Winter had deeply rooted itself into Minh’s life. The long, cold days became an unceasing challenge. In Minh’s small house, every gust of wind from the window seemed to tear away the little warmth that was left, leaving a chilling emptiness that pervaded his soul.
One morning, Minh woke up with aches all over his body. His room was filled with the dim light from the oil lamp, but it wasn’t enough to warm his shivering body. Minh got up, feeling each step as a battle against the cold. His mother and grandparents were still wrapped in their blankets, hoping that rest would help them feel better.
Minh entered the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. The ingredients in the kitchen hadn’t changed much—leftover rice, a few vegetables, and some soy sauce. Despite the hardship, Minh tried to m
