As someone born in the sixties, Lin Xiaoguai's name was undoubtedly unconventional.

Just think, how could a woman in her fifties not be considered a laughing stock when addressed by such a name?

But Lin Xiaoguai had never been the subject of ridicule, not even in jest.

This was a clear testament to her being an unconventional existence in her own right.

As a freelancer who was extremely rare among her peers, she appeared to others as someone who was 'idle and unoccupied' yet lived comfortably. People often thought she was the lucky one who didn't need to do anything to have money fall from the sky, and she had always been accustomed to the envious glances of those around her.

—In the eyes of people from that era, if you didn't clock in for work and your job didn't require physical labor, then it wasn't considered real work; it was simply playing.

With loosely curled hair elegantly twisted up, delicately refined features, barely visible crow's feet, and creamy white skin devoid of age spots or even a single blemish, she wore various styles of qipaos throughout the year, pairing them with discreetly luxurious furs in the winter. Coupled with the strong aura of learning emanating from her, she seemed like a well-bred lady straight out of the Republican era.

Had it been only this, people might have attributed her age-defying appearance to a life of privilege and good maintenance, plus a naturally graceful poise.

But Lin Xiaoguai was truly difficult to associate with her actual age.

She lived in an old but tastefully elegant Western-style building in the old part of the city, taking care of the vegetables in her little garden and attending to the flowers in her backyard every day. In her free time, she enjoyed decorating her humble abode and indulged in DIY activities: making soap, essential oils, herbal teas, jams, cross-stitch, wood carving, etc., all of which she had tried and gifted to neighbors, receiving no shortage of praise.

When the weather was nice, she would take her easel out to travel and sketch from life. To outsiders, the quality of her work was unjudged, but the accidental glimpses they got were pleasing to the eye; the paintings hung in her living room and bedroom were also created in this manner.

Lin Xiaoguai had many friends, though none she was closely connected with, but all were kindred spirits. During holidays, she would either host or attend various events—sometimes gatherings, parties, hiking, road trips, and even tagging along with professional archaeological teams to explore ancient tombs.

Now at her age, with enough savings in the bank to sustain her, Lin Xiaoguai devoted more energy to various hobby clubs. She'd try anything that interested her, and let go when the interest waned, all just to be Happy.

Her life was vibrant and full of vitality that even young people couldn't match, making it hard to believe she was a woman in her fifties.

In her everyday dealings, Lin Xiaoguai was also very kind, greeting everyone with a smile. Her reputation in the old city was not bad at all. When neighbors were in need, she was mostly willing to lend a hand, but she wasn't one to give and take without principle; she had her limits and adhered to her principles.

While her actions exuded the breath of a vivid life, those who knew her often described her as 'too perfect to partake in the common world.'

Although she lived in the same city, under the same sky as them, she gave off the impression that she was quite removed from reality as if living in some exquisite painting. Her smile carried an imperceptible aloofness, ethereal and enigmatic.

Of course, while Lin Xiaoguai was well-liked, she wasn't RMB—there were always a few who looked at her unfavorably.

And when these people spoke of Lin Xiaoguai, they had a lot to say, but the gist of it was this—"That woman really knows how to put on an act, always pretending to be so good-natured it's sickening as if trying to fool people into thinking she's a saint."

In response, Lin Xiaoguai would simply smile it off. After all, whether she was considered perfect or phony, neither was who she really was.

Only a few close friends could glimpse into her heart.

It was hard for anyone not to admire Lin Xiaoguai, who was talented, attractive, and cultured, especially those who interacted with her frequently. However, despite this, her friends often sighed when it came to her—they always came back to the same sentiment: Lin Xiaoguai was unfortunately born under an unlucky star, doomed to a life of solitude.

A woman, no matter how good she is in all respects, if she lacks the capacity to become a mother and goes through life without a son or daughter, no one would truly consider her to be good.

Moreover, Lin Xiaoguai's situation was even more so: during the holidays, no relatives were seen visiting her, and she always lived alone in that large house.