Saturday morning.
The River Dam was quiet in the early morning, free of the city's clamor, with a hint of chill in the air.
Jiang Ning pushed open the gate. The rising sun slowly emerged in the east, and endless flat fields stretched before him, making him feel refreshed and at ease.
White clouds drifted through the pale blue sky, while several birds preened their feathers atop the high-voltage wires.
At the same time, the neighboring gate opened.
Xue Yuantong shot him a glance, then immediately turned her face away, her little lips pursed.
Jiang Ning's tattling had gotten her punished by her mother last night. Late at night, she had been forced to wash Jiang Ning's clothes, and in her anger, she hadn't gone to Jiang Ning's room to play games afterward.
Jiang Ning remained cheerful. "Is breakfast ready? After we eat, let's go catch fish by hand."
Xue Yuantong couldn't be bothered with him. She turned and went back inside, leaving Jiang Ning with only the sight of her proud, high ponytail swaying behind her.
Breakfast had just been made. She had actually planned to open the door and call Jiang Ning over to eat.
Jiang Ning entered the kitchen. The food was already on the table: egg fried rice, served with a fresh vegetable and meatball soup.
The meatballs floating in the bowl weren't frozen food bought from outside. Xue Yuantong had made them herself from minced meat, and they were springy and smooth to eat. Her cooking had always been excellent.
Even if she was arguing with Jiang Ning, she would never deliberately make bad food just to spite him.
After all, the two of them ate together.
At the table, Jiang Ning did all the talking. "My cousin is coming over to play today. He