On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, the sun made a rare appearance over Luting County after days of rain and snow.
Bright sunlight, so pure it seemed gold could be distilled from it, spilled generously over the entire county town. Many people carried their work outside and basked comfortably in the sun, feeling a lightness and joy as though all the white mold festering deep in their hearts had vanished into thin air...
Fang Ke had deliberately waited until the lunch rush was over before leaving the Upper Right Office. Dressed like a wealthy gentleman in a scarlet sable coat, he swaggered toward the Welcome Inn, turning the emerald thumb ring on his hand, its green so lush it seemed ready to drip.
Before he reached the inn, he spotted the old innkeeper from a distance. Bundled up tightly, the old man sat beside the entrance with his cane in his arms and a charcoal brazier beside him, his head tilted back and his eyes narrowed as he basked contentedly in the sun.
Fang Ke put on a broad smile, quickened his steps, and bent down to greet him. "Taking a break, old innkeeper?"
The old man opened his eyes and looked toward Fang Ke with a sudden spark of delighted hope. Once he made out Fang Ke's face, however, that light quickly dimmed again. Forcing a smile, he clasped his hands in greeting. "Taking a break, yes. Once you get old, these bones just can't stand the cold... Haven't eaten yet, have you? Come on inside. Erniu! Erniu!"
He braced himself on his cane and tried to stand.
Fang Ke hurriedly reached out with both hands to steady him, gently pressing him back into his chair. "Come now, I'm hardly a stranger. Why bother getting up