The evening sun's residual light accompanied the breeze, gently brushing onto the tree branches like feathers, leaving a mottled pattern of light and shadow.
The sounds of laughter and playful chatter came from within the zoo, followed soon by children emerging in twos and threes, holding their parents' hands, their faces brimming with joy.
A five-year-old little boy stood by the bushes, staring with a conflicted expression at the cotton candy in his hand, which was bigger than his face.
Just as he decided where to take his first bite, a shadow suddenly loomed over him. Instinctively looking up, he found himself gazing at a stranger's face.
The little boy was startled. He stepped back a few paces, nervously glancing toward the restroom. His small hand, gripping the wooden stick of the cotton candy, tightened.
"Hello there, little one," Jin Yunzhi crouched down, taking off the mask he was wearing. His face softened into a warm smile.
