"Jie, after Zhiye finished organizing the room, although I wanted to help, she insisted that it was part of a wife's practice and didn't let me help. Instead, she asked me to sit at the low table and take a break. So I had to comply with Zhiye's wishes and quietly watched her. She really seemed like a good wife, and anyone who saw her would have this sudden thought - why do I have such a seemingly perfect girl by my side?

I had nothing to do, so I looked at the headlines on my phone to see if there was anything interesting. There didn't seem to be any exciting news, except for one that caught my attention - it was about women's-only subway cars being overcrowded with men. After reading it, I was surprised by this phenomenon, which seemed to be due to the lack of mandatory regulations. I heard that this phenomenon is quite common in Japan. So, has Zhiye ever encountered this situation?

Just as I shifted my attention away from my phone, I noticed that Zhiye was already sitting across from me. She smiled and placed a somewhat plain but nostalgic-looking bowl in front of me. It seemed to contain some kind of soup.

"This... feels like a soup I've never had before. It's not like the seaweed soup or kelp soup we have at home."

"This is miso soup. Jie, you may have never had it before... Actually, this can only be considered as an appetizer before a meal, but I'm sorry that I didn't have any ingredients since I just moved in. Luckily, the stove is intact and there's some firewood, so I can cook with it during this spare time. Zhiye managed to make something. It's... impressive."

"I... I feel sorry for not helping you, Zhiye."

"It's something I should do... Jie, please don't be so polite." Zhiye continued to smile.

I picked up the bowl and looked at the soup that Zhiye called miso soup. "Then I won't be polite." I took a sip and it tasted a bit salty.

"What's wrong? Jie, is it not good?" Upon seeing my slightly wrinkled face, Zhiye asked.

"It's a bit salty..."

"I'm sorry. I should have used less miso... And maybe you're not used to it since you're not Japanese. I didn't think it through. I've moved further away from being a proper wife. I should try harder," Zhiye said.

"Actually, Zhiye is already doing great. There's no need to try harder," I said.

"Even if you say that, I'm still unsatisfied with how I am now. I have to show a perfect side to Jie," Zhiye said with determination.

What would it feel like to have a perfect wife? I would probably feel inferior. Besides, who is perfect, anyway?

But seeing Zhiye so determined, I couldn't say anything. I just drank the miso soup as much as I could.

"Has Zhiye ever lived in Japan?" I thought about the news I just read, so I asked Zhiye, wanting to know the core question.

"Um... I lived in Japan for about two to three years when I was fifteen," Zhiye answered.

"Do you ever take the subway in Japan?"

"Of course... to stations like Hachioji and Ekoda, among others."

"So, are there women-only cars?"

"Women-only cars? They seem to be available during certain time periods... Most people in Japan take the subway."

"That's true. So, is it like in China where you have people's faces pressed against others' backs, and it's crowded?"

"It usually happens during the time after school and work," Zhiye responded.

"And do men try to squeeze into women-only cars?"

"That phenomenon does happen. Hmm... sometimes, out of 38 passengers, around 21 of them might be men."

Really? This is quite frightening. When I think about how women in Japan dress more openly, aren't there many perverts?

"So, sexual harassment incidents do occur..."

"No... really?" Although I also thought it might be possible, the phrase 'do occur' shouldn't be taken lightly.

"That's right... because there are no clear legal regulations, it's just a moral issue. It's similar to whether people follow civility or don't,"

"Then Zhiye probably hasn't encountered such things, right?"

"No, I haven't. I pay attention to these things. Jie, are you worried about someone harassing me? That's absolutely impossible. The only person who can harass me is you.""Don't talk about your most important things so casually," I couldn't help but quip.

"I'm sorry..." Zhiye blushed.

"Thanks for having me." I finished the soup, handed the empty bowl to Zhiye.

"Would you like another bowl?" Zhiye asked.

"No, thank you."

"Alright, I'll go wash the bowls. Jie, feel free to do whatever you want," Zhiye stood up and left the room.

"Do whatever I want?" I muttered to myself as I lay back on the floor. I looked at the antique lamp on the ceiling and suddenly felt a little drowsy. Before I knew it, I fell asleep.

A speeding truck hit a little girl and then everything turned red.

"Ah~~~!" I woke up suddenly, realizing that I was drenched in sweat, with my back soaked.

"Jie, did you have a nightmare?" Zhiye knelt beside me, her voice filled with concern.

"I just dreamed of the scene when Feiya was hit by a car..." I said, still feeling shaken.

"It's okay... Jie, don't worry. Besides, that has nothing to do with you."

"But..." before I could finish, Zhiye's lips pressed against mine, causing me to feel confused. When she pulled away, my face felt hot.

"Feeling better?" Zhiye's face was also flushed. "No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."

"Um..." I nodded silently.

"By the way, it's already dark outside. Shall we go to the public bath, Jie?"

"Public bath?"

"There's a public bath here as well. It's quite nice, and sometimes I go with my mother. They even have hot springs. My mother used to take me to hot springs in Japan. It's really relaxing and comfortable. Plus, you're all sweaty, Jie."

"Is that so?"

"Anyway, let's go now, Jie. Is that okay?"

"I guess it's fine."

"Then let me prepare." Zhiye hurriedly left the room, and I stood up, feeling a bit numb in my legs and a sore neck.

Go to the public bath? Although I've never been, just the thought of being in a pool with a group of people of the same gender...

I... I'm not shy at all.

"Jie, are you ready to go?"

"Ah~ yes." As I stepped out of the room, I saw Zhiye carrying a bag.

"What's in your hand, Zhiye?"

"Allow me to keep it a secret," Zhiye smiled shyly. Why does it have to be so mysterious?

After putting on our shoes, Zhiye and I left the mansion. However, Zhiye still remembered to lock the door. After all, it's important to be cautious. Yumin Village was quiet at night, with distant fields lit up by small green lights, probably fireflies. You can probably only see these insects in the countryside. Walking on the cemented road, there were street lamps on both sides, illuminating the path ahead.

The city is much noisier than the countryside, filled with cars and constant noise. It's hard to find a place to calm down and appreciate the scenery.

People are too busy every day, unable to find the time to enjoy the view. Besides, the city doesn't have much to offer in terms of beautiful scenery.

"Jie, it's the first time for us to take a walk together at night," Zhiye said happily.

"I think it's my first time too."

"How do you feel about this place, Jie?"

"It feels warm here." I almost forgot that the city I lived in had temperatures in the teens, while here it was at least in the twenties.

"My father decided to settle here because it's warmer. Unfortunately, he had to leave because of work," Zhiye said with some regret.

"That's just how things are."

"Yeah, um... Jie." Suddenly, Zhiye stopped and faced me. I was confused. "What's wrong?"

"Can we keep living here together forever?" Zhiye asked seriously.

"Living here forever... sure, as long as Zhiye wants to." I didn't have much choice, and having a place to stay seemed pretty good to me."Settling down here and having a bunch of children," Zhiye said dreamily.

"Well..."

"Isn't that the way it's supposed to be?" Zhiye looked puzzled.

"It's... too fast, especially for someone like me who is underage."

"But I'm already of legal age," Zhiye said earnestly.

"This seems to have strayed from the essence of the problem."

Zhiye tilted their head in confusion. They looked kind of cute... No, that's not right.

"We're here," Zhiye pointed ahead. The bathhouse looks a bit rustic. Once we go inside, there are two entrances, one for men and one for women.

"Then I'll go inside..." I pointed at the 'men' sign.

"Wait, Jie."

"What else is it?"

At this point, Zhiye opened their bag and took out something that looked like a piece of clothing. "This is the yukata my father wore when he went to the bathhouse in Japan. He didn't wear it much because it was a bit small..."

"Can I wear it? What's it for?"

"Of course... I also want to see what Jie looks like wearing it. Besides, Jie's clothes are soaked, right? Jie must have sweated a lot earlier... As long as Jie doesn't mind." Actually, Zhiye seemed like they really wanted me to wear it. I didn't want to disappoint them, and besides, the clothes I was wearing were uncomfortable. Even though I had taken off a few pieces of clothing since it was warm here, it would be better to wear a short-sleeved and thinner pair of pants.

"Well... I will respectfully go along with the request," I took the yukata that Zhiye handed to me.

"Okay, see you inside, Jie..." After saying that, we each went in. Once inside, I noticed that the space was quite spacious. There was a place to store clothes in the front. Anyway, I just watched what others were doing and followed suit. After passing through the changing room, there was a large water pool that could accommodate many people. It seemed that steam was rising from the pool.

Suddenly, I felt like a country bumpkin. It was my first time in a place like this, but this place was clearly in the countryside. It confused me.

Anyway, after washing myself on the side, I entered the water pool. When my body entered the water, that comfortable feeling suddenly overwhelmed me. It was like drinking a cup of hot water in a cold season, making my whole body warm. I don't know how long I stayed in there, but I felt a little dizzy and finally got out of the water.