Winter Solstice

The fluffy petals of snow falling softly covered the dirt of the streets like a sheet of lace. There were lanterns decking the streets, and in the cold air the hot steam from the food stalls curled in the air over the heads of people like the ghosts of dragons.

Qingqing twirled around and flung out her arms. Her rosy cape billowed out behind her and her cheeks, just as rosy, glowed in the crisp air. Behind her, Yuanzheng walked with his hands behind his back, enjoying the festive atmosphere, while Xiaohu strayed to the side to look hungrily at a stall selling braised pork buns.

"The snow is annoying, getting in my hair and face," she complained nonchalantly, turning back to them and shaking her head like a dog. "That's the second snowflake that's gotten into my eye."

Yuanzheng raised his eyebrows. "You're dancing in the snow because it's so annoying?"

Qingqing rolled her eyes at him and swung away from him. "You're such a killjoy," she muttered.

Unexpectedly, Yuanzheng smiled. He quickened his pace, coming up softly behind her, and reached out his hand to brush off the snowflakes that shone white against her dark hair.

Qingqing looked up at him, startled, and he hurriedly pulled her hood down over her face more energetically than necessary. "Wear your hood if you don't want them to keep falling into your eyes, then," he said shortly.

She spluttered as the hood went over her eyes. "Alright, I'll never complain to you again, you only find ways to criticize me." she sniffed. "I can't be bothered with you. Where's Xiaohu?"

Her gaze darted around the throngs of people around them, and she looked like a little bird with her bright eyes.

"Xiaohu's busy smelling the pork buns," Yuanzheng said dryly. "Evidently he's forgotten he just ate."

Suzhen and Xuxian came up to them; they had been lingering behind, talking. Suzhen's face was pale but luminous, with a halo of mist from her breath. The rabbit fur cloak hung softly around her and her hand was clasped in Xuxian's. Her eyes were warm and shining with quiet happiness. Nothing surprising, since Xuxian's bruise had finally faded from his face, and he looked relaxed and carefree. Winter had come, there had been no sight of Song Gongzi, and they had agreed to take an outing together for the upcoming winter solstice festival. Granny Hong was supposed to come with them, but her arthritis prevented her at the last minute. But she insisted they go anyway, and bring her back something tasty. So here they were, with Xiaohu tagging along as well.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"Yuanzheng's just being mean again," Qingqing said loftily. "I'm hungry," she added, looking hopefully at them.

Yuanzheng folded his arms. "You're no better than Xiaohu."

She made a face at him. "Is it a crime to be hungry?" she retorted. "I never said I was going to eat you."

Sniffing, she turned to the left. "Sister, just smell that! Baked sweet potatoes. Wouldn't that be nice in this cold weather?" she said eagerly.

A vendor with a small oven on a wagon was selling baked sweet potatoes. The skin was brown and parched, but when pierced it split open crisply to reveal the rich honey-coloured flesh inside. A delicious caramel smell filled the air.

Qingqing ran over, pulling Yuanzheng over as well. Suzhen and Xuxian smiled to each other and followed.

A small girl held out her hands eagerly for the hot sweet potato the vendor handed to her. She was wrapped up warmly in a padded winter coat too big for her, looking absurdly round and dumpy with her short little legs sticking out from beneath. In the cold air, her cheeks were as red as apples, and she opened her mouth to take a big bite of the sweet potato, revealing small white teeth and a pink tongue like a kitten's.

Suzhen came forwards quickly and stopped her. "Little friend, you can't take a big bite like that, you'll burn your mouth. You have to peel it open and let it cool a bit first."

Crouching down beside her, she gently took the sweet potato and helped the child peel back the skin of the sweet potato, blowing busily on her burnt fingers.

Xuxian watched them fondly, smiling at how comical they looked blowing on the sweet potato with puckered lips. Suzhen tested the flesh with a finger and gave it back to the child. "Here you go. Remember to blow it first before you take a bite, so you won't scald your tongue."

She rose, and reached out to caress the child's cheek as the small girl gingerly took a bite, then beamed up at her. "It's not hot," she chirped, and trotted away with a satisfied air, blowing on the potato till her cheeks bulged.

Qingqing held out her sweet potato. "Mine needs blowing too," she said cheekily, but Xuxian took it neatly from her. "I'll take this one, Sister-in-law. Yuanzheng can get you another one."

He broke the skin and handed it to Suzhen. "Here. Eat, my love."

Qingqing groaned loudly. "Seriously. Brother-in-law, you're too much."

She eyed Yuanzheng hopefully. "You heard him. Get me another one."

Suzhen clasped her sweet potato happily. "It's so nice and warm," she murmured.

Xiaohu appeared just in time as Yuanzheng fumbled in his belt. "Honourable sir, Yuanzheng, surely you haven't forgotten about your lowly friend and servant?" he declared, hanging on to Yuanzheng's sleeve with determination.

Xuxian laughed and took Suzhen's arm. "Come, Susu. We'll walk ahead first."

Yuanzheng held out his hands hopelessly. "How did I end up as the babysitter for the two of you?"

Qingqing and Xiaohu snatched the sweet potatoes from his hands. "Count yourself lucky to have that honour," retorted Qingqing coolly, strutting away.

Suzhen and Xuxian had already gone ahead.

"Try some," Suzhen said in a muffled voice, holding up the sweet potato as she took a bite. "It's really good!"

As Xuxian took a mouthful, breathing out a cloud of steam through his mouth and nose, she suddenly reached up and kissed him on the mouth, kissing away the orangey smear of sweet potato on his lips.

"You're such a messy eater," was all she said, though her eyes glinted mischievously at him.