Chapter 7: Laughter and Conflicting Values

The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing. Joey was sitting on a small stool in the courtyard, engrossed in a colorful magazine.

Beside him, Jane was carefully pruning flower branches, her movements gentle and skillful, as if she were handling her most cherished treasures.

"Tomo, what are you looking at? You're smiling so happily," Jane asked curiously.

Joey pointed to a picture in the magazine and said excitedly, "This airplane is so beautiful!"

Jane looked at the car advertisement in the magazine and couldn't help but laugh. "That's not an airplane, it's a car."

"A car?" Joey tilted his head, looking confusedly at the car in the magazine. "Then why does it look like it can fly? Does it have wings?"

Jane explained the difference between cars and airplanes to Joey simply, as well as the exaggerated techniques used in the advertisement. Joey listened, understanding but not quite grasping it all. He felt that the world was so magical, with so many things he couldn't understand.

"This world is so strange," Joey said with a sigh.

"Of course, the outside world is wonderful. When you recover your memory, you can go out and explore," Jane said.

"Will I really recover my memory?" Joey began to feel discouraged again.

"Of course, you definitely can. Even if you don't remember, it's okay, I'll always be with you," Jane said, her eyes full of tenderness and care.

"Thank you," Joey said, looking at Jane with a slight smile on his lips. He knew that he was able to live peacefully here thanks to Jane's care.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the wooden door of Jane's house.

"Jane, are you home? I've brought you something," came Steel's honest voice from outside.

Jane got up to open the door and saw Steel standing outside, holding a fresh fish. His face held a slightly unnatural expression, as if he were hiding something.

"Steel, come in and have a seat," Jane invited Steel in.

Steel walked into the house with the fish, and when he saw Joey sitting in the yard, his expression became complicated, but he quickly returned to normal. "Tomo is here too."

"Yes, hello, Brother Steel," Joey greeted Steel politely. He noticed that Steel's gaze seemed a little unnatural, as if he was examining him, which made him feel a bit strange.

"Here's this fish for you. I just caught it from the river, it's very fresh," Steel handed the fish basket to Jane, his eyes slightly avoiding hers, as if hiding something, or perhaps harboring a hint of unspeakable fear.

"Thank you, Steel, you've gone to too much trouble again," Jane took the fish basket, but a hint of hesitation flashed across her face. She understood Steel's intentions, but her feelings for him were only those of a sister. Perhaps she should find an appropriate opportunity to make things clear.

"It's nothing, we're good friends, it's normal to give each other things. You often give me things too," Steel scratched his head and forced a simple smile.

"The things I give you are just small trinkets, they're not worth much. But this fish is too valuable, I can't accept it," Jane handed the fish basket back to Steel, her tone gentle but firm.

Hearing this, Steel's smile froze for a moment, and then he took the fish basket back, lowering his head, his voice tinged with sadness. "It's okay, I caught this fish from the river myself, it's not worth anything."

Jane didn't respond, but sighed inwardly. She knew how rare and precious golden carp were here.

In this economically struggling place, fish and meat were luxuries, and it was rare for ordinary families to have a meal of them. A golden carp like this was an even rarer treasure. They could only be caught during a specific season of the year, and fishermen said it was the incarnation of the Dragon King's descendants. A golden carp that crossed the Dragon Gate could transform into a dragon and return to the sea. Therefore, golden carp not only had extraordinary symbolism but also became a symbol of status and position.

Whenever the golden carp season arrived, fishermen would compete to catch them, as they could be sold for incredible prices. The value of a single golden carp was enough to equal the income of an ordinary fisherman for half a year or even a year. And this fish that Steel had brought today was clearly just as precious. How could Jane accept it?

Steel seemed to realize that his actions had crossed the line of friendship and made Jane unhappy. He lowered his head, his fingers tightening around the edge of the fish basket, and he didn't speak for a long while, only forcing a bitter smile, hiding the disappointment in his heart.

Just then, Jane's grandmother returned from outside, carrying a basket of fresh vegetables.

"I ran into Auntie Li on the way, and she gave me some vegetables that she had just picked from the garden. We can have them for dinner tonight," Grandmother said with a smile, her voice full of joy.

Hearing Grandmother's words, Jane, Joey, and Steel quickly stepped forward to help her with the vegetables.

"No need, no need, this old body of mine can still carry them," Grandmother waved her hand cheerfully, insisting on carrying the basket herself.

She walked to the table, put down the basket, and turned to Steel. "Steel, you've come at the right time, stay for dinner tonight and try these fresh vegetables."

Steel hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand, revealing a forced smile. "No, thank you, Grandma. I have things to do, I'll go back first. You guys enjoy your meal."

After speaking, he seemed unwilling to stay any longer and turned to leave in a hurry.

Jane watched Steel's back as he walked away, a pang of guilt rising in her heart. She knew that her attitude earlier might have been a little cold, but this was not the first time she had declined Steel. Unfortunately, Steel was still persistent.

She sighed softly, making up her mind. She couldn't let Steel continue to be so deeply involved, it was not fair to either of them. She had to make Steel understand that they could only be friends, and there could be no deeper relationship.

Jane was preparing to take the vegetables to the kitchen to cook when she noticed Joey staring thoughtfully in the direction Steel had left, as if pondering something.

"Tomo, what's wrong? You seem to be very concerned about Steel?" Jane asked curiously.

"No, I just think Brother Steel seems a little strange," Joey said, he couldn't understand why Steel seemed to be avoiding him.

"He's just a bit shy," Jane explained. She was well aware of Steel's feelings, but she didn't want to expose them.

"Shy? Why would he be shy? He didn't do anything wrong?" Joey was a little confused. Jane had recently told him that people who had done wrong would be shy.

Jane didn't want to dwell on the matter any longer, so she instructed Tomo to pour some of their homemade scented liquid onto the clothes that needed washing.

While Jane was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, Joey suddenly walked in with a bottle of brightly colored liquid. He scratched his head and asked, puzzled, "I forgot to ask you, what does the scented liquid look like?"

Before Jane could answer, Joey unscrewed the cap, brought it closer to his nose, and his eyes lit up. "This smells so good, is it juice?" With that, he was about to take a sip.

"Oh no! Tomo! You can't drink that!" Seeing this, Jane quickly stepped forward and snatched the bottle from his hand, her expression showing both tension and helplessness.

"Why can't I drink it? It looks delicious," Joey looked confused, seemingly unable to understand her reaction.

"Silly, this is scented liquid!" Jane explained angrily, "It's used for washing clothes, not juice! People who drink it will get poisoned, and if it's serious, it can even endanger their lives!"

Joey was stunned, looking at the liquid in surprise, and then he murmured with some regret, "Oh, so this is scented liquid...why is it a different color from last time? But they both smell so good, really like juice."

Jane was both amused and exasperated. She patiently explained to him that scented liquids made with different flowers would have different colors and carefully explained the difference between scented liquids and juice.

However, Joey listened with a blank face, as if he had entered a whole new world. He sighed softly, "Why don't I understand anything...these common sense things feel so hard."

Jane looked at him and sighed inwardly. If Joey's memory really couldn't be restored, then there would be many things he would need to learn in the future. She softened her tone and instructed, "In the future, no matter what you drink or eat, you have to ask me first, understand?"

Joey nodded and responded in a low, distressed voice, "Okay..."

Jane smiled helplessly, deciding that she would pay more attention to teaching him some basic common sense in the future, to help him better adapt to his current life.

After dinner, Jane was washing the dishes in the kitchen, while Joey, holding a rag, was meticulously wiping the tables and chairs in the room. His movements were careful and earnest, as if he were completing an important task.

Jane watched him wipe the table so carefully, and a warmth surged in her heart. She realized that she seemed to be gradually getting used to Joey being around. Although he had lost his memory, he was simple and kind-hearted, far more likable than those domineering rich young masters. The time she spent with him was relaxed and enjoyable, and she even found herself enjoying taking care of him.

Since she was a child, her grandmother had been the most important person in her life. If it weren't for her grandmother, she wouldn't have been able to survive to this day. As a child, Jane had secretly vowed that when she grew up, she would take good care of her grandmother and make sure she lived a good life. However, the hardships of life and the harshness of the world were too cruel for a young girl and an elderly woman.

Fortunately, the customs of Sunset Town were simple and honest. With the help of some warm-hearted neighbors and friends, the grandmother and granddaughter lived a simple life, but they didn't have to go hungry or suffer from the cold. Their days of living together were simple, but also full of warmth, and they were content with this life.

Joey now was just like she was back then, ignorant and helpless. Jane couldn't help but feel pity for him. She hoped that during this time while he had amnesia, she could take good care of him and give him some warmth and support.

"Tomo, what do you think is the most important thing in the world?" Jane suddenly asked.

Joey was stunned by this sudden question. He stopped what he was doing, thought for a moment, then grinned, "Of course, money is the most important! With money, you can buy what you want." In the past few days, while selling flowers at the market with Jane, he had realized that those eye-catching toys and sweet pastries all required money.

Jane frowned slightly upon hearing this, a thoughtful expression flashing across her face. She whispered, "But I think money is not the most important thing. What's truly important is the happiness and peace in your heart. As long as you can be happy from the bottom of your heart every day, even if life is a bit simple, that's the happiest thing."

Joey paused for a moment, his tone somewhat skeptical. "I think eating delicious food and playing with fun things makes me happy, but all of those things cost money!" There was more than a hint of regret in his voice, as he was reminded of his empty pockets, making him feel helpless.

"Tomo, happiness is not measured by money," Jane's gaze turned to her grandmother sitting on the wicker chair in the yard. The old woman was leisurely gazing at the stars, a kind smile on her face. Jane's voice became softer, but firm. "True happiness comes from the bits of warmth in ordinary life, and those are things that money can't buy."

"Warmth?" Joey was stunned, following Jane's gaze towards his grandmother. He thought for a moment and then asked softly, "Can that be eaten?"

Jane chuckled softly and shook her head. "Tomo, sometimes, when you have a lot of money but have lost the people and things that make you truly happy, you will find that mountains of gold and silver cannot buy back that simple happiness."

Joey fell silent, feeling a bit shaken, but more confused. Although he understood Jane's words, those deep principles seemed too distant for him right now. His mind seemed to flash back to his luxurious life in the past, those dazzling scenes that were completely different from the plain happiness that Jane described.

Jane noticed his hesitation and said softly, "Tomo, perhaps you don't understand now, but one day, when you're not happy even when you eat delicious food and play with fun things, you will remember what I said today."

"Will I?" Joey muttered to himself, his eyes showing struggle. He wasn't sure about Jane's words, his heart still dominated by desire and satisfaction. He only knew that he was still attracted by those simple joys. As for the "warmth" and "inner satisfaction" that Jane talked about, he might have to walk a long road before he could understand.