In the early morning mountains, rays of sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, illuminating the dewdrops on the lush green foliage with a crystalline sheen.
Birds chirped happily on the branches, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the fresh scent of earth filled the air, invigorating the spirit.
A group of people walked along a forest path covered with fallen leaves, with Zuo Feng bringing up the rear, carrying Da Bai Tu on his back.
Earlier that morning, when everyone was discussing their formation, Zuo Feng bravely volunteered for the important task of protecting the girls' rear.
Then, looking at the girls who had changed into loose hiking clothes, Zuo Feng fell into deep confusion—shouldn't women wear yoga pants when hiking?
If the Ying Ying Yan Yan weren't wearing yoga pants, what was the point of him protecting the rear!
Zuo Feng grumbled to himself, but his steps did not falter.
Ahead, the interplay of light and shadow in the forest formed a flowing painting, and the girls' laughter, as clear as silver bells, echoed through the quiet mountains.
Just then, the young mother, holding Tong Tong's hand, suddenly pointed excitedly at a slope with a dozen peach trees and exclaimed,
“Look, there are nectarines! Let’s go pick some!”
Tong Tong, even more excited, broke free from the young mother’s hand and ran towards the peach tree slope.
Everyone followed closely, only to see nectarines hanging heavily from the branches, plump and red, exuding an enticing aroma.
“Xiao Nan Ren, hurry, hurry! I want to pick peaches too!”
Da Bai Tu, lying on Zuo Feng's back, kicked her playful little feet excitedly, her arms wrapped around Zuo Feng's neck, her delicate body twisting and turning in eager Urge.
Zuo Feng smiled helplessly and quickened his pace to catch up with the group. He carefully threaded his way through the bushes, afraid of knocking down the nectarines from the branches. Da Bai Tu’s urging echoed in his ears, as if it, too, was infused with the sweet scent of peaches.
Under the peach trees, Da Bai Tu, who could only use crutches, also wanted to pick peaches. The crutches were found in the base's medical room, and Da Bai Tu was using them temporarily.
Unfortunately, the peach trees were too tall, and Da Bai Tu was not tall enough—what to do? If she wasn't tall enough, Zuo Feng would make up for it!
Sitting astride Zuo Feng’s neck, Da Bai Tu’s pretty face was filled with pride and happiness.
She directed Zuo Feng to move, stretching her fair, small hands to pick one smooth, glossy peach after another.
Of course, Zuo Feng and Da Bai Tu were not the only ones in action; Xiao She Jing, that woman, actually climbed directly onto a peach tree, picking peaches and throwing them down, while Xiao Nv Pu held a piece of cloth with both hands below to catch the peaches Xiao She Jing threw.
The young mother lifted Tong Tong, let Tong Tong pick a peach herself, then washed it and had Tong Tong sit nearby to eat, holding the peach in both hands.
Then she found a long bamboo pole; she would knock down peaches, and Xiao Chu Niang would catch them.
As for Da Mi Tao, Zuo Feng didn't even know what to say about her; Da Mi Tao actually shot down a thick branch laden with peaches with an arrow, then dragged the thick branch and threw it to Xiao Mi Tao to pick.
She even glanced at Zuo Feng with a triumphant and proud look. Seeing this, Zuo Feng couldn't help but laugh, sighing inwardly, “They really each have their own clever tricks.”
After picking the nectarines, everyone sat under the shade of the trees, enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Da Bai Tu took a bite of a peach; the juice overflowed, sweet to the core.
Zuo Feng looked at everyone’s satisfied smiles, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.
In the mountains, laughter and birdsong intertwined, forming a harmonious scene.
This group of girls all had a bountiful harvest: picking peaches, digging wild vegetables, gathering wild fruits, and raiding bird nests.
At this moment, the girls seemed to have forgotten that it was the apocalypse; their pretty faces were beaming with smiles, and this was the first time Zuo Feng had seen such genuine smiles from them since he met them—sincere smiles from the heart, forgetting all worries.
Since the start of the apocalypse, although the girls hadn't said it, Zuo Feng knew they had been suppressed and filled with uncertainty about the future. The mountains were indeed an excellent place to relax one's mind and body.
“Feng Ge! Feng Ge! Come and catch fish!”
Xiao She Jing rolled up her pant legs, revealing her fair, tender calves, and stood barefoot in the clear mountain stream, waving her wet little hands.
Xiao She Jing had been the most active on this journey, happily climbing trees, raiding bird nests, catching snakes, and chasing rabbits.
The morning hours slipped away, and everyone prepared to have a picnic by the mountain stream.
Seeing the stream, Xiao She Jing gleefully wanted to catch fish, and then this group of Ying Ying Yan Yan instantly became excited again, rolling up their pant legs, going barefoot, and surging into the mountain stream.
The stream water was crystal clear, only reaching the girls' calves.
This group of Ying Ying Yan Yan were now bending over, carefully and cautiously turning over small stones, and indeed found several small fish, but unfortunately, after more than ten minutes of trying, they hadn't caught a single one, yet the girls remained endlessly amused.
“You guys catch them, I’ll prepare the firewood for you,”
Zuo Feng smiled and shook his head, preferring to sit on the bank and watch the Ying Ying Yan Yan play; it was more relaxing.
For these fishing novices, the wish to eat fish they caught themselves for lunch would likely be dashed, but it was enough that they were happy.
As for Xiao Chu Niang, she now didn't mention breaking bamboo shoots at all, and even deliberately looked away when she saw them; breaking bamboo shoots was tiring and not fun! Zuo Feng had noticed this long ago.
But since the girls were rarely this happy, he didn't want to spoil their fun. Today, he would let them indulge for a day and have a good time.
“Xiao Nan Ren, those little fish are so cunning, I can’t catch them.”
Da Bai Tu, barefoot, hopped onto the bank and sat in Zuo Feng's arms. Her right foot was injured, and supporting herself on one foot to catch fish was indeed the first thing she couldn't endure.
Although her small mouth was complaining, her pretty face was filled with a bright smile.
“Fish in the water are not that easy to catch with bare hands. It’s good that you had fun. Are you tired?”
Affectionately flicking a drop of water from Da Bai Tu’s small, delicate nose, Zuo Feng could tell that Da Bai Tu had a lot of fun.
“Not tired, Xiao Nan Ren, how about we go hunting wild boars this afternoon! I also want to catch rabbits. Xiao Nan Ren, do you think there are big tigers in the mountains…?”
Holding Da Bai Tu, Zuo Feng listened to her chattering, his gaze falling on the playful girls.
Da Mi Tao was bending her slender waist, her pretty face filled with unyielding stubbornness, as if she wouldn't give up until she caught a fish.
Xiao Mi Tao's peach-shaped bottom was sticking up high, her small face almost touching the water as her fair, small hands rummaged through the stones in the water.
Xiao She Jing, with wet little hands on her hips, occasionally kicked away small stones at her feet.
The young mother had a serious expression, bending over, her hands close to the water, poised to strike.
Xiao Chu Niang was purely playing, sitting on a stone by the bank, idly kicking water with her small feet.
Zuo Feng saw Xiao Nv Pu’s smile for the first time; it was very sweet.
And there was a small, exquisitely carved figure, sitting on the grass, with a small drawing board in front of her, her brush moving like a dragon, her posture perfectly poised—it was just that no one could understand what she was drawing; watching these scenes, Zuo Feng’s heart was filled with tenderness…
In the end, the girls caught nothing. Da Mi Tao, valiant and spirited, led this “air force” team back in defeat.