Before Zhao Yan came to Ancient Tree Village, he had never gone to the mountains. His life had always been deep in the palace, and the people he saw every day were the same.
When he arrived at Ancient Tree Village and met Su Ling, he realized that the world was huge.
He gradually got used to climbing trees and fishing in the river with her. Every day was very fulfilling.
However, he did not dare to put down his studies. He remembered the teacher's words at all times. He read and wrote every day.
Coincidentally, the teacher in the village was about to open a school, so he could go and learn something.
Actually, he had some doubts about what this teacher was teaching. After all, his students were too many and too mixed. If he was teaching from the beginning…
Then it would not do much for his studies.
However, he still agreed to go because he did not want to disappoint Su Ling.
They came to the forest and sat down to rest when they were tired. When they were thirsty, they drank spring water. He loved the sound of birds chirping in the forest.
It was the sound of freedom.
It was also the sound he had once most looked forward to hearing.
But now that he finally had it, he could not be happy.
His mother was still in the deep palace, facing those crazy, ruthless women every day.
He could not help worrying.
However, he could not go back now. He could only hide in the wilderness.
Only then could his mother fight them without any distractions.
As he was thinking, someone suddenly grabbed the corner of his shirt.
He looked down at the girl's crumpled face.
"What are you thinking? I've been calling you for half a day and you've been ignoring me."
He snapped out of it. "What's wrong?"
Su Ling pointed at the tree in front of them. "I want to pick that fruit, but I can't reach it. Mother doesn't let me climb trees anymore."
Zhao Yan looked at the height of the fruit and suddenly squatted down to pick her up.
The little bundle was instantly much taller as he picked her up. She reached out and finally plucked it.
She plucked a lot and filled her pockets before letting him put her down.
Su Ling handed him one. He took it and put it in his mouth. In the next second, he spat it out.
"What is this? It's so sour."
Su Ling smiled gloatingly. "This is wild apricot. How is it? Is it sour?"
He had never eaten anything so sour, and winced.
"How sour."
However, Su Ling seemed to be used to it. She ate it in big mouthfuls as if she did not find it sour at all.
"You'll get used to it. This is actually very delicious."
Zhao Yan doubted her words. She wanted to hand it to him later, but he refused.
Su Ling did not force him. She just dragged him around for a while before digging back a lot of wildflowers.
After her tireless efforts, more than half of the Su family's small courtyard was filled with flowers, making the vegetables planted by Xu Fengqiao look very out of place.
They were not dissatisfied with how much Su Ling liked flowers. They would only discuss with her occasionally and ask her to leave a piece for them to plant some onions and garlic sprouts.
After all, these were things that were often needed for cooking.
The little girl agreed readily. On the same day, they divided their territories and made an agreement with Xu Fengqiao that neither party could cross the line.
Xu Fengqiao felt a headache when she saw that she had only given her a small area, but she reluctantly agreed.
Zhao Yan often planted flowers and watered them with her. Occasionally, when she forgot, he would help her water them.
He had asked her a few times why she liked flowers so much.
The girl mumbled for a long time but could not explain herself. In the end, she only said one sentence.
"Flowers are beautiful, so I like it!"