Juhua said, "The sun's so bright, and it's almost noon, so the river water won't be as icy. This bedsheet is too big to shake out in a washtub. Tossing it in the river to rinse a few times will get it clean. It's much easier!"
Zheng Changhe grew even more concerned. "That's exactly why I'm worried. It's big, and once it's wet, it'll be incredibly heavy. What if it pulls you into the river?"
Juhua smiled. "Dad, I'll be careful. It'll be fine!"
The winter sun shone warmly on the riverbank, covered in withered, yellow grass. The water of the Little Qing River remained frigid and clear, its surface glinting in the sunlight. The water was bone-chillingly cold; the sun had done nothing to raise its temperature.
