Like a star
Chapter 12
(one)
By the time the party was over, the bonfire was almost burnt out.
The villagers walked home one after another. Xiao Chen carried a camera and explained something to the program crew. Jiang Li and the male guest walked in front.
I followed Zhao Yin, walking forward on the wood chips on the ground, the soles of my shoes occasionally making a slight "crunching" sound.
"You played really well just now." I said for the sake of conversation, and my voice was particularly clear in the night.
He paused and turned to look at me, the moonlight falling on his face, "As long as you like it."
It's like this again.
These are apparently very ordinary words, but they always make my heart beat out of rhythm.
I lowered my head and kicked the small stone at my feet. It rolled far away and hit the stone road in front of me with a "thump" sound.
When we were almost at the B&B, Zhao Yin suddenly stopped and turned to look at me: "The air conditioner in your room seems to be broken."
"Huh?" I was stunned for a moment, "I don't feel anything."
"Auntie just said that there seems to be a problem with the outdoor unit and it can't be repaired tonight."
As he spoke, he glanced at the stairs next to him and said, "My room is a suite with two bedrooms. If you don't mind..."
My head was buzzing, as if there were countless bees.
Same, same room?
He seemed to see my nervousness and added, "I'm just lending you a place to sleep. Everyone in the production team knows about this, and Auntie will also change your bedding for you."
"Oh... okay." I heard my voice trembling, not sure if it was because of the cold or something else.
When I went upstairs, my steps were a little unsteady, and I always felt like the stairs under my feet were not firm.
Zhao Yin walked beside me, occasionally reaching out to support me.
His room was at the very back of the second floor. When he opened the door, a faint scent of matcha hit him in the face, very similar to the smell on him.
The room is indeed very large. There is a partition at the back, which should be another bedroom.
"You sleep inside. It's more soundproof." Zhao Yin put my backpack on the sofa. "I'll ask Auntie to bring some bedding over."
"Don't bother, I can get it myself."
I said it quickly, afraid that he would really go and call for help, and then I didn’t know how I would be teased.
He raised an eyebrow and didn't insist: "Then I'll go find you some pajamas, mine, they should be able to fit you."
I watched him walk into the bedroom outside, his back straight.
(two)
Zhao Yin found a pair of gray cotton pajamas for me.
"Thank you." I took the pajamas.
He didn't seem to care about anything, turned around and poured me a glass of water: "Drink some water first, you've been tired all day."
I sat on the sofa holding a glass of water, watching him walk around the room and tidy up things on the table.
"Um..." I hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, "Just now at the elementary school gate, you..."
I didn't finish my sentence, but he obviously knew what I was talking about.
His hands paused as he was organizing his things, and his ears turned red.
"I'm sorry," he turned around, his eyes a little vague, "I couldn't help it."
My heart beat faster. I lowered my head and pretended to drink water. Some of the water in the cup sloshed out and splashed on my fingers, feeling cool.
"N-Never mind." I stammered.
I secretly looked up at him and found that he was also looking at me, with an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't describe, like anticipation and nervousness.
"I'm going to take a shower." I quickly stood up and walked to the bathroom in my pajamas, as if I was running away from something.
The hot water in the bathroom was flowing, and I stood under the shower head, but I couldn't get warm. My mind was full of the scene of him kissing my cheek just now, and the way he looked at me just now.
What on earth is this guy thinking?
(three)
When I came out of the shower, Zhao Yin had already washed up and was wearing black pajamas. Her hair was wet and water was dripping from the ends.
When he saw me come out, he moved to the side to make way for me to the inner bedroom.
"The quilt is made," he said.
"Thank you." I walked in with my head down, and when I passed by him, I smelled the faint scent of shower gel on his body.
The inner bedroom is not big, but very clean. The bed is covered with brand new white bedding, and there is a small fan in the corner, which is spinning.
I closed the door and leaned against it.
There was a slight noise outside; it must be Zhao Yin packing up. I took a deep breath, walked to the bed and sat down, but I felt no sleep at all.
I don’t know how long it took, but the lights outside went out.
The only sounds in the room were the fan and my own heartbeat.
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling with my eyes open, my mind a mess.
Why did he kiss me?
Why did he let me live here?
Does he...like me a little bit too?
Countless questions are swirling in my mind, but I can't find the answers.
In a daze, I seemed to hear the sound of a door opening outside. I was startled and quickly closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.
The footsteps came softly and stopped at the door of my bedroom.
The door was pushed open a crack, and a faint light came in.
I held my breath and felt someone standing by the bed, looking at me quietly.
Is that Zhao Yin?
What does he want to do?
My heart was beating so fast it was about to burst out of my chest, and my fingers were clutching the quilt tightly.
After a while, the gaze moved away, the footsteps left quietly, and the door was closed again.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
What on earth does this guy want to do?
(Four)
The next morning, I was woken up by the noise outside.
When I opened my eyes, it was already bright outside.
I sat up and rubbed my eyes, my mind still filled with the confusion of last night.
When I pushed the door open and walked out, Zhao Yin was busy in the kitchen, wearing the blue apron of the aunt at the B&B. She looked a little funny, and a little... cute?
He looked up when he saw me come out: "Are you awake? Go wash up quickly, breakfast will be ready soon."
"Oh." I responded, walked to the bathroom door, looked at myself in the mirror, and saw that my eye circles were a little dark, obviously I didn't sleep well.
When I came out after washing up, breakfast was already set on the table: two bowls of white porridge, a few buns, and a small plate of pickles.
"Auntie went back home for something this morning, so I just made something." Zhao Yin took off her apron and sat across from me. "I wonder if it suits your taste."
"It's good." I picked up the spoon and scooped a mouthful of porridge. It was warm and just right for my mouth.
The two of them ate breakfast quietly, no one spoke, but the atmosphere was not awkward, but rather strangely harmonious.
After breakfast, I was clearing the dishes when Zhao Yin suddenly said, "The production team said there are no plans for today, so we're free to do whatever we want."
"Oh." I replied.
"There seems to be a market in the village. Do you want to go and have a look?" he asked.
I raised my head and met his gaze. There was a hint of expectation in his eyes, very similar to the look in his eyes when he gave me osmanthus candy yesterday.
"Okay." I smiled.
(five)
On the way to the market, the sun was shining brightly, shining through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground, and also, him and me.
The houses on both sides of the cobblestone road are very old, with green vines climbing all over the walls. Occasionally, you can see a few old ladies sitting at the door to bask in the sun. When they see us, they will greet us with a smile.
Zhao Yin walked beside me, neither fast nor slow.
When I passed by a stall selling handicrafts, I stopped and looked at the small wooden carvings on the stall, including kittens, puppies, and some shapes that I couldn't understand.
"Like this?" Zhao Yin came over to take a look and picked up a wooden sculpture of a little rabbit. "It's pretty cute."
"Well, it looks a bit like my cat," I said.
"Then buy it." He said and was about to take out the money.
"No, I can buy it myself." I quickly stopped him.
He looked at me, didn't insist, and put the little rabbit back on the stall.
After walking a few steps forward, I passed a small stall selling candied haws. The red hawthorns were wrapped in crystal sugar.
"Do you want to eat?" Zhao Yin asked.
"It's a bit sour," I said.
"Try it?" Without waiting for my answer, he bought two skewers and handed one to me.
I took the candied haws and took a bite. The sugar coating on the outside was sweet, but the hawthorn inside was indeed a bit sour, so sour that I squinted my eyes.
"How is it?" He looked at me with a smile in his eyes.
“It’s okay,” I mumbled, taking another bite.
He also took a bite and frowned slightly, as if he was not used to the sweet and sour taste.
When I reached the end of the market, I saw an old man selling colorful kites fluttering in the wind.
"Do you want to fly a kite?" Zhao Yin suddenly asked.
I was stunned for a moment, looking at the kites flying in the wind, and nodded: "Okay."
He picked out a butterfly-shaped kite, paid for it, and took me to the open space next to it.
“I’m not very good at it,” I said.
"I'll teach you." He handed me the kite string. "Hold it. When the wind comes, just run forward."
The wind picked up, and I ran forward, pulling the kite string as he said. The kite wobbled and flew up, not high, but very stable.
"Pull the line up a little." He stood behind me, his voice very close, and his warm breath blew against my ears.
I did as I was told subconsciously, and the kite flew a little higher.
"Two more steps," he said.
I ran forward a few steps, and the kite suddenly jumped up and flew very high.
"Great!" I looked back at him happily, but accidentally bumped into his arms.
He reached out to steady me, his arm around my waist, his grip gentle yet steady.
My face turned red all of a sudden, and I quickly stood up, stepped back and kept some distance.
"Thank you, thank you." I stammered.
His ears also turned red. He didn't say anything, but just looked down at the kite string in his hand.
I looked at him and my heartbeat started to accelerate uncontrollably again.
(six)
When I was walking back after flying the kite, I passed by a small river. There were a few children playing in the water by the river, and their laughter was crisp.
Zhao Yin suddenly stopped and turned to look at me: "Do you want to take a boat?"
There were several small black-sailed boats parked by the river, and the boatman was sitting at the bow, fanning himself and dozing off.
"Okay." I nodded.
The boatman saw us and warmly invited us on board.
The boat is very small and can only hold two people.
Zhao Yin and I sat side by side on a small bench at the stern.
The boatman held up the pole and the boat slowly drifted to the middle of the river.
The river water is very clear, and you can see the water plants on the bottom and the occasional small fish swimming by. The trees on both sides are lush and green, and occasionally birds fly overhead, leaving behind crisp calls.
"The scenery here is so beautiful," I said.
"Yeah." Zhao Yin responded and turned to look at me. "It's much quieter than in the city."
"Yeah." I smiled, "It's just a little too quiet."
He also smiled and said nothing.
The boat floated slowly on the river, and the warm sunlight shone on the body, making people feel a little sleepy.
I leaned on the side of the boat, looking at the ripples on the water, and felt as if time had slowed down.
I don’t know how long it was before my hand accidentally touched Zhao Yin’s hand.
I was startled and quickly drew back, but he gently caught me.
His hands were warm, with a slightly rough texture on the palms.
I raised my head and met his gaze. His eyes were gentle, with a feeling that I couldn't understand.
"Wenxi." He called my name softly.
"Hmm?" My voice trembled a little.
He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just held my hand tightly and said nothing more.
I didn't say anything, just let him hold my hand, feeling the warmth spreading from his fingertips to my heart... hot and sweet...
The boat was still drifting slowly and the river was flowing quietly.
I looked at Zhao Yin's profile and suddenly felt that this didn't seem so bad.
There is no need to rush to figure out those complicated emotions, and there is no need to rush to confirm any relationship. It is good to just sit together quietly and feel each other's warmth.
(seven)
It was already afternoon when we returned to the B&B.
When Xiao Chen saw us coming back together, he started covering his mouth and winking at me again. I pretended not to see it and walked straight to the room.
Zhao Yin followed behind me, holding the little rabbit wood carving that he bought in the morning.
"Here you go." He handed me the wood carving.
"Didn't you not buy it?" I was stunned.
"I bought it when I passed by just now," he said. "Just consider it... a thank you gift."
"Thank you? Thank you for what?"
"Thank you for accompanying me to the market." He said it lightly...
I took the wood carving. It was small and heavy. The rabbit's eyes were made of black agate. They were shiny and very cute.
"Thank you," I said.
"You're welcome." He smiled. "I'll go back to my room first. It seems the production team has some plans for tonight."
"good."
When I returned to the room, I placed the little rabbit wood carving on the bedside table, facing the pillow so that I could see it while lying in bed.
I took out my phone, opened my second account, thought for a moment, and posted a Weibo post: [Today's wind is a little sweet.]
After sending it successfully, I put down my phone, leaned against the head of the bed, looked at the little rabbit wood carving, and couldn't help laughing.
Maybe things are developing in the direction I expect?
(eight)
In the evening, the program team informed us that there would be an activity in the evening, which was making dumplings with the villagers.
When Zhao Yin and I went downstairs together, Xiao Chen was already waiting for us with a camera. When he saw us, his eyes lit up and he quickly pointed the camera at us.
"Teacher Wen, Brother Yin, please come this way." She said with a smile.
Several large tables have been set up in the yard, with flour, minced meat and various seasonings on them. Several village aunts are teaching Jiang Li and the male guest how to make dumplings.
"Wenxi, Zhao Yin, come quickly!" Jiang Li saw us and waved, "Making dumplings looks simple, but it's actually very difficult!"
Zhao Yin and I walked over, picked up the dough and learned how to wrap it.
When I was a child, I learned how to make dumplings from my grandmother. Although they didn’t look very good, at least they could stand up.
It was obviously Zhao Yin's first time making dumplings. She was at a loss when she picked up the dough. She put too much meat filling in it, and when she pinched it, the filling squeezed out from the sides.
I looked at his flustered look and couldn't help laughing: "Put less stuffing."
He looked up at me and smiled a little embarrassedly: "It seems a bit difficult."
"I'll teach you." I said, picking up a piece of dough and placing it in his hand. "Like this, put some filling in first, then fold it in half and start pinching from this side..."
My fingers accidentally touched his fingers. He paused and turned to look at me with deep eyes.
I quickly withdrew my hand and pretended to look intently at the dumplings in his hand: "Yes, just like that, pinch them slowly."
He hummed, lowered his head, and slowly pinched the dumpling. This time he didn't squeeze the filling out. Although the shape was a bit strange, it was finally a dumpling.
"Not bad," I said.
He smiled with a little pride in his eyes, like a child who had just finished his homework.
Xiao Chen next to him was taking pictures secretly, and the sound of camera shutters could be heard one after another.
Jiang Li came over to look at the dumplings Zhao Yin had made and said with a smile, "Brother Yin, your dumplings look a bit abstract."
Zhao Yin didn't say anything, but just picked up another piece of dough and continued wrapping it.
Seeing how serious he was, I couldn't help but pick up a piece of dough, wrap a dumpling in the shape of a little rabbit, and put it in front of him.
"Let me show you how," I said.
He looked at the little bunny dumpling and his eyes lit up: "It's cute."
"That's right." I was a little proud.
He smiled, said nothing, picked up the dough, and began to try to make bunny-shaped dumplings. Although they were crooked and didn't look like bunnies at all, I still praised him politely, saying, "You've made progress."
The corners of his mouth raised, and the smile in his eyes became even more intense.
The atmosphere in the yard was lively, everyone was talking and laughing, and the dumplings were wrapped very quickly.
Looking at the dumplings rolling in the pot, I suddenly felt that such a day seemed not bad.
Simple, warm, and...he's by my side.
Like a painting.
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