Chapter 2, Jin An came to see me

But waiting from autumn to winter, Churan still had no news. Baicao felt dejected and lost. Had Churan forgotten her? During those days, Baicao was extremely melancholic, unable to enjoy her meals, which made her grandmother worry that her precious granddaughter was unwell, prompting her to ask her grandfather to take a look at her. With a smile, grandfather said, it is likely not a physical ailment, but rather a matter of the heart. What could be troubling the little girl?

The small town market comes alive with bustling noise at dawn. The aroma of hot soy milk mixed with sesame pancakes fills the air, creating a sense of fullness and intoxication. A large flock of birds takes off in unison from the undulating rooftops of the town, soaring through the golden morning light and vibrant clouds, heading towards distant places. The steam-powered boats in the river puff white steam as they pass through the bridge arches and dock at the wharf, with people coming and going. The river reflects the gentle image of the town, while housewives linger back and forth among the stalls. Cats and dogs weave through the crowd, appearing quite joyful, some completely ignoring their owners' calls. Consequently, the owners laugh and complain to others, saying, "These stubborn creatures, despite being well-fed, still refuse to listen!"

Baicao was almost in tears, yet her heart felt suddenly enlightened, as if she had just gone through a torment. It was as if nothing had happened; Xi Ai held her tightly, and they chatted and laughed all the way. Baicao suddenly felt very inadequate, her heart so small, it was simply mortifying.

It was winter during the school anniversary celebration. Alumni gathered from all directions, and the school was adorned with lights and decorations, creating a lively atmosphere, which was also a rare event for the small town. The children were all energetically huddled together, putting on makeup and changing clothes in preparation for their performance. One by one, they applied powder and lipstick, instantly becoming the center of attention, resembling princesses. The girls performing "Green Dress" were even more eye-catching, dressed in water-green gauze and adorned with lotus flower hairstyles, resembling fairies. Despite the cold weather, the girls made an effort to minimize their clothing to avoid weighing down the flowing beauty of their gauzy dresses. Baicao secretly vowed to perform her best, wanting to show her teacher, who always criticized her, and her classmates, who often watched her in embarrassment.

Baicao finally fainted gently to the ground amidst the clamor of the silk and bamboo during the performance

Then, we must go to the Feng family, where we are sure to encounter Xi Ai. Bai Cao hesitated for a moment and had already arrived at the tailor shop with Chu Ran and Grandma. Feng Mama was still dressed in a plain-colored tunic, with an embroidery needle dragging silk thread in front of her. Amid the clattering sound of the sewing machine, she repeatedly praised, saying that these two girls were truly delightful and well-behaved. How unlike my Xi Ai, who is quite the handful. As she spoke, Xi Ai was seen coming down from the attic in her slippers. In fact, Xi Ai was quite beautiful; her delicate brows and eyes had gradually opened up without her noticing, her chubby cheeks had quietly slimmed down, her bangs were styled to the side, and she had grown quite a bit taller. The floral dress she wore seemed short, revealing her increasingly long legs. At this moment, Bai Cao and Chu Ran had not yet fully matured, their brows and eyes were squeezed onto their small faces, looking very delicate. Xi Ai indeed appeared somewhat displeased, casting a faint glance at Bai Cao. Adults could hardly comprehend the strange thoughts that young girls entangled themselves in, and continued to laugh and joke as usual. Bai Cao felt uneasy inside but did not know how to speak to Xi Ai. She thought to herself that she was also wronged; why should you, Feng Xi Ai, always act this way? What is wrong with me being good friends with Chu Ran? Meanwhile, Xi Ai looked at Bai Cao and regretted being too willful; why should she make things difficult for Lin Chu Ran? In truth, she would not hold a grudge against anyone, but why had she become so petty? She pondered how to talk to Bai Cao. Lost in thought and hesitation, Bai Cao and the others had already left. Feng Mama was very dissatisfied with her daughter, saying that she was becoming more and more unreasonable as she grew up! When guests arrive, why do you put on such a spoiled face, cold and indifferent? Who do you think you are? Xi Ai turned and walked away. Watching Bai Cao's figure gradually recede from the attic, her heart was filled with desolation.

Sleepiness seems to spread, and many people are yawning one after another, carrying small stools and waving hand fans as they head home. It's getting late, time for a nap.

They ran on the streets of Qingmian Town, their skirts billowing, braids flowing, and the flowers of the trumpet vine soaring away. Baicao's heart was filled with an indescribable joy. She felt that Churan was very much like herself, like twin flowers. She liked Churan's clear, dark eyes, which made her feel warm and familiar. The thoughts of a little girl are truly hard to articulate. Tired from running, they stood under the gardenia tree, and Churan said earnestly, "Baicao, I think you are really wonderful." She liked Churan's clear, dark eyes, which made her feel warm and familiar. The thoughts of a little girl are truly hard to articulate. Tired from running, they stood under the gardenia tree, and Churan said earnestly, "Baicao, I think you are really wonderful. I really like you."

At this moment, Baicao was suffering from excruciating abdominal pain, unable to straighten her waist. While Xi Ai had gone to perform the waist drum dance, Baicao felt utterly despondent. Her complexion worsened, and all her groans were suppressed. Due to the chaotic scene, no one noticed the immense suffering of Baicao.

Bai Cao found it almost unbelievable. She stood there in a daze, prompting Xi Ai to chuckle while helping her with her backpack, saying, "It's time for school, don't daydream now"

Baicao said, I also think you are very good. I really like you as well

Bai Cao shook her head, displaying a stubborn expression. She could not believe that she would be unable to learn how to dance; she was determined to master it and to excel in the dance team. After making up her mind, she felt a sense of relief in her heart, and thus, she broke into a smile.

Grandfather said this, and the little cat also called out in a surprisingly understanding manner, its azure eyes gazing at her. This made Baicao chuckle. Baicao turned and ran away, acting coyly, "Grandfather is talking nonsense!"

They exchanged smiles with each other

Churian smiled, looking at her with bright, deep black eyes, I will come. You also remember to come to Jin'an to see me

Baicao and Churan are still reluctant to leave. Grandma is calling from the bridge, "Nuan! Nuan! It's time to go home." Yan's mother is also calling, "Churan, it's time to go home and rest. You need to get up early tomorrow to go back home."

On the night before leaving Qingmian, Churen and Baicao, dressed in newly made skirts, strolled hand in hand through the town to enjoy the cool evening. The moonlight cast a yellow hue, resembling water seeping through. The shadows of the two little girls were closely intertwined, like twins. They rested on a stone bridge, where many people gathered each night to cool off. The moon's reflection rippled in the water, creating a serene and leisurely atmosphere for the people. The night in the small town was peaceful and calm, with the streets and alleys immersed in the moist night air, becoming even more exquisite. The moon's reflection rippled in the water, creating a serene and leisurely atmosphere for the people. The night in the small town was peaceful and calm, with the streets and alleys immersed in the moist night air, becoming even more exquisite. Even the dirty garbage boat showed a charming outline, its daytime embarrassment softened by the mist, leaving only a faint sourness. Everyone on the bridge chatted animatedly about various topics. They enjoyed discussing the affairs of their neighbors, and even the usually silent couple from out of town would bring their child to the deck to listen intently to the gossip. Sometimes, people on the bridge would lean over and ask the couple, where are you from? Before the couple could respond, someone in the crowd would interject, their accent suggesting they were from Anhui. The couple smiled and nodded, while their equally dirty child watched others with suspicion. Someone else asked, why don’t you farm at home? It must be tough on the boat. The couple smiled slightly and replied, farming is also hard. There are frequent floods back home, and there’s no land to farm. Everyone shook their heads, exclaiming, oh dear, do you still have family back home? Another person asked, why don’t you farm at home? It must be tough on the boat. The couple smiled slightly and replied, farming is also hard. There are frequent floods back home, and there’s no land to farm. Everyone shook their heads, exclaiming, oh dear, do you still have family back home? Does your child follow you on the boat and not go to school? The couple fell silent, responding only with their usual silence and smiles. The conversation quickly shifted to other topics. The couple and their child had unknowingly returned to their cabin to sleep. The kerosene lamp flickered weakly for a while before quietly extinguishing at an unknown time.

The elementary school is preparing to celebrate its 80th anniversary, and Baicao and her classmates all have to dance. The teacher has arranged for them to perform the Tang Dynasty dance "Green Attire." This reminds Baicao of the poem "Green Attire" from the Book of Songs, evoking a sense of longing and affection. However, when they actually start learning, they realize how difficult this dance is for children who have not received professional training. Just the entrance with the waist twist and shoulder movement proves to be a challenge for them, and the teacher is busy correcting their movements, nearly losing patience. By the end of the day, Baicao is already feeling sore in her waist and back. Although she excels in her studies, her small stature makes her movements always seem uncoordinated. The teacher, frustrated, calls out, "Chen Baicao! Why do you have no sense of this at all? ... Your body needs to be flexible, flexible, with your legs slightly bent ...! ... I didn't tell you to bend that much! Point your toes, point them up ...! Oh, why is it so strange? ... Classmates must practice well and not hold back the group ...! I didn't tell you to bend that much! Point your toes, point them up ...! Oh, why is it so strange? ... Classmates must practice well and not hold back the group. Everyone is staring at Baicao, thinking they have finally found a scapegoat to divert the teacher's attention. Baicao stands there, unsure of how to place her hands and feet, tears welling up in her eyes, her little lips tightly pressed together. After the class is dismissed, she spots Xi Ai, who has just returned from the waist drum team, and her lips quiver as tears begin to fall. Xi Ai says, "Don't cry, don't cry. Why don't you come to our waist drum team? I will teach you." After the class is dismissed, she spots Xi Ai, who has just returned from the waist drum team, and her lips quiver as tears begin to fall. Xi Ai says, "Don't cry, don't cry. Why don't you come to our waist drum team? I will teach you."

Throughout the entire summer vacation, Baicao and Churan were inseparable. Xiai naturally felt distanced. Baicao felt somewhat apologetic but found it difficult to express, so she let it be. Seeing the closeness between Baicao and Churan, Xiai felt extremely melancholic, thinking, she once said she would never forget me, yet now she is ignoring me. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, so she simply buried herself at home, no longer seeking out Baicao to chat about trivial matters as she used to. One time, they ran into each other at an ice cream shop on the street, and again saw Baicao and Churan laughing and talking together, which nearly brought Xiai to tears; she didn't even buy ice cream and turned to leave. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, so she simply buried herself at home, no longer seeking out Baicao to chat about trivial matters as she used to. One time, they ran into each other at an ice cream shop on the street, and again saw Baicao and Churan laughing and talking together, which nearly brought Xiai to tears; she didn't even buy ice cream and turned to leave. Baicao, however, seemed indifferent. Xiai felt even sadder and resolutely thought, once school starts, it will be fine; that little girl will have to return to the city, and then we will see what Baicao will do. But then she thought, Baicao is also a city girl; who knows when her parents might come to take her away. Xiai felt a pang of sadness, as if she had been soaked in sour plum soup. Baicao thought to herself, I am not just your friend, Xiai; I get along well with Churan, and if you are my sister, you should also get along with Churan. You are just too petty; it’s no wonder I feel this way. In August, Grandma bought floral fabric to take to the Feng family's tailor shop to make a new dress for Baicao. There was plenty of fabric, and Grandma thought she might as well make one for Churan too. This way, the two girls would look even more like sisters, which was truly delightful. The fabric was a thin cotton with a rose-colored floral pattern on a moonlit background, which would look best on the young girls.

During that time, the entire school was enveloped in a festive and lively atmosphere, and the teaching seemed to have relaxed considerably. However, Baicao's mathematics teacher, an elderly lady with silver-rimmed glasses, showed no signs of leniency and looked down upon the merriment. When the dance team needed to occupy class time for rehearsals, the mathematics teacher displayed an exaggerated expression of disdain, making Baicao feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Baicao had always been a good student, striving to leave a positive impression on her teacher. She cared deeply about her teacher's gaze and was on the verge of giving up, obediently staying in the classroom for lessons. Yet, she still went out, as the allure of "Green Clothes" and the library exceeded her imagination.

School has started. On the first day of school, Baicao hesitated whether to wait for Xi'ai to go to school together after finishing her porridge. In the past, they would enter and exit together, but now they have become so distant, leaving Baicao feeling both wronged and guilty. Just as she was in doubt, she saw Xi'ai walk into the courtyard, smiling as usual, and said, "Baicao, let's go."

The moon resembles a gentle eye, silently watching over them

Baicao brought Churan home. Churan was poised and graceful, which made her grandparents very fond of her. Grandma cut some watermelon and gave them two small spoons to scoop and eat. Grandma asked Churan how old she was. Churan replied. Grandma smiled, saying, "Ah, she is even younger than my Baicao, how adorable! Today, we will have a meal at my house, and I will buy some more dishes to treat you. I will tell your aunt later!"

Once again, it returned to the time when Baicao was intimately close with Xi Ai. However, Baicao often thought of Churan. It was only then that Baicao realized Churan had left no contact information. Frustrated and resentful, Baicao went to find Yan Hupo. Hupo thought seriously for a long time, feeling helpless, as she also did not know. She only mentioned a fragmented address, which left Baicao completely bewildered

Holding several small melons, Hu Po ran to the front yard, dripping with sweat. "Ah, do you two know each other?" Bai Cao and Chu Ran both smiled without speaking. The three girls sat under the loquat tree to eat the melons. After finishing, Bai Cao noticed a lovely blue-and-white flower painted on the white porcelain plate that held the melons. Chu Ran, with a beaming smile, said to Hu Po, "I want to go out and play with her, let’s go!"

Bai Cao Xin has a lingering attachment, an unyielding sentiment. She holds the hand of Chu Ran, saying, you must remember to come to Qing Mian.

Then Baicao thought, since Churan knows her address, she should write a letter, right? Thus, the days became hopeful. Every day, she would quietly sit down and write a letter without an address, carefully hiding it away. She planned to wait for Churan's letter and then send all these letters together to give her a surprise

The cool night breeze flows into the girl's skirt, and the myriad of grasses has a sense of soaring illusion. She tightens her newly dyed hand, watching the fireflies flit about, while tiny mosquitoes buzz around chaotically. The wild grass in the crevices of the stone bridge thrives in the night, and if you quiet down, you can even hear the faint sound of rustling. Some people begin to yawn, sighing, the dawn is not early, it's time to return and rest.