Every time Li Zhiyuan "turned the page" in his mind, he would habitually "look" towards her, and she would lift her head and look back, the two sharing an imperceptible meeting of the eyes.
Just staring until dusk, as the daylight dimmed gradually.
Aunt Liu shouted, "Dinner’s ready!"
Li Zhiyuan stood up, stretching languidly, such a way of "reading" was also quite nice, no need to worry about insufficient light damaging the eyes.
Going downstairs for dinner, Liu Yumei began, "Tomorrow morning, Ah Ting and I are taking Alii out for a bit."
Li Sanjiang, hearing this, let his chopsticks slip straight from his hand.
"We’ll try to be back by the evening the day after tomorrow."
Li Sanjiang picked up his chopsticks and wiped them on his sleeve cuff, relieved.
Run Sheng said, "No worries, I’ll cook."
Li Sanjiang complained, "Letting us all savor your cooking, huh? These two days, just make do with porridge and some pickles, it’s good to cleanse the stomach anyway."
After the meal, Alii went inside to take a bath, Liu Yumei gestured to Li Zhiyuan.
Li Zhiyuan didn’t respond.
Liu Yumei then realized, and called out, "Xiao Yuan, come here for a moment."
"Do you want some tea?"
"Grandma, having tea right after a meal isn’t good for the digestive system."
"It’s just a pretext to have a conversation."
"Then please go ahead."
"Technically speaking, I shouldn’t be taking Alii away from here now, but tomorrow is a special day and we have to make this trip."
"Grandma, it’s your family matter, and it’s indeed appropriate for Alii to go as well."
"Did you guess what we’re going to do tomorrow?"
"Hehe, if it weren’t for your eyes still recovering, I would’ve taken you out for a change of scenery, but I guess you’re not in the mood for it now."
"Grandma, you don’t have to worry about me."
"Alright then, that’s settled. Ah Ting will prepare the medicine for the next two days in advance, remember to take it on time."
Li Zhiyuan walked back, pausing as he passed by Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin.
Run Sheng moved a small stool behind Li Zhiyuan, and Tan Wenbin helped him sit down.
The TV was showing the drama "Chen Zhen," starring Liang Xiaolong.
Run Sheng was folding paper while watching, and Tan Wenbin was busy writing.
Li Zhiyuan heard the rustling sound of the pen on calculation paper and couldn’t help saying, "Brother Binbin, you can take the lamp from my room later to use."
"Okay." Tan Wenbin nodded, not standing on ceremony, since Xiao Yuan wouldn’t be needing it for now.
Run Sheng liked to move the TV outside to the yard in the evening, working while watching, which made cleaning easier.
Outside there was a pole with a bulb hanging from it, the brightness was enough, but the angle was not ideal.
Run Sheng asked, "What are Alii and her family going out for tomorrow?"
"I’m not sure, probably something important."
Actually, Li Zhiyuan had already guessed, Liu Yumei was probably going to clean the graves of Alii’s parents.
He had long realized that Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu were not Alii’s biological parents, just in name.
"Xiao Yuan, you’ll be free tomorrow then?"
"There’s no school yet, when am I not free?"
Tan Wenbin muttered softly, "You’ll be free even when school starts."
"I passed by the town square while delivering paper products today and saw a small stage set up with someone storytelling, with quite a mixed audience listening. I inquired, and it’ll be there tomorrow too, Xiao Yuan, I’ll take you to listen."
Li Zhiyuan didn’t want to disappoint Run Sheng’s kindness; he too was trying to find enjoyment for his sightless self.
The next morning, Li Zhiyuan got up very early, but when he went downstairs to the front of the eastern room, he found the door locked.
Liu Yumei and the others must have left at dawn.
Leaving early to be able to return early.
Li Zhiyuan simply grabbed a stool and sat down in the yard.
"Ah, Xiao Yuan, you woke up really early." Run Sheng, rubbing his eyes off the table, said, "I’ll go make breakfast."
"Brother Runsheng, let’s go eat in town."
"Alright, I’ll place the instant noodles on the stove so that grandpa can cook them himself when he’s up." Run Sheng went into the kitchen and quickly came back out, waking Tan Wenbin while urging, "Get up and wash up, we’re heading to town."
Tan Wenbin yawned, sleepy but nodding despite it.
After a quick clean-up, Run Sheng rode the tricycle, taking Li Zhiyuan and Tan Wenbin towards Shinan Town.
The breakfast shop had laid out many tables outside, and the three specifically chose the most remote table because Run Sheng wanted to smoke.
Li Zhiyuan ordered three bowls of small dumplings and three trays of steamed buns.
He originally wanted to order more but was stopped by Run Sheng.
When the dumplings and buns were served, Li Zhiyuan asked considerately, "Brother Runsheng, is this enough for you?"
"Xiao Yuan, what do you think this is?"
Li Zhiyuan’s hand was stuffed with something dry and hard by Run Sheng, and by feeling it, he could tell it was rough with small holes.
"Steamed bun slices?"
"Rustle rustle." Run Sheng shook the bag in his hand, "Hehe, I brought a big bag, perfect for soaking in the dumpling soup."
"Brother Runsheng..."
"Xiao Yuan, you eat yours, I’ll taste something fresh. You know how big my appetite is, I can’t really let loose in an outside restaurant, that would be wasteful."
"Give me some too." Tan Wenbin grabbed a handful and tossed it over, he probably would have boldly said "eat whatever, it’s on me" before, but not now as they were close friends in the past.
Li Zhiyuan bit hard into the dry steamed bun slice, unable to bite through, and eventually soaked it in his bowl.
Beside him, Run Sheng crunched loudly, and together with Tan Wenbin, they even got a refill of soup from the owner.
"Whew... satisfying."
After the meal, both big bellied men patted their stomachs, probably having lifted their shirts because the sound was very muffled and crisp.