Li Ping'an walked into the inner room. Old Ox lay beside the stove with narrowed eyes.
Wang Yi and Aliya were already nowhere to be seen inside.
Li Ping'an went back out.
A while later, hurried footsteps sounded in the courtyard.
"We're done for. Uncle's definitely going to be angry."
Two figures rushed into the courtyard.
"Keep your voice down!"
Wang Yi wiped the rainwater from his face. He had run so fast that he was soaked through.
"We made it in time. He definitely won't notice."
"We're both soaked. How could Uncle not notice?"
Wang Yi said, "Did you forget? He's blind. He can't see."
The two hastily wiped their dripping hair, then went inside.
The autumn wind moaned, bitterly cold.
With the merciless rain on top of that, the two involuntarily edged closer to the stove.
A moment later, Li Ping'an walked in.
It was as though nothing had happened, as though he had merely gone inside for a brief nap.
"Let's continue the lesson."
Aliya shivered, trying hard to steady her breathing.
But after running so far, how could she possibly recover so quickly?
Wang Yi also struggled to control his breathing, but he still couldn't stop panting.
Afraid Li Ping'an would spot something amiss, he could only speak first to muddy the waters.
"The wind sure is strong today."
"Yes, and the rain's heavy too."
Li Ping'an spoke without raising his head.
Wang Yi pressed his lips together. He was just about to find another topic when Li Ping'an spoke.
"I've made ginger soup for you in the pot. There are cotton blankets inside too. Wrap yourselves in one each.
Have a few bowls of ginger soup in a bit, so you don't catch a chill.
Oh, and have your friends come in too. It's cold