It was a chilly Sunday night when my mother, Ying Yue, and I set out to explore the charming town of Jasmine Harbor. Our evening was filled with stops at various places, including Cherry Blossom Market , the Aurora Festival, Moonlight Mart, and Crystal Brook Mall.
As we were finishing up our errands, my mother's phone rang. It was her friend, Mei Lin, calling about an urgent matter that neither of us was particularly excited about.
My mother, Ying Yue, with her warm smile and kind eyes, furrowed her brows as she spoke into the phone. Her short, black hair framed her face in soft waves, and her cozy red scarf was wrapped snugly around her neck. I could tell she was growing impatient.
"Why is she taking so long?" Ying Yue grumbled, her frustration evident as she glanced at the time.
"I don't know, Mom. Let's just wait a bit," I, replied, scrolling through my social media feed. I was wrapped in a thick blue coat, and my cheeks were flushed from the cold.
"Well, Mei Lin knows I'm coming. This is unacceptable!" my mother fumed.
"Mom, let's give it 30 more minutes. If she doesn't show up, we'll think of something," I suggested, trying to soothe her irritation.
After a full 40 minutes of waiting in the cold car, Mei Lin finally arrived. Mei Lin was a petite woman with a cheerful demeanor, her short bob haircut bouncing with every step. She wore a bright purple sweater that added a touch of cheerfulness to the chilly evening. Her apologetic smile was warm as she ushered us into her charming cottage.
The house was modest but cozy, with a warm, golden glow emanating from the living room. Inside, Mei Lin's son, Jun Wei, greeted us with a friendly nod. Jun Wei was a tall young man with a handsome, gentle face and a head of neatly styled black hair. He wore a casual plaid shirt over a white t-shirt, paired with dark jeans. Despite his casual attire, he exuded an air of quiet confidence.
As Mei Lin busied herself setting up her computer and dealing with the paperwork, the process seemed to drag on. The computer's slow loading and the endless back-and-forth of technical issues only added to my boredom. My phone had long since died from hours of gaming and texting, leaving me with nothing to do but stare at the wall.
"Mom, I'm really tired and sleepy," I whispered, feeling my eyelids grow heavy.
"Just hang in there, Qing Qing," my mother said, her voice soft but firm.
"Do you think I could sleep on the couch?" I asked, my voice tinged with exhaustion.
"No, this isn't your house. Be respectful," she replied, a note of irritation in her tone.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mei Lin and my mother began their discussion. I was left to my own devices, slumped on a chair, fighting to stay awake. The room felt like it was closing in on me, my exhaustion becoming almost palpable.
"I'm so tired," I mumbled, my voice barely audible.
"What did you say, Qing Qing?" my mother asked, her attention still on the paperwork.
"Nothing, Mom," I replied, stifling a yawn.
At last, I couldn't bear it any longer. I shuffled over to the couch, sinking into its cushions with a sigh of relief. Just as I was about to drift off, I felt a gentle weight settle over me. Startled, I looked up to see Jun Wei standing beside me, a concerned expression on his face.
"Oh, sorry for waking you," he said softly. "I was worried you might be cold."
I blinked in surprise, then smiled at him. "Huh? Oh, um, thank you for the concern and the blanket," I said, touched by his gesture.
"It's really not a big deal. I was just worried," he chuckled, his warmth making me feel even cozier.
Wrapped in the blanket, which was a soft, pale blue, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. The warmth and comfort of the blanket made all the difference, and I slept soundly on the couch.
Hours later, my mother gently shook me awake. "We're heading home now," she said.
As we left, Mei Lin insisted I keep the blanket. Although I felt a bit embarrassed by the offer, her kindness made me feel incredibly grateful.
"Mom, they're so nice to me," I said, gazing out the car window. Despite the cold wind blowing outside, I felt unusually warm, wrapped snugly in the blanket.
"Yes, and you should always be kind to others too," my mother said, her voice gentle. "Also, remember to be grateful and love everyone equally. That's how you'll truly see the world's kindness, Qing Qing."
I nodded, absorbing her words. The evening had turned into an unexpected lesson in kindness and gratitude, leaving me with a warm feeling inside as we drove home.