Green Bean Matcha Jelly

Xia Jiao wasn’t fond of drinking, and a large part of the reason was the social obligation of it.

She hated forced socializing, just like being made to study things that didn’t interest her for high grades.

Alcohol often amplified a person’s worst traits. The saying “alcohol emboldens the coward” is largely about this.

Women tend to be more emotionally stable and rational, and alcohol rarely disturbs them. But men often do many foolish things after drinking, as alcohol magnifies their flaws many times over.

Wen Chongyue wasn’t like that. To him, alcohol was just a beverage. He usually drank with meals and shared it with Xia Jiao. He never drank excessively or had an alcohol addiction. When it came to self-control and health, Xia Jiao admitted that she couldn’t match him. For instance, she couldn’t resist the temptation of an ice cream cone, but Wen Chongyue could calmly resist fine wine.

Yunnan people are known for their high tolerance for alcohol, and tonight they were drinking wine made from grapes grown in the region. These grapes, a variety called “Rose Honey,” were brought to China by French missionaries over a century ago and are now nearly extinct in France. However, they can still be enjoyed here.

Wen Chongyue didn’t drink much, and his mind remained clear. But his words became more provocative, leaving Xia Jiao feeling flustered. Everything else remained normal, and he could still clean up without showing any signs of being affected by the alcohol. This was a vacation home, and every room had its own bathroom and toilet. The bathtub was big enough for two, and Xia Jiao, feeling a bit light-headed after drinking some sweet wine, let him take care of things.

No matter how hard she tried, Xia Jiao couldn’t seem to get clean. The water surrounded her, overwhelming like being immersed in the sea, yet it also felt like floating among clouds in the sky. In this warm and quiet atmosphere, she felt a tenderness and stability as if she were being cared for properly.

But it seemed that Wen Chongyue was also a bit drunk. As her body trembled and she hadn’t fully calmed down yet, he pinched her cheek and pressed his nose to her face, rubbing it like a cat. After a couple of rubs, he asked, “What do you think of me?”

It was strange for him to ask such a question at this moment. Xia Jiao couldn’t distinguish which water was already in the tub and which was hers. She hadn’t fully regained her senses yet, and her vision was a bit blurry from the brief lack of oxygen. But at this moment, whether she could see clearly or not didn’t matter. What mattered was the tenderness of Wen Chongyue’s lips and his fingers, which tasted like sea salt, touching her jawline and pinching her cheeks. It felt just like the first time she saw a little kitten, wanting to hug it and gently nibble on its cat ears, yet afraid of hurting such a small and delicate creature.

Xia Jiao, of course, answered honestly, “Very good, very good.”

Wen Chongyue asked, “How good?”

Xia Jiao replied, “The best.”

She thought Wen Chongyue would be pleased with this answer, like a sturdy tree with deep roots that sank into the soil and reached narrow streams underground, firmly taking root.

Xia Jiao didn’t think too much about it. She had some views she firmly believed in, such as the idea that what men say during special moments can’t be trusted. She enjoyed hugs and kisses, not caring whether the water was overflowing or the moonlight was full.

They stayed in Tengchong for three days and two nights. The place had peaceful countryside and gentle mountains. The old streets and alleys seemed frozen in time. Undoubtedly, Yunnan was a province perfect for living. Everything here, from the environment to the people, had a slow and unhurried pace, peaceful and harmonious.

The towns in the southwest of Yunnan were truly pleasant. The timing was perfect; it was the season for golden ginkgoes and blooming wild cherries. They went to soak in the geothermal hot springs or to the library, enjoying the sunshine through the glass while reading a book at a leisurely pace.

Before leaving, Wen Chongyue and Xia Jiao visited a cemetery where old soldiers from the Songshan Expedition were buried to pay their respects.

In the foothills of the green mountains, loyal souls return home.

Their next stop was Meili Snow Mountain. Qin Shaoli and Li Zhi stayed behind in Tengchong for their vacation. They had just returned from Meili and had gathered some experience, so they recommended a good hotel for them to stay at.

Wen Chongyue’s love for outdoor sports and his strong physique were fully displayed at this moment. Xia Jiao couldn’t keep up with him and began panting after walking for a short distance. Wen Chongyue took the responsibility of carrying the heavy bag, which contained food and water, while holding Xia Jiao’s hand. When she was too tired, he would stop to let her rest.

At Mingzhu Laka, many pilgrims burned pine branches in a white incense burner beside the white pagoda. They had walked up with devotion, hoping to catch a glimpse of the holy peak of Meili Snow Mountain.

Xia Jiao wiped the sweat from her face, watching the devout pilgrims carefully.

Actually, at Feilai Temple, Xia Jiao had also bought a pine branch from the local residents, called “Wai Sang.” She and Wen Chongyue had lit a butter lamp together and offered it there.

Due to several climbers disappearing or perishing and religious conflicts, the government had issued a ban on climbing Meili Snow Mountain. To the Tibetans, the mountain was an embodiment of the gods, and there was great reverence for it. Countless pilgrims would come here in late autumn and early winter, hoping to witness the sunrise over the golden mountain.

Xia Jiao was no exception.

They had booked the hotel recommended by Qin Shaoli, and Wen Chongyue set the alarm, making sure they would wake up early to watch the sunrise over the snow peaks together. According to the usual pattern, the summer sunrise over the snow peaks happened around 6:20, while in winter, the first rays of sunlight reached the peaks at around 7:30. Xia Jiao, who was not a morning person, had communicated with Wen Chongyue before bed, insisting he wake her up early.

She didn’t want to miss such a beautiful sight.

Once she was sure Wen Chongyue would wake her up, Xia Jiao went to sleep at ease.

In the early morning, half-dazed, she felt someone pick her up and sit her on a soft cushion next to the transparent floor-to-ceiling window. A warm blanket wrapped around her, and when Xia Jiao opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the dazzling golden light of the snow mountain outside the glass window.

She was no longer sleepy.

Her mind, which had been in a haze, was now incredibly clear. Xia Jiao knelt up, her palm pressed against the glass. It was a little cold, and the blanket that had been around her shoulders slipped down, but she didn’t care about picking it up. She just stared at the view outside. Wen Chongyue lifted the blanket and wrapped her up snugly again. Xia Jiao’s eyes were fixed on the towering snow mountain, the morning sunlight turning it golden. She gasped, “Oh my—”

The last part of her exclamation was cut short when Wen Chongyue, kneeling behind her, kissed her. His mouth smelled faintly of mint, his lips soft. Outside the glass, the golden mountain was bathed in sunlight, while inside, warmth filled the air. Wen Chongyue used his lips and tongue to gently silence all her breath.

The kiss lasted for about ten seconds. Wen Chongyue wrapped the blanket tightly around Xia Jiao. They leaned against each other by the window, gazing at the golden snow-capped peaks. After a while, Wen Chongyue said, “Actually, that scene just now was perfect for—”

Without thinking, Xia Jiao replied, “Make love?”

Wen Chongyue rested his chin on her head, reached out, and gently stroked her wedding ring. He sighed deeply, “May I ask where did your sense of romance go, Xia Jiao?”

Xia Jiao said, “Could it be that Teacher Wen’s dry and teasing influence is rubbing off on me?”

Wen Chongyue: “…”

Throughout the trip, Xia Jiao ate well. They had earthy, flavorful chicken stewed in a clay pot, which was rich in taste, leaving a pleasant aftertaste. The chicken and mung bean jelly sold in the market was only three yuan a bowl and had a slight spiciness, but it was very satisfying. She couldn’t miss trying the local Tibetan food—yak butter tea, cheese curds, steamed buns, snow vine barley wine, and yak hot pot.

The local customs of Yunnan were very different from where Xia Jiao grew up, but delicious food knows no boundaries. This place was rich in resources, and Xia Jiao bought quite a few things, such as dried yak meat, which could be eaten for a long time, strengthening her teeth; the Gungmu cheese made from yak milk had a subtle salty taste and a soft texture; and the Yak cheese, made using Italian methods, was suitable for long-term storage and had a rich flavor.

She also bought a postcard for two yuan at a bookstore and sent it to her home in Suzhou, where she and Wen Chongyue lived. The planned time to send the letter was next spring, in March, when spring blossomed.

The shop also sold some charity postcards, with the owner mentioning that the proceeds would go towards supporting underprivileged students in Tibet. Xia Jiao bought a few of them. When she looked up, she saw a photo of the shop owner with many Tibetan children on the wall.

Wen Chongyue also bought some items: saffron, ginseng, cordyceps, and dried matsutake mushrooms… all neatly packed and categorized. These could all be used for medicinal meals, as he had recently developed an interest in food therapy.

It was now autumn. If it had been summer, they could have bought fresh matsutake mushrooms from the locals.

After returning from Yunnan to Suzhou, Xia Jiao proudly brought home two pounds of meat.

She patted her waist, weighed herself, and made a firm decision: “I must control my diet.”

At that moment, Wen Chongyue was making green bean matcha jelly.

After simmering green beans for an hour in boiling water and gently cooking them for another half hour until they began to break apart, the air was filled with the distinct aroma of green beans. Some of the soup was set aside, while the remaining mushy beans were blended in a mixer. The buzzing sound filled the small space. Wen Chongyue washed his hands and walked over, lifting Xia Jiao to weigh her.

“Not heavy,” Wen Chongyue said. “Even if you eat more, you’ll still be within a healthy weight range.”

Xia Jiao couldn’t accept that.

She ran to the living room, holding the cat and the kitten, and muttered to the two cats about her dieting plans. The two cats responded with “Meow” and “Miaow” the whole time.

Xia Jiao was satisfied with the cats’ responses and turned on the TV to watch a movie. As she saw Wen Chongyue approaching after removing his apron, she almost jumped off the couch. “I’m going on a diet!”

“Good, you have a strong goal,” Wen Chongyue praised her, placing the green bean matcha jelly in front of her. “Eat first, then we’ll talk.”

Xia Jiao hesitated. “Does this count as a sweet treat?”

Wen Chongyue answered without skipping a beat, “No fat, low sugar. We’ll eat secretly, and the fat won’t notice.”

Xia Jiao thought he made a good point and ate the whole bowl without any guilt.

Her weight loss plans were constantly postponed until the next day after a hearty meal. Xia Jiao sighed deeply, reflecting on her procrastination.

She thought, “Maybe I should fix my habit of putting things off until the last minute.”

Wen Chongyue was brushing the cat’s fur. “If you always get things done at the last minute, why change?”

Xia Jiao was puzzled. “Huh?”

Wen Chongyue explained, “You leave some tasks for the last because you know you can finish them in a short time. Since you can get them done quickly, it seems unnecessary to call it ‘procrastination.'”

Xia Jiao thought for a moment. “That sounds reasonable, but something feels off.”

Wen Chongyue elaborated, “The human brain works in a multitasking way. You probably assign importance to tasks instinctively. The ones you think are most important come first, and the ones left for later, which you call ‘procrastination,’ are the ones you deem less important.”

Xia Jiao sighed. “Hmm…”

She thought about it. It was like her study habits in college—during the review week, she’d get excited, binge-read novels, play games, and keep putting off studying. It was the same with the thing she wanted to discuss with Wen Chongyue—it started in spring and had dragged into summer, and now autumn…

Xia Jiao instinctively wanted to wait until next spring to bring it up. Could it be that her brain had already categorized it as “not important”?

She said, “I thought this was called ‘giving up’.”

Wen Chongyue thought for a moment. “Isn’t that term similar to ‘being a lazybones’?”

Xia Jiao nodded. “Yes, pushing everything back, always thinking ‘I can do it later,’ ‘I can do it tomorrow.'”

Wen Chongyue laughed. “Because your brain, based on past experiences, knows you’ll eventually get it done.”

“Oh, that’s not it,” Xia Jiao said. “My brain is giving up. It comforts me by thinking, maybe I’ll die tomorrow, and then I won’t have to do anything.”

Wen Chongyue: “…”

Xia Jiao continued, “If I die, I won’t have to do it.”

Wen Chongyue strongly disagreed with her negative attitude and dragged her back to the bedroom, giving her a stern talking-to.

Back to work, Yu Qingzhen was still unable to recover the money. He vented to Xia Jiao, complaining that the red-haired guy was out again.

The red-haired father was rich. When he found out his son was detained, he hired a lawyer, checked the surveillance cameras of the shops on the street, and asked passers-by…

The store’s surveillance showed that when Yu Qingzhen fell, the red-haired man rushed over and held her.

Bystanders confirmed they heard him shout, “Wake up, are you okay?”

The red-haired guy admitted that when he saw Yu Qingzhen fall face-first, he was worried she might choke on her own vomit. In that panic, he remembered the first-aid techniques he had just learned in class and attempted to clear her airways and perform CPR.

The vocational school students and teachers confirmed that, indeed, they had just had a first-aid class that day, including how to perform CPR.

The high-definition surveillance footage showed, at first, the red-haired man did perform a somewhat unskilled CPR technique.

Yu Qingzhen didn’t believe it.

She had just been scammed out of money last week, and now after drinking, she had been touched by some “lowlife.” It was disgusting. Now, this red-haired guy was back out. Yu Qingzhen truly believed he must have used his connections to get out and was ranting to Xia Jiao, “He didn’t say a single honest word. Remember? That day at the police station, he admitted to molestation and even said he was an orphan, no father. But his father is alive and well…”

Xia Jiao also didn’t like this type of person, but she could only comfort Yu Qingzhen: “What if he’s telling the truth? Don’t overthink it, Qingzhen.”

In truth, Xia Jiao didn’t think this red-haired man, with his history of stalking, would do anything good.

Luckily, he didn’t show up outside the flower shop again.

Xia Jiao wholeheartedly prepared the bouquet for Grandma Song’s granddaughter. When the appointed time came, Grandma Song reviewed her proposed arrangement and nodded in approval. With plenty of free time after retirement, Grandma Song chatted with Xia Jiao while she worked, observing her technique of wrapping flowers. She was very interested and asked many questions with a smile.

Xia Jiao didn’t expect that Grandma Song’s granddaughter would be an acquaintance.

At 3 p.m., a sudden autumn rain began. Grandpa Song had left in a hurry and didn’t bring an umbrella. As the saying goes, after an autumn rain comes a cold, and the chilly wind made it inconvenient to push Grandma Song back. Fortunately, her granddaughter called, and after understanding the situation, she quickly brought thick clothes and drove over to pick them up.

With fewer customers on a rainy day, the temperature in the shop wasn’t very high. Xia Jiao applied for blankets for the guests, draped one over Grandma Song, and went to fetch some warm water to chat with her.

Grandma Song noticed the wedding ring on Xia Jiao’s finger and eagerly started a conversation with her. Grandma Song rarely talked about personal matters, but Xia Jiao didn’t mind and chatted openly about her family and previous work. However, when it came to her husband, Xia Jiao felt a little shy, a strange feeling.

It felt as though she had secretly hidden a rare treasure, excited and proud of keeping it to herself, yet unwilling to reveal it to others.

After some time, the doorbell rang, followed by the sound of high heels tapping against the floor. Xia Jiao stood up and saw Song Xiao, who was struggling to close her umbrella, pushing it forcefully into her stomach.

Song Xiao was surprised. She widened her eyes and unconsciously let go of the umbrella, which sprang open loudly before she managed to tighten her grip.

Xia Jiao smiled and greeted, “Miss Song, hello.”

Song Xiao froze for a moment, then hurriedly packed up the umbrella and extended her hand politely, “Hello.”

She had brought clothes for Grandma Song and put them on her before listening to her grandmother introduce her: “This is the florist girl I’ve been telling you about. Isn’t she gentle? Look at these flowers…”

Holding the flowers, Song Xiao finally composed herself and smiled at Grandma Song, “It’s great, Grandma, I know her.”

Grandma Song was puzzled, “What?”

“She’s my boss’s wife,” Song Xiao smiled and lowered her head, telling her grandmother, “I mentioned her before. She’s the wife of Aunt Bai’s son.”

“Ah, I remember now,” Grandma Song laughed, “How wonderful! A perfect match, a match made in heaven.”

Song Xiao smiled without a change in expression, chatting with Xia Jiao. Outside, the rain was letting up. As the storm passed, Song Xiao personally pushed the wheelchair, Grandpa Song held the umbrella, and the three of them, holding the flowers, were guided by Xia Jiao as they left the flower shop.

The air after the rain carried a faint earthy smell. Xia Jiao tilted her head, just about to breathe a sigh of relief, when she spotted a red blur in the distance. She turned around, but the figure quickly vanished from sight. The street corner was empty, as if nothing had happened.

When the seasons change, it’s easy to catch a cold. Despite Wen Chongyue’s efforts to make nourishing dishes for Xia Jiao, she inevitably caught a cold—her throat was sore, and her nose was stuffy.

She went to the community clinic to get some cold medicine. Wrapped in a blanket, she sat on the sofa, watching as Wen Chongyue prepared warm water and handed it to her with the medicine, gesturing for her to drink.

Taking medicine was a real struggle for Xia Jiao. After much effort, she finally swallowed it. Wen Chongyue gave her a piece of candy to suck on, hoping to soothe the nausea caused by the medicine.

Wen Chongyue was very concerned about her weak immune system and began thinking about whether to replan their meals, focusing on foods that would boost her vitamin intake.

“The doctor said you should eat more vitamin B2,” Wen Chongyue said, writing on his tablet, planning which ingredients to buy tomorrow. “From now on, you should eat more soybeans, mushrooms, and animal liver—”

“Wait,” Xia Jiao groaned, “I remember we have vitamin B1 tablets at home, remember? The last time I got seasick, you bought a bottle.”

Wen Chongyue put down the tablet, reached to feel her forehead, and sighed. “Is your cold that bad? I said you need more vitamin B2.”

“Oh,” Xia Jiao said slowly, “Then I’ll take two B1 tablets. Isn’t that the same as B2?”

Before she finished speaking, she saw Wen Chongyue pull out the instruction manual from the medicine box she had just taken, flipping it open and putting on his glasses to carefully examine it.

Xia Jiao asked, “What are you looking at?”

Wen Chongyue replied, “I’m looking for any drug contraindications, such as ‘turning a smart wife into a silly fool’ as a side effect.”