The first ray of morning sunshine fell into the courtyard, bringing it to life.
In the kitchen, an elderly woman was preparing breakfast.
She was frying sugar-coated rice cakes.
The sweet and fragrant aroma of oil and sugar wafted through the air.
The door to the side room creaked open, and the elderly woman glanced out the window.
A tall and slender girl emerged from inside.
She was dressed in black casual clothing, layered with a short white down jacket—simple colors combined to form the cleanest and brightest scene this morning.
It was winter in Qingzhou, with morning temperatures reaching below zero, water freezing on contact. A thin mist of cold hung in the air, pierced only by a ray of sunlight that fell upon the girl's face.
It resembled divine light descending from above, gently wrapping around the girl.
"Ah!"
Hot oil splattered onto the back of her hand, and the elderly woman only noticed the pain belatedly, crying out softly.
