Chapter 9: Days in the Garden and a Friend Who Came to Help
Early in the morning, soft sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the little wooden house in a warm golden glow. Mạch Nha was already awake, sprawled out lazily on the windowsill, her soft belly rising and falling with peaceful breaths. Thiên Lam tied up her hair, slipped on her rubber boots, and threw on a loose shirt, ready for a full day of gardening.
Today, she planned to plant a row of tomatoes along the fence and clear out the space for her lavender bushes. But as soon as she stepped outside, she could feel the heavy heat of the summer morning.
The soil was dry and harder to dig than usual. Sweat rolled down her forehead, soaking the back of her shirt.
Mạch Nha, of course, wasn’t much help—she trailed behind Thiên Lam, pouncing into piles of freshly dug earth and rolling about without a care in the world.
“Oh no… Mạch Nha!” Thiên Lam laughed, breathless and amused all at once.
Just then, a voice called out from the path:
“Need a hand?”
Thiên Lam looked up. It was Minh Vũ.
He wore a conical hat, a small backpack on his shoulders, and carried a basket of gardening tools. His face held that same gentle smile, his eyes clear like the early summer sky.
“I heard from Aunt Tư at the market that you were fixing up the garden. Thought I’d come help—it’s just my thing.”
Before she could reply, Mạch Nha had already darted over, wrapping herself around Minh Vũ’s legs.
“Hello there,” he said softly, bending down to stroke her fur. His voice was calm and kind, like the wind whispering through tall grass.
They got to work together. Minh Vũ rolled up his sleeves, digging soil, setting up a trellis for the cucumbers, while Thiên Lam sorted seeds and planted new rows of greens.
The morning passed with soft laughter, the steady rhythm of shovels, and the occasional meow from their little feline companion. Sometimes, Minh Vũ would glance up in the sunlight to see her leaning gently over the watering can, a few strands of hair falling around her face.
In those moments, the sun seemed to catch on her skin, and her smile felt light as air.
He found himself staring, just for a second.
She didn’t notice. But the tips of his ears turned red.
By noon, they sat in the shade beneath the old rose tree. Mạch Nha lay sprawled between them, her head resting on Minh Vũ’s leg like she’d known him forever.
“Feeling better now?” he asked, voice low and steady.
“Mhm. There’s the garden, the breeze, Mạch Nha... and you helping,” she smiled gently, her eyes clear and calm.
“I really like it here,” he said.
They didn’t speak more. Just sat in silence, listening to birdsong in the distance, the wind in the trees, and the kind of peace that settles deep in the chest.
That evening, when Minh Vũ headed home, Mạch Nha ran alongside him all the way to the gate. Thiên Lam leaned against the doorway, watching his figure slowly fade down the flower-lined path, her heart stirring quietly.
She didn’t think too much of it.
Just noticed… the garden looked a little more beautiful today.
🌼 Author’s Note (a.k.a. me being a little gremlin in the corner):25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM8OQS1pbj
Okay, okay—was it just me or did Minh Vũ lowkey steal the spotlight with his plant-boy energy and pure cinnamon roll aura?!
I mean... he shows up with gardening tools, pets the cat like a Disney prince, and blushes when he looks at her?? BOY. PLEASE. My heart can’t handle this level of soft.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0DtpxAZ52
(Meanwhile, Mạch Nha is just living her best life, stealing the show like a true fluffy queen 🐾)
This chapter was all about dirt, sweat, and ✨sloooow-burn vibes✨. Love’s not in a rush here. It’s chilling, stretching, maybe planting a tomato or two.
If you smiled even once while reading, then mission accomplished 💚25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXcCoFnsHy
See you in the next chapter, where the veggies grow, the cat causes chaos, and maybe—just maybe—someone catches feelings a tiny bit more.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlLVDnzxDk
(But shhh, they don’t know that yet ;))))
Love & lavender,25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ7pNlXAkS
—Your chaos-but-soft author 🌻✨
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