The next morning.
When Xiao Mo woke up and walked out of the bedroom, he saw Ruxue bustling about in the courtyard.
She wrung out the washed clothes and hung them on the line, one after another.
The sea breeze swept past, gently lifting her long, silver-white hair.
She tucked a strand behind her ear. Droplets of water from the clothes clung to her cool, pale arms, like dew soaking into snow-white silk.
Looking at her, Xiao Mo was momentarily dazed.
It was as if he had returned to the courtyard in Shiqiao Village.
It was as if the days of old had never changed.
"Xiao Mo, you're awake. Wait here, okay? Sister will go heat some water in the kitchen so you can wash up."
When Bai Ruxue saw Xiao Mo come out of the room, she hurriedly set down the clothes and went into the kitchen.
Before long, Bai Ruxue came out carrying a basin of water. She wrung out a cloth with her delicate fingers and set about wiping Xiao Mo's face herself.
"Sister Bai, I can do it myself."
"It's all right, it's all right. Let Sister help you." Bai Ruxue gently pressed down Xiao Mo's little hand and happily wiped his face.
The washcloth turned Xiao Mo's head this way and that.
Bai Ruxue glanced at the snake-scale pendant around Xiao Mo's neck, her eyes growing even softer.
"All done. Now sit in the courtyard for a bit while Sister brings out some hot porridge for you."
After helping Xiao Mo wash up, Bai Ruxue went back into the kitchen and brought out the freshly cooked porridge.
After breakfast, Bai Ruxue asked Xiao Mo to show her around the village. She wanted to meet the aunties and older women who looked after him every day.