It snowed at night, and by morning, the ground was sheeted with a layer of ice, slippery to the touch.
Gu Jiao was prepared for this and had spread the sand she had saved a few days earlier along the walkway and the courtyard.
When she opened the gate to spread the sand further down the alley, she found that the neighbourhood had already taken care of it. There was sand, coal ashes, and straw mats everywhere.
As Gu Jiao wondered who did it, a neighbour opened their door and said, laughing, "Is Xiao Liulang off to take the exam?"
"Aunt Lu." Gu Jiao greeted, recognizing her grandmother's mahjong buddy who had visited their house a few times.
Gu Jiao understood. Each household in the neighbourhood had laid their choice of materials on the alleyway. This was why it was so colourful.
She had always thought that they were isolated, but apparently her grandmother had integrated them into the neighbourhood without her knowing.
Gu Jiao expressed her gratitude.