The day's classes ended, and Jia Lan pedaled leisurely down the stone-paved streets, the evening wind brushing her cheeks. She had taken a small detour, an empty woven basket secured firmly behind her bicycle. The basket looked ordinary to any passerby, but she had plans for it. Riding too far with loads of fresh produce was troublesome, and this shortcut saved her effort.
The sun was dipping low, spilling molten gold across the rooftops, while thin curls of smoke rose from chimneys as families began preparing dinner. Children darted about, chasing each other with carefree laughter, while men returned from work with lunch pails swinging from their hands. The air carried the mingled scent of rice, woodsmoke, and stir-fried vegetables.
This is a good time to live in, Jia Lan thought quietly. No noise, no pollution, no endless honking of cars just life unfolding in a steady, simple rhythm.
Before reaching the courtyard, she stopped her bicycle. With a thought, she transferred her day's harvest from the planting space into the basket: plump tomatoes, leafy greens, and a variety of fresh fruits, all so vibrant they looked as though they had been painted. The basket, now brimming, weighed over fifty kilograms yet she still managed to drag it the last few steps to her gate.
Just as she bent forward to push it inside, a familiar voice rang out.
"Lan Lan, you're back home! How was college today?"
Jia Lan turned her head slightly, her brows arching when she saw Shen Mingrui approaching with his usual bright grin, his bicycle leaning casually at his side.
"It was fine," she replied evenly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek.
His gaze slid to the overflowing basket behind her bicycle. "That looks heavy. Let me help you."
Before she could refuse, he had already moved forward. Jia Lan opened her mouth, but the words stuck as Shen Mingrui lifted the basket as though it were nothing more than a sack of cotton. Her lips twitched fifty kilos, gone without so much as a grunt.
"…Thank you," she said at last, her tone calm, though inwardly she was impressed.
Shen Mingrui waved a hand, smiling like a fool. "No, no, it's nothing. I'm happy to help!"
He set the basket neatly inside the courtyard, then dusted his hands as if the task hadn't cost him a shred of strength.
"Well then, I won't bother you further," Jia Lan began, subtly trying to usher him away.
But Shen Mingrui only leaned against his bicycle, his grin widening. "Actually… there's a new restaurant that opened near my office. They sell all sorts of spicy dishes fragrant hotpot, stir-fried peppers, grilled fish, and dumplings with chili sauce. Very tasty! If you want… we could go there this weekend?"
Jia Lan's brows lifted, her calm expression betraying the faintest flicker of curiosity. "Where? What kind of food?"
And just like that, she had walked into his trap. Shen Mingrui lit up, describing the dishes in animated detail, his hands gesturing wildly as though he were presenting royal delicacies. "They make these noodles tossed with their own sauce you'll smell the sesame oil before it even arrives. And the braised chicken ah, you'll want two bowls of rice with it!"
Though she didn't realize it, a spark of interest had already taken root in her. By the end of his enthusiastic explanation, the two had agreed half casually, half deliberately to try the place together on the weekend.
Finally, Shen Mingrui straightened his clothes and gave her a bright wave. "Alright then, Lan Lan, I'll stop bothering you now. Goodbye, and rest well!"
With that, he pedaled off, looking far too pleased with himself.
Jia Lan exhaled lightly, shaking her head at Shen Mingrui's persistence. He's far too talkative for his own good.
She pushed open the gate and stepped into the courtyard. The faint fragrance of simmering broth drifted out from the kitchen, mingling with the cool scent of evening air. "Aunt Li? Aunt Li!" she called, her voice carrying easily through the quiet space.
From the kitchen came the steady clatter of pots and the hiss of oil meeting hot metal. A moment later, Aunt Li appeared, wiping her damp hands on her apron. Her hair, streaked with silver, was pinned neatly back as always, her smile kind and reassuring.
"You're back, Miss," Aunt Li said warmly, her eyes softening as she spotted Jia Lan.
"I bought some fruits and vegetables," Jia Lan explained lightly, gesturing toward the basket without even a flicker of guilt.
Aunt Li bent down to inspect it, her face brightening at once. "These are beautiful! Look at the sheen on these tomatoes ah, and these apples, too. Such good quality. Your eye is sharp, Miss."
Jia Lan lowered her lashes, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She didn't bother to correct her.
Together, they carried the basket into the kitchen. The vegetables and fruits, still fresh with dew, looked almost too perfect to be real. Jia Lan reached out to help, but Aunt Li waved her hand firmly, laughing softly. "Go on, go freshen up first. Afterward, if you feel like it, you can help me. Dinner still has some time."
"Alright," Jia Lan replied with a nod.
She retreated down the hallway and entered her room. The fading light of sunset spilled in through the window, painting the wooden floor with a soft golden hue. She set her schoolbag aside, loosening her shoulders, and for a brief moment she simply stood there, soaking in the peace. The day had been long, but here, in this space, time seemed to slow.
Her gaze shifted toward the adjoining bathroom. Deciding she wanted to wash away the dust of the day, Jia Lan slipped inside.
The small tiled room quickly filled with the sound of running water as she turned on the shower. Steam rose, curling into the corners of the mirror until it fogged over in a soft blur. She stepped under the warm stream, closing her eyes as the water cascaded down, washing away the faint ache in her muscles from cycling and carrying books. Her hair clung damply to her back as she massaged shampoo through it, the fragrance of fresh herbs filling the room.
The warmth left her cheeks pink, her mind drifting in quiet ease. By the time she rinsed off and stepped out, wrapping herself in a thick towel, her body felt lighter, refreshed.
She changed into soft home clothes cotton, warm, and comfortable against her skin before carefully going through her skincare routine at the vanity. Her reflection in the mirror glowed faintly from the heat of the shower, lashes lowered as she dabbed cream gently across her face. Her half-dried hair fell in dark waves over her shoulders, leaving faint drops against her collar.
When she finally padded back toward her room, the faint sound of Aunt Li humming reached her ears from the kitchen. Outside, the evening deepened into quiet twilight, the courtyard bathed in tranquil shadows.
The day had been long, but the night… the night promised comfort.
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