Moonlight in the 16th month

  The result waited until the third watch, and still did not see Yu Xia Zhenren and Shifu return. Lu Gugu smiled and comforted Qiuqiu, saying that no matter what, there was no demon within a radius of 1,800 miles that could harm Yu Xia Zhenren.

  Qiuqiu also had confidence in her master, and if she didn't come back, perhaps something else was delaying her. She and Shi'er practiced again, and the tacit understanding between the two people became better and better. Every time they practiced, it felt especially comfortable. The warm true yuan and the slightly cool xiang were two fine streams that converged together, flushing the meridians and flowing throughout the body.

  This is so comfortable, it's addictive.

  Qiu Qiu carefully put away her own pillow and the two of them lay down with their heads together.

  "I wonder what Master and the sisters are doing now..." Qiuqiu yawned: "Sister loves cleanliness, she must not be used to the bedding and bowls of the people in the mountain. Master can't sleep once he changes places, these days are enough to toss people around, when they come back, they will definitely complain."

  All the elegant demeanor and noble spirit are just for outsiders to see; once the door is closed, one is more unseemly than the next.

  "By the way, Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner. I saw Aunt Lu starting to prepare for the festival. At this time last year, you were still recovering from your illness and didn't have a good celebration. This year, let's make it a happy one! What kind of filling do you like in mooncakes? Sweet or savory?"

  The child who was used to being silent suddenly opened his golden mouth and said only two words, which were precious: "Salty."

  Qiu Qiu's head leaned in a bit closer to her and said with excitement: "This is just like Master, Master doesn't like sweet fillings for mooncakes either, says they're too greasy. So Aunt Lu has prepared many savory fillings, when I get back I'll help her think of some more ideas. The salty mooncakes from the foot of the mountain are all just ham, pepper salt, and five-spice, but I know many more varieties, like ham, crab roe, shrimp meat, especially tofu, it's very light and refreshing to eat, not greasy at all, you'll definitely like it."

  As soon as the topic turned to food, Qiuqiu became enthusiastic and talked non-stop. She had just been a bit sleepy, but now she was getting more and more spirited. The child hadn't fallen asleep either, occasionally responding with a "yes".

  "Hey, look out the window, it's a great moon tonight. If you're not sleepy either, why don't we go out for a walk?"

  The child nodded slightly.

  The two of them put on their clothes and quietly pushed open the door to go out. The moonlight was indeed very good, illuminating the stone road with a bright sheen. Walking along the road, behind them was a medium-sized lake, with a silvery glow under the moonlight, and the long grass on the shore had some fireflies twinkling here and there. All around, except for the sound of the wind, there were only faint insect chirps.

  Qiu Qiu pulled Xiao Er to sit down by the lake: "It's even more beautiful coming here at night than during the day. No wonder this lake is called Luoyue Lake, it really looks like a moon has fallen onto the surface of the lake."

  Look at the people around you, although they can be seen every day, but suddenly under the moonlight, their hair shines with a soft and bright luster like fine silk, and their skin is as crystal clear as pearls, for a moment, I was stunned by the sight.

  She didn't care about Shi Er, quietly sitting on the bluestone by the lake. Qiu Qiu herself was not a calm person and couldn't understand how Shi Er, who never spoke all day, could have so many thoughts. But now everything in front of her seemed like a scene from a painting, making her heart unusually quiet.

  Doing nothing, thinking of nothing, the state of mind is like this lake surface, gentle breeze ruffles, no waves.

  Not far away, a frog might have jumped into the lake, making a loud noise. Autumn picked up a grass stem from beside her and started to weave it. Her hands were clumsy, and she broke it once after weaving only half of it. She retied the knot and continued to weave, finally creating a crooked and twisted grass ring. She casually put it on Xiao Er's head: "This is for you."

  A beauty is a beauty, even if she wears such a broken grass ring, it does not detract from her elegance. Qiuqiu also made one for herself. This one was more skilled than the previous one, and after finishing it, she put it on her head. Fireflies were attracted by the spiritual energy on their bodies, flying around the two people, even landing on their hair and clothes, flashing with a faint light, as if they were shining from their bodies.

  "This is really great..." Xia Qiu said softly: "Let's come here often in the future."

  The boy didn't make a sound, but his hand gently grasped Qiū Qiū's hand.

  On the way back, Qiuqiu didn't have much spirit left, holding onto Shier's hand and walking with a heavy heart. On this quiet evening, she suddenly remembered some things that she thought she had long forgotten.

  It's all in the past now.

  Former loved ones, friends, places where I used to live, things I've done, movies I've seen... Look at her, she's just a little older and has already started feeling nostalgic.

  But thinking of those things didn't make her feel too sad. Maybe it was because there were people around her, and she wasn't alone.

  Yes, it's probably because of the enchanting moonlight tonight. As the song goes, it's all the fault of the moon.

  So absent-minded, tripped again at the foot.

  He stopped and asked: "Tired?"

  "Hmm..." Qiuqiu yawned and rubbed her eyes: "I forgot to bring the lantern out just now."

  "I'll carry you."

  "Autumn ah one sound, busy saying: 'No need!'"

  Who can carry a sick person on their back? Even if they are older than her, but their body is not as strong and healthy as hers.

  But Xia Er was more stubborn than her. The two stared at each other for a while, and Qiu Qiu still couldn't get the better of her, and finally gave in.

  If she doesn't agree, it's uncertain whether they can stand together here until dawn.

  Fortunately, it wasn't a long way off, and Qiuqiu shamelessly leaned against Shi Er's back.

  The child picked her up and continued walking back step by step.

  Actually, for someone who is practicing, it's not a problem to carry dozens or even hundreds of pounds on their back. Dier was carrying her with ease, and once Qiuqiu realized this, she felt at peace and had the mind to tell jokes, but unfortunately, the only listener wasn't very receptive, and if she wanted Dier to laugh loudly, that would be as likely as the sun rising in the west.

  "There were two bananas walking, one in front of the other. As they walked, the banana in front felt very hot and took off its clothes. Guess what happened next? The banana behind slipped and fell, haha..."

  Qiu Qiu laughed dryly for a while and also felt it was meaningless. She patted on the shoulder of Shi Er, not too heavily nor too lightly: "You should react a bit too."

  "Uh-huh."

  This reaction is really hurtful, it's better if you didn't give any at all.

  Qiu Qiu suddenly closed her mouth and fell asleep on Shi Er's shoulder.

  The moon is high in the mountains, two people have only one shadow, slowly, slowly moving forward.

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  TAT, must sleep early tomorrow.