Xiaotian Village (Daily Life)

The little village of Xiaotian was quiet that afternoon. Under the banyan tree at the village entrance, Dahuang lay still, its eyes narrowing as it dozed. But its pricked-up ears kept twitching now and then, ever alert.

Sunlight crept through the window lattice and into the room, carried by the warm breeze that gently stirred the bed curtains.

The coarse blue-flowered quilt had been washed until its color faded. The warm, soft bedding, aired in the sun, mingled with the room's bitter mugwort scent, creating a comforting smell.

Ji Xiaoqiu opened her eyes and reached out to pull aside the curtains. Green filled her vision: the tall apricot tree in the courtyard, higher than the house, with a sturdy trunk and luxuriant branches. Golden sunlight flickered in and out between the leaves.

Little green fruits hung from the branches, like tiny jade beads dotted among the leaves. The wind stirred the leaves and the fruits swayed with them, making the patches of light in the room dance too.

It was so quiet and comfortable that even her bones seemed to grow lazier. Drowsiness crept over her eyes again. In a haze, she seemed to hear the spinning wheel creak, again and again...

Reading guide: An everyday account of meals and making a living, with no face-slapping, villainous relatives, or revenge.

Theme: Happiness in an ordinary life