The alley resumed its dead silence as the little girl's footsteps faded away. Li Yuan could not feel the howling wind brushing against his body.
He slowly closed his eyes while his body was no longer susceptible to the cold.
Time appeared to pass slowly yet fast at the same time. The sound of footsteps reemerged in the alley. Instead of at a hastened pace, someone was approaching slowly and step by step.
The light footsteps belonged to a young child.
Judging by the careful treading, the child seemed afraid of him yet put on a brave face to draw close. He could even hear the child's heart pounding out of her chest.
By the time she paused in motion, Li Yuan caught a whiff of food. He opened his eyes and looked into the little girl's crystal-clear and bright eyes. Just like that, she crash-landed into his mind and soul.
