My Mister Ostrich

Chapter 1

“Aiya, the ground’s really slippery.” Pang Qian had never seen such a large snowfall before, so she was particularly excited. Her little face grew flushed from the cold wind. She found a few ice-covered spots, cried out, and slid across. It was as fun as ice skating.

Gu Mingxi walked steadily beside her. He had on a green raincoat. It was very long and covered his knees. The back was also raised up by his backpack, making him look like a big zongzi. Without stopping his pace, he reminded Pang Qian, “Be careful, don’t walk on the ice.”

Zongzi, sometimes rice dumping, is made of glutinous rice, filled with any assortment of things, and wrapped in bamboo leaves. I’m used to savory fillings like meat and beans, but they can also have something sweet, like red bean paste, inside.

“I got it. You’re so annoying.” Pang Qian slid along the ice a bit more, and then extended her hands to catch snowflakes. She even went off to the side of the road and left a hand print in the pile of snow. It was clean and soft. She pulled off her glove and pressed her hand down, until her right hand turned red from the cold.

“Stop playing.” Gu Mingxi had gotten up first and was waiting for her. Seeing her playing without care, he finally couldn’t hold back, “Hurry up. We’ll be late.”

“Let’s play a little more.” Pang Qian wasn’t one of those good kids who listened to what others told her. She picked up a handful of fluffy snow. The more she looked at it, the more it looked like ice cream. She couldn’t stop herself and took a bit, then shuddered, saying, “It’s so cold. It doesn’t taste like anything.”

Gu Mingxi was speechless. “Of course there’s no taste. Did you think it would be sweet?”

Pang Qian turned to look at him, and suddenly threw the snow in her hand at him. With a “puff,” it landed on the front of Gu Mingxi’s raincoat.

“Hey!” Gu Mingxi jumped back. Under his hat, his raincoat was pulled tightly. Only his face could be seen. And tucked under his chin, there was also a clip. The snow particles flying around stuck onto his eyebrows and eyelashes, and then soon melted from the heat of his body. His eyes were bright and clear, but they carried a bit of unhappiness. The corners of his lips drooped down. But Pang Qian wasn’t afraid that he’d get angry. She just laughed hahaha, and swept the snow from her hands. Then suddenly, the put her ice-cold hand onto Gu Mingxi’s face.

“Pang Qian!” The boy twisted away, avoiding her, and walked off with a huff. He didn’t expect to step on some ice, and in a flash, before Pang Qian could pull him back, he had already fallen to the ground.

At this moment, Pang Qian couldn’t even laugh. She dropped her umbrella and quickly rushed over to help Gu Mingxi up. She also didn’t dare to apologize. She just looked at him with some apprehension, then helped him clean off his rain coat. Gu Mingxi got up and took two steps, then turned around and saw Pang Qian’s upset and nervous face. Earnestly, he said, “Okay, I won’t tell my mom.”

Pang Qian immediately started smiling, relief flooding her face. She asked, “Did your fall hurt?”

“What do you think,” Gu Mingxi glared at her.

“Where does it hurt?” She looked him over, helping him brush off the snow from his coat. With her eyes on him, Gu Mingxi’s face reddened. Stiffly, he said, “It doesn’t hurt. Let’s go, we’re definitely going to be late.”

“Oh.” Pang Qian put on her gloves, not daring to play again, just nodding obediently.

The cold wind whistled in the air, the entire city covered in a sheet of white. Cyclists and pedestrians were all especially careful on the road. Two young kids, pressed between the morning commuters, walked through the snow, stumbling towards their school.