After all that fuss, December arrived quickly. Perhaps South of the Yangtze was still pleasantly mild, but X City in the north was already blanketed in falling snow and swept by biting winds. Having successfully maintained their grades in the last monthly exam—and even improved on them—Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi received the extra reward meant for them.
Holding a slip of paper with an address written on it, Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi rode in the sedan Lu Hengzhi's father had assigned them straight to the old district in northern X City. The moment they opened the car door and stepped into the narrow alley, the cold wind, mixed with snowflakes and ice pellets, drilled right down their collars. Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi shivered reflexively.
The long alley was like a maze, with snow piled so high it nearly swallowed their ankles. Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi tightened their down jackets and trudged through it, one foot deep and one foot shallow. They twisted and turned according to the house numbers for what felt like forever, until their faces were numb and the cold had seeped into their bones. Only then did they finally find the right place.
The large iron gate was shut tight, making those standing outside feel inexplicably heavy-hearted. Tang Shi raised a hand, curled it into a fist, and knocked. Before long, someone called out loudly from inside, "Wait a moment."
The voice sounded somewhat familiar. Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi exchanged suspicious looks. Then the gate opened. When they saw the person behind it, not only Tang Shi and Lu Hengzhi, but that person as well, jumped in surprise.
Author's note: Special reminder—
The website mentioned in this story has nothing to do with reality, so please don't make any associations. The setting