Bo Xi woke before dawn.
It was only five in the morning, yet the sky was already a dull, oppressive gray. Snow drifted steadily from above, fine but relentless. The air felt heavier than the night before.
Carefully, so as not to wake the others, Bo Xi rose and put on her thick cloak. She stepped outside and opened the door.
A sharp gust of cold wind greeted her.
The courtyard was buried once more under a fresh layer of snow. She had just begun assessing how much needed to be cleared when she noticed figures moving through the white haze.
The Village Chief was walking toward her house, accompanied by her daughter and several villagers. Their shoulders were dusted with snow, and their expressions were grim.
"Bo Xi," the Village Chief called out as she approached. "Are your in-laws staying with you?"
"Yes, Village Chief," Bo Xi replied respectfully. "My mother-in-law was injured when the ice fell. I brought them here immediately."
The Village Chief nodded. "I saw their house earlier. Half of it has collapsed. Their neighbor said you carried them back."
Her voice paused slightly, and her brows furrowed.
Bo Xi noticed the hesitation. "Is something wrong, Village Chief?"
The older woman exhaled slowly. "Yes. Several homes were badly damaged last night. We are gathering the villagers to help salvage what we can from the ruins, grain, clothing, and anything still usable. Before the snow buries everything deeper."
Bo Xi did not hesitate. "Of course I will help."
Relief flickered across the Village Chief's face.
"I'll inform my husband first," Bo Xi added.
"Good," the Village Chief said. "We'll gather in front of my house shortly. Bring tools if you have them."
Bo Xi nodded firmly.
As the group moved on to notify others, she looked back at the snow-covered village. Smoke rose thinly from a few surviving chimneys. In the distance, she could see broken rooftops and sagging beams barely visible beneath white drifts.
This winter was no ordinary hardship.
Turning back inside, she prepared to wake Han Fei.
"Fei, wake up," Bo Xi called softly from outside the room.
A moment later, the door creaked open. Han Fei stood there, his hair slightly messy, dark circles beneath his eyes. The long night of wind and crashing ice had clearly robbed him of proper rest.
"The Village Chief is gathering everyone to salvage what we can from the damaged houses," Bo Xi said gently. "I'm going to join them."
Han Fei straightened immediately. "Then I'll make you breakfast first."
Bo Xi shook her head. "No need. There's leftover food from yesterday. I'll heat it and go. You should rest a little longer."
"But—"
"No," she said firmly, though her tone remained warm. "You didn't sleep well. Stay inside and look after Mother."
Han Fei hesitated, knowing she was right. "Be careful."
"I will."
Bo Xi went into the kitchen and found the remaining rice and vegetables. She reheated them quickly over the fire, eating without fuss. The food was simple and slightly dry, but it filled her stomach. After finishing, she grabbed a shovel and wrapped her cloak tightly before stepping out into the snow once more.
In front of the Village Chief's house, many women had already gathered, some holding baskets, others carrying tools. Their faces were pale from the cold but determined.
Bo Xi joined them quietly.
Soon, they were divided into teams and assigned different homes. Women handled heavy beams and broken roof planks, while men shoveled snow, retrieved buried belongings, and sorted usable items from debris.
Bo Xi worked steadily, her movements efficient. Even in the freezing air, sweat dampened her back beneath her layers.
As she passed her neighbor's ruined yard, she felt a sharp gaze on her. The woman looked displeased, perhaps upset that Bo Xi had rushed to her in-laws first instead of helping nearby homes. Bo Xi noticed but did not pause. Family had been her priority. There would be time to help others.
When her team reached Han Fei's family home, Bo Xi worked especially carefully. They dug out sacks of grain, blankets, and wooden chests half-buried under snow and debris. Though some items were damaged, much was salvageable.
After several hours, the Village Chief finally allowed a short break.
Bo Xi carried several recovered bundles back to her house. Her arms ached, and her breath fogged in the cold air.
When she entered, Father Han had just risen. He looked exhausted—his face pale, dark circles beneath his eyes, his frame thinner than before.
"Father, I brought back what we could from your house," Bo Xi said, placing the bundles down carefully.
"When did you go?" Father Han asked, startled. "You should have woken us. We could have helped."
"It wasn't difficult," Bo Xi replied gently. "The Village Chief organized everyone. We worked together."
"You're just in time. The food is ready," Han Fei called when Bo Xi stepped inside, brushing snow from her cloak.
Everyone gathered in the dining area. The fire burned steadily, filling the room with warmth. Mother Han looked slightly better than the day before—her complexion still pale, but her eyes clearer.
Bo Xi felt relieved seeing the improvement.
They ate quietly but with better appetites than in the morning. Physical work and cold weather made even simple dishes taste comforting.
After finishing, Bo Xi did not linger long.
"I'll head back," she said, tightening her cloak once more.
Han Fei frowned slightly but did not stop her. He understood that in times like these, everyone had to contribute.
Outside, the villagers continued clearing debris and reinforcing damaged roofs with temporary coverings. Thanks to everyone's joint effort, most salvageable items were recovered before the snow buried them again. The atmosphere, though still tense, carried a thread of solidarity.
When Bo Xi went to the Village Chief's house to collect the recovered belongings from her in-laws' home, she was told, "Your husband and father-in-law already came and carried them back."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Returning home, she pushed open the door and stepped into warmth. She washed her hands and face, the icy sting slowly fading from her skin. Only then did she sit down heavily on a chair, her muscles finally protesting the day's labor.
"Let me bring you some hot water to soak your legs," Han Fei said immediately.
Before Bo Xi could refuse, he had already turned and gone into the kitchen.
She shook her head helplessly but allowed herself to relax.
Soon, a basin of steaming water was placed before her. Bo Xi removed her boots and soaked her aching feet. The warmth seeped into her bones, easing the stiffness. She sipped hot water from a cup Han Fei handed her, feeling her exhaustion gradually soften.
She chatted quietly with Mother Han, asking about the pain in her leg and adjusting the blanket around her.
Outside, the wind had lessened, though snow still drifted down lightly.
Before long, the sky darkened once more.
It was time to prepare dinner and face another long winter night.