Winter is nearing.
The persistent drizzle from the sky felt like sharp needles, stabbing her cheeks with a sting so pronounced it was clear.
Jiang Ruan placed a bunch of daisies in front of the gravestone.
The rain soaked her eyelashes, her eyes quiet to a terrifying extent, cold and emotionless, as if unaffected by everything around her.
Jiang Yuxin was beside her, crying with red-rimmed eyes, trying to suppress her sobs, her face flushing, her eyes swollen from the constant tears. The little girl was wan and haggard after just two days of incessant crying.
A small hand clung to Jiang Ruan's clothes.
Her fingertips lacked color from squeezing so tightly.
Like an abandoned puppy, she could only move towards a sense of safety.
Jiang Ruan regained her composure.
She turned to look at Jiang Yuxin, lifted her hand to wipe her tears, and finally spoke her first words.
"Stop crying."
As soon as she spoke,
Jiang Yuxin couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears.