For Jinling, December already counted as the start of winter.
The red leaves covering the mountains had already faded away, leaving behind only withered yellow leaves scattered across the ground. Yet if one looked into the distance, patches of green could still be seen on the mountain. For the coniferous forests, winter was precisely their season.
Because he lived nearby, whenever he was not too busy, Lu Zhou often changed into sportswear and came here for a morning or evening run.
To him, this place was like his own backyard. If anyone knew it better than he did, it was probably the people responsible for his security, who had thoroughly mapped out the area from a technical perspective...
"...I remember that someone among the academic conference attendees seemed to have organized a hiking trip. Why didn't you go with them?"
Faltings said, "...What would an old man like me have to do with young people?"
Lu Zhou reminded him, "I'm young too."
Faltings fell silent for a moment, then said indifferently,
"...All right. I nearly forgot if you hadn't mentioned it."
Lu Zhou said, "..."
After all, old age came with diminishing stamina. They had only just reached the middle of the mountain when Professor Faltings began to pant slightly. He unbuttoned his trench coat and removed the bowler hat from his head. Turning back to glance at the stone steps they had climbed, he looked at the empty mountain path and said between breaths,
"There... doesn't seem to be anyone here?"
"It's already late December, after all." Lu Zhou stopped walking, braced one hand against his knee, and pulled a water bottle from his hiking pack with the other. After taking a sip and wiping his mouth, he continued, "It's so cold, and it isn't a holiday. You rarely