Secret Love River (2)

  During the summer vacation of their second year in high school, Xia Bing and Zhuo Er both got accepted into university.

  Zhuoer unexpectedly got accepted into the city's Medical University, while Xiaobing only got into a second-rate university in a neighboring province, but that was already enough to make our family overjoyed. Back then, university students were more valuable than they are now, and my grandfather almost went out on the streets beating drums and gongs to celebrate.

  So, the summer before I entered high school was almost the happiest one in my memory.

  Xia Bing returned to his hometown in the countryside under his grandfather's instructions, and he also brought two people, Zhuo Er and me.

  Xia Bing and Zhuo Er, two college-bound students, received a warm welcome from their relatives back home, and even I, a little tag-along, was treated like royalty, leaving me somewhat surprised and delighted.

  We went back to our hometown mainly to visit my grandfather's sister, who is also Xiaobing's aunt. However, in the countryside, a village seems like one big family, and every household appears to have some kind of kinship with each other. My memories of my hometown were still stuck on the rice cakes that my aunt used to make for me when I was a kid. Suddenly facing so many enthusiastic relatives who called me "big niece", "little cousin", or even "cousin aunt", all I could do was follow Xiaobing's lead and call them "uncle", "third uncle", or "big cousin" in return, but my mind became increasingly confused. Turning to look at Zhuoer, who didn't need to recognize any relatives, he was smiling calmly on the side, which made me feel envious.

  However, I soon realized the benefits of having many relatives. Every day, we were treated with enthusiasm by our relatives. We would have lunch at my uncle's house and then be taken to my cousin's house for dinner. Although the dishes were not exquisite, the taste was absolutely first-class. Each time, we couldn't help but eat too much because the food was so delicious and our relatives were so enthusiastic, until our bellies were round and full.

  After dinner, the little kids from each family would drag us around to play. During the day, we'd go up the mountain to pick wild fruit and mushrooms, catch small birds in the forest, and fish by the river; at night, we'd sing songs on the grassland, play games, and sneak into the fields to steal watermelons - though it was called stealing, actually they just took them, and the grown-ups all knew but wouldn't stop us, and would even secretly return the money that had been left in the field.

  Of course, I also didn't have it easy. Xia Bing and Zhuo Er were both exceptionally physically capable guys, but I was a sports idiot who always got poor grades; when we went mountain climbing, I had to be pulled along by others in shifts; when we caught fish in the small river, my feet were painfully bruised by the stones at the bottom of the river, and I yelped with every step; even when stealing watermelons, I was always the slowest one, and Xia Bing would mock me while running: "Meng Meng, don't bother following us, just wait here, we'll come back to pick you up tomorrow."

  Once we even almost got lost.

  That day, several of my older male cousins said they would take us on an adventure, walking along the small path from this side of the mountain to the other, and then taking a boat down.

  I've never taken a boat ride in my life, so I hastily agreed.

  We had breakfast and set off, saying that we were fully equipped, but in fact we didn't even bring water, thinking that when we were thirsty there was river water, and when we were hungry there were wild fruits.

  Which one, those several older male cousins of mine said they knew the way, actually it was just that someone had gone with an adult a few years ago, we walked for more than three hours, and in front of us were still lush green mountains.

  My little brother and I were the first to give in, sitting down on the grass and refusing to get up.

  "I'm not going anymore, I won't take a boat either. Let's just rest for a while and head back the same way." I said painfully.

  Everyone looked at each other and Zhuoer took out his mobile phone to take a look. "There's no signal here, it's not suitable to go further."

  Everyone nodded in agreement and sat down.

  After resting for a while, I suddenly felt something was off, oh no, I actually wanted to go to the bathroom.

  I took a look at the boy beside me and secretly cursed, this is my first outdoor something, I couldn't let so many people know about it!

  Watching everyone close their eyes and meditate, I decided to sneak away and find a place to quickly take care of things, and then return without anyone noticing.

  I slowly rolled several times on the grass, finally rolling into a safe area, quietly got up, looked back at the boys behind me, and ran lightly.

  Actually, I didn't plan to run too far, but after walking for a while, I still hadn't found a secluded spot. Finally, at a bend in the road, I heard the sound of running water and ran over to find that there was indeed a place hidden behind a large rock.

  After solving internal needs, feeling refreshed and energized!

  I ran to the riverbank and washed my hands, looked up at the green mountains above, listened to the birds chirping and cicadas singing in the mountains, the gurgling water, and suddenly missed someone.

  Guarding the clouds, I am thinking of you in the green mountains and blue waters a thousand miles away. What are you doing, and who are you thinking of?

  I was sentimental for a moment, and suddenly I woke up. This is not the time to be overly sensitive. If I don't hurry back, I will be discovered.

  But turning around, I was completely stunned, and who was standing on top wasn't Zhuo Er?

  "You, you, you..." I was so nervous that I couldn't say anything else.

  "I've rested enough, come and take a walk, Mengmeng, what are you doing here?"

  I felt relieved, it turned out he hadn't seen it.

  I took a deep breath and said casually: "Me too, I've rested well, come over and take a walk around, the mountain air is really good!"

  His eyebrows and eyes relaxed, looking even more gentle, "Yes, this place is really good."

  I climbed up and said as I went: "In the future when we're old, we'll build a house here, come to the mountains for a walk whenever we have nothing to do, green hills and clear waters, how healthy!"

  He smiled, "How old are you, and you're already planning for retirement?"

  I'm so embarrassed, I spat out my tongue, "It's all over, I've been influenced by my grandfather."

  We walked back to where we originally were. Everyone had already rested and was active everywhere. Seeing us walk back from elsewhere, they didn't find it strange. Eldest brother even greeted us with a sentence, "You're back."

  I nudged my younger brother, "Do you guys know where I'm going?"

  My younger cousin looked at me strangely, "Didn't you go to the bathroom?"

  I collapsed instantly, almost falling on him, and asked stubbornly: "Was it your guess?"

  "No," his younger male cousin said with a smile, "Big Brother Zhuo said that he was afraid you would get lost and followed you over."

  It's over!!!! My eyeballs are almost popping out.

  Turning back to look at Zhuo Er, he was chatting and laughing with others as if nothing had happened.

  Heavens!

  Heavens!

  I'm still in there!!!!!!!!!

  I'm still taking deep breaths!!!!!!!!!!

  I actually said the air is good!!!!!!!!!

  What a pose!!!!!

  Take a deep breath!!!

  The air is so good!!!

  Everything has been contaminated by you!!!!!

  I've been contaminated by you!!!!!!!!!!

  It's polluted!!!!!!!!!!

  I turned around and walked away with a lost soul.

  "Sister, where are you going?"

  "Leave me alone, I'm going to jump into the river!"

  ……

  Later, under Zhuo Er's repeated assurances, I barely believed that he really hadn't seen anything.

  Xia Bing patted my shoulder, his tone was deep and meaningful, "Young man, what's the point of seeking death, at worst, let him take responsibility, you say yes or no, Zhuo?"

  Smiling silently with a hint of pride.

  I bit Xia Bing's hand hard.

  "Ow ow ow!!!!! It hurts!!!!! Let go, no, open your mouth, open your mouth!!!"

  A week of rural life ended extremely quickly.

  Let's just forget it, when we leave, how many brothers, sisters and cousins will be left in tears.

  On the way back, we sat in the last row of the big bus. The air conditioning was turned up high and the sunlight shone through the gap in the curtains. I asked with a hint of sadness: "Will we be able to come again?"

  "You did well on your middle school entrance exam, maybe you'll be able to come back once more, but by then we might not have time." Xia Bing said in a very practical and somewhat disappointing tone.

  I'm indignant! "Can't you say something nice to encourage this young girl's feelings? I knew it, my tomboy personality was all brought out by you!"

  "So you also know you're very annoying..." Xia Bing said coolly.

  I was momentarily speechless.

  I turned around and looked at Zhuo'er with a wronged expression: "Brother Zhuo'er, he bullied me."

  Zhuo'er smiled and patted my head, "Only you would think that about him."

  I: “……”

  Xia Bing: *silence*

  Insert Bookmark