The shuttle's landing stirred up a cloud of dust over the quiet mud road. As the wind carried it away, the trees came into view—tall, thick-limbed, and heavy with fruit. The scent hit Jian first: sweet, ripe, warm from the sun. He stepped out of the shuttle slowly, taking it all in.
The trees hadn't been trimmed in years. Branches hung low, thick with leaves, tangled together like they were hugging each other. Wild vines wrapped around trunks. Lush undergrowth sprawled beneath their feet. Jian stood still, wind brushing through his hair, as a slow, bright smile rose to his face.
This place…
This was the only place that ever truly felt like home.
In his past life, He had lived here.
He had spend Five years with his grandmother right here. A modest, quiet life after everything else had been lost.
The orchard was neatly planted with the trees in rows. But in his past life time had let it grow wild. Untamed. Still beautiful.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
