wind.

Li Xuan rubbed his eyes and opened the door to a corner. The wind was howling, making his hair fly and his clothes rustle. He couldn't open his eyes, and his cheeks felt like they were cut by a knife.

He was so scared that he quickly closed the door, and then he felt better.

"It's snowing"

Through a crack, Li Xuan saw a vast expanse of white outside. It was obvious that it had snowed last night.

Once a year in Heilongshan, in March, the mountain is closed due to heavy snow.

"This damn weather is freezing to death"

Li Xuan cursed inwardly, then huddled up in bed, reaching out to tuck the edge of the quilt tightly under his neck to isolate himself from the biting cold outside. He seemed to be able to hear the hot air he exhaled, condensing into mist in the cold air and then quickly dissipating.

Half a cup of tea later, there was a knock on the door.

"Who?"

"It's me. It's snowing and the weather is getting cold. My dad is worried that you don't have enough bedding, so he asked me to bring you some quilts."

Xiao Xuan's voice came from outside the door.

After some trouble, Li Xuan put on his clothes, opened the door, and once again felt the unfriendly cold wind and snow: "Come in, it's cold outside."

Xiao Xuan was wrapped in a thick cotton coat and a shawl around her neck, leaving no skin exposed. Her hair was covered with snowflakes and her cheeks were red from the cold, which made her look very cute.

She put the bedding on the table, looked at the small room, and felt the cold: "It's still a bit cold in this room. I'll ask Uncle Damao to get you some firewood later. Burn some firewood at night to drive away the cold."

"Then I'll trouble you."

Even if Xiao Xuan didn't say it, Li Xuan wanted to do this. The house was a bit cold and he was woken up by the cold.

"By the way, if you wake up, come to the bungalow to eat; my father has something to tell you."

"it is good"

After saying that, Xiao Xuan left.

After a quick wash, Li Xuan put on a thick cotton coat and a hat, curled up his body, and braved the strong wind and heavy snow. From a distance, he looked like a penguin.

"huhu"

When I arrived at the bungalow, I felt a warmth.

Around the table, there was an iron container with a big fire burning in it to drive away the cold air in the room, and there was also chopped firewood around it.

Li Xuan sat down, his body greedily absorbing the warmth from the fire, making him feel as if he was under the warm summer sun. The long-lost feeling of comfort spread from the soles of his feet to his whole body.

He gently rubbed his red, frozen hands and cheeks. The color of blood gradually returned to his fingertips, and the warmth flowed through his blood vessels, dispelling the coldness in his body.

"Thank you"

Xiao Xuan prepared three bowls of porridge and placed them in front of the three people in turn.

Li Xuan thanked him.

Since the mountain road was opened, although the amount of food brought back to the village each time was not much, it was much better than before. The porridge we drank was finally white and edible.

Gurgling.

Li Xuan drank it in big gulps, and the hot porridge turned into a warm current, warming his body.

"It's snowing heavily, and it will last for three months. The mountains are blocked by snow, and the roads are very difficult to travel. We have more food in the village now, but it is not enough to last until spring.

I came to you to ask if you want to continue selling hot pot?" Xiao Yidao said.

"The mountains are covered in snow, and the roads are difficult to travel. If you're not careful, you could fall or even break bones. My idea is to leave it like this for now, until we run out of food a few days later."

Li Xuan shook his head. The mountain road was difficult to walk on, and it was even more difficult with the heavy snow.

Although the opponent had practiced and had good skills, it was inevitable that he would make mistakes if he often walked by the river.

It would be troublesome if he broke some bones. The conditions in the mountains are already poor, and there is no doctor to treat him. It would be easy for him to become disabled.

"What you said is true. Every time we went down the mountain before, in order not to attract the attention of other villages, we didn't bring back much food.

"This heavy snow came too quickly, and the village doesn't have enough cotton-padded clothes and blankets. If we don't go down the mountain, we'll probably wake up from the cold at night." Xiao Yidao was worried that someone in the village would freeze to death this winter.

Li Xuan frowned. He had already experienced the feeling of being woken up by the cold, and naturally did not want to go through it again.

"In that case, let's go again. The kitchen still has some raw materials, but not many finished products. Fortunately, it's snowing heavily, which is the season when hot pot is popular.

By then, Boss Xiao will sell it at a higher price. It doesn’t matter if we waste some time. We can just buy some bedding and clothes and just hold on for the next three months.”

"I don't plan to go down the mountain this time," Xiao Yidao shook his head and continued in the astonished eyes of the two: "I plan to let Xiao Xuan and Damo go this time."

"Dad, aren't you going?" Xiao Xuan raised her eyebrows.

"Well, you've been down the mountain with me so many times, and you know all the things you need to pay attention to. I'm a grown-up girl, and I can't always stay by my side.

"This time when you go down the mountain, don't get excited or lose your temper, and listen to your Uncle Da Mo more," Xiao Yidao warned.

"My daughter knows," Xiao Xuan nodded.

…………

Hanlan Village.

The cold wind was like a knife, cutting every inch of the air and whistling through the valleys.

Inside the cave, fire snakes were breathing in and out, constantly burning firewood, releasing high temperatures and driving away the severe cold.

The cave was bustling with people drinking and chatting.

Gao Quan was sitting on a stool wearing clothes made of animal skins. Opposite him was a burly man, and in the middle was a steaming, red pot.

There are also various wild vegetables and rare meats on the table.

"Brother Tie, how does the hot pot taste?" Gao Quan picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"It's spicy and satisfying, it's really delicious." Tiequan's face was full of intoxication. This was simply the most delicious thing in the world. The spiciness made him feel comfortable all over. He didn't feel cold even after taking off his coat.

"Don't say you're being disloyal, brother. I spent a lot of money to get this from the mountain. It's not much.

I don’t want to think of my brother and invite him to come and taste it.”

"Thank you for thinking of me at this time, brother. I am very grateful."

Tiequan is the leader of Black Wind Village, which is not far from Hanlan Village.

The two were enjoying their meal and drinking to their heart's content when Tie Quan started to complain: "This Black Cliff is too shady. The price of food has gone up again. Last time, one person could exchange ten kilograms of food, but this year, it can only be exchanged for seven kilograms."

“I’m worried about how to get through this long winter.”

"Who said it wasn't? I don't have much food here. I just hope this winter will pass quickly." Gao Quan also sighed. People say that bandits live a happy life, but who knows the hardships they endure?

As he was talking, Tiequan suddenly remembered: "Brother, you just said that you got this thing from the foot of the mountain, so can you help me get some food? The price is negotiable."

Gao Quan felt embarrassed: "Brother Tie, you are making it too difficult for me. The mountain is blocked by heavy snow and the road is difficult to walk on. Who dares to go down the mountain?"

"Brother, I know this is not an easy job, but I really can't live any longer. I won't let you work for nothing. How about this: five taels of silver for a pound of grain and five taels of silver for a pot of wine."

Gao Quan's eyes flashed, but he still looked embarrassed: "Brother has already spoken, how can I, as a younger brother, refuse his respect? But I have to tell you in advance that this is just a try. If it doesn't work, don't blame me."

"Don't worry, I won't do that."

Tiequan laughed heartily and picked up the wine glass: "Drink."