The woman remained silent for a long time. Just as Liu Ming'an was beginning to wonder, he heard her speak: "My name is Jiang Ning."
This was the last name she had before she died. Since she died with this name, she might as well live another life with it.
"Is that Jiang as in 'rivers and mountains like a painting,' and Ning as in 'peace throughout the land'?" Liu Ming'an asked, thinking the name sounded somewhat masculine.
"Jiang as in 'ginger and cinnamon,' and Ning as in 'focus with eyes and heart,'" she replied.
Liu Ming'an repeated the name Jiang Ning in his mind, then heard her ask, "Do you have a mirror?"
Liu Ming'an hesitated for a moment before turning to fetch a wooden box from the bottom of a nearby cabinet. It contained his parents' belongings.
Jiang Ning waited for a while before Liu Ming'an returned with the mirror, holding it up before her with both hands so she could see herself clearly without effort.
Jiang Ning squinted slightly at her reflection. Although her face was unrecognizable, looking at her eyebrows, eyes, lips, and nose, it was clearly identical to her face before she died, only younger – she appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.
No woman is indifferent to her appearance, Liu Ming'an thought, and spoke to comfort her: "Miss Jiang Ning, appearance is merely superficial. Even the most beautiful face will return to dust after death. In life..."
"You're rambling," Jiang Ning thought to herself, but said aloud, "Put it away. I'm tired." With that, she closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.
Seeing this, Liu Ming'an put the mirror away and sat down at a nearby table. He laid out paper and writing brushes, picked up a book, and began his own work.
As the sky gradually darkened, Liu Ming'an noticed it was becoming difficult to read. He got up to light an oil lamp. The small flame illuminated the quiet room.
Absorbed in his book, Liu Ming'an didn't notice that Jiang Ning had long since opened her eyes and was watching him intently.
As usual, Liu Ming'an studied until the end of the hai hour (around 11 PM). He then put away the writing materials on the table and took two thick clothes from a nearby cabinet. He draped one over himself and folded the other into a square, placing it on the table. He was about to blow out the oil lamp when Jiang Ning spoke.
"Where do you plan to sleep?" she asked, having watched his movements all along.
Liu Ming'an turned to look at her, smiling a bit embarrassedly. "My home is bare. There's only one bed. I'm sorry for the poor accommodation, Miss Jiang Ning."
"Have you always lived alone?" she wondered, thinking of parents or family members.
"I've moved once," Liu Ming'an replied simply.
Jiang Ning was silent for a moment before asking, "Didn't you buy me to have children?"
"You misunderstand," Liu Ming'an finally realized why Jiang Ning had been looking at him that way when she woke up earlier. He hurriedly explained, "I only couldn't bear to see you suffer. Once you've recovered here, I'll help you leave."
Jiang Ning stared at him expressionlessly. Liu Ming'an returned her gaze with a faint smile, his eyes clear and sincere.
After a while, Jiang Ning looked away and closed her eyes.
She was lucky to have met a kind person. At last, she could sleep peacefully.
Liu Ming'an blew out the oil lamp and fell asleep on the table. The room plunged into darkness and silence.
The weakened Jiang Ning fell into a deep sleep but, at some point, inexplicably woke up with perfect clarity.
As soon as she opened her eyes, Jiang Ning noticed something was amiss. Instead of the thatched roof of Liu Ming'an's house, she saw a row of bamboo beams. She quickly turned her head to the side and found no one there. This was a bamboo house, and she was lying on a bamboo bed.
Soon, Jiang Ning discovered something even more significant – her injuries had completely healed. She could move her hands and feet freely, and her body was full of energy.
What was happening?
Had she died again? Was this another world?
Jiang Ning sat up on the bamboo bed, looking at her unscathed limbs, her mind filled with doubt and confusion. In just one day, she had experienced death, rebirth, and now found herself in this unfamiliar place. The series of events left her feeling overwhelmed.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" A clear chicken's crow rang out, followed by a man's voice from somewhere nearby: "It's dawn."
Jiang Ning couldn't see anyone, but the man's voice seemed close by and familiar – it was Liu Ming'an.
In the next instant, Jiang Ning's eyes flew open. She was back in the thatched house, lying on the coarse bedsheet, once again a cripple unable to move her broken limbs.
Was that just a dream? Jiang Ning wondered, turning her head to the side. Sure enough, Liu Ming'an had risen and was stretching his stiff muscles. A man of nearly six feet tall sleeping hunched over a small table all night must have been uncomfortable.
Liu Ming'an sensed someone watching him and turned to find Jiang Ning looking his way.
"Miss Jiang Ning, did the rooster's crow wake you?" Liu Ming'an asked with a smile.
Jiang Ning, still pondering the bamboo house from her dream, didn't answer.
Unfazed by her coldness, Liu Ming'an continued, "That's He Zhao's rooster. It crows at this time every day. You should go back to sleep. I'll prepare breakfast."
With that, Liu Ming'an ducked into the kitchen. After a flurry of activity, he emerged half an hour later with a bowl and sat down beside the bed.
"Here, let me feed you," Liu Ming'an said, scooping up a spoonful and bringing it to Jiang Ning's lips.
One whiff told Jiang Ning it was the same vegetable porridge as last night, equally bitter and astringent. The only improvement was that the rice was fully cooked this time.
After feeding Jiang Ning, Liu Ming'an finished his own meal and washed the dishes. Then he left, closing the door behind him.
Jiang Ning's gaze followed him until his figure disappeared beyond the doorway. Only then did she close her eyes to rest. The night's sleep had improved her spirits, but her injuries seemed to hurt more, especially where the bones in her hands and feet were broken. The pain came in waves, like a relentless tide.
Time passed, and suddenly Jiang Ning heard footsteps outside, along with Liu Ming'an's voice: "Third Great Aunt, this way."
"This old woman's back is still strong, no need to support me," another voice replied, belonging to an elderly woman. The pair were walking towards the house.
With a creak, the door opened. Liu Ming'an entered with a white-haired old woman – evidently the "Third Great Aunt" he had addressed earlier.
Third Great Aunt walked straight to the bedside. Looking at Jiang Ning's blood-stained face, she sighed. She lifted the blanket, frowning at the blood-soaked clothes, and muttered, "What a tragedy."
Liu Ming'an spoke up, "Third Great Aunt, I'll go boil some water. Please, have a seat here for a moment."
"Oh, you can go now!" Third Great Aunt's eyes never left Jiang Ning, her face full of sympathy.
Jiang Ning listened to their conversation and looked at the few old clothes the elderly woman was holding in her arms. She guessed that Liu Ming'an had asked her to come and take care of her. This body of hers had clearly endured some kind of torment—not only was it covered in injuries, but her clothes were tattered, her face was grimy, and her hair was nearly matted.
"Ah, child, who beat you so badly? They were far too cruel," Third Great Aunt asked with concern, her voice tinged with sorrow.
"I don't know," Jiang Ning replied honestly.
Third Great Aunt assumed she didn't want to talk about it and didn't press further, fearing she might touch upon a painful subject.