‘SEE YOU MORNING’ 009 The House of Love 《晓欣卿》009爱的小屋
Li Haojun knelt on one knee before her, wrapping his arms around her hips, pressing his face against her lower abdomen, kissing her as he buried his head deep into the ocean of life.
李皓珺单膝跪在她面前，双臂搂着她的臀部，脸贴着她的小腹，一边亲吻一边把头埋入生命的海洋。
Morning light streamed through the curtains onto the bed. Recalling the intimate moments from the previous night, Qin Wenjing had no desire to get up. She loved the way Li Haojun admired women, and how he doted on her as his woman. Lying lazily on the bed, she lingered in the faint scent that still seemed to hang on the sheets from the night before.
晨光已透过窗帘洒在床上，覃文静回忆着昨晚的缠绵，不想起床。她喜欢李皓珺那种对女性的崇拜，喜欢他把自己作为他的女人宠爱。懒懒的，趴在床上还不想起床，眷恋床单上似乎残留的昨晚的气息。
He did not come to her side that morning. She heard soft noises coming from the yard outside. After lying idle for quite a while and seeing no sign of him, she stretched, wrapped herself tightly in a blanket, revealing her graceful figure, and walked barefoot into the living room.
然而今早他并没有前来报到，只听到院子里有细碎的声音，覃文静又懒了好一阵子，不见他来，才伸着懒腰起来，扯上毛毯，把自己一裹，双手扯紧，显出婀娜的身材，光着脚走到客厅。
The sounds came from Li Haojun. He was prying up the floor tiles in the yard right in front of the living room's French windows to expose the soil. He then lined the area with bricks to build a long narrow flower bed beside the glass window, adding a touch of beauty to the place.
原来是李皓珺弄出来的声音，他正在翻开客厅落地窗前院子里的地砖，露出泥土，又把砖砌在周边形成一个可以种植的长条小花坛，就在玻璃窗前，倒也可以增添几分异彩。
Qin Wenjing walked outside and squatted down beside him to watch. He worked busily with a hammer and a shovel, his hands covered in dirt, talking as he worked.
覃文静走出门，蹲在李皓珺身边看了一阵，只见他锤子铲子齐上阵，弄了满手泥土，边改造边描述，
"I plan to plant tulips in this flower bed in front of the living room. We can add other kinds of flowers later, but only low-growing ones, otherwise they will block the sunlight inside the house."
“客厅前边这一条花池我把郁金香种在这里，以后也可以补充点别的花，但是只能种长不高的，不然遮挡室内采光。”
"I will plant various rose bushes in the shaded areas along the wall, and put up a bench there. What do you think? When the flowers flourish in time, we can enjoy romantic moments beneath the blossoms and the moonlight. Do you like the idea?"
“然后买来的各种月季，我种在墙边比较幽暗的所在，再布置一条长椅，你看好不好，等将来它们长得茂盛了，我们也体会一下花前月下，喜欢吗？”
"Sure, sounds great." Qin Wenjing replied casually. Seeing how focused he was with dirt all over his hands, she knew there would be no tenderness from him that morning, and a hint of complaint rose in her heart. She wondered if men were always ruled by desire—having been satisfied the night before, he simply ignored her now.
“好啊好啊。”覃文静随便回答着，看李皓珺那认真劲头，满手的泥土，自知今早没戏了，不由得心里埋怨，臭男人是不是欲望动物，昨晚满足了，今早就这么把人家忽略了。
"Carry on with your work then. I'll go make breakfast." With that, she slung the blanket over her shoulder, went back inside to get dressed, and headed for the kitchen. She did not look back, unaware that Li Haojun was watching her waist, legs and graceful steps through the glass window.
“那你先弄吧，我去做早饭。”说完覃文静起身随意把毛毯往肩上一扛，回屋换衣裳去了厨房。她没有回头，她不知道李皓珺正透过玻璃窗欣赏着她的腰肢，大腿，她走路的步伐。
Qin Wenjing was already seated at the dining table waiting when Li Haojun came to wash his hands. It took him quite some time to scrub the dirt out from under his fingernails. There was no new food prepared that morning; they would have leftover chicken soup from the previous night, along with bread, sausages and jam. Li Haojun did not complain about the simple meal, for he had no reason to when everything was ready for him. Qin Wenjing had not dressed up either, simply brushing her long hair over her left shoulder and staying in her pajamas.
早饭餐桌上，覃文静已经坐在那里等待了，李皓珺还在洗手，清洗指甲里的泥土很费事。今早没有新做什么食物，还是昨晚的鸡汤，随便准备点面包香肠果酱。李皓珺也不挑剔食物，都不用自己动手还要求什么呢。覃文静今早也没有特意打扮，还是把长发往左肩一拢，只穿了睡衣。
Li Haojun was starving. He finished his meal quickly. Seeing that Qin Wenjing was still eating, he did not leave her alone. He sat across from her and talked about his plans for renovating their home.
李皓珺早就饿了，三下五除二吃完，看覃文静还没吃完，也不好撇下人家。便陪坐在对面，讲述自己的家园装修设想。
Qin Wenjing said nothing, lowering her head to eat slowly. When he finished speaking, she lifted her head gently and asked, "What made you decide to do all this?"
覃文静不声不响，只是慢慢低着头吃喝，等李皓珺说得差不多了，轻轻抬起头问，“你怎么会想要做这些事情了？”
Li Haojun thought for a moment and answered, "I don't know. It just came over me. I just think our little home could be even better."
李皓珺想了想，说，“不知道，心血来潮吧，我也不知道怎么想的，就是觉得咱们的小窝可以改造得更好一点。”
Qin Wenjing let out a soft chuckle and asked, "Better in what way exactly?"
覃文静噗嗤笑了，问，“具体哪方面呢？你想要更好？”
"I want us to achieve energy independence," Li Haojun answered without hesitation. "We are not on the coast of Los Angeles, so we face no threats of earthquakes or tsunamis. Still, I don't want our lives disrupted if the national power grid fails due to other natural disasters or social unrest. I intend to buy the several acres of land next to our property to build a solar farm, and install a large capacitor underground. That way, on days with decent sunshine, we can generate enough power to cover our needs all year round."
李皓珺毫不犹豫地说，“能源自由，虽然这里不是洛杉矶海边，没有地震海啸威胁，那我也不希望因为其它自然灾害，社会混乱造成国家电网失效影响我们。我想买下我们家相邻的那几英亩土地，用作太阳能农场，在地下做一个大电容，这样有差不多的晴天就能满足我们全年用电。”
Qin Wenjing listened quietly, a fleeting smile crossing her face before it faded away.
覃文静低头慢慢听着，脸上闪过一丝微笑转瞬又消散了，问，
"That's quite a big project. Do you have enough time to get it done?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized they sounded inappropriate and quickly added, "I'll treat you well once you finish all the work." She stood up to clear the table after finishing her breakfast.
“你的工程好大呦，你有时间完成吗？”话一出口，覃文静觉得此话不妥，急忙补充道，“等你大功告成我犒劳犒劳你啊。”说着覃文静也吃完了，起身收拾桌子。
Li Haojun noticed her shifting moods but asked no questions. He helped carry the tableware to the kitchen. While she washed the dishes, he walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her cheeks and earlobes. Qin Wenjing slowed down her movements, savouring this warm and peaceful moment together.
李皓珺看出覃文静的情绪起伏，什么也没问，也帮着往厨房端碗筷。跟着走到厨房，趁她刷碗，站在她身后搂着她的腰，亲吻她的脸颊，耳垂儿。覃文静也放慢手里的活计，慢慢体验这共享的温馨时刻。
After breakfast, it was time to attend to daily work. As usual, Qin Wenjing checked the factory's production records, supply chain arrangements and other work schedules. The company adopted an extremely flat management structure. With the assistance of artificial intelligence, the general manager assigned tasks directly to every staff member.
早餐完毕，该做正事了，覃文静还是例常查看工厂生产记录，供应链安排情况，有无其它工作安排。公司的管理极其扁平化，在人工智能的辅助下，公司执行经理直接把工作分解到各个岗位人员。
The sun climbed higher above the treetops, and the golden glow of early morning faded away. The newly turned damp soil in the flower bed Li Haojun had built by the window gradually dried in the sun. The traces of his busy figure were still fresh in her mind, yet the yard stood empty under the bright sunshine. Qin Wenjing walked to the window. The bright sunlight could not fill the emptiness in her heart. The sight of the spot where Li Haojun had stood brought her no comfort or companionship.
上午时光，太阳从树梢步步走高，已不见了清晨的金色韶光。阳光下客厅窗前李皓珺改造的花坛，新翻出来的湿土已经渐渐变干，刚刚翻土人的身影还历历在目，现在艳阳高照却只剩下空荡院落。覃文静起身走到窗前，纵使暖阳高照也无法温暖空旷的心灵，眼前曾出现李皓珺的身影，却没能带来半分陪伴与慰藉。
She turned to face the dim, empty depths of the living room. The walls blocked her view of the man she cared for. She hurried down the corridor, pushed open the back door, and looked around anxiously for him.
覃文静转身面对客厅深处，阴暗而空洞，墙垣的阻隔让她看不见自己的心上人。覃文静快步走过走廊推开后门，急切地巡视着那个身影，
"Haojun!" She called out, resting one hand on the doorframe. Her voice was soft yet tinged with sorrow.
“皓珺！”覃文静手扶门框喊出他的名字，那声音不大，却几近凄凉。
Li Haojun was measuring the land. He turned around in a hurry upon hearing her voice and saw her standing at the door. Stunned for a second, he strode quickly towards her. Qin Wenjing's legs went weak as she stepped forward, and she fell into his embrace. Li Haojun held her firmly by the waist to support her and asked softly, "What's wrong?" He knew something was making her emotionally unstable that day, and he understood he needed to do more to stay by her side steadily for a long time. He kept one arm around her waist and brushed her hair aside with his other hand.
李皓珺正在测量土地，听到覃文静的声音急忙回头，只见覃文静手扶门框正看着自己。李皓珺愣了一下，急忙迎面快步过去，覃文静向前迈步腿一软，扑进李皓珺的怀里，李皓珺也急忙搂着她的腰，扶住她，轻声问，“怎么了？”，李皓珺知道，有些原因让她今天的情绪异常不稳定，他也知道自己要做些事情让自己陪伴她更长久稳定。说着用左手搂着她的腰，右手撩起她的头发。
Qin Wenjing slowly lifted her head to look at him, then said, "Stay with me." She buried her face back into his chest.
覃文静慢慢抬头，看了一眼李皓珺，说，“陪着我。”说完又把头埋进他怀里。
They stood embracing each other on the backyard path. The sun rose higher, its warm rays spilling over the rooftops and wrapping around them. The flowers and plants in the yard exuded vibrant and sweet fragrance in the sunshine.
两人相拥站在后院的甬道上，太阳越走越高，阳光暖融融的跨过屋顶洒在两人身上，沐浴在阳光中，庭院里的花花草草也愉悦地发散着生机盎然的芬芳。
Li Haojun cupped her face gently and said, "Don't worry about anything. I will always be here with you. Tell me, what is troubling you?"
李皓珺再一次扶着覃文静的脸庞，对她说，“你不用担心什么，我会一直陪着你，告诉我到底是什么让你……？”
"I feel lonely staying indoors alone. The dim light inside contrasts so sharply with the bright outdoors," Qin Wenjing murmured, still leaning against his chest.
“可能是室内的光线暗淡，与明亮的室外对比强烈，让我一个人在屋里觉得孤单吧。”覃文静依旧趴在李皓珺怀里，轻声说。
"Are you afraid that I might lose my memory again?" Li Haojun asked softly, studying her eyes and expression.
“你是怕我不小心又失忆吗？”李皓珺一边轻声问着，一边低头观察着覃文静的眼神与表情。
Qin Wenjing looked into his eyes and nodded with a quiet hum.
覃文静看了看李皓珺的眼睛，点了点头，嗯了一声。
"That won't happen. I will be extra careful," Li Haojun said, gazing steadily at her. He held her shoulders and shook her gently yet firmly to reassure her.
“我不会的，我会小心谨慎的，” 李皓珺一边说着，一边凝视着覃文静的眼睛，双手握紧她的肩膀，有力地轻轻晃动她的身体，给她信心。
"You have my word. Even if I do forget you someday, please take care of me again. I will fall in love with you all over again." Qin Wenjing looked up at him, her eyes glistening as if searching for something in his gaze. Li Haojun did not keep her waiting. He pulled her closer, held her head tenderly, and kissed her lips.
“你放心，即便我真的又忘了你，请你再一次照顾我好吗？我会再次爱上你，”说完，覃文静正仰着头看着李皓珺，她的眼神闪烁，在李皓珺的眼里寻找着什么。李皓珺没有让她久等，搂紧她的腰，扶着她的头，亲吻她的嘴唇。
After their tender moment, Li Haojun spoke up. "Maybe you should spend more time connecting with the outside world?"
温存过后，李皓珺想了想，问，“也许你应该多接触外部世界？”
He took her hand and led her back into the house. "Do you have any close friends?"
说着，李皓珺拉着覃文静往屋里走，“你有比较要好的朋友吗？”
Walking beside him, Qin Wenjing replied, "No. I learned it from you. I have no friends."
跟在李皓珺身边，覃文静看着他回答，“没有，我跟你学的，没有朋友，”
"Really? Am I that kind of person?" Li Haojun let out an awkward laugh to lighten the mood.
“哦，原来我是那样的人吗？” 李皓珺尬笑着，调节气氛，
"I did have friends once. But as years went by, we drifted apart. I just haven't learned to be as strong as you are. Perhaps you have spoiled me."
“其实原来我也有朋友，随着成长，时间长了，就淡漠了。只是我还没学会像你一样坚强。也许是你把我宠坏的。”
"Is that so?" Li Haojun responded, listening patiently as she spoke.
“是吗，”李皓珺答对着，继续听覃文静倾诉。
"Yes. You have been with me through all these years, taught me so much, and stood by my side. You also told me that I need to face life independently and learn to grow on my own."
“嗯，你陪伴我长大，教会我许多，也陪伴我很多。你也提醒我要自己独立面对人生，要有能力自己成长。”
They talked as Li Haojun led her to sit down indoors.
“嗯，”交谈着，李皓珺拉着覃文静回到室内坐下。
"But..." Qin Wenjing looked up at him and continued, "But I lost you once. I tried to walk my path all alone, yet I always longed to have you beside me. It must be fate that brought you back to me."
“但是……，”覃文静仰头看着李皓珺说，“但是后来我把你弄丢了，我曾经试着自己独立面对属于我的道路，但是，我还是希望有你陪伴。也许是命运的安排吧，你又回到了我的身边。”
Li Haojun understood her feelings. The experience of losing and regaining him had made her cherish their time together all the more, and also fear losing him again. From their days spent together lately, he could feel how deeply attached she was to him. Though she owned this home, it could never feel warm without the man she loved inside it.
李皓珺心里明白，也许是这失而复得的经历让她更珍惜，也更忌惮再次失去。这段时间的接触，他能感受到覃文静对自己的依恋，她是那种依赖性强的女性，虽然她拥有这个家，但是如果这个家里没有她爱的人，她依然无法感到家的温暖。
(Translated by Doubao)