Chapter 620: A Family in Winter

The man didn't let Yu Lin in, but stood in the doorway, frowning at him.

Light from the crack in the door fell on Yu Lin, illuminating him from head to toe—thin robes, no cloak, no hat, shoes that looked none too thick, standing there in the wind and snow with a thick layer of snow on his shoulders, yet he showed no sign of shivering.

"Where are you from? You don't look like someone from around here."

The man sized him up, his eyes full of wariness.

In such weather, anyone would be wary if a stranger suddenly appeared.

One hand still gripped the doorframe, the other hung at his side, ready to shut the door at any moment.

Yu Lin gave a slight smile, "I came from the east,"

"I've been traveling around, didn't expect it to snow heavily here, lost my way, just looking for a place to stay until the snow lets up."

He paused, glanced back at the endless white expanse, then turned back to the man:

"If it's too much trouble, I'll look elsewhere."

Having said that, he turned and walked away.

His steps were slow, each footfall in the snow making a creaking sound.

Snowflakes landed on his shoulders and head, quickly forming a thin layer.

His back looked frail in the wind and snow, his robes pulled tight by the wind, outlining a slender frame.

The man stood in the doorway, watching that retreating figure, his frown deepening.

In such cold, with such deep snow, lacking even a warm coat, how far could he go in these mountains?

His lips moved, then closed again. Yu Lin had already walked ten or so steps; his silhouette grew fainter, about to be swallowed by the wind and snow.

"Hey—" the man called out.

Yu Lin stopped, turned around.

The man stepped out the door, crunching through the snow to catch up.

The snow was deep, reaching past his ankles; he hurried, kicking up spray that stained one pant leg.

"I still have a spare room," he said, standing before Yu Lin, breathing heavily, puffs of white mist issuing from his mouth, "The snow's too heavy; let's wait until it eases before we go."

Yu Lin looked at him, the corners of his mouth lifting a bit more.

"Then I'll impose."

The man nodded, turned, and walked back.

Yu Lin followed behind him, the two of them one after the other, entering the wooden house.

The door shut, blocking the wind and snow outside.

Warm air from inside rushed out, melting the snow on Yu Lin's robes instantly into droplets that ran down the hem.

A girl peeked from beside the stove, eyeing the stranger curiously.

The son lowered his knife, rose to his feet, his gaze wary.

The mother also lifted her eyes, full of inquiry.

The man hung his bow and quiver back on the wall, turned to his family and said, "The snow's too heavy; he lost his way. Let him stay a few days, and we'll send him off when it clears."

He then gestured to Yu Lin with his chin, "Have a seat."

"Thank you," Yu Lin said, not standing on ceremony, and sat down by the stove.

The stove's heat warmed his face, pleasant and warm.

He reached out his hand, drew it near the flame, warming it; his fingers slowly regained color.

"I'm Enna," the man said, pointing to himself, "This is my wife, Xi Ge Li De."

The woman nodded at Yu Lin.

"This is my son, Alf."

The son gave a slight nod, his eyes still wary but somewhat eased.

"This is my daughter, Ying Ge."

The girl stepped out from beside her mother, smiled at him, revealing two missing front teeth.

"I'm Yu Lin,"

"From the east."

"The east?" Enna sat opposite him, "Where is that?"

"A faraway place." Yu Lin said, offering no further explanation.

Enna didn't press, merely asking, "Would you like something to eat?"

Yu Lin nodded, "If possible, I'd be deeply grateful."

"Mm."

The fire crackled, the wood popping.

Xi Ge Li De reheated the remaining soup in the pot, ladled a bowl, and handed it to Yu Lin.

Yu Lin took it, thanked him, and lowered his head to drink.

The soup was a little salty, the meat stewed till it fell apart, the black bread soaked in it soft and mushy.

He ate quickly but made no sound.

Ying Ge kept watching him.

She sat beside her mother, knees drawn up, arms wrapped around her legs, chin resting on her knees, eyes fixed on Yu Lin without blinking.

She watched him drink the soup, watched him warm himself by the fire, watched his face glow red in the firelight.

She felt he was unlike anyone else, couldn't pinpoint how, just felt different.

After the meal, Xi Ge Li De cleared the bowls, Enna continued whittling arrow shafts, Alf picked up his axe to sharpen it.

Ying Ge shifted from her mother's side to Yu Lin's side, moving three times, inching closer bit by bit.

"Where do you come from?" she asked.

"I just said it, didn't I? The east." Yu Lin said.

"Where is the east?"

"A faraway place."

"How far?"

"Farther than the farthest place you can imagine."

Ying Ge's eyes lit up for a moment.

"Then have you seen a king?"

"I have."

"Have you seen those heroes?"

"I have."

"Have you seen...... spirits?"

"I have."

"Really?!"

Ying Ge's eyes grew brighter and brighter, like two lit stars.

She shifted closer to Yu Lin, almost touching him.

"Can you tell me about it?"

Yu Lin looked at her, those bright, expectant eyes, and nodded.

"All right."

He began to speak.

He spoke of those kings, not the kind who sit on thrones issuing orders, but of their youthful deeds.

Illegitimate children, destined rulers, nobodies who later vied for world domination...

Ying Ge listened, entranced, her eyes wide and round.

He then spoke of those heroes.

Not how they were invincible and never lost, but that they too had moments of fear and failure.

Finally he spoke of those spirits.

Not how they were powerful and immortal, but that they also had things they could not do.

Ying Ge listened, spellbound, her hands loosening from her knees as she leaned forward, as if she wanted to swallow every word Yu Lin spoke.

Alf also put down his axe, leaning against the wall to listen.

He didn't look at Yu Lin, gazing at the fire, but his ears were pricked straight.

Enna was still whittling arrow shafts, but slowly, each cut spaced far apart.

Xi Ge Li De sat on the other side of the stove, her needlework halted, the needle hanging in midair, the thread dangling, swaying slightly in the firelight.

As Yu Lin spoke, he flipped his hand and a small wooden bird appeared in his palm.

The bird was small, just fitting in his palm, wings spread as if flying.

Ying Ge took it, turning it over, the wood carving smooth, warm to the touch, as if it had been handled for years.

"Where did this come from?" she asked.

"I made it." Yu Lin said.

Ying Ge clenched the little bird in her palm: "Amazing!"

"There's more." Yu Lin flipped his hand again, producing a small wooden horse.

Another flip, a small wooden deer.

Ying Ge's hands soon filled with wood carvings, too many to hold, so she placed them on her lap, on the nearby bench, and shoved the excess into her mother's hands.

Xi Ge Li De looked at the small deer in her hand, the grain clear, the antlers delicate, the eyes two tiny embedded stones, black and shiny, like real ones.

"You're amazing!" Ying Ge gazed at Yu Lin admiringly, eyes full of light, "I want to be like you someday and travel everywhere!"

Yu Lin looked at her, smiled, and did not answer.

At that moment.

Xi Ge Li De stood up, walked to the corner, and took down a blanket from the rack.

The blanket was sewn from animal hides, the outside deerskin, the inside stuffed with straw or feathers or something, heavy, pressing against her arms when held.

She walked up to Yu Lin and handed him the blanket.

"Use this to sleep tonight."

Yu Lin looked at the blanket, did not decline, and simply said "Thank you."

The winter outside continued.