The harvest season had finally arrived.
The sky stretched wide and cloudless, while a cool breeze gently swept across the golden rice fields surrounding Jian Mo's home. The scent of fertile soil, accompanied by the chirping of crickets and the rustle of leaves, created a natural symphony that signaled the time to reap. Though their village wasn't large, the fields buzzed with contagious energy. Laughter and cheerful shouts echoed among the swaying golden stalks.
Jian Mo stood at the edge of the field, gazing at the fruits of their months-long labor. In his right hand, he held a large machete he had sharpened earlier that morning. His daughter, Su Daji, wore a woven bamboo hat and carried a rattan basket on her back. Tang Wu, their neighbor who had become like family, stood ready with harvest ropes and his usual wide grin.
> "Come on, Daji! Grab that stalk—yes, the lower one!" Jian Mo called out, pointing at a cluster of ripe rice swaying in the breeze.
Su Daji stepped forward with fiery enthusiasm. She tried to mimic her father's harvesting motion, but her balance was still off. Her hands trembled slightly, and before long, she tripped and fell into a soft pile of straw.
> "Dad, I think I just harvested straw, not rice!" she shouted, laughing as her body nearly vanished into the stack.
Jian Mo couldn't help but smile. He walked over and extended his hand.
> "That's still the result of your hard work, Daji. Try again. Harvesting takes time and patience."
Meanwhile, Tang Wu was pulling a basket filled with freshly cut rice. He waved from a distance, breathing heavily but with a cheerful face.
> "Master! Don't we need some scarecrows? Seems like the birds took the day off today!"
Suddenly, from the direction of their small house, Leon appeared carrying a bundle of warm whole wheat bread. He walked over with a relaxed stride and a big smile.
> "If the birds are on strike, maybe they'd rather go to the festival tomorrow. I heard there'll be free food!"
Su Daji, just getting up from the hay pile, glanced at Leon and grinned mischievously. She raised her arms and began flapping like wings.
> "I'm faster than any bird! Watch this!" she cried, running around the field flapping her arms, causing laughter to burst out among them.
> "You look more like a chicken that lost its nest!" Tang Wu teased, sending another wave of laughter through the field.
Leon laughed along, then grabbed one of the rice baskets. But misfortune struck—after just a few steps, he slipped into a hidden ditch covered in grass. He landed with a splash, rice scattering everywhere, his clothes soaked.
> "Ow! Why is this place full of traps?!" he groaned, trying to get up.
> "Well, now you know how the rice feels!" Tang Wu quipped, prompting another round of laughter.
Though exhausted, the day felt perfect. The field that afternoon was bathed in warm sunlight, the scent of harvest, and the sound of joy. They sat for a moment at the edge of the field, smiling in satisfaction at the piles of rice they had gathered. Nothing luxurious—but a deep sense of gratitude filled their hearts.
As evening approached, they walked home slowly. Their house was simple, but warm. Dinner was modest—rice from the last harvest, clear vegetable soup, salted fish, and steaming hot tea in clay bowls.
At the dinner table, silence lingered for a moment. They glanced at each other, smiled, and chuckled softly as they recalled the day's events.
> "Today was wonderful," Jian Mo murmured, gazing out the window at the now-darkened field.
> "We're going to Duyin City tomorrow, right?" Su Daji asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.
> "Yes. We'll celebrate our hard work. The harvest festival awaits," Jian Mo replied, his voice soft but full of meaning.
And night fell, wrapping the day in peace.
---