The sun was rising higher and higher, and the entire vige began to show signs of life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning was grinding her inkstone, her ears perked to the sounds echoing from afar: the hearty calls of the men undertaking their duties, the yfulughter of women grouped together, the scolding from adults to children, and the sounds of various domestic animals…<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
All this bustle painted a vivid scene outside her window, sparking in Jiang Ning endless strands of imagination.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the house, Jiang Ning turned her attention to Liu Ming''an, who was sitting by her side and totally absorbed in his Confucian ssic readings, unaffected by the world beyond the window. The sunlight, pouring in obliquely through the window, cast a radiant halo around him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning watched him meticulously studying the scrolls at times, and at others, notes being jotted down. One moment, he was furrowing his eyebrows in deep concentration, and the next, his facial expressions would rx into a smile. She couldn''t help but admire his unwavering focus and determination.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Time flowed on gently. Jiang Ning spent her morning in the quietpanionship of Liu Ming’an until noon, when wisps of smoke began ascending from several houses in the vige.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was about this time that Liu Ming''anid down his brush and decided to take a break, rubbing his temples. Seeing her chance, Jiang Ning asked, “Are you hungry? Shall I prepare a meal?”<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Ming''an turned to look at Jiang Ning. Bathed in the dazzling sunshine, Jiang Ning''s face glowed ethereally. In her eyes gleamed fractals of light that shimmered like stardust. The sight was nothing short of otherworldly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
<bold>@nirvana23:</bold>
<span ss="content">Plot twist: Jiang Ning is actually a time-traveling alien with bioluminescent skin. That would exin the ''otherworldly'' description!
“Alright,” Liu Ming''an found himself answering after a moment''s pause.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Watching Jiang Ning''s retreating figure, Liu Ming''an felt like he could see through her to another person from his memory. Familiar terms of endearments from the past seemed to echo in his ears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
“Ming''an, what would you like to eat? I will cook it for you.”<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
“Oh, you’ve been reading all day, take a break now, don''t overexert yourself; it worries me.”<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
“Ming’an,e, eat more; you need to strengthen your body.”<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
…<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Feeling a sting of nostalgia, he blinked his eyes to clear the blurriness. By now, Jiang Ning had already moved into the kitchen, the ttering sounds of her busying inside echoed back.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the kitchen, when she saw the eggs that He Yiyi had brought, she had already nned the menu for the day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She went to the yard to pluck eggnts and chili peppers and fetched a handful of scallions. She nned to steam the leftover rice along with the eggnt for lunch, to cook stir-fried chili eggnt again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She cut the cleaned scallions into fine pieces and brought arge bowl. She broke four eggs into it and whipped them up into a smooth mixture with the finely chopped scallions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was striking how many of the ingredients came as a surprise to Jiang Ning in this era free of artificial additives, fertilizers, and chemical feeds. For instance, she noticed the strikingly vibrant orange hue in the yolk of these organic eggs, unlike the pale yellow yolks ofmercially bred chickens she was used to.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
<bold>@Naime:</bold>
<span ss="content">I bet Jiang Ning''s thinking, ''Great, now I can''t even enjoy my factory-farmed eggs anymore without feeling cheated.''
After the rice and eggnt were ready, she wiped the pan clean and poured oil into it. Once the oil was hot, she added the egg mixture.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
“Sizzle~”<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The liquid egg met the sizzling hot oil, solidifying and expanding instantly. The high temperature brought out the tantalizing aroma of scallion-egg omelet which filled the room, wetting the appetite of anyone present.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At first, Liu Ming''an who was engrossed in his book, didn''t feel the hunger. But when the tempting aroma wafted through, he realized his stomach was grumbling loudly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Tidying up the pen and paper on the table, Liu Ming''an got up and walked towards the kitchen. As he lifted the curtain, he happened to see Jiang Ning transfering food from the pan to the bowl with a spat. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning stood by the stove, her sleeves rolled up. The hot steam from the pot hovered around her. Even though her face was emotionless and her manner was cold, to Liu Ming''an, this scene felt inexplicablyforting.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Dinner is ready." Jiang Ning was aware of Liu Ming''an''s presence. She nudged her chin toward the side, indicating that the meal was there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Liu Ming''an cleared his throat and re-entered the room, took the meal outside, and then picked up a pair of chopsticks.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
By the time Jiang Ning came out with two tes of food, Liu Ming''an had already served the rice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The eggnt was soft and vorful, with the scent of eggs and scallions permeating the air. After clearing both tes, Liu Ming''an tidied up the table and thoroughly washed the dishes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With nothing else to do, Jiang Ning picked up a book titled "The Book of Rites" from Liu Ming''an''s pile and started flipping through the pages. After turning a few pages, she heard Liu Ming''an''s voice from outside the door, "Jiang Ning, we ran out of water. I''m going to fetch some."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning paused, alone in the room. Having lived a solitary life, she had no experience with interpersonal rtionships, except what she''d seen on television. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">3
<bold>@The_Followera:</bold>
<span ss="content">I can just imagine Jiang Ning frantically searching her mental database of TV shows for the appropriate response. Error 404: Normal human interaction not found!
Should she reply with, "Come back soon"? Or maybe, "Be careful on the way"?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Before she could decide, Liu Ming''an said his farewells and left.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Lotus Flower Vige had a well located on the east side. All the vigers fetched their water there. Liu Ming''an carried two full buckets of water on a yoke, making his way back home. No one was around except for a drunk He Wen near his doorway upon returning. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Ah, if it isn''t, Liu, Liu Ming''an?" <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Ning heard the voice and walked over to the window, to witness a drunken man obstructing Liu Ming''an''s path. The man looked to be in his twenties, staggering and unsteady, scruffy and disheveled, with bloodshot eyes ringed with dark circles.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Must be a gambler.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That was Jiang Ning''s first impression.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing He Wen in front of him, Liu Ming''an silently cursed his bad luck.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He Wen was notoriously rude in the vige; aplete rake who was into drinking, gambling, and the works. He''d nearly squandered everything in his household and would spend most of his time at local taverns or gambling houses. He''d only return home when he went broke, demanding money, and if his demands were unmet, he''d brazenly borrow, or worse, steal. Everyone avoided him for fear of being hassled when he returned.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Brother He Wen, you joke too much. I am but a poor schr, far from the genius you make me out to be." said Liu Ming''an as he sidestepped around him and entered the courtyard, still holding the water buckets.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But a drunken man isn''t easily dismissed. He Wen sneered and pushed open the garden gate, following Liu Ming''an into the yard. With a slurred speech, he blurted out, "A modest genius indeed. Everyone knows you spent three pieces of silver to bring a woman home."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ignoring him, Liu Ming''an made his way toward the water jar, set down his yoke, and bent down to pour the water into it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not receiving a response, He Wen''s fury erupted. He abruptly seized the water bucket, preventing Liu Ming''an from lifting it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Liu, Liu Ming''an, since you''ve got the money to buy women, how about lending some to your brother? Once your brother wins some money, I''ll pay you back with interest, how''s that?"
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He Wen, reeking of alcohol, grinned at Liu Ming''an.
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Taking two steps back, a clear disgust wrinkling his brow, Liu Ming''an coldly replied, "I don''t have any money, you''ve got the wrong person. Please leave."
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Inside the room, Jiang Ning''s eyes scanned He Wen, with an underlying coldness. Since meeting Liu Ming''an, his manner and speech had always been gracious... even in the most awkward of situations, he had never lost his temper. This was the first time Jiang Ning had heard him speak with such frustration.
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Heh... When ites to buying women, you''re all moneybags. But when I need a loan, suddenly no money in pocket, huh?"
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He Wen, eyes bulged out and face fierce, continued, "Good on you, Liu Ming''an. All these years, doing a great impression of an honorable gentleman. But the reality? Pfah! I heard from Instructor Zhao that the woman you bought was a damaged one. Desperate for a female, you''ve spent three liang on such unattractive merchandise. Hahaha..."
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"That freak, only someone like you would have a fancy for her. Hahaha... but it''s all the same in the dark, especially for someone who hasn''t had a taste of a woman yet."
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Word is, when you were buying her, she was near death. You haven''t had your fun and killed her already, have you?"
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Offended by He Wen''s filthynguage, Liu Ming''an had no wish to waste more words. Striding forwards, he grabbed He Wen''s robes, intending to escort him out of the courtyard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0