These fishing villages, although not lacking food or clothing, are not homes of the wealthy.
The easiest thing is to solve problems with money.
But now the problem is...
Tang Xi suddenly felt as if she had been doused with cold water, feeling somewhat embarrassed, "I don’t have any money; when I came here, all my valuables were taken away."
"I’ll figure something out."
Shen Duan returned to Liang Qing’s home.
Although Liang Qing was blind, her house was well-kept, with a cement courtyard planted with apricot trees and grapevines. At this moment, Liang Qing was in the courtyard, touching and mending fishing nets.
That’s how she made her money.
She is 23 this year and relies on her dexterous hands.
Not much, but she is diligent, and the village also provides her a monthly subsidy. She gets by on her own.
Hearing footsteps, Liang Qing looked up, her cheeks fair. Though she lived in the fishing village, she avoided the harsh effects of sun and wind. Her skin was delicate, her face oval, and her facial features, though not exquisite, were pleasant to look at. Especially her eyes, clear black and white, but unfocused.
Liang Qing was very delicate and pretty.
"Duan Shen, are you back?" She slowly stood up. She was familiar with her own home, so she didn’t need to grope around or use a cane and confidently walked toward Shen Duan.
Shen Duan reached out and held her hand.
"Go rest. I’ll finish up the nets."
"Almost done, no rush. Let’s continue tomorrow. I’ve been waiting for you to come back. I know you don’t like fish, but this afternoon, the fish our neighbor brought over didn’t smell fishy, it’s good for soup."
The two of them walked into the house.
Liang Qing smiled genuinely as Shen Duan had her sit on the sofa.
The sofa here was small, designed for one person, not a row, and it was very old. It creaked when you sat down.
In the living room, the other sitting option was wooden stools.
Liang Qing’s life was a bit strained. Her parents divorced, and her mother left with her younger brother. She had always lived with her father, and during high school, a car accident robbed her of sight, and her father passed away – she then lived on the relief provided by the village.
Until she met this man named Duan Shen.
She found him on the beach.
This man was quite nice, and initially, she helped him out of kindness.
Plus, when she approached him, he was just waking up, his consciousness murky, and he had gripped her skinny ankle. She was startled, but reached down to feel his hand, which was burning hot with fever.
Liang Qing then had villagers carry him to her house.
It took two days before he opened his eyes and told her his name was Duan Shen.
This man had severe injuries.
The village doctor advised good rest and daily medication.
Although Liang Qing’s finances were tight, she still had enough money for medicine.
When Duan Shen could get out of bed, he helped her weave fishing nets, clean the yard, and also cook for her.
Gradually, Liang Qing felt that it was nice to have someone by her side.
She was blind, and this man could see—becoming her eyes would be wonderful.
Liang Qing, smiling, sat on the sofa, "I heard that a very beautiful girl has come to our village. She’s Liang Zheng’s bride-to-be. After the village chief returns tomorrow, they will be wed."
As she spoke, she felt around for the sewing box on the tea table beside her.
"Take off that T-shirt, and I will sew it for you." This T-shirt belonged to her father, a very ordinary design stored in the wardrobe. During his stay at her house, Duan Shen wore her father’s old clothes.
There was a hole in the sleeve.
At her words, Shen Duan took off his shirt and handed it to her.
He bent down slightly, "I went out to see her just now, tonight."
Liang Qing paused in her sewing, lifting her eyes toward him, her gaze empty and unfocused. Her eyes trembled slightly, but she wasn’t very surprised, "You’re both outsiders to the village, you probably have common things to talk about."
Her thoughts were very pure.
She had spent her twenty-odd years in this village.
At most, she would go to the edge of the village, smelling the sea breeze and listening to the calls of returning fishing boats.
Shen Duan didn’t intend to hide anything from her. He stared at Liang Qing’s face, which under the dim light of Deng Li, was exceptionally serene. Even beneath the light, her eyes seemed to glow, unlike the usual vacant emptiness.