The next morning, warm winter sunlight spilled lazily into the courtyard.
Even as a guest at Sister Wanyin's home, Chen Shi'an still rose early. He sat meditating in the courtyard, breathing in the morning glow. The fresh country air carried the scent of earth and vegetation, making it far better than the city in this respect.
Fat Cat seemed perfectly at ease with life in the village, jumping onto the courtyard wall to lick his paws and wash his face before chasing a few sparrows pecking at grains of rice in the yard.
After a night's rest, Liu Lingjuan's back and legs felt even better than the day before. Although Chen Shi'an had told her to rest more, she still got up just as early. With some time to spare, Chen Shi'an taught Aunt Juan to practice the Eight-Section Brocade.
Li Wanyin woke early too. After cooking a pot of congee over a wood fire, she fetched the keys to the electric scooter.
"Where are you off to, Sister Wanyin?"
"To Town to buy some buns for breakfast, and some meat and vegetables for lunch. Shi'an, let me take you around our town. It's lively in the morning!"
"Then shall we take the electric scooter?"
"Mm-hmm, I'll give you a ride!"
"Sure."
The family had an electric scooter, their most important means of transport. Liu Lingjuan usually rode it to work at a factory in Town.
Li Wanyin wheeled the scooter out. Chen Shi'an opened the courtyard gate for her, then closed it after she came out. He swung a leg over the back seat and naturally reached out with both hands to hold the waist of the older girl in front of him.
The moment his hands settled on her, Li Wanyin felt her waist tense. Under her mother's