Volume 1 Chapter 4: Jiao Er Originally Didn't Understand Affection and Indifference

  A carriage carrying three people stopped at a flat place in front of the mountain. After getting off the carriage, Xing Yan led Cheng Shu Ju to walk towards their own Ma Ti Shan.

  Although this Mati Mountain, familiar words are still familiar. But apart from the Tianma Ti Zhang legend that was brought out early in the wine building, I really can't think of any other legends worth mentioning. And this scenic name has already been called out by Ju Ying's girl, he can't come up with another "Matilight Evening" besides "Matilight Sunset", that's too uncreative.

  Of course, maybe I can talk about that white stone and add some flavor to describe my experience on it that summer night. In fact, the experience of that evening was beyond ordinary people's understanding, no need to add flavor, I estimate it can easily arouse Ju Ying and Cheng Shu's interest.

  However, with the lesson from that morning's incident, Sheng Yan had already given up any hope of being recognized by others. If he were to speak out, the most likely consequence would be damaging his image in the eyes of Ju Ying and Cheng Shu. They might think that this kid had previously fabricated those anecdotes, and now was even making himself the main character! He couldn't avoid being ridiculed for bragging or suspected of being an idiot. So, the young tour guide decided to keep silent this time.

  In fact, with a clear mind, after repeated reflection in his heart later on, he had long been convinced that the strange encounter that night was not just an illusion. However, thinking about it beforehand and afterwards was still too astonishing and unconventional, even in front of his own parents, he never mentioned it.

  Just thinking about Bai Shi's affairs, the three of them unknowingly arrived in front of Bai Shi. Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit dull, the young man thought about finding something to talk about:

  "Look at this rock. What does it look like? - Like a bed. I often come here to cool off and take a nap, it's so cool. If there were some big trees nearby to provide shade, it would be an ideal place to take a summer afternoon nap!"

  As the young man spoke, Ju Ying sat up early and tiptoed to test the height and comfort of the stone bed. However, a glimpse from the corner of his eye made him accidentally discover that Cheng Shu, who had always been calm, looked unnatural when looking at the white stone bed.

  He walked around the inconspicuous white stone bed several times, seemingly observing something carefully, muttering to himself all the while.

  Seeing Cheng Shu's strange appearance and hearing his somewhat unusual words, he thought to himself:

  "Could he really be moved by my words? Does he want to take this stone back and use it as a bed? Is he estimating the size of it, thinking about how to dig and transport it?"

  Just as the young man was about to indulge in wild fancies, he found that Cheng Shu had stopped and on his face, which originally showed no great joy or anger, a strange expression could now be discerned.

  Zheng Zhuo Mo saw Cheng Shu's face turn pale with surprise, but then he was shocked to see that Cheng Shu's surprised gaze had turned towards him.

  In the strange gaze of the young man, Cheng Shu walked around him in a circle, just like he had done with the white stone earlier.

  "This old man, does he also take me for a fool?"

  Wake up and can't understand; a young girl is full beside him, a pair of big eyes flashing, also don't know what's going on.

  "Hmm, I suddenly feel that Young Master Xing is like this white stone, with a pure and unblemished inner beauty. Truly, his character is exceptional!"

  The old man who had just come to his senses hastily explained to Er Xiao. At this time, a smile from the heart had already appeared on his face.

  "So they really took me for a stone material!"

  The words were spoken but not heeded, and with a flick of her tongue, she was gone. The young girl also called out cheerfully:

  "Ah! I didn't expect that Wake Word would still be a personal material!"

  This remark sounds so awkward, the young man involuntarily glared at the little girl who was smiling with a straight mouth.

  Then they wandered around a bit and ended this trip to Mati Temple.

  Cheng Shu became more enthusiastic towards him after that surprising moment, and the young man could clearly feel it.

  "Was it that white stone that had gone wrong again? Otherwise, how could the steady and composed Cheng Shu suddenly act out of character?"

  Looking at Cheng Shu's dignified and respected face, he thought with some embarrassment.

  The sky was already late, under the good-hearted proposal of Xing Yan and the cooperation of Cheng Shu Wu Jian, Ju Ying and others rested at Xing Yan's house. The car driver and horse cart were waiting below Ma Ti Shan.

  Xingyan's family had a thatched cottage with three rooms. Although the family was poor, Xingyan's mother, Zhang Wangshi, was kind and diligent, keeping the house clean and tidy. The Zhang couple were very hospitable, and when they saw their son bring home a guest from afar, Old Zhang immediately poured out his homemade pine nut wine and served it to Cheng Shu, along with a piece of salted wild chicken meat that they usually couldn't bear to eat, which his wife stir-fried with hazelnuts into two large plates to go with the wine.

  The young girl was full of curiosity, as if she were interested in everything about the farmhouse, especially that bamboo-root carved wine cup, which she couldn't bear to put down.

  This bamboo ladle, on the emerald yellow outer wall, a cluster of shallow white orchids was carved out with a knife. Although it's just a few strokes, it's elegant and natural; matching this simple bamboo tube, it has a unique charm. Of course, this slightly elegant handmade device is the masterpiece of young Xingyan. Listening to Xingyan's mother introduce it with a hint of pride, the little girl couldn't help but feel a thread of admiration for this ordinary rural boy.

  Looking at Cheng Shu and Xing Yan drinking wine, and seemingly still in a state of intoxication, Ju Ying couldn't help but want to take a sip. The clear wine from Xing Yan's house was brewed from the pine nuts on Ma Ti Shan, its flavor not strong, with a hint of the unique fragrance of pine needles. Therefore, when Xing Yan saw the young girl's eager expression, she explained it to Cheng Shu and poured her a small cup, kindly warning her to drink slowly; to take small sips each time, and not to swallow hastily, so as not to choke.

  Then, Ju Ying, this little girl, also learned to enjoy it like Cheng Shu, slowly sipping a small mouthful, and then letting the wine flow between her lips, carefully savoring the clear and mellow flavor of the wine.

  It seemed that Ju Ying had never drunk wine before, and even though the pine nut wine was light and refreshing, after drinking half a cup, her face still flushed red, and in the candlelight, she looked even more beautiful, just like a lotus flower at sunset, with an endless tenderness and affection.

  "Unexpectedly, this girl is quite good-looking!"

  Witnessing the maiden's rosy drunken face, her words were unstoppable and somewhat stirred her spirit. With years of training in the Qi family's private school, her skills naturally emerged, accompanied by this clear wine, she recited in a melodious voice:

  "A mountain lodge's small banquet intoxicates with sunset cups"

  The wind brings the fragrance of wine and musk from a cottage.

  Slender fingers sway candle shadows

  "Floating cup shines on horseshoe mountain."

  The young man recited this poem, and everyone in the room reacted differently:

  Mr. and Mrs. Zhang were not surprised, knowing that their son was again compiling those strange short sentences, although they couldn't understand them, but roughly it was the knowledge taught by the private school of the Ji family; it seemed that their son's tuition had not been in vain, so they were very pleased.

  Cheng Shu's expression changed suddenly, looking at the originally frivolous young man in his heart, his eyes were somewhat different; and Ju Ying obviously understood that the poem was talking about her, and it was quite tasty, she couldn't help but feel delighted. Although she only said softly "such a crooked poem", her face was even more flushed, making Xing Yan feel even more charming.

  When everyone was drinking, Mother Wake was always by their side. After the crowd finished drinking, she would sit at the side of the seat and slowly savor her food with everyone else.

  At night, Ju Ying slept alone in one house, while Cheng Shu and Xing Yan slept together in another. The two old men lay down to sleep on the grass in the kitchen.

  In the room, Cheng Shu seemed to fall asleep quickly, but his words were not as fast as he used to be. Turning over and over, looking at the soft moonlight coming in from the window, thinking of the happy scenes of this half-day, it was as if he was in a dream.

  Especially, recalling that light touch on the horse-drawn carriage, a myriad of emotions stirred in the young man's heart, and his mind involuntarily replayed that passage from the "Guofeng" section of the "Book of Songs":

  "There is a woman in the same carriage, with a face as beautiful as jade."

  With wings spread wide, wearing jade pendants.

  He is beautiful and strong, with a robust body.

  There is a female companion with skin as fair as jade.

  With wings spread wide, with jade pendants worn by nobles.

  His beauty is like jade, his virtue and reputation will never be forgotten.

  ………”

  For the first time, Xing Yan felt that the seemingly dull Book of Songs was actually so vivid and lively!

  "She's actually quite pretty..."

  The young man gradually fell into a sweet dream amidst such chaotic thoughts.

  In the adjacent room, Ju Ying saw that the grass bed had been replaced with a clean cloth mattress, on which was piled a fox fur with fresh hair color. Next to the rough ceramic pillow, a defensive black iron scissors was also found, presumably placed by her wise mother.

  "What a meticulous aunt!"

  Thinking of you.

  After a day of play, the little girl was indeed tired, and with the lingering aftertaste of the pine nut wine, she pulled over the warm fox fur cover and fell fast asleep amidst the mixed sounds of night birds chirping and leaves rustling in the mountain wind...

  The next morning, when he woke up to the chirping of birds, he saw that Cheng Shu's grass bed was empty. Seeing this situation, the young man also felt embarrassed to sleep again, and hurriedly put on his clothes, came to the kitchen, scooped some spring water in a wooden basin, and began to wash his face.

  Just as she was about to finish washing, she suddenly heard the joyful laughter of Ju Ying coming from outside the door, mixed with the chirping and peeping of the little chickens. Xing Yan quickly tied up her hair and came to the door to see what made the girl so happy - only to see Ju Ying standing in front of the thatched hut, holding a small ladle, excitedly sprinkling something for the little chickens to eat; as she scattered, she also imitated the sound of a mother hen "clucking", playing with her family's newly hatched chicks.

  "Hurry up and come see, these little chicks are so adorable! They're like fluffy balls!"

  A burst of joyful shouting.

  Look at her fresh look, and she can't help but smile.

  "It seems this girl really has no experience, just a few chickens, worth getting so excited about."

  However, seeing the girl's enthusiasm, he was also infected and walked up to join her in watching these little chicks.

  Just then, when he saw what was in the girl's scoop, his face suddenly turned pale, and he hastily walked up to her, staring at the scoop in her hand and saying stiffly:

  "Give it to me quickly."

  Jū yíng yī shí hái méi fǎn yìng guò lái, shuō:

  "Alright, you come and scatter rice for them to eat too!"

  However, when she handed the ladle to Xing Yan, she only saw that the young man's complexion was not so natural; it seemed a bit heart-wrenching and a little angry.

  Jū yín has something strange, but still carefully asked:

  "What's wrong with you? Are you angry?"

  "No, nothing."

  He replied with a few words of agreement, but it was clear that his mind was elsewhere.

  "You deceived me, you must be angry, and I also know it's because of me that you're angry! Tell me what's going on!"

  As she spoke, Jing Yun's eyes suddenly turned red.

  "Don't cry, don't cry, I'm telling you, isn't it!"

  It's rare to see such a bold young man, he immediately panicked and said in a flurry:

  "Do you know what I scattered for the chicks to eat? It's rice! My dad risked life and limb, working hard to catch a lot of game, just to exchange it for a small bag of rice at the rice shop in town. This rice, my family usually doesn't dare to eat, only when guests come does mother cook rice porridge. Usually, we eat wild rice, which is coarse and unpalatable, I reckon you've never had it? I don't like eating it either, but what can I do? With the barren mountains of Ma Ti Shan, barely scraping together enough money for taxes. If I didn't work as a shop boy at Liang Xiang Lou, my private school would be unthinkable!"

  "Our family raises chickens, and my mother always picks wild vegetables, chops them up, and feeds them to the chickens. This rice is not even good enough for humans to eat, let alone feed it to chickens! The rice in your bowl was probably scooped out by my mother to cook porridge for you all as breakfast. Actually, thanks to you all, I had a chance to eat porridge last time... It's been more than two months since I last ate porridge..."

  Perhaps it was indignation in his heart, and before he knew it, he had said so much, and ended up with a bitter smile.

  It's no wonder that he was so agitated in his heart, because the Raozhou region has few water fields and cheap mountain goods, while rice is expensive. The Xingyan family lived a hard life, and Old Zhang usually managed a small orchard and wild wheat on this barren hillside. During the slack season, he would go hunting for some mountain game and exchange it in the city for a little grain to mix with his porridge. His family rarely cooked pure rice porridge, but instead Xingyan's wife would scour the nearby mountains and fields, collecting wild wheat and fruit, grinding them into coarse grains to serve as food.

  After speaking out the truth and pouring out the troubles in her heart, she gradually calmed down and felt a bit out of place; however, since she had told the reason as the girl had requested, this matter would probably pass like this.

  "Waaah, sorry!"

  Unexpectedly, after listening to it, he couldn't help but sob. This time, Xing Yan panicked and hurriedly said:

  "Cough! I've told you already, why are you still crying? If Cheng Shu hears about it, he'll think I'm bullying you!"

  "It's none of your business; I was wrong. They're upset in their heart."

  "How dare you bully our little girl like this?"

  Cheng Shu didn't appear, but Xing Yan's mother was startled by the girl's crying and came out carrying a clothes basin to see what was going on.

  Choking back tears, she heard Sheng Yan's voice and suddenly felt very embarrassed, so she stopped crying. She told Sheng Yan about what had happened, explaining that it wasn't her fault, but rather her own mistake for using rice to feed the chickens.

  After the most sincere apology, Xing Yan finally understood the situation. The simple and honest farmer's wife was not good at speaking, she just kept saying "don't blame you, don't blame you" while staring at her son with her eyes. At this time, Xing also felt that his tone was a bit too much earlier, so he also became sincere and fearful. In order to calm the storm as soon as possible, the young man who had no other choice promised to continue being their tour guide today. Hearing him say this, the girl finally burst out laughing:

  "That's great! Don't think you can slack off! I was originally very understanding, but this time I really didn't know. Don't take my words to heart and get angry with me!"

  He hastily replied:

  "I haven't been angry for a long time, heh~"

  "Never thought your family had such hardships..."

  As she spoke, her eyes sparkled with a hint of moisture again.

  "Ugh... if you cry again, I'll really get angry!"

  After going through this storm, these two people have unknowingly become much closer.

  。