After they had rested, Feng Shan and Nash planned to take Liu Lan back to the log cabin as soon as possible.
The sled had fallen apart and was useless.
They would have to walk back.
Nash turned and walked back into the snow cave, approaching Liu Lan, who was curled up in a pile of animal hides.
The little girl was still fast asleep. Tiny ice crystals clung to her eyelashes, and her breath turned to white mist in the cold air.
He knelt beside his sister, his movements surprisingly gentle.
A rope danced between his fingers as he first wrapped it around Liu Lan's waist and stomach, then looped it around his own chest and tied a dead knot.
Each knot was pulled tight, but he deliberately left a fist-sized gap.
He was afraid of hurting his sister.
Next, Nash shook out a reindeer hide blanket, its fluffy fur trembling gently in the wind.
He carefully wrapped Liu Lan up completely, tucking the edges in tightly as if swaddling a baby.
