The Late-Night Porridge Stall

"Miss, you should head back."

Thien Thanh gently lifted her eyelids. The person who had just spoken was one of her father's former bodyguards. She was very good to Thien Thanh, so much so that Thien Thanh once wanted to adopt her as a foster mother or aunt, but she adamantly refused, silently following and protecting her every day.

Her coffee-colored eyes opened slightly, dreamy as if covered by a thin layer of mist. Her lips parted slightly as if to say something, but no sound came out. Ms. Hoai, standing beside her, only tilted her head slightly, then cast her gaze around again. Thien Thanh rubbed her eyes to clear her blurry vision. The starry sky shone brightly, enveloping her. She hadn't expected to fall asleep for so long. When she had lain down here, it was only midday, but now it was around seven or eight in the evening.

Stepping onto the dew-kissed grass, she searched for the shoes she had taken off earlier. The cool night breeze carried a faint scent of fresh grass and flowers, gentle like a mother's embrace. Looking back at the lush green yard now shrouded in darkness, Thien Thanh took a step forward, with Ms. Hoai walking shoulder-to-shoulder beside her. Despite being the young lady of a prestigious family, Thien Thanh rarely used cars or had anyone drive her. Having cared for Thien Thanh for many years, Ms. Hoai was well-accustomed to this habit.

The lit-up streets were beautiful, and the passersby had thinned out. Most people were at home, gathering around the dinner table with their loved ones. Only Thien Thanh simply strolled along the streets. Unbidden, a slight sense of self-pity crept into her heart.

"There's a late-night porridge stall over there, Thanh Thanh! Let's go there!"

Ms. Hoai rarely showed friendliness or concern for others, and even more rarely did she address her without proper honorifics. Thien Thanh looked at her in slight surprise, while Ms. Hoai easily met her questioning gaze and shrugged with a smile.

"Hurry up, you haven't eaten anything since noon, right?"

Thien Thanh's eyes rippled slightly before quickly returning to calm. She nodded gently and headed toward the small eatery on the street corner. The place was empty of customers, but the atmosphere was incredibly warm. The owners were an elderly couple, assisted by their granddaughter.

"This eatery, your parents used to visit it from time to time in the past. Your father met your mother here as well... Thanh Thanh, they were once as attached to this place as their own home. The elderly couple who run the shop didn't know your parents' family background; they just saw them visiting often back then and became friendly, gradually getting close. When they were still students, during their free time, your parents even came here to help out..."

Sensing the sorrow rising in the voice of the usually cold female bodyguard, Thien Thanh's heart seemed to skip a beat. She understood all too well Ms. Hoai's feelings toward her parents—not just respect, but also a deep familial bond. She also understood that at this moment, she should let this strong woman have a quiet space to be vulnerable. Glancing around the small shop once more, Thien Thanh suppressed a pang of loss. The scenery of the past must still be intact, only the people... were no longer there. Her curved eyelashes cast downward, appearing even longer under the night light.

"Are you... Thien Hoai?!"

"Yes, it's me, Grandma!"

"Oh my goodness! It is Hoai, isn't it? I knew it! We haven't met in so many years, yet you barely look any different. Have you found a sweetheart yet? And who is this girl? Is she your daughter...?"

"Grandma! Who would want to marry someone like me? It's been so long since I visited you and Grandpa, so today I brought the daughter of Huong and Hoang with me!"

Ms. Hoai forced a smile. Thien Thanh had never seen her make such a face. It was hard to describe, but she had to admit, seeing her in such a gentle demeanor, though unfamiliar, brought peace to Thien Thanh's heart. The old woman waved to the old man in the kitchen to come out, and kept asking questions. Faced with this sincere care, Thien Thanh felt a bit awkward but couldn't help the sweetness rising in her heart.

"Are you the daughter of Huong and Hoang? Time flies so fast, their daughter has already grown this big!"

The old woman's gaze at her was filled with a warm smile, causing ripples to stir in Thien Thanh's eyes once more. If her life was currently frozen, would there come a day when it melted? Would the freezing winter once again give way to a beautiful spring?