Shi Sanshui and Cai Xiaochen crossed a snowy mountain and arrived before a deep cave entrance. Cai Xiaochen s…
Shi Sanshui and Cai Xiaochen crossed a snowy mountain and arrived before a deep cave entrance.
Cai Xiaochen said mysteriously, "I found this alone! They say there's treasure in the Liangzhou snow mountains!"
Shi Sanshui pouted. "If my parents knew we came this far, they'd join your parents in breaking our legs!"
"Who's afraid! Same old rule—just say I led the way!" As he spoke, Cai Xiaochen opened his pack and pulled out a jumble of items. Shi Sanshui peeked: fire starters, felt pads, a small ice axe—everything needed, all accounted for. Finally, Cai Xiaochen didn't forget to toss a paper packet to Shi Sanshui.
"Almond candy. You said you liked it last time, so I begged my mom to buy an extra portion."
Shi Sanshui opened the packet. The candy had frozen rock-hard in the cold. Before she could speak, Cai Xiaochen handed her a fire starter. "Warm it up."
The flame licked the candy, its fragrance spreading like ripples. Cai Xiaochen and Shi Sanshui slowly walked into the cave.
Suddenly, a low growl came from the darkness ahead. The two children froze, terrified. Two faint lights glowed—it was a hibernating bear, awakened by the noise.
"Run!" Quick-eyed, Cai Xiaochen grabbed the stunned Shi Sanshui and turned to flee.
Shi Sanshui almost forgot how they got home. She only remembered Cai Xiaochen's hand tightly gripping hers the whole way. They screamed, fell, got up, covered in mud. But Cai Xiaochen's hand never let go.
A hunter posted notices all over town: a bear on the mountain had been startled awake but hadn't come down. He clearly saw the bear happily eating pieces of almond candy.
Meanwhile, the two children kneeling in the house, being scolded, didn't dare lift their heads.
While her father paused for a sip of water, Shi Sanshui secretly glanced up and saw Cai Xiaochen also grinning, the corner of his mouth twitching. The tip of his nose was scraped by ice, bleeding slightly.
They shared a knowing smile. The children no longer heard the scolding—only the candlelight reflected in each other's eyes.