Dreams of the Water Village

As the seventh largest freshwater lake in China, this lake boasts a prime geographical location and an abundance of waterfowl. Lin Xia lounged lazily atop the motorboat, her face shaded by a hat, listening to the lively chatter of Liu Ai and Zhong Ling as a gentle breeze drifted by—pure tranquility.

This would be her last time living on the water. Two years later, the government designated the area a national nature reserve, protecting its freshwater resources and ecosystem and prohibiting fishing and aquaculture. Naturally, there would be no chance for such an excursion again. There was a tourist spot—Heart of the Lake Island—but it was man-made, and could never rival the natural beauty of endless emerald lotus leaves touching the sky and radiant red blossoms glowing in the sun.

Suddenly, someone snatched the hat from her face. Frowning, Lin Xia saw Zhong Ling grinning at her. “Sis, why do you look like an old man when you smile? Come on, let’s discuss what we’ll do tomorrow,” she urged.

“Exactly! I’m definitely going swimming,” Lin Hui interjected eagerly.

Zhong Duo chimed in, “Me too. I want a swimming race.”

Lin Xia sighed inwardly. Swimming was beyond her, in both her lives combined.

So she replied vaguely, “You four boys go ahead and swim. Lingling and I, being ladies, will row out to gather lotus pods and water caltrops.”

As they drifted past patches of lotus flowers, Lin Xia’s heart brimmed with anticipation. This was the watery paradise of her dreams.

Grown up now, living in the bustling metropolis, she often dreamed of this place—untouched, unembellished, and real, with lotus flowers that settled gently in her memory. The things that happened here were like warm, colorful fragments in her heart: incomplete, yet the most perfect memories.

Blue sky, clear water, shifting clouds, drifting shadows.

The chorus of frogs rose and fell, like lines of poetry woven through her life.

She lay at the bow, arms for a pillow, while Liu Ai and the others swam, occasionally clinging to the boat’s edge, Lingling nearby, smiling quietly and chatting.

A light rain began to fall, and they scrambled into the covered boat for shelter, laughing at each other’s bedraggled appearances.

From afar, the wind carried the sweet scent of water and the delicate fragrance of lotus leaves. Let time flow as it may; in this moment, she knew only peace.

“Could one pluck lotuses in the Southlands, where broad leaves spread across the fields? Fish dart among them—east, west, south, and north.” Lin Xia recited with a smile. “Such beautiful lines—I simply must recreate them.”

Liu Ai scoffed, “You’re no southern belle. Even if you imitate them, you’re just making a fool of yourself. Wouldn’t it be better to swim with us? At least you’d seem more lively. Don’t you all agree?”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Those words were ones Lin Xia herself had once written. Now, it seemed, she’d set her own trap.

Feigning annoyance, Lin Xia threatened, “Just you wait, I’ll show you my unbeatable grappling technique!”

“Ha! Watch my Agumon’s special move—Mini Water Blast!” Lin Hui splashed her.

“Please, then I’m Agumon’s evolved form—watch my Tyrannosaurus Rex’s move—Super Water Blast!” Lin Xia retaliated, accidentally offending everyone.

“As expected, when the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer too,” Liu Hao remarked dryly. “Well then, we can’t just stand by. Watch my Shadow Wing Slash!”

A huge splash of water flew, soaking even Fourth Aunt.

Her face darkened. “You lot, sit properly! Stop making trouble, or do you think our boat isn’t small enough? Soon we’ll pass by the Blue Sky Company, and someone will speed by in a motorboat. If you don’t want to capsize, behave yourselves.”

The children went quiet at once.

Sure enough, after five minutes, they entered the Blue Sky Company’s territory. Lin Xia regarded the once-prosperous company with interest as their boat drifted past, leaving only a sigh behind.

She gazed idly at the scenery on both banks, then, finding it unremarkable, took out a novel from her backpack to read.

“Hey, sis, why did you have Mom pack so many vegetables? Don’t you get tired of eating them every day?” Lin Hui asked curiously, nudging the burlap sack at his feet.

Lin Xia’s family sold vegetables, so these didn’t cost much. With so many children visiting Fourth Aunt’s home, it wouldn’t do to arrive empty-handed, and with Lin Xia’s urging, her mother had packed three sacks full of greens and radishes.

Added to the two bags Fourth Aunt had bought, six adolescent children and two adults would be well supplied for more than a week.

In her past life, Lin Xia hadn’t understood the realities of the fishing region, and Fourth Aunt had underestimated their appetites. They’d only brought three bags of vegetables.

In the fishing district, fields stretched for hundreds of miles with scarcely a patch of earth in sight.

When the vegetables ran out, they ate fish every day for the final days. Fourth Aunt tried every possible way to cook it—stir-fried, steamed, fried, grilled, even sashimi.

By the end, they couldn’t bear the sight of fish.

Fortunately, there was no shortage of lotus seeds and water caltrops, which at least offered some variety.

Thinking of those miserable days, Lin Xia shuddered and glanced at the five full sacks of vegetables, feeling reassured.

This time, there would surely be enough to eat.