He Mingxiao quickly poured five milliliters of oil and left. Wei Zeling had been striking a pose ever since he appeared, trying so hard as if she wanted to become the next "Abalone Beauty".

Unfortunately, her flirtatious glances were wasted on a blind man; He Mingxiao didn't even give her a second look.

Wei Zeling pouted sullenly, deliberately sighed heavily, and then vigorously brushed the abalone shell as if venting her anger, the brush head making a "swish" sound as it rubbed against the shell.

Nan Xian watched for a while, then leisurely sat back on the rattan rocking chair, listening to the rhythmic "snap" sound, and slowly peeled a farm-grown orange.

The villager's house where they stayed belonged to an elderly couple.

The elderly couple, both over seventy, were in excellent spirits and incredibly warm-hearted. Upon hearing their purpose for visiting, they immediately agreed, offering them warmth by the fire and picking oranges for them, treating them like their own younger relatives.

The aroma of oranges filled the small space of the recliner, and the warm winter sun seemed to make it feel cozy as well.

With one bite, the juice bursts forth, filling her mouth with a sweet and sour flavor. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, a wide smile playing on her lips.

She wore a beige short jacket with fluffy, soft rabbit fur around the cuffs and collar. Her chin was hidden in the fur, and her cheeks puffed out, making her look like a little hamster stealing peanuts—she was incredibly cute.

When He Mingxiao returned to deliver the bowl of oil, he saw this scene.

His steps slowed involuntarily, and his heart felt as if it had been scratched by a kitten with its tiny claws outstretched, sending a tingling sensation through him.

He gazed at her tenderly, slightly lost in thought: How long had it been since he had seen her so relaxed and authentic?

Wei Zeling's hand ached from scrubbing the abalone shells. She raised her wrist to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and only then did she catch a glimpse of He Mingxiao out of the corner of her eye.

She was taken aback at first, then noticed the way he was looking at Nan Xian, and immediately a surge of jealousy rose within her.

She bit her lower lip and deliberately slammed the brush into the basin of water.

The basin was made of stainless steel, and the wooden brush handle hit the edge with a loud "thud".

Nan Xian was startled. She stopped chewing, opened her eyes, and raised an eyebrow: "What are you doing? Trying to rebel?"

Wei Zeling snorted, "I'm not going to swipe anymore! It's annoying!" Then she got up angrily and went into her room, deliberately slamming the door shut with a loud bang.

Nan Xian looked completely bewildered: "What's wrong with this little brat... Why are you here again?" She said the last sentence to He Mingxiao.

He smiled innocently, "I'm here to return the bowl. By the way, can I borrow your soy sauce? Is it still the original price?"

Nan Xian tilted her head and looked at him for a while, then lay back down in the rattan chair and pointed towards the kitchen. "If you clean that pot of abalone, you can use whatever you want on the stove."

He Mingxiao was just worried about not having a chance to stay with her a little longer, so he was overjoyed to hear this and readily agreed, as if afraid that she would change her mind. He put down his bowl and quickly got to work.

He didn't wear the gloves Wei Zeling had left behind. He rolled up his sweater sleeves, reached into the basin, and carefully brushed an abalone with his long, slender fingers.

The water was very cold in winter, and before long his hands were frozen red, with veins bulging on the back of his hands, and his fingertips turning a bright pink like roses.

The small stool was really mismatched with his tall stature. His legs were curled up rather awkwardly, his back was slightly bent, and a wisp of hair slipped from his forehead and swayed gently on his eyebrows.

Nan Xian had only glanced at him casually, but she couldn't take her eyes off him.