Then her mind woke up to the most inviting smell that made her stomach growl—her mother's cooking. The warmth of it filled the house, mingling with the crisp morning air. She smiled, the scent of fried eggs, freshly made dumplings, and braised pork filling her senses. No matter how far she went or what dangers she faced, there was nothing like the comfort of her mother's cooking. The familiarity of it grounded her, bringing a sense of peace she hadn't realized she needed.
She wandered into the kitchen, where her mother stood, expertly flipping a pancake in the pan. Her mother was as graceful as ever, her movements fluid and precise, as if she was preparing a meal for royalty rather than just her daughter. When she saw Jin Lin, her face immediately brightened.
"Ah, Lin'er, you're up! Come, sit, sit! You must be starving! I've made all your favorite dishes." Her mother's eyes glistened with both pride and love, and before Jin Lin could protest, a heaping plate of food was placed in front of her.
Jin Lin smiled, pretending to protest. "I'm not that hungry, Mom," she said, though her eyes were already lingering on the plate with a growing sense of anticipation.
"Nonsense!" her mother insisted. "You've been eating those terrible army rations for so long; I swear, you must be as thin as a stick. Eat! You need to put some weight back on."
Jin Lin sighed and settled in, the warmth of the food in front of her filling her heart as much as it did her stomach. There was a certain hunger that couldn't be satisfied with just food; it was the hunger of being away from home, the hunger for love, care, and reassurance. And in this moment, as she dug into her favorite dishes, she could feel all of that rushing back.
As the days passed, Jin Lin found herself settling into the comforting rhythm of home. The chaos and stress of her past life felt like a distant memory as she surrendered to the loving care of her mother. Her mother made sure she ate well, always ensuring Jin Lin was getting enough nourishment to recover from the physical toll of army life. She would cook up every dish Jin Lin loved, whether it was her famous dumplings, the thick soups, or the stir-fried vegetables. Each meal was served with a side of warmth, of comfort, of home.
Her father, a man of few words but deep wisdom, would often sit with her during the evenings, a quiet presence in the room. Though he didn't show his emotions easily, there was always a quiet understanding between them. He would tell stories of his youth, his experiences that had shaped him into the man he was today. Jin Lin would listen intently, occasionally chiming in with her own thoughts, as they bonded over shared moments of reflection.
But it was her eldest brother who always had a watchful eye over her. The responsible one in the family, he was as protective as he was successful. He would often tease her about her "military toughness," laughing at how she had grown into someone who could handle herself in the most dangerous situations. But beneath the teasing, there was a deep sense of pride in his voice. He, like the rest of the family, had missed her terribly.
The evenings were filled with laughter and stories of their childhood, when life was simpler. They reminisced about the mischievous things they had done, how their mother would scold them for running around the house, and how their father would shake his head with a knowing smile. Those were the days before the weight of the world had fallen on Jin Lin's shoulders. But in the safety of her home, surrounded by the love of her family, it was easy to pretend for a while that everything was still as it once was.
The evening air was cool as Xu Jin Lin walked down the bustling city streets, her boots clicking softly against the pavement. She hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time, but today, there was something special about it—she was finally reconnecting with her childhood best friend, Fang Ning.
"Darling Xu!" a soft voice called out to her, and in an instant, Jin Lin turned around. Her gaze softened as she spotted Fang Ning, the same cute girl with round eyes and a radiant smile that had been by her side during their school years. As soon as their eyes met, Fang Ning's face lit up, and she began waving excitedly, her petite figure bouncing with joy.
Jin Lin couldn't help but smile back, her heart warming at the sight of her best friend. They had been inseparable during their school years, two peas in a pod. While Jin Lin had always been the cool, composed "goddess" type—unapproachable with her sharp features and confident demeanor—Fang Ning had been her sweet, adorable counterpart. They complemented each other perfectly, and despite the many boys who tried to woo them both, it was always their brothers who stood like sentries, protecting them from unwanted attention. It was always clear that they were both cherished, but in very different ways.
Jin Lin stood tall, dressed simply in a fitted black t-shirt and boots, her presence commanding attention without any effort. On the other hand, Fang Ning looked every bit the cute, playful girl she had always been. She was dressed in a pink miniskirt that gave her an innocent, almost bunny-like appearance, her bright eyes full of mischief.
"Hey, Ning Ning," Jin Lin called with a grin, strolling towards her friend. As they met in the middle of the street, they embraced, their bond as strong as it had ever been. The years may have passed, but it felt like no time had gone by at all.
"Darling Xu, look at you!" Fang Ning gushed, stepping back to admire her friend. "You could be a model, you know. Your face, your body—everything is perfect!"
Jin Lin chuckled, a faint blush rising to her cheeks at the compliment. She was used to receiving attention, but from Ning Ning, it always felt different—genuine and warm, like the admiration of someone who had always been by her side.
"Come on, Ning Ning, don't embarrass me in the middle of the street," Jin Lin teased, lightly pushing her friend as she led the way toward a nearby lounge.
"Let's go, darling, this big sister will treat you to dinner today," she said with a wink, the playful glint in her eyes returning. She had missed this—being carefree, sharing moments like these with someone who truly knew her.
Fang Ning's face lit up at the offer, her cheeks puffing out in mock indignation as she crossed her arms. "Of course, I'll order the most expensive dishes! Who told you to disappear for five years? Hmph!" she pouted, giving Jin Lin a mock glare that made her look even cuter than usual.
Jin Lin laughed, the sound genuine and rich. "Sure, young lady can order whatever you want, but don't be too wasteful, okay? No leftovers!" she teased, her voice laced with warmth and affection.
Fang Ning raised an eyebrow, feigning shock. "Ah, darling Xu, when did you become so stingy?" She placed a hand on her chest, making a dramatic expression. "You're the princess who was born with a diamond spoon in your mouth!"
Jin Lin chuckled softly. "Well, as a civil servant now, I can't afford to be too extravagant," she said teasingly, rolling her eyes. "And as a friend of the civil servant, you need to learn how to save too," she added with a playful smirk.
Fang Ning gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "I can't believe it! You, of all people, are going all practical on me now! Well, fine then," she sighed, although her eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'll behave. But if I don't get at least one dessert, we'll have a problem!" she added with a mischievous grin as they walked into the lounge. "let's check out the price then, I won't make it hard for civil servant" Fang Ning said cutely.
The ambiance in the high-end lounge was filled with the soft clinking of glasses and the murmur of quiet conversations, but the peaceful atmosphere shifted the moment an unexpected voice cut through.
"Ah, if you can't afford to eat here, why bother coming and blocking the way?"
The sharp, high-pitched voice came from a woman who stood nearby, her outfit bold and revealing, paired with an aura of overconfidence that practically screamed "look at me." Her piercing eyes carried a mixture of disdain and arrogance as they landed on Xu Jin Lin and Fang Ning.
Jin Lin turned her head slightly, her face impassive but her gaze sharp, as she took in the sight of the woman. Meanwhile, Fang Ning's initial expression of disbelief morphed into one of amusement. Raised in a well-off family, Fang Ning wasn't used to being openly looked down upon, and the experience struck her as both absurd and strangely novel. Her lips twitched, half in disbelief, half in amusement.
"Are you talking about us?" Fang Ning finally asked, her soft voice carrying a tinge of incredulity.
The woman, emboldened by the growing attention of the other patrons, folded her arms and sneered. "Of course I'm talking about you. If you can't afford to eat here, just go to a street stall instead of pretending to belong in a place like this."
The woman's words carried across the room, drawing the attention of several onlookers. Quiet murmurs began to ripple through the lounge as curious gazes flicked toward the scene unfolding. The young woman, as it turned out, was a newly debuted actress whose manager had wrangled an invitation from a sponsor. Clearly basking in her newfound sense of status, she seemed determined to flaunt her importance.
Fang Ning's amusement evaporated as the woman's tone turned more hostile. Her cheeks flushed with indignation, and her fingers curled into fists at her sides. Despite her upbringing and the sheltered world she came from, being openly insulted like this left her stunned.
"You…" she started, raising a trembling finger to point at the woman. Fang Ning's lips parted, ready to fire back, but her words faltered. For all her anger, she couldn't quite find the right comeback, and the arrogant gaze of the actress only made her feel more flustered.
Just as Fang Ning's frustration reached its peak, Xu Jin Lin stepped forward, her movements measured and deliberate. Her tall, commanding presence seemed to cut through the tension in the room, and Fang Ning immediately felt a wave of relief wash over her. Standing behind Jin Lin's broad, straight back, she suddenly felt secure, as though nothing in the world could harm her.
"This lady," Jin Lin began, her voice calm but laced with a quiet authority that made the air seem colder, "please refrain from causing a scene over something baseless. We are customers here, just like you."
The cool, composed tone in Jin Lin's voice, paired with the unyielding look in her eyes, sent a brief flicker of unease through the actress. For a moment, her confidence wavered, and her gaze darted nervously around the room. But when her eyes landed on Jin Lin's simple, no-frills outfit, her fear quickly morphed into anger.
Convinced that Jin Lin was just some poor worker or a nobody, the woman's expression twisted with disdain. She waved her manicured hand dismissively, as if trying to shoo them away like an inconvenience.
"How dare you talk to me like that? Do you even know who I am?" she snapped, her voice rising an octave. "I'll call security and have them throw you out! People like you have no place here!"
Xu Jin Lin remained perfectly still, her body unflinching and her expression unreadable. Her calm demeanor only served to further enrage the actress, who began gesturing wildly, trying to draw even more attention to herself.