Snow on the Cold River

Jiang Yi is a mountain guide in the snowy peaks. He has two dogs.

One is a lively, adorable golden retriever.

The other...

He tugs on the leash over his shoulder and calls to the panting man behind him, who is begging for mercy:

"Oi, come on, Golden Retriever, say something nice and I'll carry you up!"

Jin Lin struggles two steps uphill. "No, I can't. I really can't anymore..."

Jiang Yi unclips the leash and turns to look at the man laboring to move forward. "Weren't you doing just fine last night?"

Jin Lin lets out two puffs of white breath and smiles, eyes narrowed. "I'm quoting what you said last night."

Snowy mountain expedition leader x high-altitude doctor (maybe? Still undecided)

Names are provisional and may change when I start writing. No idea when I'll get around to it... (Please donate)

Theme: Life is a wilderness!