Sunlight spilled over the rooftops of GuàiShuǐ Cūn, warming the cobblestone paths and moss-covered tiles. The village had fully awakened. Merchants arranged their carts, laying out pottery, dried herbs, and woven baskets of rice. Birds flitted through the bamboo, chirping in the cool morning air. Children ran along the alleys, their bare feet slapping softly against the stones, carrying small bundles or playing with wooden toys.
Liang Yu stepped outside, feeling the soft warmth of the morning sun on his face. He inhaled deeply. The faint scent of the river behind the village, mingled with flowers in the courtyard, brought a sense of calm.
"Yu! Come on!" Hao Wei called from the riverbank, already balancing on stepping stones. Lin Yue sat nearby, folding tiny leaf boats for a game along the river. Yu smiled and ran to them, dipping his hands in the icy water, feeling smooth river stones beneath his fingers.
The three friends spent the morning racing across the stepping stones, jumping, balancing, and laughing. Yu slipped once, plunging into the shallow water, sputtering and shaking his hair. Lin Yue laughed softly, while Hao Wei cheered him on. By the time they left the river, their clothes were damp and hair wet, but spirits were high.
The village square was alive with morning activity. Elderly villagers guided children in arranging goods on merchant carts. Yu helped Lin Yue carry a small bundle of chestnuts collected near the river. Hao Wei assisted a vendor with jars of honey, nearly tipping a few in his clumsiness. Yu laughed, steadying the jars before they could fall. Lin Yue shook her head with a smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
By midday, the sun shone brightly. Parents tended gardens, repaired rooftops, or carried water from the well. Yu helped his father, Liang Zhen, stack firewood in neat piles along the courtyard. Each log had to fit precisely, and each movement taught him patience and focus. Zhen said little, but Yu felt the silent guidance in every glance and nod.
Meanwhile, Mei Lian prepared lunch. The aroma of steamed rice and simmering vegetables filled the house. Yu joined her briefly, washing herbs and listening to her gentle advice about which vegetables would taste best together.
In the afternoon, the trio wandered toward the bamboo grove near the village outskirts. Sunlight filtered through the tall stalks, casting long, dancing shadows. Birds sang, and the rustle of leaves accompanied their steps. Yu climbed the tallest bamboo he could find, feeling the rough bark beneath his fingers. From the top, he saw the entire village: the river glittered in the sunlight, lanterns hung in preparation for evening, and the hills loomed gently in the distance.
Hao Wei shouted from below, daring Yu to race back down. Carefully, Yu jumped, landing softly on the forest floor. The three friends ran between bamboo stalks, laughing, their shadows stretching long in the afternoon sun.
Evening arrived, soft and golden. Lanterns were hung outside homes, their light casting a warm glow on the cobblestones. Families gathered for dinner, exchanging stories from the day. Yu sat with Lin Yue and Hao Wei, listening to Bao Hui, the village herbalist, recount tales of distant towns, strange merchants, and mountains that reached the clouds. Yu's imagination soared with every word, though he always returned to the comforting familiarity of GuàiShuǐ Cūn.
Dinner was shared in the glow of the hearth. Yu's father offered quiet observations, his presence grounding the household. His mother spoke softly, keeping conversation flowing, her hands busy with dishes and preparations. Yu shared tales of river games, and Hao Wei exaggerated his own feats, drawing laughter from everyone.
Later, Yu stepped outside for a moment, looking toward the river and the hills. Fireflies floated lazily over the water, lanterns reflected faintly in the current, and the bamboo grove swayed gently in the night breeze. For now, everything felt safe and eternal.
He crawled into bed, the soft rustle of bamboo and the gentle river sounds lulling him to sleep. Liang Yu was still just a boy in a quiet village — a boy surrounded by friends, family, and the simple joys of daily life. Tomorrow promised more games, more learning, and another ordinary day — and for Yu, that was enough