Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Life is like raindrops dripping from the eaves, slow and steady, one drop at a time, hitting the bluestone slab, splashing up tiny water droplets, and then quickly flowing into the damp soil.

After several days of rain, the sun finally came out today. The sunlight was still a little shy, but it filtered through the wet bamboo leaves, casting shimmering, watery spots of light on the veranda.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of rain and earth, mixed with a faint, sweet aroma wafting from the kitchen.

Jiang Xiaochuan followed the smell and found the kitchen door ajar. He pushed it open and was greeted by warm, steamy steam carrying the aroma of food.

Linglong stood with her back to him in front of the stove, gently stirring a pot of milky white soup with a long-handled wooden spoon.

She was wearing a casual indigo dress with a floral apron tied around her waist. The sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, revealing a section of her fair forearm. Her hair was loosely tied in a bun and secured with a wooden hairpin. A few stray strands of hair clung to the back of her sweaty neck. The pot was bubbling away, releasing a richer aroma.

"Sister Linglong," Jiang Xiaochuan called out and walked over.

Linglong turned around at the sound of his voice, and when she saw it was him, a gentle smile bloomed on her face as she wiped her hands with a cloth.

"Xiao Chuan? What are you doing here? Be careful not to get choked by the smoke." She turned to the side to block the hot steam from the stove.

"I can smell the fragrance."

Jiang Xiaochuan leaned closer to the pot and took a look. It was fish soup, milky white and rich, with tender tofu and bright green scallions simmering inside.

"It smells so good. Is it for the kids?"

"Yes, Liu'er and Nian'er were playing in the water a few days ago and they have a bit of a cough. I'll make some fish soup for them to soothe their cough."

As Linglong spoke, she took out a small plate from the steamer next to her. On it were two crystal-clear rice cakes, decorated with osmanthus flowers. "These are for you. I noticed you didn't have much of an appetite the other day, so I steamed them with freshly harvested spirit rice and osmanthus honey. Try them."

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a warmth in his heart. He picked up a piece, which was still warm, took a bite, and found it soft, sweet, and fragrant with a rich osmanthus flavor.

"Delicious. Sister Linglong's cooking skills are getting better and better."

Linglong smiled, pursed her lips, and didn't say anything. She turned around, took a cloth bag from the shelf next to her, and unfolded it. Inside was a brand-new sky-blue robe, with crisp fabric and a refreshing color.

"Try this. I got some fabric a few days ago, and I thought this color would look good on you. The size is based on your old clothes, so it should fit you well."

Jiang Xiaochuan took it; it was soft and comfortable to the touch. He didn't shy away from it and took off his outer robe in the kitchen to put on the new clothes. The size was just right, and the shoulder line and waist fit him perfectly, making him look much more energetic.

"Does it fit?" Linglong walked over, straightened his collar, and smoothed out a small wrinkle on his shoulder, her eyes focused and gentle.

"It fits perfectly, very well." Jiang Xiaochuan held her hand. "Thank you for your trouble again."

"No trouble at all." Linglong shook her head, her gaze falling on him in his new clothes, her eyes filled with satisfaction. "You look good in them."

She paused, her voice softening, "What do you want to eat tonight? I'll cook something special for you."

Looking into her gentle, watery eyes, Jiang Xiaochuan felt a surge of warmth in his heart and tiptoed to kiss her smooth forehead.

"I love to eat whatever you make."

Linglong blushed slightly, but didn't flinch. She simply gave him a gentle push: "You smooth talker. Go outside, it's hot here, the soup will be ready soon."

……

After the rain, the bluestone slabs in the courtyard shone brightly, and the air was exceptionally fresh.

Biyao stood in the middle of the courtyard with her hands on her hips, directing Jiang Liu and Jiang Nian to sweep the bamboo leaves that had been knocked down by the rain into a pile.

Jiang Liu held a broom that was half a head taller than him, sweeping it idly, his silver hair gleaming in the sunlight.

Jiang Nianze simply used the broom as a sword, making a whooshing sound, but he didn't sweep up many leaves, only mud splattering all over his face.

"Seriously! You two lazybones!" Biyao raised her voice.

Jiang Liu pursed his lips, and Jiang Nian made a face, their actions still perfunctory.

Just as Biyao was about to explode, she caught sight of Jiang Xiaochuan walking over from the corridor. Her eyes darted around, and her face immediately changed to a pitiful expression. She turned around, rushed over, hugged Jiang Xiaochuan's arm, buried her face in his shoulder, and said in a muffled voice, almost crying:

"Xiao Chuan! Look at them! They're so disobedient! They're driving me crazy!"

Jiang Xiaochuan stumbled from her tackle, quickly regaining his balance. He looked down at her "tears in the rain" (though her eyes were actually dry), then glanced at the two boys snickering over there. He knew exactly what was going on, but still patted her back playfully: "Alright, alright, don't be angry, I'll talk to them."

"What's the use of saying that! They're not afraid of you at all!" Biyao raised her face, her eyes red (it was unclear whether she had rubbed them earlier), and pulled him into the house.

"Come help me! My back aches, can you rub it for me? It's all because of these two little brats!"

Without a word, she pulled Jiang Xiaochuan into her room, closed the door behind her, and outside, the faint sounds of Jiang Liu and Jiang Nian's suppressed laughter and footsteps could be heard.

As soon as she entered the door, Biyao's aggrieved expression vanished instantly, replaced by a smug and mischievous smile.

She released Jiang Xiaochuan, flopped onto the bed, spread out in a "spread-eagle" position, and patted the spot next to her: "Come on, didn't you say you'd massage my back?"

Jiang Xiaochuan walked over helplessly and sat down on the edge of the bed. The moment his hand touched her waist, Biyao hissed and frowned, "Gently! Gently! It hurts!"

"Does it really hurt?" Jiang Xiaochuan asked, softening his grip.

"It hurts! Here, and here..." Biyao directed, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, full of mischievous amusement.

When Jiang Xiaochuan's hand touched the spot she indicated, she suddenly flipped over, pinning him beneath her. She braced herself on either side of his head, looking down at him with a smirk: "Just kidding! It doesn't hurt at all!"

Jiang Xiaochuan: "...Biyao!"

"What? You're allowed to spoil those two little devils, but I'm not allowed to 'bully' you?"

Biyao leaned down, her nose brushing against his, her breath on his face carrying her unique, fresh, and sweet fragrance: "I don't care, you scared me just now, you have to make it up to me."

"How did I scare you?"

"You looked so serious when you came over just now, it scared me," Biyao said matter-of-factly.

"...I was thinking about something."

"I don't care! Make it up to you!" she said, lowering her head to kiss him, her tone both domineering and slightly coquettish.

The kiss was long and deep, until Jiang Xiaochuan's breathing became unsteady. She pulled away slightly, her finger pointing at his chest, her eyes alluring yet tinged with a hint of smugness: "Stay with me tonight, and don't run away."

Looking at her bright and beautiful face so close to his, Jiang Xiaochuan couldn't bring himself to refuse and could only nod.

Biyao was finally satisfied. She pecked him on the lips again, rolled over and lay back down next to him, hugged his arm, and sighed comfortably.

"That's more like it."