Early one morning, the windows of a small second-floor room in Rose Town were covered in a thick layer of condensation, shutting out the cold world beyond.
Suddenly, a chubby paw shaped like a plum blossom smacked against the glass, leaving behind a damp print.
As the paw rubbed back and forth, a small clear patch soon appeared on the window.
Then a damp black nose pressed against it, clearing a view through the misty condensation.
Bruce pressed his face against the glass, watching the snowflakes whirl outside as he panted excitedly.
He turned his furry head toward a mound of blankets on the bed and barked, "Woof! He Xi, it's snowing heavily! Aren't we going out today either?"
The blankets shifted, and He Xi's muffled voice came from inside. "No... I'm resting. I don't feel like going out."
"Haven't you already slept for two days?" Bruce jumped down from the windowsill and put his front paws on the edge of the bed. "You'll start growing mold if you sleep any longer."
"On a snowy day, you're supposed to stay under the covers. It's the least you can do to show winter some respect."
He Xi pulled the blankets tighter around himself, leaving only his messy hair exposed.
Though he claimed he was showing winter respect, what he really wanted was to see Zoya's reaction when she saw her gift.
He and Bruce had returned to Rose Town with a merchant caravan three days earlier, in the evening.
He hadn't thought much of it when they'd lived together, but after being away for a month, he'd returned to find Zoya gone from the house. He couldn't help feeling a little worried.
Madam Cassandra had told him not to worry, saying Zoya often went away for a few days before returning.