Twinkling Stars
In the next few days, Zhou Jianxing deliberately avoided the orders from Lanyue Bay, and even developed a conditioned reflex of nervousness around the surname "Wen".
·
Today is a day off, and the early morning sun generously shines on the small balcony of the old-style apartment in the old town.
This is the vibrant "mini forest" created by Zhou Jianxing himself, which is completely different from the luxurious garden of Wen Lingyi's home.
The balcony is not big, but it is fully utilized.
Hanging on the wall is a vertical flower rack made from discarded wooden boxes, which is filled with hanging green radish and ivy, with the green vines cascading down like a waterfall.
Large and small ceramic basins, plastic basins, and even a few old varnished iron buckets were placed neatly on the ground.
Inside are Zhou Jianxing's treasures: several pots of brightly colored petunias in full bloom; a family of succulents with thick, shiny leaves, like a group of chubby elves; a pot of small tomatoes that are growing well, with unripe fruits dotted among the green leaves; a pot of mint that exudes fragrance, the leaves of which she often plucks to soak in water; roses, hydrangeas, gardenias, jasmine... all in bloom on the balcony.
Zhou Jianxing was wearing a simple old T-shirt and jeans, with her hair casually tied back with a pencil, and a few strands of chestnut curls hanging playfully on the side of her neck.
She was barefoot, squatting among the flowers and plants, holding a small watering can in her hand, and concentrating on spraying water on a pot of hydrangeas whose leaves were a little wilted.
"Little Hydrangea, little Hydrangea, was the sun too strong yesterday? Drink some water and refresh yourself..." She whispered to the flower.
Feeling the sunshine, the fragrance of the soil and the quiet power of growing plants, tending to flowers and plants is the moment when she can relax the most and find herself the most.
The honey-colored skin looks healthy and energetic in the morning light, and the fine beads of sweat oozing from the forehead also carry vigorous vitality.
·
"Xingxing! Is Xingxing at home?" The loud voice of Aunt Wang from next door came from outside the door.
Zhou Jianxing wiped his hands and went to open the door.
Aunt Wang stood at the doorway, clutching an old-fashioned rice cooker. "Look at that old guy, he's throwing a tantrum again. He's gone on strike halfway through cooking! I know you're a good cook, so why not give me a hand?"
"Come in quickly, Aunt Wang!" Zhou Jianxing smiled and stepped aside, taking the heavy rice cooker. "Put it on the coffee table first. I'll get the tools."
Zhou Jianxing's small home has three bedrooms and a living room. The living room is small and simply furnished, yet cozy. The small coffee table next to the sofa instantly becomes a makeshift workbench.
She deftly dragged out a half-worn toolbox from under the TV cabinet and opened it. Inside were various repair tools, neatly arranged.
He skillfully removed the bottom cover of the rice cooker, picked up the multimeter and started testing the circuit.
Aunt Wang was not polite either. She sat on the small sofa and started to nag: "Isn't it infuriating? It gave up when I was halfway through cooking! Our Xingxing is really good. You are a great cook and have a kind heart. Which neighbor doesn't come to you when their things break? And you never charge money. It's really..." She looked at Zhou Jianxing's profile as he was concentrating on checking the circuit board, her eyes full of admiration.
Zhou Jianxing responded with a smile as he tightened the screws with a screwdriver: "Auntie, please don't praise me. It's just a small effort. We are neighbors, and we should help each other."
Her eyes curved into crescents, revealing her white teeth.
"Done!" Zhou Jianxing quickly installed the bottom cover, plugged in the power cord, and tested it. The indicator light came on. "It's just a small problem with poor contact. The contacts inside are oxidized. I cleaned them. Auntie, you can take it back and try it. It should be fine."
"Oh! That's great! Thank you so much, Xingxing!" Aunt Wang smiled and stood up to take out her wallet.
Zhou Jianxing waved his hands quickly, his attitude firm: "Auntie Wang! Really not! If you do this again, I won't dare to help you fix it next time. Take it back and cook, don't let your uncle go hungry!"
Aunt Wang knew she couldn't persuade her, so she gave up and continued to grumble, "You kid...Okay, I'll make you a bowl of dumplings tonight! Don't refuse!"
·
Not long after Aunt Wang left, there was a knock on the door again.
This time, it was Xiao Chen, a college student who had just moved in downstairs. He was holding a tablet with a cracked screen, looking frustrated. "Xingjie, I dropped it... I asked several stores, but screen replacements are so expensive... Can you help me see if it can be salvaged?"
"Come in, put it on the coffee table." Zhou Jianxing invited him in and expertly took out the disassembly tools and suction cup. "Let me check the model number and help you check the prices of the parts. You can save a lot if you replace it yourself. But first, let me make it clear that disassembling the screen is risky. I can't guarantee success, okay?"
After hearing her say this, Xiao Chen's nervous mood relaxed a lot, and there were little stars in his eyes when he looked at Zhou Jianxing.
·
The small living room in Zhou Jianxing's house was never completely quiet throughout the morning.
Sometimes Grandma Li upstairs couldn't receive any stations on her radio, and sometimes the kid next door's electric toy car stopped running.
Zhou Jianxing accepted everyone who came and checked and repaired them one by one.
She gets along with everyone naturally and familiarly, her movements are quick and decisive, and her words are frank.
I don't know why, but when she's facing Mrs. Wen, it's like she can't even speak. Her hands and feet don't seem to belong to her, her eyes wander, her expression all over the place. It's so embarrassing.
After seeing off the last neighbor, the living room finally became quiet.
The afterglow of the setting sun shines through the window, giving the room a warm golden hue.
Zhou Jianxing stretched and loosened his stiff neck and shoulders.
Although it is a rest day, it seems that there is no time to rest at all. However, Zhou Jianxing likes the feeling of helping everyone, and maintenance is also her pleasure.
·
Walking to the corner of the living room, there was a piano case standing quietly.
She opened the box and carefully took out an erhu that looked quite old. The instrument was smooth and warm, obviously well-cared for by its owner. It was passed down to her by Zhou Jianxing's grandfather.
Holding her erhu, Zhou Jianxing walked to the balcony and sat down surrounded by flowers and plants. There was no audience, only her plant friends.
Zhou Jianxing lowered his head slightly, his chin resting lightly on the zither tube, his expression focused and serene. His chestnut curly hair rustled gently in the evening breeze.
Her long, powerful fingers glided, twisted, and pressed the strings, while her other hand drew the bow with a steady and rhythmic flow. A melodious, slightly desolate sound flowed from the instrument, a tune she had arranged herself, mixed with her own insights into life.
The sound of the piano seemed to have a unique tenacity and gentleness, slowly unfolding in the sunset.
She was completely immersed in her own musical world, her honey-colored face appearing soft and profound in the afterglow. This moment of tranquility and concentration was her most private enjoyment.
She has been feeling a little upset these days, and playing the erhu can help her relax.
·
In the evening, the Zhou family's small living room was busier than usual, filled with the laughter of young people. Their colleague Ajie and his girlfriend, Xiaomin, were there, as was Chu Wei, the florist whom Zhou Jianxing had met at the flower and bird market. She was a gentle woman who also loved flowers and plants.
Zhou Jianjun was happily pouring tea for everyone, while Zhou Shufen brought out a plate of freshly washed fruit and placed it on the coffee table piled with snacks and drinks.
There is a lively variety show on TV.
"Uncle and aunt, I'm sorry to bother you again!" Chu Wei greeted them with a smile.
"Why are you disturbing me? It's more lively when there are more people around. Your aunt and I like a lively home!" Zhou Jianjun said in a loud voice with a bright smile on his face.
"That's right, Weiwei, you guys come often, Xingxing will be happy too!" Zhou Shufen looked at her daughter lovingly, then turned to Ajie and Xiaomin, "Xiaojie, Xiaomin, don't be polite, just treat us like your own family!"
The kitchen is the main battlefield tonight.
Zhou Jianxing was wearing the apron with small floral prints and had her long hair tied up into a neat bun. A few strands of hair were stuck to her forehead due to sweat.
The hot oil in the wok sizzled as she skillfully stir-fried a pot of fragrant spicy chicken cubes. The golden chicken pieces rolled among the bright red chili segments and Sichuan peppercorns. The heat was just right and the rich aroma wafted straight into the living room.
"Xingxing! Help! Why did I cut these potato shreds into pieces that look like French fries?" Chu Wei was sitting in front of the kitchen counter, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at the uneven potato strips on his chopping board.
"Sister Weiwei, watch me!" Ajie volunteered to grab the knife, but almost cut his hand, which caused Xiaomin to exclaim and laugh.
"Hey, Xiaojie, be careful!" Zhou Shufen poked her head out of the kitchen door, a worried look on her face. "Why don't you let me do it? You young people can go watch TV in the living room!"
"Mom, it's okay, let them play, I'm watching!" Zhou Jianxing responded with a smile. While swiftly coating the fish with cooking wine and ginger slices and preparing to steam it, he took the time to "invite" the eager Ajie out of the kitchen. "Ajie, be good and go have tea with my dad. Leave the kitchen to me and Sister Weiwei!"
Zhou Jianjun smiled and shook his head in the living room: "This kid has been clumsy since he was a child. Xingxing is still steady!"
The small kitchen was filled with smoke, the clinking of spatulas, the sounds of laughter and Zhou Shufen's occasional instructions, and it was full of the bustle of life and the warm atmosphere of fireworks.
Zhou Jianxing manages several stoves with ease while balancing interactions with friends and parents.
"Dinner's ready!" Zhou Jianxing brought the last of the stir-fried seasonal vegetables to the table. The small folding table was filled with a vibrant array of delicious home-cooked dishes: spicy diced chicken, steamed sea bass, and finally, Zhou Jianxing's final effort, a dish of vinegar-fried shredded potatoes, garlic-fried water spinach, and tomato and egg soup.
Zhou Jianjun helped move the dining table to a more spacious area in the center of the living room.
"Wow! It's so rich! The stars are so majestic!" Ajie and Xiaomin cheered.
"Xingxing, your cooking skills are getting better and better. Just looking at them makes me hungry!" Chu Wei exclaimed in admiration.
Zhou Shufen picked up a piece of fish with chopsticks and tasted it, her eyes lit up: "Hmm! It's cooked to perfection and tender! I'm a star, I have a talent for cooking!" Her tone was full of pride.
While eating, they talked about Zhou Jianxing and Ajie's work, the interesting things in Chu Wei's flower shop, and Xiao Min's studies. Zhou Jianjun and Zhou Shufen also shared some new things about the neighborhood. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious, and there was constant laughter.
Zhou Jianxing was surrounded by the laughter of his friends and the warm gazes of his parents. His cheeks were flushed with a healthy blush from being busy and happy. His eyes were shining with joy and relaxation from the bottom of his heart, and his laughter was crisp and hearty.
·
Suddenly, the cell phone on the coffee table in the living room rang. Zhou Jianxing picked up the phone and saw that it was an unfamiliar number, so he hung up directly. A moment later, the unfamiliar number called again.
Wen Lingyi's usual elegant and gentle voice came from the other end of the phone: "Master Zhou? Good evening. It's me, Wen Lingyi."
Why is it her?
Zhou Jianxing's hand holding the phone tightened unconsciously, her heartbeat began to accelerate uncontrollably, and her palms seemed a little wet again. She glanced at her family and friends who were all looking at her at the dining table, and walked towards the balcony awkwardly.
Taking a deep breath, trying to suppress the inexplicable throbbing, she walked to the balcony before she began to speak, trying to keep her voice steady: "Hello, Mrs. Wen?"
"Sorry to bother you." Wen Lingyi's voice remained calm. "I'm calling you so late because I contacted the customer service center of Schindler Repair. They checked the dispatch records and said that you were responsible for repairing my water heater last time. Customer service said... in this case, it's best to contact the technician who was in charge at the time. They will have a better understanding of the situation... So, they gave me your number."
Wen Lingyi's explanation was clear, reasonable, and even had a sense of official business.
"Look, Master Zhou," Wen Lingyi continued, "the water heater you checked last time seems to be... having some problems again. The water temperature is still unstable, fluctuating between hot and cold, making even taking a shower a nervous mess. Customer service suggested I contact you directly, saying you have better technical skills and are more familiar with my home's situation. I'm wondering... if you'd be available right now to come over and help me out?"
Now? So late?
"Of course, I know this counts as overtime, and the cost..." Wen Lingyi's voice, so soft that water could drip out of it, sounded again on the other end of the phone. It was low and lazy, but hard to refuse.
"Mrs. Wen, it's so late now. Is it okay for me to come over tomorrow morning?" Zhou Jianxing heard his voice tense.
"I'm also very sorry to bother you at this time, but I really can't go to bed without taking a shower at night." Wen Lingyi's voice on the other end of the phone sounded a little lost.
Zhou Jianxing closed his eyes. It was the water heater again. It was Wen Lingyi again.
It was that feeling again that made her feel at a loss and her heartbeat out of control.
As a maintenance worker for Schindler, she seemed to have no reason to refuse a customer's reasonable repair request, especially when the other party proactively mentioned overtime pay.
"...Okay, Mrs. Wen." Zhou Jianxing heard his own voice echoing in the night wind. "Please wait a moment... I'll be right there."
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