As summer gave way to autumn and flowers bloomed and withered, the summer holidays passed and the autumn semester at the academy began.
Accompanied by Su Hu and his wife, Sister Qiao went to study in the county town. Doudou took a boat across the river to attend classes in the academy on the opposite bank.
Su Qingluo stayed at home to take care of two young colts. Without the constraints of her parents, she enjoyed a life of freedom.
Riding the colts through the mountains and forests, her laughter as clear as silver bells echoed throughout every corner of Woniu Village.
**
It took Su Hu and his wife five days to accompany Sister Qiao to the county town, see her settled into school, and return home. The journey was long and arduous.
With their parents away, nine-year-old Su Zixuan took upon himself the responsibility of cooking and taking care of his younger sister.
