After evening self-study, River Dam Bungalow.
Xue Yuantong hopped off the car with a flourish, and dashed into the living room.
Under Aunt Gu's "affectionate" gaze, Xue Yuantong indulgently opened the refrigerator and took two green bean popsicles.
She made them herself with the mung beans she cooked, clean and delicious.
Generously, she handed one to Jiang Ning, and the two leaned against the door to eat their popsicles.
The rural summer night was extremely quiet; hardly any noise could be heard, and the bright clear moonlight poured down, gentle and serene.
In the distance, the wheat fields had been harvested, leaving bare patches on the ground like plucked skin.
In such a tranquil atmosphere, Xue Yuantong bit into her popsicle, her little tongue dodging the cold, she said in a muffled voice,
"Vacation's coming up soon."
Jiang Ning gave a soft "mhmm."
Then, silence fell between the two.
