L'hibiscus comme peinture

Chapitre 2

Looking at the woman, who, though middle-aged, still retained her charm, and now appeared awkward, she found it strangely appealing, suggesting she must have been a beauty in her youth. However, something felt off, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Looking closer, she noticed her hair was styled in a simple, married-style bun, and her skin was slightly tanned, perhaps from prolonged sun exposure. A smile played on her lips. If it weren't for her attire, she would be even more beautiful… Yes, it was her clothes. She… she was wearing ancient costume, exactly like the kind of ancient women dressed in television dramas. Looking around, she saw a simple, clean room with a square table. The room itself was unremarkable, but to Ao Jun, the antique furnishings were more astonishing than anything at the World Expo. Could it be… no, impossible…

"Excuse me, are you filming a movie?" I asked with a glimmer of hope.

"What is a movie?" That one question shattered the last shred of hope that Ao Jun had left.

"Could it be... that I actually time-traveled like Xue? This is too outrageous, isn't it? No... no way..." Ao Jun muttered to himself in disbelief.

"Girl, what did you say? I can't hear you. Are you hungry?" The woman attributed Ao Jun's mutterings to hunger, but was too embarrassed to say it herself. Hehe... What a beautiful and lovely girl. (Countless black lines appeared above everyone's heads.)

As the woman got up to get something for Ao Jun to eat, Ao Jun finally snapped out of her disbelief and hurriedly pulled the woman aside, saying, "Wait a minute, excuse me, where is this? Why am I here? Did you save me?" Although it was hard to believe, it was better to clarify some things.

“This is Mo Family Village. My old man rescued you from the sea. You were unconscious for a day and a night. Now that you're alright, I'm relieved.”

"Mo Family Village? The seaside?" She remembered that scarred man recklessly driving his car towards her, and in her panic, she swerved to turn the car around, only to plunge straight into the sea. So that's how she time-traveled. She just wondered which dynasty she'd traveled to…

Just as Ao Jun was deep in thought, a middle-aged man dressed in a long robe, who looked like a scholar, walked in. Seeing that Ao Jun was awake, he hurriedly came over and said to her, "Miss, you're awake?"

“Uh…” Ao Jun snapped out of her reverie, nodded, and looked at the man who had asked her the question. It seemed that he must be the woman’s husband, and also her savior.

"It's good that you're awake. What's your name, young lady? How did you fall into the sea?"

"My name is Ling Aojun. It's just that... just that I accidentally slipped and fell into the sea. Thanks to your help, Uncle, I am extremely grateful." Having learned from the previous experience, Aojun dared not show that smile again, and only said indifferently.

"Hmm, Miss Ling, you just woke up, you must be hungry, right?" He turned to the woman gently and said, "Yulian, go and get some porridge for Miss Ling."

Yu Lian nodded and said considerately to the man, "Yes, you just got back, you must be hungry. I've already cooked some food, go and eat first!" Then she said to Ao Jun, "Miss Ling, please wait a moment, I'll be right back."

Ao Jun nodded expressionlessly.

Soon, a bowl of light millet porridge was gone from Ao Jun's stomach. After eating, of course, she needed to take a bath. Mmm, so comfortable! She couldn't stand not having a bath for two days.

At this moment, Yu Lian walked in, carrying a set of clothes. She said to Ao Jun, "Miss Ling, I'm so sorry, but my daughter and I are afraid you can't wear these clothes. These are my husband's clothes, and he hasn't worn them many times. Please make do with them!"

"No, it's me who's embarrassed to trouble you all so much," Ao Jun said apologetically.

"It's no trouble at all. It's just a rural place. I'm glad the girl doesn't mind."

"You saved me and took such good care of me. I am so grateful, how could I possibly find fault with you? Aunt Lian, please don't call me 'Miss' anymore, just call me Jun." After spending half a day together, Ao Jun felt even closer to Aunt Lian and her husband.

"Okay, Jun'er, come and try on this dress." With that, she helped Ao Jun put on the dress.

Perfectly, the clothes suited his 178cm height perfectly. The light blue robe, though made of coarse linen, accentuated Ao Jun's tall and slender figure, making him appear even more elegant. His hair was casually tied up, giving him the air of a refined and aloof young gentleman. Yu Lian was taken aback once again.

"Aunt Lian, Aunt Lian..." She didn't seem to be smiling, so why is Aunt Lian in a daze again?

"Ah!" Why is she spacing out again? Really, but this child is just too good-looking. It's not her fault.

Aunt Lian's shy appearance was so cute, just like a young girl, which made Ao Jun want to tease her.

"Ahem... This humble one greets you. I wonder if the beautiful young lady is satisfied with my appearance? Hmm..." As he spoke, he flirtatiously hooked Aunt Yu's chin with his index finger, displaying the debauchery of a playboy.

Yu Lian was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses. Looking at Ao Jun with a wicked smile in front of her, she realized that she had been tricked.

"Fine, you even dare to mess with Aunt Lian, watch me beat you up." Saying that, he was about to strike Ao Jun with his injured hand.

"If Aunt Lian isn't satisfied with my looks, just say so! Why resort to physical violence! Hehe..." Ao Jun continued to joke as he dodged away.

"You still dare to say that? Don't run away, just wait and see how I deal with you." Back in the day, Yu Lian was quite the character.

The two chased and played around for a while, laughing and joking, before Yu Lian got tired. After all, time waits for no one!

"Stop! You're just bullying an old person. I can't outrun you anymore. I'm not running anymore. Sigh, I'm getting old..."

Ao Jun stopped with a smile. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the intense exercise, like a blooming, vibrant peach blossom, dazzlingly beautiful, or like a proud plum blossom blooming in the snow, standing alone in the world.

"You silly child, when I first met you, I only saw you smile once. After that, you were always cold and indifferent, and you didn't say much. You were like a block of ice. I never thought you had such a childlike side. That's so good. People should smile more! That's what you should be like at your age! You don't look bad when you smile! Hehe..." Aunt Yu teased.

Upon hearing this, Ao Jun's smile immediately froze on her face. Yes! How long had it been since she had joked like this, acted so affectionately! Since her father left, she, who was already quite taciturn, had become even more aloof. Apart from Xue and her uncle and aunt, she was always cold and rarely smiled in front of others, let alone joked like this.

And now you're making such jokes about Aunt Lian, whom you've just met? Is it because Aunt Lian is the first person you've met in this era? Or... or does she feel like... like family, even like...? Are you and Dad doing well in heaven? Jun'er is no longer in the 21st century. Will you still protect Jun'er? Dad, do you know how much Jun'er misses you? So much... so much...

"Jun'er, what's wrong? Is something bothering you? Tell Aunt Lian, and Aunt Lian will help you. Don't keep it to yourself; it'll make you feel better if you talk about it." This arrogant attitude of Jun'er made Yu Lian even more certain of her thoughts: this child must have some sad past, otherwise why would she always look so indifferent and not care about anything at such a young age?

"Aunt Lian..." Yu Lian's words moved Ao Jun, who always tried hard to hide his true feelings. He almost hugged Aunt Lian and cried. But in the end, he just hugged Aunt Lian gently and called out with tears of gratitude.

"Jun'er, do you not believe Aunt Lian? Don't you want to tell Aunt Lian?" Yu Lian gently stroked Ao Jun's back, half reproachfully and half tenderly.

"No, Aunt Lian, Jun'er is fine." Seeing that Aunt Lian didn't believe her, she added, "It's just that, it's just that I was thinking of my father."

"dad?"

"Uh, they are my parents, we call them fathers."

"Oh, so you miss your parents. Oh, Aunt Lian was worried something had happened!" Yu Lian said with a sigh of relief. Seeing that Ao Jun still looked sad, she felt sorry for her and smiled, "I didn't expect Jun'er to be such a filial daughter! Hehehe... Don't be sad. If you miss your parents, go back to them. They will be very happy to see you."

"Go back? How do I go back?" Ao Jun muttered to himself.

"Oh, are you worried about not having enough money for the journey? Don't worry, Aunt Lian will help you find a way." When Yu Lian saw Ao Jun say this, she thought that Ao Jun was worried about money for the journey.

“No, it’s because my home is too far away, and my parents have passed away seven years ago.” Seven years ago, a car accident took her father away, leaving her an orphan.

"Oh, poor child." How old was Jun'er seven years ago! To have to bear the pain of losing both parents at such a young age, it's truly heartbreaking for this child.

"Hehe, I'm fine, Aunt Lian, don't worry. It's just... seeing Aunt Lian reminds me of my mother..."

"Jun'er, if you don't mind, from now on, I will be your mother." The first time I saw Jun'er, I felt a sense of closeness. Could this be fate?

"Mother?" Ao Jun raised his head and looked at Aunt Lian blankly.