Chapter 69 The Purchasing Challenge: Rice Ball Rice Ball Rice Ball!
Time passed unnoticed and it was already afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the window, dappling the floor and the table. Jingyuan lay on his side on the tatami mat, one hand lazily resting on his face. His hair was slightly disheveled, and his long eyelashes drooped, casting soft shadows under his eyes.
He slept exceptionally soundly, almost without dreaming, feeling completely enveloped in soft tranquility. It was a rare state of relaxation, free from unexpected official duties and documents requiring review, as if he could temporarily detach himself from the role of "general."
For the next two hours, it was quiet outside. The people from Shence Mansion seemed to have tacitly agreed not to disturb us. Only the occasional bird calls and the soft rustling of the wind through the windowpanes could be heard from afar—along with a familiar fragrance that lingered briefly in our nostrils.
The fragrance is subtle yet gentle, like the morning sun shining on your shoulders, carrying a hint of sweetness from memories.
Jing Yuan's brow twitched slightly.
He didn't wake up immediately, as if he was still immersed in the atmosphere of being gently embraced. He only instinctively caught the source of the fragrance and then fell into a deeper sleep.
Until the distant sky was tinged with an old gold, the sound of footsteps, one after another, sounded like a rhythmic alarm clock.
Jing Yuan slowly opened his eyes, his vision slightly blurry, before gradually focusing after a few seconds.
He sat up, stretched his arms, and felt more relaxed than ever before. Jing Yuan subconsciously looked towards the main hall, which was empty except for the chessboard simulated by Yu Zhao. However, he had a feeling that someone had been there while he was asleep, and that something had been left on the desk.
Jing Yuan approached the table, his gaze sweeping over every corner, but he found no trace of Chen Mi.
His gaze paused for a moment, his golden pupils dimmed slightly, and his fingertips hovered over the edge of the desk, remaining motionless for a long time.
The aroma... is it just my imagination?
Jing Yuan closed his eyes briefly, his lips tightened slightly, then relaxed, and he smiled to himself, saying, "Looks like I was overthinking it."
However, when he casually flipped to the top of the document, his eyes suddenly stopped.
The elegant handwriting and familiar tone proved that his "illusion" was not an illusion.
"On the day of the Spring Bathing Festival, if you don't have any other plans, would you like to go out and have fun with me?"
Jing Yuan stared at the line of words, unable to look away for a long time. His fingertips hovered over the corner of the paper, motionless for a long time. A certain part of his heart quietly collapsed, and then a soft light quietly rose.
So, she really had been here.
As it was nearing the end of the workday, Qingcu was putting the finishing touches on her tasks. Of course, she wasn't finished, but rather that her work for the day was coming to an end, and she was wrapping things up to ensure that tomorrow's work would proceed more smoothly.
She stretched and loosened her muscles. Sitting for so long had made her back sore and stiff. She felt like she had been nailed to the chair all afternoon, and even her bones were screaming, "I want to get off work!"
Just as I was about to shut down my computer and leave, I suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure passing by in the direction of the main hall.
She glanced over there instinctively, and sure enough, it was the general.
The general's steps were as composed and steady as ever, but Qingcu felt, perhaps it was just her imagination, that he walked with a lighter pace today, and his expression was gentler than usual. Especially when he looked down at the document in his hand—she knew without guessing that it was most likely the one written by Shen Mi.
Qingcu's lips curled up, secretly pleased: it seems her idea worked.
She had intended to quietly pack her things and leave, to give the "in a very good mood" general some private space, but she couldn't help but glance at him out of the corner of her eye—
Jing Yuan suddenly stopped, looking down intently at the paper. He then folded it very gently and carefully tucked it into the pocket of his inner robe, as if handling a fragile treasure. Afterward, he walked briskly towards the door without hesitation, his steps unusually hurried and expectant.
Qingcu was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.
—By the way, Shen Mi did tell her before she left work that she was leaving early because she had some preparations to make. The expression on her face then was exactly the same as Jing Yuan's now.
She couldn't help but laugh out loud, her mood instantly brightening.
The peach trees outside the Shence Mansion have actually grown inside.
*
After work, the area around Shence Mansion was bustling with people, creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere. Many Yunqi soldiers, having finished their shifts and changed back into civilian clothes, left in twos and threes, either to meet up for meals or to stroll around, exuding a leisurely vibe as spring approached.
Shen Mi came out through the back door, bypassed the bustling crowd, and accurately found his starship parked in the corner, following the location sent to her by Jing Yuan.
Without a key, Chen Mi could only stand outside and wait. She took out her phone and glanced at the time. There was still some time before Jing Yuan got off work, so she might as well take this opportunity to plan what ingredients she needed to buy for the Spring Bathing Festival.
She took two steps back and leaned against the starship, the sunlight casting a soft halo on her shoulders.
Chen Mi opened her canvas bag and pulled out a slightly crumpled notepad, on which she had made a shopping list during her lunch break. While jotting down additional notes on her phone, she muttered to herself:
"Just use the rice you have at home. Prepare plenty of seaweed... Cut some cucumber, carrot, and potato into shreds. Also prepare pork tenderloin, fried chicken cutlet, and sausage. Last time I saw that the supermarket didn't have any ready-made fried chicken cutlet, so I'll also prepare breadcrumbs... After dinner, I'll have some dessert. How about I make the pudding that I succeeded with last time? Hmm, I'll also bring a bottle of soy sauce as a backup."
As she spoke, she lightly touched the paper with her pen and drew a small circle under the "seasonings" column, her expression serious as if she were a commander about to lead troops into battle.
A breeze blew, and her long hair clung to her cheeks. Chen Mi held her hair with one hand while using her other hand to check the prices and locations of ingredients in the supermarket on her phone.
She tapped the edge of her phone lightly with her fingertips and muttered to herself, "I hope there aren't too many people today... I really hope it doesn't happen when everyone's out buying groceries for the Bathing Festival, otherwise the supermarket will be packed."
Just then, a familiar, deep voice came from behind, with a slightly lazy ending tone.
"It seems you have quite a bit of experience in procurement."
Shen Mi was startled and turned around, only to be met with a pair of smiling golden eyes.
"What, don't you recognize me?" Jing Yuan said, waving his hand in front of her eyes. The next second, he was caught by the stunned Shen Mi.
"Don't move." Shen Mi spoke slowly, staring at him intently, her gaze unwavering.
Jing Yuan was startled and subconsciously stopped moving. He felt that the strength of her grip on his wrist was neither too light nor too heavy, but carried an unusual focus and solemnity.
He asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Shen Mi did not answer immediately. Her gaze lingered on his face, as if confirming something or searching for something.
A breeze blew through her hair, casting dappled sunlight onto his face, making Jingyuan seem almost unreal in her eyes. Until she slowly released his hand, her voice soft:
"...Wait, let me take a picture. You look especially beautiful when you smile."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was very earnest, as if she was afraid this moment would pass too quickly and she had to leave some trace in some way.
Jing Yuan was taken aback, then chuckled: "So that's why you were staring at me earlier?"
Shen Mi did not deny it, but nodded confidently: "You smiled differently today than usual, it's rare to see that."
His eyes flickered slightly, as if the phrase "rarely seen" had touched a chord deep within him. After a moment, he tilted his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips, and added, "Then you'd better hurry up and take the picture, or it'll be gone soon."
Shen Mi's eyes lit up immediately. She quickly took out her phone, pointed the screen at him, but her movements were very careful, as if she was afraid of disturbing some precious moment.
"Don't pose, just look at me... Yes, smile, and be more natural..."
With a click, the camera freezes.
She looked down and couldn't help but smile – Jing Yuan, bathed in the setting sun, had a smile in his golden eyes, his hair gently swaying in the wind, and that smile was understated yet so genuine that it seemed to warm the entire evening.
Shen Mi muttered to himself, "I'll keep this as a book so I can look at it when I'm feeling down."
Jing Yuan heard this, chuckled, and took half a step closer, his tone lazy yet earnest: "If you're ever unhappy in the future, just come to me directly. You don't need to just look at photos."
Chen Mi: "..."
She wanted to say something, but those words left her speechless.
I could only lower my head and protect my phone tightly, but my heart was pounding.
Jing Yuan chuckled, and seeing her lower her head shyly, he considerately looked away and changed the subject: "Alright, let's go, or we won't be able to buy fresh vegetables later."
As if granted a pardon, Shen Mi immediately looked up and nodded nonchalantly, "Yes, that's right."
After boarding the Star Chariot, we sped all the way to the largest supermarket in the Star Chahai Central Hub. It was rush hour, and the entrance was bustling with people, creating a lively atmosphere. The large screen outside the supermarket was playing a preview of the Spring Bathing Festival on a loop, its bright colors reflecting the festive cheer on the faces of passersby.
As Chen Mi stepped off the raft, her steps were light and quick, as if she had already made a shopping list in her mind. As she walked in, she muttered to herself, "Seaweed, rice, eggs, potatoes, cucumbers, chicken cutlets... Hmm, I'll also buy some fruit and make some different flavored puddings."
Jingyuan followed slowly behind her, hands in his pockets, listening to her mutter to herself with a smile. Watching her weave through the crowd, occasionally stopping to examine the merchandise with such focus, he felt a quiet and genuine sense of happiness.
"What are you doing? Preparing so many dishes?"
Shen Mi was squatting in the vegetable section, carefully picking out cucumbers. Upon hearing this, he replied without turning his head, "Making rice balls is simply rolling vegetables and meat into a ball and wrapping it with rice... It's a picnic for the Spring Bathing Festival, so it's inconvenient to bring anything else. Making rice balls is a better way to eat more things."
Jing Yuan chuckled softly upon hearing this, his tone carrying a subtle hint of indulgence: "So there's another way to eat it. I've certainly broadened my horizons today."
Shen Mi looked up at him and asked without hesitation, "Jing Yuan, have you never eaten like this before?"
"No, or rather, there's never been an opportunity. I usually spend my Spring Festival on duty," he replied slowly, his eyes falling on the carrot in her hand. "You've chosen so carefully, are you making several flavors?"
"Three or four kinds, I guess." Shen Mi wasn't quite sure; there were too many things she wanted to make. She straightened up and smiled as she replied, "Rice balls have to have a variety of flavors, otherwise they'll be so boring to eat. Honey-glazed chicken, salted egg yolk and pork floss, mashed potatoes and ham... I also want to make a lettuce and pork tenderloin one."
Jing Yuan chuckled upon hearing this, his gaze falling on the earnestness in her eyes, and he said in a low voice, "It all sounds pretty good, much more elaborate than I imagined a picnic to be."
Shen Mi smiled, like a little cook being praised, and replied with a radiant expression: "Of course, I've put a lot of thought into making rice balls! You can try them out, and if you don't like them, I'll make you a special one that you like, with all your favorite ingredients in it."
She spoke lightly and calmly, as if she were talking about a small matter, but it sounded like she was making an exception for him alone.
Jing Yuan paused slightly, looking at the smile in her eyes and then at the carefully selected ingredients in her hands. He suddenly felt that this festival didn't need any other activities; he was already content.
“Then I’ll have to look forward to it.” He said softly, his voice unconsciously gentle. “I’m usually quite picky about food, so I’ll have to trouble you, Chef Chen Mi.”
Chen Mi snorted and raised his chin smugly, saying, "Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
As she spoke, she continued to bend down to pick out items, leaving only a string of cheerful silhouettes swaying in front of him.
Jing Yuan stood still, watching her back, a smile involuntarily spreading across his face. Those mundane, ordinary moments of life suddenly became exceptionally touching at that moment.
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Author's Note: Today was the most miserable day for me. I only slept for 5 hours. I'm sweating profusely on top and bleeding on the bottom. [melting emoji]
After two or three more chapters of setup, we'll get into the main storyline.
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