1.11

The chibi-style plaque sample had piqued the noodle shop owner's interest. As he examined the drawing, his eyes sparkled with excitement. "Miss Wushuang, this design is truly unique. The dustpan and broom with hands and feet—they're adorable!"

Wushuang smiled, pleased with his reaction. "The plaque I painted for your shop was quite intricate and detailed. However, for a grocery store, where there's a variety of goods, creating such a detailed plaque would be very costly.

This simpler design is more affordable. If your relative agrees, I'll only charge one or two taels of silver for a six-foot plaque."

The noodle shop owner nodded eagerly. "I'll speak to my relative about it right away. Please wait here."

As he left, he instructed the waiter to serve Wushuang and Mrs. Bai a pot of hot water and some peanuts. The warmth from the stove was a welcome relief from the cold outside, and Wushuang settled comfortably beside it, feeling the cozy heat on her face.

Ah, this warmth is divine. If only I had a cat to cuddle with while I'm here. She thought of her ideal winter scene, quoting the perfect lines of poetry she often imagined.

"By the stream, the fire's glow is gentle and warm, my cat and I, wrapped in its embrace, never roam. In this haven of quiet, where hearth and heart blend, we linger in solace, where winter's chill cannot wend."

It was a dream of simple, comforting domesticity that seemed far off in her current reality.

Wushuang munched on the peanuts, savoring their sweet, rich flavor—far superior to the peanuts she remembered from her time.

If only everything could be so simple and satisfying. She glanced outside, watching the ancient market scene unfold before her, far more vibrant than any preserved painting.

The snow began to fall heavily, blanketing the ground in a soft, white layer.

The waiter, noticing the snowfall, added a few more pieces of firewood to the stove. The flames crackled and grew brighter, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

Just then, three figures trudged into the noodle shop through the swirling snow and biting wind.

Leading them was a striking young man, clad in an elegant fox fur cloak with a thick fur collar that accentuated his refined features.

Flanking him were two tall, muscular men, obviously skilled in martial arts despite not carrying visible weapons.

The young man and his guards surveyed the room. The guard with a keen eye immediately pointed to the table opposite Wushuang's. "Sir, let's sit there. It's closer to the fire and warmer."

The young man nodded and, with a graceful stride, took his seat at the chosen table, close enough to Wushuang for her to observe his profile. His long, curling eyelashes cast delicate shadows as he lowered his gaze to the table.

Wow, some people just have it all, don't they? Good looks and long eyelashes too. That's not fair!

The waiter approached the young man's table with a beaming smile. "Welcome, esteemed guests. What would you like to order? Our pork stewed noodles are a specialty."

Before the young man could reply, one of the guards spoke up, tossing a generous piece of silver onto the table. "We'll have the noodles from the plaque outside. Add some meat and side dishes. Here's a reward for your trouble."

Wushuang watched in amazement as the waiter's eyes widened at the sight of the three taels of silver. Three taels? That's a fortune for just a meal! The waiter thanked them repeatedly, his enthusiasm palpable.

As the guard placed the order, the snow outside continued to fall relentlessly, the wind howling and adding to the wintry scene.

Wushuang found herself fascinated by the real-life display of weather and human resilience, though she couldn't help but wonder if the snow might start to feel monotonous if it continued for too long.

Mrs. Bai, sitting beside her, had a different reaction. Her frown deepened as she stared out at the snowfall. Heavy snow always brings trouble. Just a few days ago, I nearly froze to death.

The young man, noticing the snow's intensity, sighed and remarked, "This heavy snowfall will be challenging for many people."

Wushuang raised an eyebrow, impressed by his empathy. It was rare to see such concern for others from someone of his apparent status. The guard beside him added, "Sir, once you take up your responsibilities, you'll be able to make a significant difference for the people."

Wushuang's curiosity was piqued. So, he's destined to improve the lives of others. Could he be the future county magistrate or something similar?

The young man then turned his attention to Mrs. Bai, his expression softening. "Madam, with such severe weather, how is your family managing? Can you tell me about your situation?"

Mrs. Bai, startled by the direct inquiry, instinctively looked at Wushuang. Receiving a reassuring pat on her hand, she faced the young man and said, "Sir, I'm not deserving of such attention.

This year's snow has been particularly harsh. Just two days ago, our house collapsed under the weight, and we nearly froze."

The young man observed Wushuang with renewed interest, clearly intrigued by the story. His gaze lingered on Wushuang, and he seemed to assess her role in the family's situation.

The guard next to him, eyeing Wushuang, asked, "But you seem well-dressed and well-off. How could you be on the brink of freezing?"

Mrs. Bai straightened up with a hint of pride and turned to Wushuang.

"It's thanks to my Yaya. She built a snow house for us to keep warm. It was quite comfortable inside, so we didn't freeze. Then Yaya came to the county, painted a plaque for this noodle shop, and earned two taels of silver, which we used to buy cotton clothes and get good meals."

The guard's eyes widened in surprise. "So, it was the young lady who painted that realistic plaque outside? No wonder it looks so appetizing—I'm already craving those noodles!"

The young man's attention remained fixed on the snow house story. He turned to Wushuang with earnest eyes. "Did you really use a snow house to keep warm?"

Wushuang nodded confidently. "If you're curious, I can build one for you right now. It's snowing outside, so we can use the opportunity. I'll need the help of your guards, though. It's a bit too slow for me to do alone."

Her offer was met with immediate enthusiasm. The young man stood up without hesitation, "Then I'll trouble you to build the snow house. Don't worry about the work—just direct my guards, and they'll assist you."

Wushuang felt a surge of satisfaction.

This is exactly what I needed! After crossing paths with the Liu family, I was worried about finding support. And now, I've got someone who not only needs my help but is also willing to provide a substantial reward.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Wushuang gathered her thoughts and prepared to guide the guards in constructing the snow house. The snow continued to fall outside, and Wushuang could already envision the sturdy, warm structure that would provide a temporary refuge from the harsh weather.

Who knew that a chance encounter in a noodle shop would lead to such a unique opportunity? I'd better make the most of it!