Chapter 83

He got out of bed, walked to the balcony, and looked down.

Aunt Liu was standing under the parasol tree. She wore a light floral blouse with long blue pants and wooden-colored sandals. Her hair hung loose over her shoulders.

Compared to how she dressed at Great-Grandpa’s house, she looked much more vibrant—like a young university lecturer just a few years into marriage.

Li Zhuiyuan waved to her.

Aunt Liu smiled and pointed to the spot in front of her, motioning for the boy to tidy up before coming down.

Li Zhuiyuan went to wash up first, then left a note on his desk for Tan Wenbin before heading out of the dorm building.

“Xiaoyuan, you’ve gotten taller again.”

“Aunt Liu, you look even younger.”

“Hehe, let’s go. Granny Liu is waiting for you so you can have breakfast together.”

Li Zhuiyuan followed Aunt Liu out the north gate, walked a stretch along the road, then turned into a residential villa district.

It was called a villa district, but it wasn’t large. The villas inside weren’t built to uniform specifications either—some even had plaques in front detailing the former owner’s identity.

“This is the place.”

Aunt Liu pushed open the gate. Inside stood a three-story villa. It wasn’t tall, but it was wide. The yard had clearly just been refurbished, the landscaping newly arranged.

As they entered, Li Zhuiyuan looked up and saw Ah Li sitting on the second-floor balcony in a white dress.

The moment he saw her, a wave of calm washed over him.

He even began to reflect—had he been too indifferent toward Runsheng, toward Yin Meng, and toward everything around him?

Beautiful things make people want to love life. Though beauty is abundant in the world, few things truly awaken empathy in a boy.

The girl had noticed him too. She stood, resting her hands on the white railing. She didn’t wave, didn’t stomp her feet, didn’t say a word—but the curve at the corner of her lips was clear even from down below.

Aunt Liu stood beside him, glancing between the balcony and the boy. These two always looked perfect together.

Of course, where there’s joy, there’s also someone feeling sour.

The screen door to the downstairs side room opened, and Granny Liu appeared, her eyelids drooping slightly.

“Hey, are you trying to starve this old lady?”

Aunt Liu quickly looked away, afraid she might burst into laughter.

“Granny Liu.”

“Ah, you’re here.”

Granny Liu’s brooding aura lightened noticeably as the boy approached.

When they lived together, it hadn’t felt like much. But after being apart, she’d started missing him often.

A year of seeing him nearly every day—it was fair to say she’d watched him grow up.

There was a small round table in the dining room. Granny Liu took the main seat. Ah Li came downstairs and sat next to Li Zhuiyuan.

Granny Liu asked, “How’s school? Getting used to it?”

Li Zhuiyuan replied, “Yeah, I’m settling in. Everything’s fine.”

“You look worn out. Didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Mm, a bit.”

“What were you doing so late—out lighting fires?”

“Pretty much. One huge blaze.”

Aunt Liu brought out some side dishes first.

Li Zhuiyuan picked up a salted duck egg. So did Ah Li. They both tapped the rounded end of their eggs on the table, then carefully peeled off the tops and exchanged them naturally.

From the kitchen, Aunt Liu called, “Want some vinegar? There’s also pickled garlic.”

Granny Liu answered, “No need, there’s already some on the table.”

A steamer basket of soup dumplings, another of shumai, and a plate of pan-fried dumplings were brought to the table—all handmade by Aunt Liu.

Next came individual bowls of plain noodles.

The broth was clear and inviting, the noodles neatly arranged. People who didn’t like this kind of dish might find it bland, even undercooked.

But for those who loved it, the clean taste and firm texture were the very appeal—adding any toppings would spoil the beauty.

“Aunt Liu, thank you for the meal.”

“It’s nothing. Without Runsheng and Zhuangzhuang, cooking’s gotten simpler.”

Granny Liu asked, “What do you usually eat?”

“School hasn’t started yet, so the cafeteria’s mostly closed. I usually eat outside.”

“If you’re ever craving something, just come over. Aunt Liu will cook for you. It’s only an extra pair of chopsticks.”

“Okay. Thanks, Granny.”

“If Runsheng and the others are coming too, let us know ahead of time so I can prep a bigger pot,” Aunt Liu added.

“Mm, I will.”

After breakfast, Granny Liu got up and headed for the door.

“You and Ah Li go hang out for a bit. I’m going for a walk. Come down later—I have something to discuss with you.”

“Alright, Granny.”

Li Zhuiyuan went upstairs with Ah Li.

Her room was spacious, with both a desk and an art table.

Several paintings hung on the wall—of Great-Grandpa’s main house, the courtyard, the east and west wings, and the rice fields seen from their old home.

Clearly, the girl didn’t like it here. She preferred their old life.

The floors didn’t need to be this high, the rooms didn’t need to be this big. After dressing up in the morning, she could go to the boy’s room and wait for him to open his eyes and see her first thing.

In the details of her paintings were the makeshift table formed from wooden stools, the second-floor terrace, and the pair of wicker chairs handmade by Uncle Qin.

Li Zhuiyuan stood in front of the paintings, lost in thought. He was feeling it too.

“Ah Li, do you want to go back?”

The girl nodded.

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