The sky was filled with overcast rain, the heavy clouds looming low. The courtyard of the North Garden was both secluded and quiet, appearing drearily empty in the rain. The surrounding streets were deserted. Though it was still afternoon, there was already a faint evening-like ambiance.
Raindrops fell onto the soil outside the courtyard, splashing into water beads, imbuing the air with a faint, musty scent of decaying wood.
——
On the table, in the jade cup held by Xu Chang'an, the tea leaves floated in the water, taking their sweet time to slowly descend as if... time itself had slowed down.
Outside was wind and rain, yet under the eaves, it was sheltered from the wind and warm within.
Tea in hand.
Wife on lap.
What kind of soothing feeling is this?
At this moment, Xu Chang'an only felt a calmness of mind, as if his life was perfect, or rather, this serene and simple life was what he had always desired to pursue.
