Chapter 124: The Smiling Face Like a Flower

 Chapter 124: The Smiling Face Like a Flower

At the top of Xiangxia Mountain, there was a quiet stone path lined with towering maple trees. Walking along the stone path dyed red with maple leaves, watching the leaves gently fall, it felt like entering a fairy tale world.

Xiao Yeyang led the way, with Dong Yuanxuan and the others following behind. The group leisurely admired the rare and beautiful scenery.

A little ahead, about ten meters away, two girls were laughing and playing.

At this moment, the two girls were constantly bending down to pick up the fallen maple leaves and toss them at each other.

Their cheerful laughter and bright smiles added a special touch to the peaceful, red maple tree-lined stone path.

"Oh, such a beautiful scene! It would be a waste not to write a poem. I suggest we each write one, and then bring it back to the academy for the teacher to critique. What do you think?" Dong Yuanxuan said with a smile.

Everyone naturally had no objections. Even Xiao Yeyang, looking at the two girls completely immersed in their joy ahead, couldn’t help but feel the urge to express the happiness in his heart.

The people present were all carefully cultivated by their families, so their knowledge was naturally good, and no one hesitated.

However, Yan Wentao stepped back. "You all go ahead and write your poems. I won’t join. I don’t feel right leaving Daohua and the others up ahead. I’ll go watch over them."

Without waiting for anyone to respond, he quickly ran off.

As for martial arts, he wasn't afraid, but poetry? No thanks—he was the type who had to think for a long time just to come up with the simplest lines.

Yan Wenkai, also not particularly skilled in literature, wanted to leave too, but he was a step too late and was dragged back by Zhou Chengye.

Ahead, Daohua was sweating slightly, her breath a bit shallow. Though her legs were sore from the exertion of climbing, she was filled with an urge to play and be carefree.

Since coming to the ancient world, even though she lived in the countryside, she was always watched by others. As a young lady, she couldn’t act too wildly. The most she could do was run around the fields with her third brother.

But now, there was no one to judge her behavior. She could let go, have fun, and even had someone to play with. It was a rare opportunity.

Looking at Zhou Jingwan’s flushed face, Daohua smiled.

Who cares about "adult souls" and "childhood"? When it came to laughter and play, age didn’t matter, right?

So, she waved her maple leaves even faster.

Yan Wentao stood a few meters away, smiling as he watched the two girls.

His big sister must be really happy today. Just look at how much fun she’s having! 

Since returning to her uncle and aunt’s home, his big sister had few opportunities to go out, and she must have been bored at home.

Hmm. The Young Prince was playful. Maybe next time, when he comes out to play, he should remind him to take his big sister along, and also Zhou’s younger sister. 

"I can’t do it anymore! I’m so tired!" Zhou Jingwan gasped and waved her hand at Daohua before sitting down on the ground in a rather ungraceful manner.

Normally, she would never do this, but now there were no adults around, so who cared?

Daohua also stopped, placing her hands on her hips and breathing heavily. She looked up at the red maple leaves above her. "It would be great if the leaves just fell by themselves!"

As soon as she said this, Yan Wentao’s expression changed. He quickly found the nearest maple tree to the two girls, nimbly climbed up, and began shaking the tree with all his might.

"Wow, it’s so beautiful!"

Seeing the red maple leaves falling like rain, Zhou Jingwan immediately jumped to her feet, clapping her hands and cheering.

Daohua also smiled with delight, spreading her arms wide and letting the falling leaves scatter over her.

The commotion caught the attention of the others who were writing poems. Xiao Yeyang turned around, and his gaze immediately fell on Daohua, who was bathing in the shower of maple leaves.

Seeing the stars in her eyes, a smile unconsciously tugged at the corner of his mouth.

He really liked Daohua's smile, especially when her eyes and brows curved with it, making him feel warm inside.

Not just him—Dong Yuanxuan and the others behind him also displayed smiles that resembled that of an affectionate uncle.

After playing for a while, Daohua waved at Yan Wentao, who was still shaking the maple tree. "Third brother, that's enough. We’re done playing, come down now."

Zhou Jingwan immediately chimed in, "Yes, Third brother, hurry down. If you keep shaking, your arms will get sore."

Hearing the calls, Yan Wentao stopped, and quickly climbed down the tree, holding on to it.

"Third brother," Daohua was just about to hand him the handkerchief she had in her hand to wipe his sweat when someone beat her to it.

"Third brother, wipe your sweat. You’re all sweaty." Zhou Jingwan unceremoniously shoved her handkerchief into his hand.

"No need." Yan Wentao, holding the handkerchief, was at a loss. He couldn't use a young girl's handkerchief, let alone one that belonged to someone else. But Zhou Jingwan didn’t give him a chance to refuse.

"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and wipe your sweat! Look at all the sweat dripping down your neck, doesn't it feel uncomfortable?" Zhou Jingwan urged.

Daohua stood aside, looking at the two of them. Seeing Zhou Jingwan's clear, unbothered eyes, she immediately smiled.

What was she thinking? Zhou Jingwan was still just a young girl, not even in her teens.

Daohua snatched the handkerchief back from Zhou Jingwan and handed her own over to Yan Wentao. "Third brother, hurry up and wipe your sweat."

Only then did Yan Wentao dare to use the handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

Seeing this, Zhou Jingwan pouted. "What’s the matter? Can't you use mine?" She then glared at Daohua, "Your brother is like my brother, why make such a big deal about it?"

Daohua hooked her arm around Zhou Jingwan’s. "It’s just that I didn’t want to dirty your handkerchief."

Zhou Jingwan rolled her eyes. "So what if it gets dirty? I have more. I can just change it."

At this moment, Xiao Yeyang and the others came over.

"Done playing?"

Seeing the two girls with their flushed faces, everyone couldn’t help but smile.

Daohua and Zhou Jingwan shook their heads in unison.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Daohua saw a hand stretch toward her, and immediately turned her head to the side.

Xiao Yeyang’s hand awkwardly froze in midair.

Daohua looked at him. "What are you staring at?"

Xiao Yeyang shot her an annoyed glance before reaching out and taking the maple leaf that was stuck in her hair, then muttered, "Playing is fine, but you should at least pay attention to your appearance."

Before Daohua could respond, Zhou Jingwan spun her around. "Daohua, let me see, is there anything wrong with my hair?"

Daohua reached out and adjusted the stray strands of hair near Zhou Jingwan's ear, then shook her head. "Nothing’s wrong."

Zhou Jingwan sighed in relief. "That’s good. If my mother saw my hair disheveled, she definitely wouldn’t let me go out next time."

Upon hearing this, Daohua also felt nervous. "Check my hair too, help me adjust it. My mother is also particular about my appearance. I don’t want to be kept in the backyard."

Zhou Jingwan adjusted Daohua's hair, laughing. "Yours looks fine too."

Daohua relaxed and then looked up at the sky. "Should we head down? We shouldn’t keep the ladies from the other families waiting." 

(End of Chapter)