Night gradually fell. Moonlight spilled across the mountain path, dim candlelight flickered softly through the window, and a wisp of cooking smoke curled up from the entrance of the wooden house. A white-haired old man was bent over the stove, busy at work.
Nohime followed behind Han Zhiqi at an unhurried pace. The mountain breeze stirred her excited, uneasy heart; it was her first time living in the mountains.
Of course, Mount Fujikasane did not count. That had not been living, at most it had been survival.
Nohime turned to look into the distance. Countless lights had already lit up in the villages nestled among the mountains and forests, like torches illuminating the night, linked together in a sprawling expanse that looked rather spectacular.
"Grandpa Qingyan, let me help." Nohime hurried to the stove, trying to take the ladle from Lang Beiwei.
"Little Nohime, you're back." Lang Beiwei gently pushed her aside. "No need, no need. There's only this pot of soup left. I can handle it myself. Go wash your hands first; dinner will be ready soon."
"Grandpa, didn't we say I would cook?" Nohime stood beside the stove awkwardly.
"How could I have you cooking on your very first day? There'll be plenty of chances later."
Lang Beiwei patted Nohime's shoulder affectionately, signaling for her to wash her hands quickly. Then he caught sight of Han Zhiqi passing behind him, and his face immediately darkened as he said sarcastically, "Our little Nohime is so considerate, unlike certain people who have been here two or three months and still don't know how to spare an old man some thought."
"Haven't I chopped firewood and carried water for you? With two grown men and one more girl, wouldn't that be inconvenient?"
"You being here is what makes it inconvenient."
Han