Chu Zhishui found Xin Yunmao's words full of loopholes, but the reality was that the field's flowers and plants were under his care, and even if she felt something was off, she couldn't rush him.
Since the god said winter was slow, how could anything grow fast?
It seemed planting during the Spring Festival holiday was inevitable.
The year-end performance review at the Huaijiang Observation Bureau had concluded, marking the end of a busy year and the moment to distribute performance bonuses and year-end awards.
Before the Lunar New Year, Chu Zhishui managed to increase the bureau's performance bonus, totaling 11,000 yuan, plus three months of year-end bonus and three months of spiritual civilization award. With this bonus added to the monthly salary, the annual income at the bureau was quite generous, making life quite comfortable in Huaijiang.
Money could alleviate the fatigue of the year-end, making the spirits of the various spirits quite cheerful. The bureau was filled with a festive atmosphere, truly feeling like the Lunar New Year was approaching.
Hong Ximing not only distributed New Year's goods to each department but also discussed with Niu Shi about gathering in the cafeteria before the holiday. Everyone would have a meal together, then happily take a break to welcome the Spring Festival.
In the cafeteria, today's meal was rich and grand, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, as well as dumplings and cured meat, all very characteristic of the Lunar New Year. The room was also decorated, with red inverted Fu characters on the walls and some vibrant New Year prints.
On a long table, a variety of drinks and paper cups were displayed, and Xin Yunmao stood by observing for a long time, seemingly attracted by the colorful juices.
As the director, Hu Chenrui made a brief speech and then raised his glass, saying, "Let's wish everyone a happy Spring Festival! May everything go smoothly in the new year!"
After enthusiastic applause, the feast officially began.
Chen Zhuhui, who had just returned to work in the Economic Development Department after her winter break, happened to catch the bureau's year-end gathering. She had just visited Laobai at the tea garden and now looked at the lively celebration, longing to say, "It's been a long time since I've experienced such a festive New Year."
She usually spent the New Year with her grandfather and Xu Yeye, and she didn't know what to do this year, but unexpectedly, she ended up eating at the bureau.
"Our family rarely celebrates so grandly," Chu Zhishui said. "It's usually just me and my parents, and we don't visit relatives, so there aren't many people."
While the various spirits enjoyed the food, only Xin Yunmao drank beverages. He had a full cup of drinks in front of him, sipping juice and soda alternately, as if conducting a chemistry experiment.
Chu Zhishui worried, "Are you sure it's okay to mix these drinks like this?"
Would he concoct some dark beverage in the bamboo tube?
Soon, Niu Shi slowly walked over and approached Chu Zhishui and Chen Zhuhui, saying, "You two won't be around much during the Spring Festival, so I've prepared some cured meat and braised pork hocks for you to take home and eat."
Chu Zhishui would spend the holiday with her parents, and Chen Zhuhui would visit Laobai at the tea garden, so they wouldn't be at the bureau much. The other spirits had no family and would at most visit friends, possibly even coming to the bureau to eat.
Chu Zhishui praised, "Niu Ge is amazing, did you make these yourself?"
"Yes, with plenty of ingredients, don't eat anything unclean outside," Niu Shi said. "Come with me to get them, see how much you want."
Chen Zhuhui, not being a bureau employee, waved her hands nervously, "I won't take any, Zhishui Jie can go."
"It's fine, take some, Niu Ge made a lot, we might not finish them in the next few days," Jin Yu persuaded. "And after the Spring Festival, it'll just be us in the office."
Chu Zhishui nodded with a smile, "Yes, I'll be going on a business trip to Yinhai, maybe you'll be busy at work, so eat more now and then work hard for the bureau."
Chen Zhuhui: "?"
Unable to refuse, Chen Zhuhui finally got up and followed.
Chu Zhishui told Xin Yunmao she was going to get the cured meat, while Jin Yu, curious about the drinks, couldn't help but go to the long table to take some.
The atmosphere in the cafeteria became even more lively, with spirit employees happily spinning around, stepping aside every few steps to avoid bumping into colleagues engrossed in conversation.
Chu Zhishui and Chen Zhuhui returned with the cured meat, waving to Jin Yu, who was holding a tray with two rows of colorful drinks, each flavor poured a little.
Chu Zhishui sighed, "Why are you following his example?"
As they walked back along the path, everything was fine until a gust of wind suddenly blew, as if someone had dashed past, disappearing in an instant.
Jin Yu's hand trembled, and a cup of drink on the tray was knocked over, falling onto Chen Zhuhui's back and leaving a wet stain!
Chen Zhuhui reached back in confusion, feeling the dampness and smelling the juice.
"Ah, what should we do?" Jin Yu was at a loss, wanting to help Chen Zhuhui wipe it, but with the tray in her hands, she could only awkwardly stomp her feet in panic, "Let's go to the side first."
Chen Zhuhui wasn't angry, comforting, "It's okay, I can wash it at home."
"But it'll be cold wearing wet clothes outside," Chu Zhishui joked to ease the tension, "Let's put the stuff away first, then we'll handle it simply."
At the table, Chu Zhishui first put the cured meat and braised pork hocks aside, then asked Xin Yunmao for help to dry Chen Zhuhui's clothes.
"Still can't shake the habit of splashing water after coming ashore," Xin Yunmao saw the juice stain, glanced at Jin Yu indifferently, making her shiver, then snapped his fingers lightly, and the clothes were instantly as good as new.
He looked at Chu Zhishui, proudly raising his chin, "Every time she causes trouble, I have to clean up, now you know who's more capable, right?"
Seeing him so smug, Chu Zhishui, taking advantage of his seated position, reached out and patted his head, "Yes, yes, you're the most sensible, Mommy is very touched."
"..."
Xin Yunmao had seen her pat Jin Yu's head, but this was the first time he was being patted, and he was momentarily stunned, feeling a strange sensation. It was different from when she touched his waist, as if he was being treated like a dog?
"Zhuhui, the clothes are clean, but wipe inside," Chu Zhishui comforted Xin Yunmao and then said, "or it'll feel uncomfortable."
A moment later, Chu Zhishui took Chen Zhuhui to wipe her back, while Jin Yu, having accidentally spilled the drink, was tasked with cleaning up the dishes, clearing the Economic Development Department's table.
In the bathroom, Chu Zhishui helped Chen Zhuhui hold her clothes, thinking about the juice on her back, she asked, "Can you reach?"
"It's fine," Chen Zhuhui mumbled, "it should be clean."
"I'll help you wipe, open the door," Chu Zhishui noticed Chen Zhuhui was shy and wouldn't express her needs.
After hesitating for a moment, Chen Zhuhui opened the door and handed Chu Zhishui a warm wet towel.
Chu Zhishui quickly wiped Chen Zhuhui's back clean, ready to let her pull up her clothes, but glancing down the neckline, she suddenly saw a small black spot and asked curiously, "Zhuhui, did you get a tattoo?"
"Ah, that's not a tattoo, it's natural," Chen Zhuhui smiled bitterly, "I was born with it, I don't know if it's a birthmark or what."
Chu Zhishui comforted, "It's okay, it won't be seen if you don't wear backless clothes, you can go to the hospital to get it removed another day."
Hearing the other person's indifference, Chen Zhuhui slowly pulled up her clothes, feeling a bit timid, "When I was born, many people heard about this and told my parents it was inauspicious, there's some kind of taboo."
Chu Zhishui hesitated, "We Yinhai City University students shouldn't be superstitious, right?"
"Right," Chen Zhuhui smiled in relief, feeling that in Chu Zhishui's eyes, it wasn't a big deal, and she was also influenced to relax a bit.
After tidying up, the two went out and continued to eat in the cafeteria, then left with the cured meat and New Year's goods.
During the Spring Festival, Chu Zhishui spent the morning with her parents and sneaked out in the afternoon to work on the field with the bamboo spirit. She also brought along the dried grass leaf package, filled with various seeds he had collected, which he now planted one by one.
The progress of the work between the human and the spirit was slow; Chu Zhishui doubted they wouldn't finish planting even during the holiday. They always found ways to delay, either buying tools for planting or feeling something was missing in the new home, and then they would start wandering around furniture stores.
The merchants at the furniture mall were quite dedicated, as they remained open even during the Spring Festival, steadfastly manning their posts. The mall also displayed advertisements for Spring Festival specials and even provided a must-buy list for gifts when visiting relatives and friends.
Xin Yunmao had recently toured his new home, checking for issues such as leaks, hollow tiles, and unfinished edges on windows and doors. He addressed some minor problems on the spot, while others requiring coordination with other residents were collected by Chu Zhishui and reported to the developer. The final inspection of the house was only recently completed.
The fine decoration of the house was without issue, but the interior was still empty, devoid of any furniture, necessitating the selection and purchase of furnishings.
The interior of the furniture mall was well-decorated, with numerous small partitioned areas simulating home environments. The lighting was dim and warm, the music soft and soothing. The bedroom section featured many large beds, with intricately carved wooden headboards and soft, clean bedding, making one want to dive in and take a nap.
Chu Zhishui compared the data of two beds and wondered, "They are the same size and have similar craftsmanship. Why is there such a big price difference?"
"The wood materials are different," Xin Yunmao observed for a while, tapping the headboard with his knuckles. "This wood is beautifully carved, but it won't hold up in a few years. The other one lasts longer."
Chu Zhishui understood, "So it's true that you get what you pay for."
"It depends on how long you want to use it," Xin Yunmao said. "Some people seem to like saving furniture to pass down."
She quipped, "That kind of furniture is called an antique and wouldn't be found in a furniture mall."
With Xin Yunmao's help, Chu Zhishui reserved two different beds, planning to place them in the master and guest bedrooms respectively. These beds offered good value for money, with materials and craftsmanship commensurate with their price, likely to last for a long time.
After finishing their tour of the bedroom section, they passed by the living room furniture area and spotted a vintage rattan rocking chair. The retro style, deep brown color, and intricate woven patterns allowed one to half-recline and rock back and forth.
Xin Yunmao merely glanced at it, then suddenly stopped in his tracks, plopping down onto the rattan rocking chair and refusing to move.
He had always enjoyed basking in the sun like this. The round stone benches in the courtyard of the bureau were not spacious enough for him to stretch out, and he often had to lean back against the tree trunk. The swivel chairs in the office could rotate, but the sunlight inside was not as abundant as in the courtyard, leaving something to be desired.
If the rattan rocking chair were placed in the courtyard, it would perfectly solve all his problems. Half-closing his eyes under the warm, soft light, he looked as if he were basking in the sun in a dream, ready to take a nap at any moment.
"Friend, friend, you're not getting up?" Chu Zhishui waited patiently for a while, only to find him lying flat. She said with a good temper, "If you're not doing anything, get up and walk around. Are you really planning to take a nap?"
They were just passing by, yet he had already collapsed on the spot.
Xin Yunmao stretched out his long arms and legs, his black hair falling over his forehead, his blinking speed slowing down, his gaze hazy and distant, like moist, translucent jade.
With the high indoor temperature, his coat was unbuttoned, casually slouching in the rocking chair, the collar revealing half of his collarbone, quite different from his usual neat and tidy appearance, exuding a sense of domestic laziness.
Surrounded by classical-style decorations, he languidly half-lay, half-leaned, his cold and stern features softened by the warm light, looking like a noble son squandering time.
"Do you want to try it?" Xin Yunmao heard her words, slowly raising his eyes and extending a hand to her. "It's very comfortable to lie down."
"Really?" Chu Zhishui walked over upon hearing this, feeling the texture of the rattan chair, which was cool and neither too hard nor too soft, not causing discomfort to the back and suitable for summer use.
Xin Yunmao patted the armrest of the rocking chair and sincerely recommended, "Really, you should try it."
"Alright."
Curious, Chu Zhishui stood beside the rocking chair, only to find Xin Yunmao unmoving.
She remained silent for a long time, reminding him, "I want to try it."
"Okay," Xin Yunmao replied calmly, agreeing without hesitation, still in his lazy posture.
"..."
"You asked me to try it, can you get off first?" Chu Zhishui's face flushed with anger as she began to shake the rocking chair vigorously, trying to shake him off. "How am I supposed to try it with you lying on it!?"
Did he think he was a bamboo mat or a soft cushion that could just be spread on the rocking chair!?
