The Han River wound eastward. Along its banks, thin ice was melting, the current nudging the pieces together with delicate chimes, as though someone far away were gently tapping a string of wind bells. Withered yellow reeds bowed and rose in the wind, their downy plumes scattering like snow.
In the distance, Jinping Mountain stretched across the horizon. A thin white layer of lingering snow covered its ridgeline, gleaming coldly in the winter sunlight. Its rolling peaks formed a barrier against the harsher winds from the north.
Watermill Head Village lay at the foot of Jinping Mountain, with the Han River curving past its entrance. The persimmon tree by the village gate had long since shed its leaves, leaving only a single shriveled persimmon hanging from its highest branch. It swayed in the wind, a tiny red lantern against the blue sky.
Chased by a big yellow dog, a barred chicken flapped over a courtyard wall, clucking noisily. Its beating wings shook loose a few feathers, which drifted into wheel ruts glazed with thin ice.
A greasy, battered wine-shop banner fluttered in the wind. The character "Fan" had faded under sun and wind until only a blurry outline remained.
Fan Youfu leaned over the counter, counting the copper coins in his hands one by one. His thumb worked through them, turning the shiny coins against his fingertips with faint metallic clinks.
He was so absorbed in counting that he could barely be bothered to lift his eyelids.
The door curtain lifted, letting in a rush of crisp wind and sunlight.
Fan Youfu looked up and narrowed his eyes. Once he made out the figure in the shadows, a broad grin spread across his perpetually easygoing face.
"Well, well!"
He tossed the coins into an old wooden box with a clatter,