Chapter 138: Chapter 124, Ruhua’s Smiling Face_1
Atop Xiang Mountain, there lies a secluded stone path flanked by tall maple trees. Walking on the path stained red by maple leaves, watching the slowly falling leaves, one feels as though they have entered a fairy tale world.
Xiao Yeyang led the way, followed closely by Dong Yuanxuan and several others, as the group leisurely admired this rare and beautiful scenery.
Some ten meters ahead, two little girls were playing and laughing together.
At the moment, the two girls were constantly bending down to pick up maple leaves from the ground and throwing them at each other.
Amidst blossoming smiles and joyful laughter, they added a special touch of color to the serene, red maple tree-lined stone path.
“Hey, it would be a waste not to compose poems in such a beautiful setting. I propose that we each write a poem and then take it back to the Academy for our master to critique. What do you say?”
Dong Yuanxuan said with a smile.
The rest had no objections. Even Xiao Yeyang, watching the two girls completely immersed in joy ahead, couldn’t help but want to express the happiness in his heart.
All those present were carefully nurtured by their respective families and were naturally well-versed in literature, not the least bit intimidated.
However, Yan Wentao took a step back, “You all write. I’ll pass, I’m worried about Daohua and the other girl upfront. I’ll go keep an eye on them.”
Having said that, he didn’t wait for a response, but took off running.
When it came to martial arts, he was fearless. But composing poetry? Spare him. He was the kind of person who struggled with even the simplest verses.
Yan Wenkai was also not adept at literature and wished to leave, but it was too late. Zhou Chengye grabbed him and wouldn’t let go.
Ahead, Daohua’s forehead was beaded with sweat, and she was slightly out of breath. Despite feeling weak in the knees from climbing the mountain, nothing could dampen her enthusiasm to frolic freely at that moment.
After arriving in ancient times, even in the countryside, she had to mind her behavior due to constant surveillance. As a young lady, she couldn’t act too unrestrained, the most she could do was to run along the fields with her third brother.
Such carefree play without concern for the gaze of others and with companions to join in was almost unheard of for her.
Seeing Zhou Jingwan across from her with flushed cheeks, Daohua smiled.
What adult spirit, what child, before play and laughter, age doesn’t really matter, does it?
Thus, she swung the maple leaves even more vigorously.
Yan Wentao stood a few meters away, watching the two with an amused smile.
Big sister must be very happy today, look how much fun she’s having!
Ever since returning to her uncle and aunt’s side, big sister’s opportunities to go out had lessened, and she must have been stifled at home.
Hmm… the Little Prince loves to play, so next time if he comes out to play, should I remind him to invite big sister along? Oh, and also the Zhou Family’s young lady.
“I can’t do it anymore, I can’t play anymore!”
Zhou Jingwan, gasping for air, waved at Daohua, then ungracefully plopped down on the ground.
Normally, she would never dare to do this, but weren’t there no adults around now?
Daohua also stopped, put her hands on her hips to catch her breath, and looked up at the red maple leaves in her hair, “It’d be great if the maple leaves could just fall down by themselves!”
Upon hearing this, Yan Wentao’s expression shifted and he located the maple tree closest to the two girls. Nimble, he climbed it, and then began vigorously shaking the maple tree.
“Wow, so beautiful!”
As the red maple leaves cascaded down around her, Zhou Jingwan immediately got to her feet, jumping and clapping her hands in delight.
Daohua was also filled with joy, extending her arms, allowing the maple leaves to flutter onto her.
The commotion caught the attention of the people composing poems behind them. When Xiao Yeyang turned around, his eyes fell on Daohua, bathed in a shower of maple leaves.
Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily.
He really liked Daohua’s smile, especially the kind that curved her eyes and brows, which made one feel warmly enveloped.
Not just him, but Dong Yuanxuan and a few others behind him also had the warm smiles of an indulgent uncle.
After playing around for a bit, Daohua waved at Yan Wentao, who was still shaking the maple tree, “Third Brother, that’s enough, we’re not playing anymore, come down quickly.”
Zhou Jingwan immediately took over the conversation, “Yes, Third Brother, come down quickly, if you keep shaking it, your arms will start to ache.”
Hearing the calls of the two, Yan Wentao indeed stopped and then, holding onto the tree, he climbed down swiftly.
“Third Brother…”
Just as Daohua was about to hand over the handkerchief in her hand for Yan Wentao to wipe his sweat, she noticed someone had beaten her to it.
“Third Brother, wipe off your sweat, look how tired you are,” Zhou Jingwan said as she stuffed the silk handkerchief into Yan Wentao’s hand without any explanation.
“No need…” Holding the handkerchief, Yan Wentao was at a loss. He couldn’t possibly use a young girl’s handkerchief, and it belonged to someone else at that, but unfortunately, Zhou Jingwan didn’t give him a chance to refuse.
“What are you staring at, hurry up and wipe your sweat! Look at you, all sweaty, dripping down your neck, does that feel good?” Zhou Jingwan urged him repeatedly.
Daohua stood by, watching the two, and when she saw Zhou Jingwan’s eyes were clear and without a hint of other intentions, she couldn’t help but laugh.
What was she thinking?
Miss Jingwan was still but a young girl in her teens.
Daohua snatched the handkerchief back and stuffed it into Zhou Jingwan’s hand, then handed her own to Yan Wentao: “Third Brother, hurry and wipe your sweat.”
It was only then that Yan Wentao dared to pick up the handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
Seeing this, Zhou Jingwan pouted, “What’s that for, can’t you use mine?” After speaking, she glared at Daohua, “Isn’t your brother just like my brother? Why make such a clear distinction?”
Daohua looped her arm around Zhou Jingwan’s, “Isn’t it just to avoid dirtying your handkerchief?”
Zhou Jingwan: “If it gets dirty, it gets dirty. I have others, I can just change to a new one.”
At this moment, Xiao Yeyang and the others walked over.
“Done playing?”
Seeing the two girls’ flushed faces, everyone smiled.
Daohua and Zhou Jingwan shook their heads simultaneously.
Suddenly, Daohua caught a glimpse of a hand reaching towards her from the corner of her eye, and she immediately turned her head aside.
Xiao Yeyang’s hand awkwardly paused mid-air.
Daohua eyed Xiao Yeyang, “What are you looking at?”
Xiao Yeyang looked irritably at Daohua and reached out, plucking a piece of leaf from her hair, then pursed his lips, “Playfulness aside, you should at least pay some attention to your image.”
Before Daohua could respond, Zhou Jingwan turned her around, “Daohua, take a look at me quick, there’s nothing on my head, is there?”
Daohua tidied up the strands of hair hanging by Zhou Jingwan’s ear, then shook her head, “There’s nothing.”
Zhou Jingwan breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good. If my mother saw my hair in disarray, she definitely wouldn’t let me come out next time.”
Hearing this, Daohua also grew nervous, “You should check mine too, and tidy it up for me.” Her mother was also very particular about appearances; she didn’t want to be confined to the rear courtyard in the future.
Zhou Jingwan fussed with Daohua’s hair a bit and smiled, “Yours looks just fine too.”
Daohua, feeling relieved, looked at the sky and suggested, “Should we head down? It’s not good to keep the ladies and young misses of the various families waiting!”