She went to fetch water to wash her hands, and smelling the aroma of food from the kitchen, she entered without a second thought.
As Nan Quanyou walked in, Nan Feng had already prepared two bowls of rice as usual. She slid one towards Nan Quanyou: “Dad, it’s time to eat.”
“Dad, why are you standing there? If you don’t eat now, the food will get cold.”
Nan Quanyou quickly went to eat.
He watched Nan Feng as he ate.
She seemed to have a great appetite, alternating mouthfuls of rice and vegetables. She was eating well.
After the meal, she went to heat bathwater, a habit she’s kept for a long time. She baths every day. Oh, and also, after bathing, she would apply a yellowish substance on her face, saying it could make her skin lighter.
After applying a face mask, Nan Feng went to the yard and washed her face clean. It seemed that she was getting ready for bed.
It was then that Nan Quanyou finally asked with concern: “Fengfeng, are you … okay?”
“Okay? I’m fine!” Nan Feng replied casually.
“If you’re fine… that’s good, very good,” As long as Nan Feng was fine, Nan Quanyou didn’t want to worry too much.
He turned around, about to return to his room but was stopped by Nan Feng: “Dad——”
Nan Quanyou turned around, limping and asked: “Hmm? What’s up?”
In the courtyard, Nan Feng’s face was as if bathed in soft light: “Dad, it’s nothing. You should rest early. And Dad, thank you for being so good to me.”
Nan Quanyou couldn’t help but smile.
“Silly girl, you are my only kin. If I don’t treat you well, who would I treat well?”
Nan Feng smiled even more: “Well, Dad, you should rest early. I’ll water the vegetable field in the morning.”
“Okay, okay.”
…
The next day, Nan Feng truly picked up a bucket and went to the vegetable field.
She was acting like nothing was wrong.
It wasn’t that everything was fine, but she had always known how to control her emotions. At this time, she should hide her heartbreak to prevent her father from worrying about her.
Besides, it’s just a man, right?
In such turbulent times, is anything more important than eating and earning money?
Nan Quanyou was brushing his teeth with a willow branch, watching Nan Feng going out with a bucket. He wanted to call out but felt awkward to do so.
Could it be that Fengfeng didn’t realize that it was just dawning and there was still dew on the ground? There was no need to water the vegetables this early.
…
It was only when Nan Feng arrived at the vegetable field that she realized this.
She was too early. Nothing could be seen in the vegetable field except the quietly growing vegetables, not a single soul.
Right, and a layer of grayish mist. However, this mist seemed to complement the vegetable field, making this morning appear even more serene and peaceful.
So, she conveniently sat on a ridge by the vegetable field, silently appreciating the calm morning.
She had been in Datping village for over half a year. Other than the two days of the New Year when things were more relaxed, she had been busy earning a living. It had been a long time since she had sat quietly and reflected upon life.
But now, it seemed there was not much to reflect upon. No matter the era, clothing, food, shelter, and transportation are always the primary matters of life. Considering other things didn’t hold much meaning.
She should earn more money, and then leave this small mountain village.
The world is so large, wouldn’t it be a waste not to explore it given her second chance at life?
Thinking of this, Nan Feng was just about to stand up, dust off her pants, and water the vegetables when she suddenly noticed a commotion not far away.
The sound seemed to come from Zhou Er’s vegetable field.
With a beanstalk trellis separating Zhou Er’s field from Nan Feng’s, the people there didn’t realize that Nan Feng was sitting here.