The first time in history

Li Shishi nodded slightly, "It's not much different from when I was in the village, except that the room is a little bigger than before."

"Yes, your room is much bigger than the previous one, so I put your bathtub directly in this room."

Li Shishi looked at the bathtub in the corner of the room and said, "I haven't used it for a long time. Boiling water is very troublesome."

"Wait." Qian Mingduo ran to the kitchen in the courtyard and came in with a huge iron kettle. He knocked on Li Shishi's door. "I think the water boiled in the cooking pot always has a smell, which is not suitable for bathing. So I bought a big iron kettle. The stove happens to have two burners, one for cooking and the other for bathing."

Li Shishi smiled and said, "How much water do we need to fill the tub?"

"Take your time. When the water in the front pot is almost cold, the water in the back pot will be ready. Add some water to it and the water temperature will be just right."

Li Shishi smiled and nodded gently. She walked into the yard and pursed her lips, "From now on, this is... this is home."

"Live here for a while first. If you feel it's okay to live here, I can discuss it with the owner," Qian Mingduo brought a small stool, "Sit for a while. If it's okay to live here, I'll buy it. If not, I'll move to another place."

Qian Mingduo walked towards the courtyard gate and said, "I have to go get some food. You wait for me at home. I'll be back soon."

This secluded courtyard in Lin'an Prefecture seemed like a piece of pure land in the noisy world. Li Shishi sat quietly on a small stool, her eyes slowly sweeping across every corner of the courtyard.

The prosperity of the past was like a dream, and the singing and dancing of Bianjing seemed to be a world away. And that small village also seemed to become distant.

Now I have come to Lin'an Prefecture, a strange place. How should I spend the next few days? A new environment, a new beginning, can I find inner peace here?

She longed to get away from the troubles of the world here, find herself again, and regain the tranquility and indifference buried by time.

Li Shishi sighed softly, feeling that her fate was drifting like duckweed, not knowing where her true destination was.

Although this courtyard is quiet, Qian Mingduo's departure makes her feel a little lonely for a moment. She hopes that he can come back as soon as possible to share the tranquility of this courtyard with her and talk about the joys and sorrows of life.

When Qian Mingduo pushed open the gate, Li Shishi felt a surge of warmth in her heart. It was as if her long-awaited relative suddenly appeared in front of her. She could not help but walk forward quickly and hug Qian Mingduo tightly.

"What's going on?" Qian Mingduo was a little confused, "I'm fine, this is..."

Li Shishi wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "When you left just now, I suddenly felt so lonely. I felt like an abandoned child, feeling lost."

"Are you hungry?" Qian Mingduo said softly, "I bought your favorite duck and a jar of old wine."

"What are you buying wine for?"

Qian Mingduo walked towards the kitchen and said, "We are celebrating our new home, so how can we not have a drink to celebrate?"

In the main room, red candles flickered and warm candlelight spread in every corner, creating a quiet and warm atmosphere.

Li Shishi and Qian Mingduo sat opposite each other, the food on the table exuded a fragrant aroma. Li Shishi picked up a piece of food with chopsticks, put it into Qian Mingduo's bowl, and said with a smile: "Eat more, you have been busy enough this day."

Qian Mingduo looked at Li Shishi with tenderness in his eyes, "You should eat more too. Your body has just recovered a little in the past few days."

Li Shishi nodded gently, "Yes! Now that I have this small courtyard, I feel very at ease."

Qian Mingduo picked up a piece of duck meat for Li Shishi and said, "We will live here from now on, and you won't have to worry about that anymore."

Li Shishi nodded slightly, "Well, although this place is secluded, it makes people feel particularly safe. I feel at ease."

Li Shishi picked up a glass of wine and said, "Let's...let's have a drink together!"

Qian Mingduo smiled and clinked glasses with Li Shishi. "Don't you feel the warmth of the swaying red candles in the room?"

Li Shishi looked around and said, "This candlelight makes people feel quite warm."

After a few drinks, a blush appeared on Li Shishi's face.

Qian Mingduo served Li Shishi a bowl of soup and said, "Come on, sister, drink some soup. The weather is really cold. Warm yourself up."

Li Shishi took the soup bowl, feeling the warmth and care, her heart filled with happiness. They ate while talking quietly, their words were full of expectations for the future life. In this room lit by red candles, a warm atmosphere permeated.

Qian Mingduo finished washing the dishes in the kitchen and watched the steam coming out of the large iron kettle on the stove. He poured some water into a copper basin and wiped the bathtub clean inside and out with a cloth. Then he poured the hot water in the iron kettle into the bathtub.

"Do you want me to take a bath?" Li Shishi asked as she stood beside the bathtub. "That would require boiling a lot of water."

"It won't burn much, actually. You can't just use hot water. Wouldn't that be like removing pig hair?" Qian Mingduo smiled, "You have to add cold water to it."

Li Shishi gently hit Qian Mingduo and said, "You are the one who is removing the pig hair!"

Qian Mingduo poured more than ten kettles of water into the tub and tested the water temperature. He then went outside to fetch a few buckets of cold water and stirred it for a long time. "It's OK, please take a bath, sister."

Seeing Qian Mingduo sweating profusely, Li Shishi took out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"Start washing, otherwise the water will get cold." Qian Mingduo said with a smile.

"I finally boiled so much hot water," Li Shishi touched the water in the tub, "I'm done with my bath...you should take a bath too!"

Qian Mingduo glanced at Li Shishi and said, "Okay, I'll wash after you're done. I'll bring the small stove in for you, or you'll be cold when you take off your clothes later."

Li Shishi slowly stepped into the water, and the warm water surrounded her. She closed her eyes and felt the tranquility and comfort.

At this moment, she felt a sense of emotion, as if washing away the fatigue and dust of the year. The twists and turns of fate brought her here, but perhaps this was God's arrangement.

"I'm right at the door. I'm worried that you'll get dizzy again after soaking in the hot water for too long. Call me if you feel uncomfortable!"

"I feel very comfortable now. I haven't had a good bath for a year. It's all... dirty." Li Shishi closed her eyes slightly, "Please boil another pot of water. I'm afraid the water won't be hot when you take a bath later."

"I've already boiled the water, just wash yourself!" Qian Mingduo gave a wicked smile, "If you need a back rub, just let me know and I'll give it to you."

"Go to hell." Li Shishi said softly.

Qian Mingduo laughed secretly in his heart, "In this room is the world-famous Li Shishi, and it is Li Shishi who is taking a bath. Who would believe this if I told others?"