Crackle!
The sound of firewood burning in the hearth was crisp and clear.
Luo Chen sat by the bed, watching the woman busily wash vegetables and cook. There was even a small piece of dark red meat on the chopping board.
"Wait a moment. It'll be ready to eat soon."
"Why is today's meal so lavish?"
"I thought eating thin porridge and pickles every day was bad for your health, so I bought some meat in town to nourish you." The woman spoke as if it were nothing, then hesitated before lowering her voice. "Besides, today is my birthday."
Her birthday?
Luo Chen froze, then understood. It meant it was the woman's birthday.
On such an occasion, he ought to give her a gift in celebration. Yet Luo Chen looked around himself and found nothing else. He could only smile awkwardly.
"Sorry, I didn't prepare a gift. I can only wish you eternal youth and a long life of a hundred years."
Jing Lan smoothed her hair aside and broke into a radiant smile. "Thank you. Those words are enough. It's always just been me. This year is a little different."
Luo Chen opened his mouth, wanting to ask about her family, but the words reached his lips and went no further.
Since she had put it that way, her past clearly was not something worth happily mentioning.
The meal was soon ready. Luo Chen did not eat much, and even the meat received no more than two light bites from him.
Jing Lan looked somewhat restrained and explained that she rarely cooked meat dishes, so perhaps it did not taste very good.
Luo Chen gave a brief explanation, saying that he did not like meat. Only then did the woman look less embarrassed.
After dinner, Jing Lan went to