Chapter Thirty: Sweetness

Upon arriving at their destination and stepping out of the car, Shi Zhaodi was struck speechless. Before her lay a vast, rolling expanse of grassland that merged with the blue sky, creating a breathtaking landscape that felt like a masterpiece of nature.

Jiang Haoen retrieved his easel and paints from the trunk, then took Shi Zhaodi by the hand and led her forward. Shi Zhaodi followed closely behind, carrying her bulging backpack filled with snacks and drinks.

They arrived at a small wooden cabin. Jiang Haoen pushed the door open, changed his shoes, and ushered her inside. The cabin was modest in size but decorated with warmth and tidiness, the floor covered in a plush, milky-white long-pile rug. It was no wonder they had to change their shoes; otherwise, every step would have left a drab, dusty footprint on the carpet.

Shi Zhaodi looked up at Jiang Haoen.

"This is my place, a gift from my great-grandfather," he explained.

Shi Zhaodi blinked, coming back to her senses, and gave a small nod.

"What do you have in there?" Jiang Haoen asked, gesturing toward her backpack.

"I brought some snacks and drinks, thinking we might get hungry," she replied, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Jiang Haoen’s expression softened. He reached out to pat her head, choosing not to tell her that the cabin next door was a kitchen, fully stocked with food in the cabinets and refrigerator.

He pulled a large storage container from a cupboard, slung Shi Zhaodi’s backpack over his shoulder, and gathered his painting supplies. He gestured for her to follow him back outside.

"Brother, let me help you carry some of that!" Shi Zhaodi hurried after him.

"I’ve got it," he replied dismissively, declining her offer.

He led her to a tree a short distance behind the cabin, just a few steps away from a crystal-clear stream. After setting down the easel and paints, Jiang Haoen took a folded cloth from the storage container and spread it out beneath the tree. He then began to unpack the container, piece by piece.

Shi Zhaodi watched in astonishment as he produced items as if by magic: a CD player, a game of Gomoku, a handheld console, marbles, and to her complete surprise, fishing gear, a folding chair, a dartboard, and a frisbee.

"Brother, why do you have so many things?" Shi Zhaodi asked, kneeling on the checkered cloth and picking up each item to inspect it.

"I just put in whatever I liked," Jiang Haoen said, looking slightly sheepish.

Shi Zhaodi picked up the CD player, put on the earbuds, and pressed play. To her surprise, the sound of birds chirping in nature filled her ears. She handed one earbud to Jiang Haoen, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Listen, Brother! It’s the sound of birds!"

Jiang Haoen smiled, sitting down beside her to listen along.