029, Comfort, Strange

Gao Shen was momentarily at a loss, lifting his eyes in confusion to look at Jing Qingxin.

Seeing his dazed expression, Jing Qingxin didn’t say more. She simply took her handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from his brow. At this moment, one was seated and the other standing—Gao Shen sat with his head tilted back, while Jing Qingxin stood before him, leaning forward slightly, her lips curved in a gentle smile.

The midday sunlight was warm, casting a faint golden glow over them both. The scene was quiet and beautiful, like a vibrant landscape in the early days of summer.

Against the backlight, Gao Shen gazed at Jing Qingxin, who seemed bathed in gold. He could feel the softness of her fingertips, and in that instant, it was as if his heart skipped a beat, his breath caught in his chest.

Only now did Gao Shen understand what Jing Qingxin had meant earlier. Ever since he joined the army, there was no room for such refinements. Surrounded by rough, boisterous men, and enduring daily training, he’d long grown used to sweating profusely—he’d just wipe or fling it away, then enjoy a thorough shower after training was done.

These faint beads of sweat meant nothing to him; he’d let the breeze dry them off. Yet at this moment, feeling Jing Qingxin’s gentle care, he felt his heart soften, as if it had melted into water.

“All done, just sit here a while,” Jing Qingxin said as she finished wiping his brow, then turned and walked inside.

She poured half a cup of warm water, added spring water from the “Flowing Light Brocade,” then took out a health pill. Sitting down beside Gao Shen, she placed the cup and pill before him—there was plenty of room for two on the long wooden bench, and it didn’t feel crowded at all.

“Drink some water and take the pill,” Jing Qingxin said with a smile, holding the iron-glazed cup in one hand and the pill in her other palm.

“Thank you,” Gao Shen replied, taking both and swallowing the pill with the water.

After that, the two sat quietly together on the long bench in the little courtyard. The courtyard itself was stark and empty, a touch desolate, but it didn’t dampen their mood as they basked in the sun.

Gao Shen suddenly felt a comfort he’d never known before. Such ease and peace—this was what life should be! For the last ten years, he’d never dared to let down his guard. After joining the army, he’d thrown himself into relentless training and missions. Only when he injured his left leg did his faith and determination collapse in an instant, dropping him into the depths of despair.

He’d thought he would drift aimlessly from then on, but fate had surprised him. Only now did he realize that he, too, was afraid of loneliness and decay. It was because of her that his heavy heart once again felt hope and warmth, and his resolve slowly returned.

“Do you like it here?” Gao Shen suddenly asked, his gaze still resting on the distant horizon.

Hearing his voice, Jing Qingxin turned to look at him and replied, “Yes, I do. It’s interesting. Though the conditions aren’t ideal, everyone’s spirit is high, and they all share a common goal.”

This was something absent from her own era, Jing Qingxin thought to herself. Though life in her time was filled with advanced technology and abundant resources, perhaps it was precisely this abundance that led to a spiritual decline. Some people lived like the walking dead—numb and aimless, drifting through life in a haze.

Here, though life was hard, most people were spirited, passionate, and driven. This energy, this vitality, was something her own era couldn’t match.

“Would you be willing to stay here?” Gao Shen asked quietly.

“Huh?” Jing Qingxin was taken aback, unable to read his expression. Stay here? She’d never considered it. Everything in this era was new and fascinating to her, but she didn’t belong here. Could she really stay?

Before she could answer, Li Xiaomei burst in, interrupting the moment.

“Oh, why are you two sitting outside?” Li Xiaomei called, nudging the wooden gate open with her elbow as she carried a bowl and spotted them in the courtyard.

“We’re just soaking up the sun,” Jing Qingxin replied, hurrying forward to take the bowl from Li Xiaomei and lighten her load. She followed her inside, setting the bowl on the wooden table.

“There’s another bowl of food. I’ll go get it!” Li Xiaomei said cheerfully.

Jing Qingxin stopped her as she turned to leave. “Xiaomei, could you bring an extra plate or bowl when you come back?”

“Alright!” Though Li Xiaomei was puzzled, she didn’t ask questions and quickly headed home.

Jing Qingxin stepped out to the courtyard, watching Gao Shen massage his legs. She walked over and said softly, “Why do I have to stay? Isn’t it fine to go back and forth like this?”

When Gao Shen had asked just now, he’d surprised even himself. He didn’t know why he’d asked it. He realized the question was strange, and now Jing Qingxin’s reply left him bewildered once more.

Why did he want her to stay? Gao Shen silently asked himself, but before he could sort out his thoughts, Li Xiaomei reappeared, carrying another bowl.

Jing Qingxin noticed Gao Shen seemed odd, but seeing Li Xiaomei, she put the matter aside and greeted her with a smile.

“Wait a second, Xiaomei.” Jing Qingxin took an empty bowl, went to her bed, and filled it with pastries, some biscuits, and chocolate drops—everything was scattered in. Fortunately, the bowls here were large, broad enough for two hands to cradle, and she filled it to the brim.

“Xiaomei, these are some snacks I brought. Take them home and share them with Aunt Li and the others,” Jing Qingxin said kindly, offering the bowl.

“No, you and Brother Gao should keep them for yourselves!” When Jing Qingxin approached, Li Xiaomei had seen the contents of the bowl—strange shapes she didn’t recognize, but she knew they were treats from the big city, surely expensive. How could she accept them?

“Go on, I have plenty more! Try them—it’s a little gift,” Jing Qingxin insisted with a smile, pressing the bowl into her hands.

“Well, thank you, Sister Jing.” With no way to refuse, Li Xiaomei accepted with gratitude.

“Go eat your lunch now!” Jing Qingxin smiled.

Li Xiaomei left happily, carrying the big bowl. Jing Qingxin looked at the two bowls and the small basin on the table. The bowls contained wild vegetable and cornmeal cakes, baked till crisp; judging by their size, there must have been several stacked up. The basin held stir-fried shredded potatoes. To Jing Qingxin, even breakfast back in her time was more sumptuous than this.

She couldn’t help but wonder: was this really their staple lunch? It seemed so simple. She’d known conditions here were rough, but she hadn’t expected every meal to be so plain.

———Author’s Note———

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