Solitary Toss of Tenderness

Stirred up a calm lake

Perhaps there was a sleeping ingredient in the medicine prescribed by Dr. Jiang. Lu Zizheng slept unusually soundly. When she woke up, it was already dawn, a long-awaited good sleep.

Rubbing her eyes, she felt a bit confused in the unfamiliar surroundings. It took her a moment to realize that she was at Jiang Huaixi’s place. Getting up from the bed, she took the clothes prepared by Zhang Ma from the clothes rack beside the bed, and Lu Zizheng entered the bathroom to freshen up.

She was concerned about Jiang Huaixi’s pale face when she entered yesterday. Worried that she might have caught a cold and fallen ill, she quickly finished grooming herself and hurriedly went downstairs, thinking that Jiang Huaixi would probably be awake soon.

Just as she reached the middle of the staircase, she heard Zhang Ma’s slightly anxious voice: “Oh, my young lady, you still have a fever. How can you touch water? Let Zhang Ma handle it for you…” Lu Zizheng’s heart tightened, and she immediately furrowed her brows.

She continued down the stairs, following the sound, and heard Jiang Huaixi’s voice, sounding different from usual. Although it maintained its usual calmness, it was hoarse: “Zhang Ma, when Zizheng comes down, don’t mention my fever to her.”

Zhang Ma responded anxiously, “Miss, your face is burning red. Miss Lu will probably notice it without me saying much. Let’s have Dr. Jiang come again.”

Jiang Huaixi remained silent for a moment before hoarsely instructing, “Zhang Ma, go and see when Zizheng wakes up. If she’s awake, you come down, and bring a cold towel with you.”

While Zhang Ma was still puzzled, Lu Zizheng’s heart ached in spasms, a mix of anxiety, anger, tenderness, and pain. Using a cold towel to reduce the fever, hiding her condition, truly showed no regard for her own body. However, this fool who didn’t know how to take care of herself, despite thinking so much, feared that Lu Zizheng would worry and blame herself…

Taking advantage of the moment before Zhang Ma came out to inquire, she deliberately stepped heavily, making a sound, and quickly arrived at the kitchen where Jiang Huaixi and Zhang Ma were.

In her sight, Jiang Huaixi stood by the cutting board, wearing an apron, looking at her from the side. One hand naturally rested on the cutting board, with an unnatural flush on her face, even her eyes were tinged with red. When she saw Lu Zizheng, a flash of panic appeared in her eyes. Zhang Ma stood beside Jiang Huaixi, her face filled with worry.

Lu Zizheng stepped into the kitchen, and Jiang Huaixi turned around, cutting the mushrooms on the cutting board, her voice devoid of emotion. “You’re up so early. Did you not sleep well last night?” Lu Zizheng could tell that Jiang Huaixi deliberately softened her tone, but it couldn’t hide the hoarseness.

She approached and stood beside Jiang Huaixi, reaching her hand into the water to help wash the vegetables. Her voice sounded natural as she replied, “I slept well. But what about you? Did you not sleep well? Your voice sounds hoarse.”

Jiang Huaixi placed the sliced mushrooms into a nearby dish and calmly responded, “Hmm, perhaps I had insomnia in the middle of the night. I got up and stood by the window for a while, caught a cold from the breeze, I suppose.”

Her tone was steady, as if stating a fact. Lu Zizheng also pretended to be natural, not exposing Jiang Huaixi’s well-intentioned disguise, teasing her, “Miss Jiang seems to be in a lively mood at night, enjoying the midnight scenery. It must have had a unique flavor.”

Jiang Huaixi let out a soft hum, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “I cordially invite Miss Lu to appreciate it with me.”

Lu Zizheng let out a light laugh from her nose and gently pushed Jiang Huaixi, saying, “Let the injured rest on the side and leave the battlefield to me.”

Zhang Ma, who stood by, quickly seized the opportunity to agree, “Yes, Miss, let Miss Lu take care of things here.”

Jiang Huaixi paused her slicing of the meat and glanced at Lu Zizheng, intrigued. She asked, “Well, it sounds like you know exactly what I’m going to make. But before that, tell me, do you know what it is?”

Lu Zizheng glanced at the ingredients on the countertop and the rice soaking in water, understanding it perfectly. She smiled knowingly and raised an eyebrow, underestimating her intentionally. “Isn’t it preserved egg and lean meat porridge?” It was the first dish that Jiang Huaixi learned from Lu Zizheng’s mother, and it was Lu Zizheng’s favorite breakfast. Although she had never cooked it herself, she had witnessed her mother preparing it countless times.

Jiang Huaixi became interested as well and chuckled, “Well, it sounds like you actually know.”

Lu Zizheng pushed Jiang Huaixi aside and stood in front of the cutting board. She took the knife from Jiang Huaixi’s hand and assumed a skilled posture, saying, “If you want to know if I really know, just watch.”

Jiang Huaixi stepped back behind Lu Zizheng, obediently letting go of the knife from her hand. With eyes slightly reddened from the fever, she had a smile on her face. Being slightly taller than Lu Zizheng, she lowered her head and could see Lu Zizheng holding the knife, clumsily but with some semblance of skill, cutting the meat.

Zhang Ma, relieved to see Jiang Huaixi finally step back, let out a sigh of relief and went to the side to fetch a small basin of hot water for Jiang Huaixi.

Jiang Huaixi washed her hands earnestly, untied her apron, and reached out to pull Lu Zizheng, gesturing for her to turn around.

Lu Zizheng took a light step, still holding the knife in her hand, and with a slightly puzzled expression, she turned her body slightly to the side.

As Lu Zizheng turned around, Jiang Huaixi handed her the apron, leaned closer, lowered her head, and gently fastened the strap around Lu Zizheng’s neck.

Her action was sudden, and Lu Zizheng’s body stiffened. She felt Jiang Huaixi’s breath against her scattered hair, gently brushing her neck. She dared not make a move.

Jiang Huaixi finally finished tying the apron’s strap around Lu Zizheng’s neck, wearing a smile as she created some distance between them. Her hand still rested on Lu Zizheng’s shoulder. She lowered her head to look at Lu Zizheng but saw her gazing up at her with an indiscernible expression. When their eyes met, they both lost focus for a moment. Jiang Huaixi forgot to lift her hand from Lu Zizheng’s shoulder, but instead, instinctively tightened her grip.

Lu Zizheng could only feel that Jiang Huaixi’s hair smelled lovely, her face was beautiful, and she didn’t want to look away from her eyes even for a moment…

It felt as if there were subtle ripples in the air, disrupting the calmness of the still water…

Jiang Huaixi lightly cleared her throat and averted her gaze, calming the indiscernible turmoil within.

Lu Zizheng also regained her composure and turned her face. It seemed that Zhang Ma had silently retreated while they were occupied.

Jiang Huaixi bent down and quickly tied the apron’s waistband for Lu Zizheng, stepping back to the side with a smile. She spoke playfully, “Please, Miss Lu, show us your skills.”

Lu Zizheng curved her lips and turned back around. Slowly and steadily, she slid the knife over the meat, composed and unruffled. “Don’t be too surprised,” she said.

Reality often differs from imagination. Watching someone cook is one thing, but doing it yourself is another. As Lu Zizheng started to cook, she became somewhat flustered, unsure of the sequence of steps. Fortunately, Jiang Huaixi, though enjoying the opportunity to tease, provided some guidance in between. In the end, the preserved egg and lean meat congee safely made its way out of the pot, without any mishaps.

At the dining table, while eating her own bowl of congee with small sips, Lu Zizheng discreetly stole glances at Jiang Huaixi. She thought the taste was not bad, but when she saw Jiang Huaixi furrow her brows slightly, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Fortunately, Jiang Huaixi wrinkled her brow and admitted, “I didn’t expect it to look unappetizing, but the taste is actually quite good.”

Lu Zizheng couldn’t help but feel delighted. “Of course,” she said, “Miss Jiang, you realize you underestimated me, right?”

Jiang Huaixi scooped a small spoonful into her mouth, chuckled lightly, and remained silent.

Lu Zizheng had been worried that Jiang Huaixi, being unwell with a fever, might not have much appetite. However, seeing her finish a whole bowl of congee, she felt a sense of relief and satisfaction. In that moment, she even had the thought of learning cooking from her mother when she returned home.

After finishing breakfast, Zhang Ma cleaned the table and washed the dishes. She then brought medicine and a cup of hot water for Jiang Huaixi, saying, “Miss, please take your medicine.” Afterward, she glanced at Lu Zizheng, recalling the scene she had witnessed in the kitchen. Her face turned slightly red, and she whispered, “Miss Lu, would you like to, perhaps, take some preventive cold medicine too? Be careful not to get infected by the Miss…” Her voice grew softer as she spoke.

Lu Zizheng looked at Zhang Ma’s hesitant expression and felt her eyelid twitch. Did Zhang Ma misunderstand something?

She waved her hand, pretending to be casual as she said, “No need to trouble yourself. Just sharing a meal together shouldn’t lead to such an easy transmission.”

Zhang Ma still seemed concerned, but seeing Jiang Huaixi remain calm and silent, she didn’t say anything more. If the Miss wasn’t worried, then it should be fine.

Lu Zizheng understood that Jiang Huaixi didn’t want her to know about her fever, and she realized that she would only hinder Jiang Huaixi’s recovery by staying there. So, after sitting for a while, she politely took her leave and returned home.

Jiang Huaixi’s behavior infuriated Lu Zizheng to no end. She even wanted to drive her back home without considering her own current condition. Lu Zizheng suppressed the urge to drag Jiang Huaixi back to her room and throw her onto the bed. Her face turned cold, and she firmly refused Jiang Huaixi, saying, “Did you not get enough wind last night, thinking your throat isn’t hoarse enough?”

Seeing Lu Zizheng’s serious expression and considering that she was feeling a bit dizzy at the moment, Jiang Huaixi, concerned about safety, compromised, saying, “Fine, let the driver take you home.” However, she insisted on seeing Lu Zizheng off and watching her get into the car.

The snow that had covered the courtyard the previous night had been cleared away. The snowman had melted, leaving only damp traces of water and a lonely set of four twigs, a few beads, and two carrots.

The day had dawned, and the dream had ended. The laughter and joy from the previous night felt like a distant memory. The snowman, who bore witness, had also melted away, evaporating in the sunlight, leaving behind a sense of regret.

Beauty fades like a departing reflection in the mirror, and things in this world cannot be retained forever.

Lu Zizheng gazed at the remnants, her eyes filled with haze, and she stood still, forgetting to move.

A photograph enlarged and appeared before Lu Zizheng’s eyes.

“Right here…”

In the dim light, amidst the falling snowflakes, two snowmen held hands and grinned, laughing into the wind beneath the vast night sky.

Jiang Huaixi’s voice, hoarse yet gentle, said, “With flowers nurtured by happiness, they will never wither.”

In that moment, Lu Zizheng looked at Jiang Huaixi’s calm and resolute expression, almost wanting to believe it was true.

Could she, could she once again believe in Jiang Huaixi’s notion of forever?