A Girl from an Ethnic Minority

It's 11:00 AM.

The high-speed train began to slow down gradually, and a gentle female voice came over the loudspeaker in the carriage, announcing that the train was about to arrive at H City North Station.

Aemeath, who was sleeping soundly on Lu Yan's shoulder, was awakened by the announcement.

Her eyelashes fluttered twice, and she groggily opened her eyes, which were still moist with the mist of waking up.

"Are you awake?" Lu Yan turned his head slightly, his voice soft.

"Hmm~ Have we arrived?" Aemeath straightened up, rubbed her eyes, and took Lu Yan's hand, looking out at the platform.

"Yes, we've arrived."

Lu Yan reached out and tidied her slightly disheveled temples. "Let's go, get out of the car."

As the train doors opened, a warm breeze, accompanied by the station's hustle and bustle, rushed into the carriage.

The two followed the flow of people out of the high-speed rail station. The late spring sunlight filtered through the camphor tree leaves in the plaza outside the station, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Lu Yan, pulling his suitcase with one hand and holding Aemeath's hand with the other, hailed a taxi in the taxi waiting area at the exit.

"Driver, take Road No. 24 to the South City." Lu Yan put the luggage in the trunk, pulled Aemeath to sit in the back seat, and gave a familiar address.

The taxi smoothly drove out of the station and merged into the holiday traffic. The window was half-rolled down, letting in some hot air.

Aemeath looked curiously out the car window at the city that had given birth to Lu Yan.

The buildings here lack the neatness of their home city; instead, they exude a sense of tranquility and simplicity that comes with age.

As the vehicle moved forward, the scenery outside the window gradually changed.

The towering modern commercial buildings on both sides were replaced by some multi-story residential buildings that bore the marks of time. Finally, the taxi stopped at the fork in the road.

"The road here is too narrow; cars can only travel in one direction. You can get off here," the driver said, turning around.

After paying the fare, Lu Yan and Aemeath got out of the car.

What appeared before Aemeath was a typical urban village, with various self-built buildings lining both sides of the street.

Lu Yan pulled his suitcase, looking at everything familiar around him, and suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity.

Everything here seems to have changed, yet nothing seems to have changed at all.

He turned to look at Aemeath beside him, and said hesitantly, "This is my hometown. It's very quiet, isn't it? It might not be what you imagine."

Aemeath stopped and turned to look at him intently.

There was no hint of disgust in her eyes, but rather a deep curiosity.

She grasped Lu Yan's hand in return, gently shook it, and flashed a bright smile, "How could that be? I think this place is wonderful, so simple and genuine."

"I can smell the aroma of food, I can hear the laughter of children. A-Yan, this is where you lived. I love it here, just like I love you."

Lu Yan was completely melted when he heard these loving words.

He chuckled softly and tightened his grip on her hand, "Let's go, turn at the three-way intersection ahead, and we'll be back home."

The two walked side by side on the path.

Aemeath's long, silky pink hair and overly delicate features made her stand out in this place where most young people were out.

Fortunately, everyone was busy with trivial matters, and most people only glanced at her briefly, marveling at her beauty, without crowding around.

Upon reaching the three-way intersection, a small shop brimming with goods came into view.

The freezer was humming, and there were several small stools placed by the door.

An older woman was sitting at the doorway, shelling edamame in her hand, chatting casually with her neighbor.

Lu Yan paused slightly, a gentle smile unconsciously appearing on his face—a smile from the neighbors who had watched him grow up.

Before Lu Yan could speak, the woman looked up and her gaze instantly locked onto Lu Yan.

"Hey!" The auntie, not even bothering to peel the edamame in her hands, shouted in a loud voice that echoed through half the alley, "Isn't this Xiao Yan! You're back?"

Lu Yan smiled and nodded, then pulled Aemeath forward and said in a friendly tone, "Auntie Li, it's me. It's been a long time since I've been back. You're still so healthy!"

"You're so strong! Oh dear, you've been gone for over half a year since you went to work in the big city!"

Auntie Li stood up, smiling as she looked Lu Yan up and down, and exclaimed, "The environment of this big city really takes care of people! You still look so impressive!"

Aemeath heard the last part of the sentence, she blinked in confusion.

She whispered in Lu Yan's ear, "Extravagance? Isn't that a word used to describe a grand occasion?"

Lu Yan caught Aemeath's soft voice, turned his head slightly, and whispered in her ear with a chuckle, "Paichang is a local dialect word, meaning to compliment someone on their good looks and refined appearance."

Aemeath suddenly realized, a smile flashing in her eyes.

She glanced at Lu Yan's handsome face and secretly agreed: it was indeed very impressive.

In the few seconds that the two were whispering to each other, Auntie Li's radar-like gaze finally shifted from Lu Yan to Aemeath, whose hand was being held by Lu Yan.

Auntie Li's eyes widened instantly, her mouth slightly agape, and she remained stunned for a good while. The girl in front of her was incredibly beautiful.

"Goodness gracious..." Auntie Li couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, pointing at Aemeath, her voice even stammering, "Xiao Yan, who... who is this pretty young lady?"

As Auntie Li exclaimed in surprise, several neighbors who were shopping nearby also gathered around, curiously examining Aemeath.

Surrounded by so many people, Aemeath subconsciously moved closer to Lu Yan. She wasn't afraid; she was just thinking about how she should behave as his girlfriend.

Lu Yan sensed her approach and naturally reached out to put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to his side.

Meeting the gazes of Auntie Li and the neighbors, he introduced her with a gentle smile, "Auntie Li, this is my girlfriend. She came back from out of town with me and plans to stay at our house for a few days."

"Oh my, your girlfriend!" Auntie Li's voice suddenly rose a little. "I knew it! Xiao Yan, you've been beautiful since you were little, and your girlfriend is just as stunning! This girl is even prettier than those big stars!"

"Chinese?" An aunt carrying a shopping basket couldn't help but interject, mainly because Aemeath's golden eyes were so rare.

"Yes, she's Chinese." Lu Yan began to fabricate a story without batting an eye. "Her surname is 'Ai,' and her given name is Aemeath. Her mother's side is from a minority group in the border region, so her bloodline is quite unique, and her eye color is inherited from her elders."

Upon hearing this explanation, Aemeath gave Lu Yan a big thumbs up in her heart.

This reasoning is perfect; it directly utilizes the diversity of ethnic minorities to explain her eyes.

Sure enough, when Auntie Li and the neighbors heard the words "ethnic minorities," their faces immediately lit up with a look of sudden realization.

"Oh my, so you're from an ethnic minority! No wonder you have such a different spirit!"

Auntie Li beamed, "'Ai' is a great surname! It makes you feel sweet inside just by hearing it. Aemeath... What a nice name, stylish and easy to remember!"

Auntie Li took Aemeath's hand and looked closely at her flawless face, clicking her tongue in admiration, "Good girl, your skin is so radiant."

"Xiao Yan, you'd better treat her well. Bringing such a beautiful ethnic minority girl home is a real stroke of luck for your ancestors!"

Aemeath felt the warmth of Auntie Li's rough yet warm palm, the tension in her heart about how to behave completely relaxed.

She readily shook Auntie Li's hand, her voice clear and melodious. "Thank you for the compliment, Auntie Li A-Yan has been talking about how good your products are."

Haha! This girl has such a sweet tongue!

Auntie Li was overjoyed by her flattery and turned around to take two bottles of chilled drinks from the freezer. "Take these! It's so hot on the road, these will help you cool down!"

Aemeath looked at the soda in her hand, somewhat flattered, and then looked at Lu Yan.

"Take it, it's a token of Auntie Li's appreciation." Lu Yan nodded with a smile.

Aemeath obediently accepted it and thanked him sweetly again, "Thank you, Auntie Li!"

"Don't mention it! Go back now, your grandma is probably waiting for you." Auntie Li waved warmly.

Lu Yan said goodbye to the neighbors, picked up his suitcase again, and led Aemeath by the hand, turned the corner and walked inside.