He took her hand again and walked inside with the old lady.
It was already late spring, and the flowers in the neighborhood had bloomed to their fullest, while the leaves on the trees were burgeoning even more. The initial tender green buds had, in just a short period, been dyed a deep color as if painted on.
Schoolchildren with backpacks were heading home in pairs, occasionally a few happy waggy-tailed dogs passed by while out for walks, and the constant chirping overhead made one curious to spot the bird in the tree, only to be blinded by the setting sun glinting through the leaves.
Beside her, Ning Zhiqian chatted with the old lady, and from somewhere, the fragrance of stir-fried dishes wafted over, mingling with the greenery and fresh grass scents of late spring to create the flavor of everyday life.
