Going home for the New Year during the winter break, I encountered a cool school girl on the high-sp

After putting their things away, Lin Muxi followed Chen Chen to the sink to wash her hands.

After washing my hands, I saw Liu Xiuying organizing their spoils from the night before.

She quickly walked over and offered, "Auntie, let me help you tidy up."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiuying looked up, a gentle smile on her face, and said to Lin Muxi:
"It's so late, you should go and get some rest. I can handle this myself. You must be exhausted after working for so long."

Lin Muxi quickly waved her hand, her tone firm and sincere:
"Auntie, I'm not tired, really. You see, I can lend a hand with this work, so please let me help. We had so much fun tonight, I'd like to participate more."

For her, every year during the Qingming Festival seemed to be shrouded in a dark gloom.

Because he can no longer see his beloved mother, even visiting her grave to express his grief and offer a bouquet of flowers has become a luxury.

She could only stay alone in that empty, huge house, the surrounding silence seeming to swallow her whole.

That feeling was as if I had been ruthlessly abandoned by the whole world, feeling lonely, helpless, and lost, with an emptiness in my heart that I could never fill.

However, this year's Qingming Festival is different.

Chen Chen entered her life.

With his company, this Qingming Festival took on a whole new color.

The two of them went together to her mother's resting place, and at that moment, she felt a little more at ease.

After that, she followed Chen Chen to his home.

Witnessing their family's lively and grand preparations for ancestor worship, the scene was filled with deep affection and respect for their ancestors.

Although she did not go with them to pay respects to their ancestors, she stayed at home and took the initiative to help wash vegetables and do what she could. While she was busy, she felt very at ease.

Tonight, she went with Chen Chen to the fields to catch eels and snails, enjoying the rural joys and gifts of nature.

On this day, her life was no longer monotonous and gloomy, but filled with warmth, joy and unique experiences.

Seeing Lin Muxi's insistence, Liu Xiuying's eyes showed a hint of affection. She nodded gently and let her go.

The two squatted down side by side, tidying up the things on the ground in an orderly manner while chatting enthusiastically about the interesting things that had happened that night.

When she got excited, Lin Muxi couldn't help but laugh and tell the embarrassing story of how she accidentally fell down in the field.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiuying's smile was instantly replaced by worry. She stopped what she was doing, her eyes filled with concern.

"You fell down? Are you hurt? Let Auntie see if you're hurt anywhere."

Lin Muxi felt a warmth in her heart and quickly comforted her:

"Auntie, I'm really fine. I was just a little dazed when I fell. The mud in the field was soft, so I didn't bump into anything."

Look at me now, I'm lively and energetic, perfectly fine.

Liu Xiuying was still worried, so she took Lin Muxi's hand and examined it carefully, muttering to herself:

"It's so dark here, what if I fall and get seriously injured?"

After confirming that Lin Muxi's hand was not injured, he gently lifted her trouser leg to check her legs.

Lin Muxi was deeply moved as she looked at Liu Xiuying's earnest expression.

In this home, which was originally unfamiliar but is now very warm, she felt the meticulous care of a mother.

"Auntie, don't worry, I'm really fine, it's nothing. Besides, the fall was quite funny, it even startled Chen Chen."

Liu Xiuying finally relaxed, smiled again, and gently tapped Lin Muxi's nose:

"You child... but it's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright."

As they spoke, the two scooped up the eels and put them into a new bucket. They then washed the snails again and put them into a large red basin.

As Liu Xiuying tidied up, she said with a smile:
“You young people are so energetic. Seeing you all having so much fun in the fields today makes me feel younger too.”

Lin Muxi's eyes sparkled as she replied:
“Auntie, I’m so happy today. I’ve never experienced life like this before. It’s completely different from what I’m used to in Jiangcheng. Everything here feels so real and wonderful.”

"Yes, the countryside has its advantages. Although it can't compare to the hustle and bustle of big cities, it has the advantage of being free and at ease."

Liu Xiuying said with emotion, "If you like it, come here often and treat this place as your own home."

Lin Muxi nodded vigorously: "Yes, I will definitely come often. Auntie, you, Uncle, and Chen Chen are all so good to me, I can't bear not to come."

The two of them chatted and laughed as they finished tidying up everything.

Liu Xiuying straightened up and patted Lin Muxi on the shoulder:

"Alright, everything's all tidied up. It's getting late, go and get some rest. I'll cook eel soup for you tomorrow."

Lin Muxi obediently responded, a sweet smile on her face:
"Okay, Auntie, you should get some rest too. I had a really great day."

"Go."

Lin Muxi washed her hands and went upstairs.

Back in the room, it was quiet and still. Soft moonlight shone through the window and spilled onto the floor, casting a silvery white glow.

Chen Chen was already fast asleep in bed, his even breathing clearly audible in the quiet room.

His face looked somewhat tired in the moonlight, his brows slightly relaxed, as if he had finally relaxed even in his sleep.

Compared to himself, Chen Chen was undoubtedly the most exhausted person today.

He didn't stop walking all day.

I went to pay homage to the mountains early in the morning and climbed countless peaks.

After that, he hurriedly sent Yuanyuan to school.

She even took me to the pedestrian street to drink milk tea and go shopping.

After returning home, despite the day's hard work, she took herself to the fields to catch eels in the mud, giving her a unique experience of rural life.

Looking back on this fulfilling and joyful day, Lin Muxi was filled with emotion.

Thinking about how much Chen Chen had done for her in just one day, Lin Muxi felt a pang of heartache. Her gaze lingered tenderly on Chen Chen, unable to look away for a long time.

Lin Muxi tiptoed to the bedside, slowly squatted down, and never took her eyes off Chen Chen's face.

She gazed at him quietly, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

That familiar face, though weary at this moment, still exuded a reassuring power.

It's unclear how much time has passed, but Lin Muxi lay there on her side, her gaze fixed on Chen Chen's face.

At this moment, her eyes were full of tenderness and gratitude. She slowly reached out her hand, her movements as gentle as if she were afraid of startling a sleeping butterfly, and her fingertips lightly touched his cheek.

She parted her lips slightly, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, as if gently uttered from the softest part of her heart:
"Chen Chen, thank you."

The sound was very soft, as if a gentle breeze could dissipate it.

These words seemed to be spoken only to herself, a natural expression of her deepest and most sincere emotions.

It was as if they were afraid of disturbing Chen Chen, who was fast asleep, and didn't want to break the tranquility and beauty of the moment. (End of Chapter)