A frigid north wind, with the sharpness of a blade, swept across the land. The sky seemed as if it were about to fall.

In the dilapidated temple at the northern edge of Fangjia Village, nestled amongst a pile of yellow straw, three thin children huddled together, trembling in the cold and seeking warmth from each other.

"Big sister... it's so cold." Four-year-old Fang Minghui's face was pale, and he cried weakly, his breath forming white puffs from his small mouth. His little face almost blended with the white mist, making Fang Han's mother feel a pang of sadness.

"Little Huai, don't speak, the more you speak, the colder you get." Six-year-old Fang Zhi's body trembled. She forced herself to endure the biting cold and softly advised her younger brother, but the trembling in her voice betrayed the fact that even she was freezing.

Fang Han's eyes welled up with tears, and she held her younger sister and brother even tighter.

This nine-year-old Fang Han's daughter was just a soul from another time, with no connection to these two children. Even she couldn't help but feel deeply heartbroken at this moment, wanting to curse this treacherous fate!

What kind of calamity has befallen these children to make them suffer so!

Moments ago, transported to a time period unrecorded in history, two children huddled together against the biting wind, shivering and crying. Their voices, hoarse and trembling, pleaded, "Big sister, don't leave us." Even someone who prided themselves on having an unfeeling heart would find their insides twisting with sorrow.

And after letting the fragments of memories left by the searing burn in his mind digest, even if he only understood their current situation through guesswork and assumptions, a surge of anger built within him, choking him with frustration!

In short, the three siblings were disowned by their family and kicked out of their home during this cold winter month.

It's so cold outside, such a tiny child! Honey!

Fang Hanni couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Having died in a car accident and transmigrated into another world, Fang Han felt resentment towards those so-called relatives for their cruelty. She pitied her younger sister and brother for their weakness. Filled with unwillingness, she quickly took on the role of Fang Han's mother.

I've made up my mind, Fang Han is gone. Right now, all I can do is live a good life in her memory!

Even one's life can't be protected!

Fang Han's mother only felt the situation was becoming increasingly strained, but she was unwilling to accept defeat. She frantically thought of ways out, her eyes constantly scanning for anything that could provide warmth.

When the eyes sweep over something dark yellow, the eyes light up, Aha!

Supporting his quickly freezing child, he hurried towards a dilapidated shrine nearby. With his hand, he pulled off the yellow hemp cloth lying beneath the shrine's base.

Fāng Mínghuái was still young and didn't have much faith in gods or Buddhas. He only knew that when his elder sister left, the cold wind blew straight in, and he was about to cry. Fāng Zhīniáng, on the other hand, was a little older and knew how to be respectful. When she saw this, she was taken aback.

However, before she could say anything, Fang Hanniang swiftly swatted the yellowish hemp cloth with her hand, dusting off the nail-thick layer of dust. She then draped it over her back and wrapped her arms around her younger brother and sister, holding them tightly against her chest.

The villagers are devout Buddhists. Although this temple has fallen into disrepair, it was once very popular. The yellow hemp cloth under the shrine used to be made of very thick and durable material. Though old, it was dirt-resistant and warm. Now, lying on it immediately alleviated the chill from earlier.

Fang Minghui let out an excited "Ah!" He was just a child after all, instantly beaming with joy.

Fang Zhi's voice trembled, her words slurred as she almost bit her tongue: "Big... Big sister...?"

Fang Han's mother casually came up with an excuse, whispering softly, "The Buddha has always been compassionate and merciful, certainly unwilling to watch us freeze to death. We are just borrowing some offerings for now. Once we pass this hardship, we will show extra devotion to the Buddha, and he will surely not blame us."

But in my heart, I was thinking, if it weren't for the lack of fire and the wet ground that wouldn't catch, I would have just burned that useless wooden idol as firewood....

Hearing her sister say this, Fang Zhi's mother, who had no idea what her sister was thinking, immediately felt at ease. The little girl, who was much thinner than other children of her age, suddenly relaxed and subconsciously adjusted her position in her elder sister's arms to make herself more comfortable.

Three siblings, wrapped in a dirty and old yellow hemp sheet, warmed each other with their affection.

But the child is small and not used to the cold. How long will this piece of yellow cloth keep them warm?

"Han'niang... Zhi'niang... Huai ge'er!"

The urgent cries shook Fang Han's drowsy thoughts. At the temple entrance, a figure in indigo cotton cloth dashed towards them, calling out their names excitedly.

That was a man who looked to be in his thirties. He clutched a large cotton quilt and a bundle of clothes, looking flustered. Seeing three children huddled together in the straw pile, wrapped in a tattered cloth and shivering uncontrollably, he was taken aback. Then, his heart ached with sympathy.

He didn't have time to scold the children for their disrespectful act of draping a blanket over the memorial. He hurriedly tucked the blanket around the three children, his eyes welling up with tears: "It's Uncle Liu's fault, it's Uncle Liu's fault that I arrived late!"

The thick quilt blocked out the cold wind, and the long-awaited warmth enveloped them. A sense of sheer joy at survival welled up from within, causing Fang Han's mother, who outwardly appeared to be nine years old but whose heart was close to thirty, to well up with tears despite her usually strong demeanor.

Who would choose to die when they can live?

Besides, there are also pitiful younger siblings who are so young.

"Sixth Uncle, thank you..." Fang Hanniang choked back tears as she expressed her true gratitude. "I thought we three siblings were going to die here."

From fragmented memories, I learned that this was the uncle of the Fang clan, the youngest son of Grandfather Three. He had always been kind to me and my siblings.

Fang Changqing listened to the words of his young nephew, speaking of life and death, and saw that two even smaller nephews were staring at him with undisguised surprise. His heart ached beyond measure. This usually stoic farmer couldn't hold back anymore; he turned away to wipe tears from his rough cheek with the back of his hand. Then he turned back, looking at the child’s pale face, and hurriedly untied his bundle: “This is your aunt’s old clothes that your sixth aunt packed for you before I left home. Put them on first, uncle will take you home, home.”

As soon as they heard this, the joy on Fang Zhi's and Fang Minghui's young faces seemed to freeze. The two children instinctively took a step back in fear: "No..."

Seeing this, Fang Han's mother and Fang Changqing were heartbroken!

This much hardship, to make such a small child, in this near-freezing situation, still talk about family matters!

Fang Changqing endured the turmoil in his heart and hurriedly said, “It was Uncle Liu who didn’t explain clearly. We are not going back to your home, but to Uncle Liu's. Your aunt has already cooked hot porridge for you at home and is waiting for Uncle Liu to take you back.”

Then Fang Zhi's and Fang Minghui's faces relaxed, and they both laughed. One chirped, "I can't wait for Sixth Aunt to cook her delicious congee!" The other chirped, "Sixth Aunt's stir-fried Napa cabbage is also incredibly tasty!"

"Yes, yes!" said Fang Changqing with a chuckle.

Fang Han's mother finally broke into a genuine smile, the first since their time travel.