Seeking Plum Blossoms in the Snow

He still remembered the snow that year. Now it fell so thickly, drifting down from the boundless sky above whenever he lifted his head. Even many years later, he still remembered that day, when he accepted the warmth from her hands. It was like a spring of warm water winding slowly through his heart. Even now, when he raised a hand to cover that spot, he could never make it warm again. The snow in Gusu fell without end for three whole days, burying the entire city beneath a vast white landscape. The City God Temple had long since fallen into ruin. Howling winds drove heavy snow against its dilapidated roof, again and again, while it sifted through the broken eaves into the temple. In a corner lay a stiff, frozen lump, seemingly made of blackened, tattered cotton cloth. Suddenly it shuddered as the wind howled outside the temple, followed by a faint rustling sound and a rumble from somewhere. At last, the lump of ragged cotton slowly unfolded from its rigid, curled-up position. Two clear eyes emerged from the gloom. It was a boy, his hair tangled in knots, yet unable to hide the spark of life in him. He was terribly hungry and had spent the night freezing. His limbs were stiff, and it felt as though the slightest movement would make his bones crack. Of course, that was just his imagination. After struggling for a long while, he finally got up. He wrapped the tattered cotton coat he'd found somewhere tightly around himself, picked up a chipped porcelain bowl, and tucked it against his chest like a treasure. Then he trudged toward the door. The snow outside seemed to have stopped, but the bitter wind cut like a knife across his bare cheeks. He frowned and bundled himself up tighter. His stomach had been clamoring all night, and he could ignore it no longer. He had to survive, at least until winter was over. Theme: Lovers who missed their chance