Time did not understand why each year was good; autumn's voice came early upon the leaves.
Spring gave way to winter, warmth and cold alternating. Though Woniu Village lay in the south, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters, every cold season brought a damp chill that seeped into the marrow. No matter how many layers one wore, it was hard to warm the body.
Bai Yujun had not even seen autumn. Yesterday she had still been fanning herself in the heat, but after a drizzling rain last night, everything had turned damp and cold. She missed heated kang beds, but all she had was a bamboo bed and a cool mat.
Ever since the weather had turned cold, weariness had washed over her. Every day, she sat by the Fire Pit without wanting to move.
Time flowed like water, and six years had passed in the blink of an eye.
Bai Yujun was still the same as ever, unchanged. She had not grown taller, and her chest was still as flat as before. Better not mention that matter; she had grown used to it anyway. If there really were changes, that would be trouble.
Sitting on a little wooden stool barely a palm high, she hugged her knees with both arms and nearly toppled into the charcoal fire.
Low body temperature made one sleepy. Bai Yujun tried hard to edge closer to the coals and warm herself, occasionally using a Wooden Stick to poke at the little steamed buns buried in the charcoal. Few people had probably ever eaten buns roasted in charcoal. After the dough had risen, it was buried in charcoal ash. Once cooked through, it was exceptionally delicious.
Steamed buns cooked with vapor actually tasted rather bland; one could not taste that rich fragrance of flour.