A Hidden 'Shabby' Corner in a Mountaintop Villa

Pushing open the wrought iron gate, the rust brushing against my palm felt grounding and rough. The entire villa is nestled within a pine forest, its red-tiled roof adorned with light green moss. The peeling walls reveal bricks beneath, bearing the marks of time—more inviting to touch than pristine white walls. The rattan chair on the terrace has a collapsed side, perfect for curling up and watching the clouds. The distant Erhai Lake is mostly obscured by the mountains, leaving only a silver edge visible. When the wind blows, pine needles fall onto the dust-covered wooden railings, their rustling sound clearer than any background music. When the housekeeper brought breakfast, the rim of the rustic ceramic bowl had a small chip. The steam from the wild mushroom porridge carried a faint pinewood aroma, paired with freshly baked wheat cakes. Biting into them, you could taste the texture of the bran. In the yard, bamboo baskets held drying wildflowers—wild chrysanthemums picked during the rain a few days ago. Their curled, light brown forms seemed to have gained more character than when they were in full bloom. In the afternoon, I discovered an old bookshelf in the attic on the second floor. The spines of the books had faded. I pulled out a yellowed travelogue, and a dried ginkgo leaf was tucked inside the title page—left by a guest from who knows when. Sunlight slanted through the wooden lattice windows, casting dappled light across the pages. When my eyes grew tired, I looked up and caught sight of someone on the terrace of the villa opposite, leaning on an easel and gazing at the mountain view in a daze. As dusk settled, the villa's lights glowed a warm yellow. Standing on the terrace and looking down, the lights of the entire villa complex twinkled like stars, mingling with the chirping of insects and faint laughter in the distance. The mountain breeze grew cooler than in the evening, carrying the dampness of grass and trees as it brushed against my face. Suddenly, I understood why people say that living here makes even time tread lightly.