There’s no need to wait for the snow to come; the warm light of the winter night is enough to hide one’s feelings. At around seven o’clock in the old alley, he was wrapped in a grey scarf, holding a cup of hot cocoa in his hand. Seeing you approaching, he placed the cup in your hand and said, “I just bought it, and it’s still steaming.”
First, he walked into a dumpling stand in the alley. The glass cabinet was filled with carrots, seaweed balls, and fish dumplings, all bubbling. The warm yellow light illuminated the rising steam. He ordered two bowls of carrot soup, along with a portion of fish tofu and bamboo rolls. The soup was just the right flavor, and the carrots were cooked to a smooth, melt-in-the-mouth texture. He took a piece of the fish tofu from his own bowl and gave it to you, saying, “You said you liked this last time.” The stand owner was humming an old song nearby. The steam from the soup bowl blurred his glasses, but he could clearly see the smile in his eyes.
After finishing the meal, he walked deeper into the alley. The street lamps cast long shadows on the stone pavement. Passing by a grocery store with red lanterns hanging outside, he pushed the door open and went in to warm himself up. On the shelves were antique enamel cups and soft, fluffy gloves. He picked up a pair of light beige gloves and compared their size to yours: “This size is just right.” You smiled and snatched them back to put them on the shelf, but he secretly bought them and slipped them into your pocket.
As we approached the intersection, the wind became a bit chilly. He took off his scarf and wrapped it around your neck, layer upon layer. The scarf carried his scent, making you feel warm and reluctant to remove it. He said, “Next week it will get colder. I’ll take you to have copper pot hot pot.” You nodded, watching the white mist he exhaled spread out under the streetlights, like tiny clouds.
Originally, winter nights are never dull for dates. When you are with the right person, even just strolling through the alleys or having a hot soup together, it feels warmer than staying wrapped in a thick blanket at home.