A Spectacular Post-Snow View

After that blizzard, the valley stayed clear for another two full days.

Su Bai did not rush into the mountains. Every morning, he went to the camp management office to ask about the trail conditions. It was not until the morning of the third day, when the administrator told him that the hiking trail on the sheltered slope had been cleared and the snow packed down so it was no longer slippery, that he made the call: they would head up today.

"Shengsheng, wake up." Su Bai lifted the tent flap, and a rush of crisp air poured in. "The weather is unbelievably good. It's the perfect time to go into the mountains."

Chen Yusheng poked her head out of her sleeping bag and squinted outside. The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, while sunlight scattered across the ankle-deep snow, reflecting in tiny sparkling flecks. Her cool eyes instantly lit up. "We can finally go up?"

"Yeah. The trail conditions are stable, so it's safe." Su Bai pulled out the limited-edition heavy-duty backpack and began stuffing equipment inside. "Traction chains, trekking poles, thermos flask, and my camera. We can't leave a single thing behind."

Chen Yusheng briskly crawled out of her sleeping bag. She was dressed more neatly than she had been the previous days, with the zipper of her white windproof shell pulled up to her chin. She wore fleece-lined hiking pants that wrapped her absurdly long legs in a straight, sleek line, high-top hiking boots on her feet, and a cream-colored knit cap on her head. Her little face, reddened by the cold, looked cool and aloof yet carried a touch of endearing innocence.

"Not wearing black stockings today?" Su Bai teased.

"It's more than ten degrees below zero up there. I'm not stupid." Chen Yusheng shot him