Late autumn had passed, and the weather grew increasingly colder. The clothing of pedestrians on the street had become visibly thicker as they clutched their collars with their hands to guard against the sharp, cutting wind. Walking hurriedly, they traversed the sidewalks.
The night wind wailed, sweeping up a few fallen leaves from the roadside plane trees. The leaves spiraled downward, landing on the raised, bright yellow tactile paving. Rings of light radiated from the streetlamps, dappling the pavement below.
Hours later, the streets had grown desolate. Now, only every other minute or so, a car would roar past at high speed.
The clock inside the convenience store on the roadside pointed straight up—the time was midnight.
This place was Shanyin City, Yongning Station.
