Jin Kai woke gradually as warm morning sunlight streamed through the small window and fell across his face.
He blinked a few times, letting his eyes adjust to the bright golden light. The room felt different in the daylight cozier, somehow more alive. Slowly, he pushed himself up into a sitting position on the edge of the bed. His body still ached in many places, especially around his ribs and back, but the pain was noticeably duller than yesterday. He felt lighter, stronger, as if his God Kin physique had worked tirelessly through the night to repair the damage from the fall.
Testing his limits, Jin Kai placed his bare feet on the cool wooden floor. He stood up carefully, surprised at how steady he felt. The bandages around his torso and arms were still in place, but the heavy exhaustion from the previous day had largely lifted.
He walked slowly to the window and looked out, drawn by the breathtaking sight of the sunrise painting the sea in hues of orange and pink. The gentle sound of waves rolling onto the shore filled the quiet morning air. For a moment, he simply stood there, enjoying the peaceful view and the warmth of the sun on his skin.Then his gaze shifted further down the beach.
In the distance, a small wooden boat was approaching the shore. Ruo Lan was standing in it, rowing with practiced ease. As the boat reached shallow water, she jumped out barefoot into the surf, her plain dress clinging to her slender frame, soaked from the sea spray. She bent down and grabbed a large fishing net heavy with the morning's catch silver fish glittering in the sunlight and began dragging it through the wet sand toward the small cabin. Jin Kai watched, transfixed.
The rising sun behind her created a soft halo around her figure, turning the droplets of water on her skin and hair into tiny sparks of light. Despite the physical effort, her movements were graceful. Her long black hair was slightly messy from the sea breeze and water, a few strands sticking to her neck and cheeks. She walked barefoot across the sand with quiet determination, the hem of her wet dress trailing behind her.
Seeing such a petite and elegant lady exerting herself like this drenched, working hard without complaint stirred something deep within Jin Kai. He found himself admiring her even more. There was a quiet strength and beauty in her that felt refreshingly real compared to the stagnant perfection of the God Realm.
Ruo Lan looked up as she drew closer to the cabin and noticed him standing at the window. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, then softened with a warm smile.
"You're up already?" she called out, her voice carrying lightly on the morning breeze. She gave the heavy net one last tug before leaving it near the entrance. "I didn't expect you to be on your feet so soon. How are you feeling this morning?"
Jin Kai stepped away from the window and moved toward the door of the cabin, still moving with careful steps. As he opened it and stepped outside into the fresh sea air, he couldn't help but keep his gaze on her.
"Much better," he replied honestly, his voice clearer than the night before. "Thank you… for everything."
Ruo Lan brushed a wet strand of hair away from her face, a light flush coloring her cheeks — whether from the morning exercise or his steady gaze, it was hard to tell.
"I'm glad," she said softly. "You still need to take it easy, though. Come, let me help you back inside. Breakfast will be ready soon."
Ruo Lan walked beside him as they entered the small cabin, her bare feet leaving faint damp prints on the wooden floor. The morning sunlight poured through the windows, brightening the modest interior. The kitchen and dining area were simple and well-used. A sturdy cutting bench stood against one wall next to a small stone sink for washing. In the center of the room sat a round wooden table surrounded by just enough chairs for eight people — clearly made for her and the five children.
"Just take a seat at the table, Jin Kai," Ruo Lan said gently. "You're still injured. The kids will also be waking up soon."
Jin Kai hesitated for a moment, then replied softly, "Sorry I can't help you, Ruo Lan."
She shook her head cutely, a small smile playing on her lips. "That's okay, Jin Kai. I've been doing this for a while — helping feed the kids. Feeding one more person isn't a problem at all."
In her attempt to reassure him, Ruo Lan suddenly raised her left arm and flexed it, trying to show off her "strength." However, her arm remained slender and delicate, with barely any visible muscle. The gesture looked more endearing than impressive.
"Why did I do that…" she murmured to herself, barely audible, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink.
Flustered, she quickly lowered her arm and turned slightly away, tapping both of her cheeks with her fingertips as if trying to cool them down. After a second, she composed herself and turned back to Jin Kai, her voice a little firmer but still soft.
"Just sit there!"
Jin Kai couldn't help but find the entire sequence amusing and adorable. He wondered briefly if all girls in the mortal realm were this naturally expressive and endearing. Without arguing further, he nodded and took a seat at the round table, watching her with quiet interest.
Ruo Lan moved efficiently around the small kitchen. She first hung the large net of fresh fish near the sink, then began preparing breakfast with practiced hands — slicing vegetables, heating a simple pot of porridge over the small stove, and seasoning the morning's catch. Even with her dress still slightly damp from the sea, she moved with graceful efficiency, occasionally glancing over at him to make sure he stayed seated.
The sound of soft footsteps and sleepy voices soon drifted in from the other rooms. The five children were beginning to wake up.
Jin Kai sat quietly at the table, the warm morning light washing over him. He could feel his body continuing to heal, the pain slowly fading into the background. Yet his attention kept drifting back to Ruo Lan to the way she hummed softly while working, to the faint blush that still lingered on her cheeks, and to the quiet strength she carried in such a humble life.
For the first time since descending from the God Realm, he felt a genuine sense of warmth and belonging in this simple moment.