It was just that a thin layer of snow had accumulated on the ground, and by the look of it, it had only just begun to fall.
"You just mentioned it, and you've already forgotten. Hurry and put on your clothes," Zheng Wei said, draping the fur jacket he held over Shen Xiaoyan.
Shen Xiaoyan's body was quite robust; she didn't actually feel cold, but she didn't refuse the kindness of his approach.
Shen Xiaoming also came from the east side room, also dressed warmly. Judging by the expression on his face, he was also very happy.
Behind him followed Old Black and Blackie, the two dogs were even more delighted. After walking with Shen Xiaoming, they hadn't even settled before they were running around the yard again, leaving a trail of footprints in the snow.
"Big Sister, when there's more snow, can we build a snowman?" Shen Xiaoming asked Shen Xiaoyan with sparkling eyes.
Shen Xiaoyan nodded emphatically. Building snowmen and having snowball fights were her favorite things.
The most important thing now was to make breakfast. If Shen Xiaoming and Zheng Wei didn't eat something, they would be unbearably cold.
Shen Xiaoyan went to make porridge and also boiled eggs and sliced pickles. The three of them sat on the kang bed in the landlord's study and ate their meal.
The kang had already been heated, and the temperature in the room had risen. Even without wearing padded clothes, Shen Xiaoyan didn't feel cold. This showed the benefit of a heated kang. It was much better than the air conditioning in her previous life.
After eating and tidying up, the three of them sat on the kang bed and looked out the window until the snow had piled up quite deep. Then, they stood up and went outside.
The snow was falling rapidly, and by this time, the snow on the ground in the yard was already about a foot thick. Shen Xiaoyan looked at the pure white, heavy snow, her mood incredibly good.
Shen Xiaoming was even more excited. As soon as he walked out of the house, he impatiently ran out into the snow with Old Black and Blackie to frolic.
Shen Xiaoming sneakily glanced at Shen Xiaoyan. He noticed that Shen Xiaoyan wasn't looking at him, and a cunning glint flashed in his eyes. He bent down, scooped up a handful of snow from the ground, and firmly packed it into a snowball, hurling it at Shen Xiaoyan.
Shen Xiaoyan was caught off guard and was hit squarely. After being hit, Shen Xiaoyan was still a little dazed, looking at Shen Xiaoming with a hint of confusion.
Only when she saw Shen Xiaoming's smug smile did Shen Xiaoyan react.
She didn't say anything but walked forward a few steps, bent down, and grabbed a handful of snow. With a clench, a snowball appeared.
When Shen Xiaoming saw Shen Xiaoyan bend down, he knew she was definitely going to throw it at him. So, he immediately ran far away.
However, he had forgotten how strong Shen Xiaoyan was. Even though he ran, Shen Xiaoyan's snowball still hit his back accurately.
Shen Xiaoyan had controlled her strength from the beginning, ensuring that the snowball would hit Shen Xiaoming but not hurt him.
Shen Xiaoming's back was hit by the snowball, but he himself started to giggle.
"Big Sister, how could you throw so far?" Shen Xiaoming shouted at Shen Xiaoyan.
He was now at least seven or eight meters away from Shen Xiaoyan, yet she could still accurately throw it at his back. She was truly amazing.
Shen Xiaoyan raised her chin, a smile on her lips, and said, "Now you know how capable your Big Sister is. Let's see if you dare to sneak attack me again."
Zheng Wei stood under the eaves, watching Shen Xiaoyan's every move and expression. He felt a surge of affection. He didn't know when it started, but every action of this young woman could bring him joy.
"What are you standing there for? Come and play."
Shen Xiaoyan turned her head and saw Zheng Wei standing there, lost in thought. She packed a snowball and threw it at him.
Zheng Wei wasn't annoyed. He smiled and walked into the yard, joining Shen Xiaoyan in playing.
The snow was still falling, and large flakes landed on the three of them. In no time, they were covered in a thick layer of snow, yet they had no intention of going inside. They were truly enjoying themselves.
After they were all tired from running and had broken a light sweat, their hands and faces rosy, they finally, and reluctantly, went back inside.
Because the snow had started in the morning, Shen Xiaoming had come to the main house as soon as he got out of bed, so his room's kang had not yet been heated.
Shen Xiaoyan asked him to go back and get his clothes. He changed in the main house, and while Shen Xiaoming was changing, she went to heat the kang in Shen Xiaoming's room.
After all, Shen Xiaoming still had to return to his own room; he wouldn't stay in the main house all day.
It was already approaching noon, so Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei went to the kitchen together.
As it was cold today, Shen Xiaoyan wanted to eat hot pot.
Actually, Shen Xiaoyan had wanted to eat hot pot before, but one reason was that it wasn't cold enough, and another reason was that she didn't have time.
Now that both conditions were met, Shen Xiaoyan began to prepare with enthusiasm.
The pork bone broth she had boiled the night before could be used as the soup base.
As for the side dishes, they were even easier to find. The mushrooms she had picked in Baiyun Peak were dried and had been kept without selling. There were also various dried vegetables, potatoes, and cabbage, which were staples in every household during winter. There were also some dried vegetables like seaweed.
There was a tofu seller in the village. It was fresh tofu ground by a family themselves. Because the weather had turned cold a few days ago, the tofu could be stored, so Shen Xiaoyan had bought a slab of tofu a couple of days prior, which was perfect for eating now.
Although there was no beef or lamb, pork was also delicious. There was also preserved wild chicken and rabbit meat. This meal was still very rich.
When she decided to make hot pot, Shen Xiaoyan had already bought a small stove from the town.
This kind of small stove was very small, about the size of a hand warmer. Charcoal could be put inside, and a small pot could be placed on top. You could cook whatever you wanted, which was quite similar to the self-service hot pot in her previous life.
Shen Xiaoyan liked spicy food. She found that Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoming also liked it, so she made chili sauce. It was always a staple on their dining table at home. She had also bought sesame paste, so there was no shortage of condiments now.
While Shen Xiaoyan was washing and cutting the vegetables that needed to be prepared, Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoming added charcoal to the small stove. The stove had already been lit, the small pot was placed on it, and the bone broth was poured in.
This meal was naturally eaten in the east study of the main house. The three of them sat on the kang bed in their single clothes, eating steaming hot pot, while outside the window was heavy snow. This feeling was simply wonderful.
They ate their fill and Shen Xiaoyan, patting her overstuffed belly, really didn't want to move.
Zheng Wei found it amusing when he saw her like this. She was already an adult, yet she could stuff herself to this extent. Anyone who didn't know would think she was mistreated on a daily basis.
Shen Xiaoyan wanted to stand up and clear the table, but Zheng Wei beat her to it.
"I'll do it. You rest today," Zheng Wei said as he started to tidy up.