No rain had fallen on Mount Jinyun; even the wind was under strict control, the sun spreading rays of light evenly over the mountain, as if shining on a rice paddy, shining a rare vitality in the winter day. Li Shiyi tugged Song Shijiu's hand, walking upwards; behind her followed A Luo and A Yin. The small path on the mountain still had some mud, the fresh soil muddying the soles of their shoes; Song Shijiu looked at the path with a lowered head, one hand holding up the skirts of her crescent moon-coloured qipao, her deep black wool overcoat piled with a circle of cozy racoon dog fur, tickling as it brushed her sharp chin. She inclined her eyes once more to look at Li Shiyi; she wore a long cotton coat, with wide sleeves and a high collar, which made her clear, aloof features appear as bright as if they'd been washed in water; her crow-black hair was braided from the top of her head like a fishtail, brought together in a loose tail, swept to one side, laying on her chest, becom...