Fu Huai'an looked down at the bluestone road, which showed an obvious gradient under his feet. The shadows of the buildings on both sides were different from each other because of the sunshine…
The shadows sometimes enveloped Fu Huai'an and Lin Nuan, and they sometimes exposed his shoulder to the sunshine. Even Fu Huai'an's dark eyes flickered, which made people unable to see the look in his eyes.
"I was going to take good care of Grandma in her old age, but she died while I was on duty!" Fu Huai'an hooked his lips. "Later, I found my grandmother's nephew and learned where her grave was. Maybe it's because I want to repay my debt, but I often come to the couple's house. One way or another, whenever I come to Jincheng, I will come here," Fu Huai'an said simply.
Lin Nuan grasped Fu Huai'an's large hand and didn't speak. She tried hard to pass the warmth of her palm to his.
Because it wasn't the osmanthus blooming season, every door of the small courtyards was closed. The vines on the walls had gradually turned yellow, which was unique.
Fu Huai'an, holding Lin Nuan's hand, stood at the door of a small courtyard, raised his hand, and knocked on the door.
Lin Nuan looked up at the branches of a big blue flower tree, which were stretching out from the wall. Although it wasn't the flowering period, it still made people imagine the beautiful appearance it would have when it was in full bloom.
"I am coming."
Hearing a soft voice coming from the yard, Lin Nuan looked sideways at him and gently grasped his hand.
The door was opened by a middle-aged woman who looked very gentle. She had long hair which was in a low ponytail. Although she was old, her skin was well maintained. Even if the years left traces on her cheeks, it only made her more tender and charming.
She was still wearing an apron. As soon as she opened the door and saw Fu Huai'an standing outside holding Lin Nuan, she smiled and said, "Huai'an is here! This must be Xiao Nuan! Come on… come on in!"
"This is Aunt Blessing!" Fu Huai'an grabbed Lin Nuan's small hand and introduced her to Aunt Blessing.
Out of courtesy, Lin Nuan raised her hand and pulled down her scarf, revealing her nose and face. Then she greeted Aunt Blessing with a sweet smile. "Hello, Aunt Blessing!"
"Good, good! Knowing that Huai'an was going to bring you here, your Uncle Blessing and I were so happy that we didn't fall asleep last night!" Aunt Blessing wiped her wet hands on the apron and reached for Lin Nuan's hands.
Aunt Blessing's hands were very warm. She clapped Lin Nuan's slender hands and pulled her inside.
Fu Huai'an loosened his hand and watched Aunt Blessing take Lin Nuan inside the house. He bowed his head, entered the house, and shut the door. It was a homely and easy-going look.
As soon as Lin Nuan entered the courtyard, she saw a big Golden Retriever wagging its tail and rushing out of the room. It swept past Lin Nuan and Aunt Blessing and rushed directly to Fu Huai'an. Lin Nuan was shocked.
Aunt Blessing stopped and looked back at the Golden Retriever. Watching as the Golden Retriever raised its forepaws, put them on Fu Huai'an, and wagged its tail, she said with a smile, "The dog is always happy when it sees Huai'an!"
Fu Huai'an didn't avoid it. He raised his hands and caressed the head of the Golden Retriever. It wagged its tail even more vigorously. Its tail moved so quickly that only the remnants of its tail could be seen.
"Where is Uncle Blessing?" Fu Huai'an asked with a smile.
"Your uncle wants Xiao Nuan to taste our authentic osmanthus rice cakes. He went to Grandpa Dong's house to ask him to make the cakes for Xiao Nuan with the osmanthus he stored this year. He should be back soon."
Aunt Blessing and Uncle Blessing's house wasn't big, but they kept it very clean and beautiful.
On one side of the courtyard, there were several rows of chrysanthemums. They were placed on shelves, high and low. The watered chrysanthemums were proudly blooming in the sun. It was just so beautiful.
There was a wind bell hanging under the eaves. Once the wind passed, it made crisp sounds and mixed with the smell of osmanthus. It smelled very good.
Lin Nuan saw a small gourd that hung under the wind bell. It seemed to contain osmanthus fragrance oil.
Quiet, gentle, and calm…
That was Lin Nuan's impression of Osmanthus Dock. It was very comfortable and relaxing.
There was antique furniture inside the room. It was very quiet. The self- ringing bell's hammer was swinging in the quiet room and made "Da… Da… Da…" sounds. The sun shone through the windows, and golden light covered half of the living room. The shadow of the carved anti-theft net on the windows was depicted on the floor. The whole room was permeated with a faint scent of osmanthus.
Aunt Blessing took the half-knitted sweater from the sofa and put it in a basket for wool. Then she asked Lin Nuan to have a seat.
"Huai'an, you watch TV with Xiao Nuan. I'll go to the kitchen to do some work first. We'll be able to have dinner in a minute."
Lin Nuan hurriedly took off her coat and put it on the back of the sofa, then took off her scarf and said, "Aunt Blessing, I'll give you a hand!"
"No need! Watch TV with Huai'an for a while!" Aunt Blessing put the wool basket aside and walked towards the kitchen.
Lin Nuan rolled up her sleeves, lowered her voice, and said to Fu Huai'an, "I'm going to help Aunt Blessing!"
Fu Huai'an nodded with a smile and sat down like he was at home. The big Golden Retriever jumped onto the sofa and laid down beside Fu Huai'an.
Fu Huai'an caressed its head with one hand and turned on the TV with the remote control. Then his mobile phone vibrated in his pocket. He took out his phone and got up to answer it.
Lin Nuan went into the kitchen and saw Aunt Blessing washing vegetables in the sink. When Aunt Blessing saw the pot boiling, she wiped her hands on her apron, turned her head, and uncovered the lid of the pot.
"Aunt Blessing, I'll help you wash the vegetables."
Lin Nuan had already rolled up her sleeves. Before Aunt Blessing said no to her, her hands were already soaked in water as she washed the carrots carefully.
Aunt Blessing thought about declining, but she kept silent. She looked at Lin Nuan's delicate, charming side view and couldn't help but smile and praise her, saying, "Nowadays, girls seldom go into the kitchen, but boys go into the kitchen a lot."
Lin Nuan grinned and said, "Well, Huai'an's cooking skills are good."
"When Huai'an was a child, he suffered a lot," Aunt Blessing said with care. Then she tossed the cut broccoli into the pot.
Lin Nuan looked up from the kitchen window and saw Fu Huai'an standing at the door on his phone. The Golden Retriever squatted in front of Fu Huai'an with its mouth open and tongue hanging out, looking at him with its big child-like black eyes.
Probably out of habit, Fu Huai'an subconsciously wanted to take cigarettes out of his pocket. He touched his left and right pockets before remembering that he was going to quit smoking. So, he put his right hand in his pocket.
Chatting with Aunt Blessing, Lin Nuan occasionally learned something about Fu Huai'an's childhood and found it was very interesting.
Aunt Blessing said that she had heard all of what she knew from Uncle Blessing's Aunt.
"Your Uncle Blessing and I have no children in our life. We have regarded Huai'an as our son for many years. When your uncle heard that he was bringing his new wife back to us, he cried and felt that Huai'an was his son," Aunt Blessing said with red eyes.