Chapter 22: A New Environment, Utterly Astonished

Jing Qingshin’s bed was placed in the main hall by the front door, against the left wall, separated from the other bed by a mud wall. Guided by the faint light, she took a few steps and reached the hall. Though the light was dim, she could see that the wooden bed had been carefully tidied, everything neatly prepared. Smiling faintly, she lifted her down quilt over herself and soon drifted into sleep.

Gao Shen kept his ears perked, listening to the sounds outside. When he heard the silence, he knew Jing Qingshin must have gone to bed and, feeling content, also slipped into sleep.

As dawn broke, Jing Qingshin awoke. After suddenly sleeping in a new place, in unfamiliar surroundings, she felt a bit uneasy. Yet, she recalled that the last time she slept in Gao Shen’s bed, she’d slept soundly, which puzzled her. Still, since she was awake, she decided to get up and tidy herself.

Glancing at her wristwatch—a simple design she’d specifically chosen—she saw it was 6:10 a.m. Normally, she would still be deep in sleep at this hour. She wondered how her parents would react upon seeing the note she’d left. Anticipating that she might be away longer this time, she’d left a message, telling them she’d gone on a short trip with friends and not to worry.

At dinner last night, she hadn’t mentioned her plans, fearing her parents would disagree or ask questions she couldn’t answer. So she’d told them afterwards, mostly because she didn’t know how long she’d be gone.

She remembered her hiking backpack was still in the inner room and wondered if Gao Shen was awake. After making her bed, she quietly entered the inner room to fetch her backpack and prepare for her morning wash.

As she quietly entered, just as she was about to pick up her backpack, Gao Shen’s voice sounded, “Why not sleep a little longer?”

Jing Qingshin stuck out her tongue playfully, “I suppose I’m not used to the bed. Once I wake up, I can’t fall back asleep.”

“You’ll get used to it after staying longer,” Gao Shen offered comfortingly.

“Mm, I’ll go wash up first,” she replied, carrying her backpack back to her bedside.

The night before, the dim light had only revealed the general layout, but now she could clearly see her bed and the items around it. She noticed a nail driven into the wall above her bed, with a wire strung across to hang a floral curtain, which could be pulled over to cover the entire bed.

Seeing this, Jing Qingshin smiled to herself. Gao Shen really had thought of everything.

She pulled the curtain to cover the bed, then took out a grass-green long dress—solid color, simple and elegant, with mid-length sleeves and a small V-shaped stand collar. The skirt reached mid-calf, cinched at the waist with a matching slender belt, highlighting her slender figure. Paired with black leather shoes, the whole outfit carried a touch of retro charm, yet remained fresh and novel compared to current fashions.

Casually, she gathered her glossy black hair into a high ponytail, instantly making her look taller, her figure graceful and elegant, exuding youthful beauty with a refined air.

She weighed the red enamel water kettle on the wooden table, labeled “Prosperity Blooms,” and felt its heaviness—it seemed even the water had been thoughtfully prepared. She poured water into both the basin and a cup.

After washing up, Jing Qingshin took a cup of stream water from the “Glittering Brocade” and drank it—her daily morning habit. She glanced into the inner room and poured more stream water into another empty cup.

By now, Gao Shen was awake, sitting on his bed and massaging his legs. At the sound of footsteps, he looked up—and his gaze froze.

The woman approaching was always beautiful, but now, she was dazzlingly radiant, brimming with youthful vitality, as if her very presence overflowed with life, irresistibly drawing the eye. A unique, indescribable aura surrounded her.

At that moment, Gao Shen could hear his own heart pounding, strong and vigorous. He forgot about his hands, which remained poised mid-massage.

Jing Qingshin handed him the cup and, noticing his stillness, laughed, “What’s wrong? Spacing out—drink your water!”

Gao Shen snapped back to himself, hastily took the cup and, feigning composure, said, “Thank you.”

While drinking, he silently chided himself. When had he become so absent-minded, staring at a woman in a daze? If his teammates knew, their jaws would drop in disbelief!

Jing Qingshin didn’t tease him further. Remembering the clothes she’d bought, she turned to the outer room, brought in two neatly folded sets, and placed them on Gao Shen’s bedside.

Gao Shen looked at her in confusion. Were these for him? They looked like men’s clothes.

“These are for you. I picked out two sets especially. Try them on and see if they fit—I estimated your size,” Jing Qingshin said, a bit uncertain. Truthfully, apart from buying clothes for her father and brother, this was her first time buying for a man. Her mother usually handled the men’s clothing at home, so she wasn’t confident about the sizing.

A hint of joy rose in Gao Shen’s heart, not so much for the new clothes, but for her thoughtfulness and the sentiment behind them.

He quickly unfolded the clothes, his expression softening. “They fit. Thank you.”

“That’s good. I was only worried about the size. What do you think of the style?” Jing Qingshin smiled. She had originally wanted to buy some clothes typical of Gao Shen’s era, but worried he wouldn’t like them. Judging by his steady demeanor, he seemed a traditional man, so she’d chosen two outfits more in line with the current style.

“I like them a lot—they’re even nicer than the ones sold at the department store,” Gao Shen praised. He’d been to the department store a few times and seen the clothes there. Though the styles were similar, the two sets Jing Qingshin picked were more refined, with unique details.

Hearing his praise, Jing Qingshin’s smile brightened. To have her chosen clothes liked and praised made her genuinely happy.

A knock at the door interrupted the harmonious atmosphere.

Jing Qingshin instinctively wanted to hide under the covers, but Gao Shen reached out to stop her. She then remembered what he’d said before—she should appear openly in the village.

Straightening, she grinned awkwardly, “Old habits die hard—I reacted without thinking. I’ll go open the door!”

Excited at the thought of finally getting to see the village, Jing Qingshin walked briskly to open the door.