"Why did you bring me back in the first place?"

This was the first time Archer asked Hannah this question.

People outside said he was Hannah’s "reserve food," that he was food.

Hannah had an ulterior motive for him.

But he had never felt any malice from Hannah.

In his eyes, Hannah was no different from other girls her age.

Equally innocent, equally radiant, equally bright with smiles.

"Because your eyes are beautiful!" Hannah said.

She was watering her little red flowers.

She held a mini watering can in her hand.

It was made by Archer.

"Just because of beautiful eyes?" This answer was expected, yet it still surprised Archer.

Because of a pair of eyes, she had brought him back.

Was it really that simple?

"Yeah." Hannah turned around, her round eyes full of confusion, "What else could it be for?"

She liked Archer’s eyes.

Just as she liked beautiful gems, the moon, and the stars.

The likes and dislikes of children are often that straightforward.

Archer, who was just ten years old, was also a child, but in front of Hannah, he was accustomed to playing a brother’s role.

So he thought of something else, "If you encounter other eyes more beautiful in the future, will you bring them back too?"

As he spoke the latter half, his voice naturally became softer.

Hannah thought seriously for a moment, then said, "But I haven’t encountered eyes more beautiful than yours."

Hypothetical questions didn’t really apply to her.

Hannah’s way of thinking was simple.

Like and dislike.

Only these two.

Because she liked a beautiful teapot, she saved up for a long time to trade with the shop owner, because she liked a pink princess bed, she tried hard to hunt.

Also, because she liked Archer’s eyes, she dragged him back to her secret base, sack and all.

A simple way of thinking, also a child’s way of thinking.

Archer had no more questions, just watched Hannah playing, his eyes filled with laughter.

He felt very fortunate.

Fortunate to have met Hannah.

...

This winter snowstorm was fierce.

In just one night, the snow piled up was already half a person high.

If not cleared, the stone house’s door would soon be covered. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Before Archer came, Hannah used to do this herself.

A small figure, holding a shovel taller than herself, pushing like a hamster builds a nest, the snow splashing up would create another heavy snowfall.

But this year she had Archer.

So, naturally, this task fell upon Archer.

The young man seemed to have grown taller, still slim but now enough to envelop Hannah completely in his arms.

Hannah was frustrated, comparing her height to the marks on the door, her cheeks puffed out, "Why haven’t I grown taller?"

A seven-year-old girl also has her own troubles.

Archer, fearing she was cold, transformed one of his coats into a scarf and gloves for her.

Wrapping Hannah into a round bundle.

Round face, round eyes, like a snowball.

"You’ll grow taller." Archer reassured her, patting her head.

Through the hat, he gently rubbed it.

But Hannah still felt it.

She jumped up, swatting Archer’s hand away, looking fierce, "It’s because you always pat my head that I don’t grow taller."