Chapter 25

As the night rain subsided, dawn was just breaking. The mountain mist lingered, like a thin veil shrouding Red Leaf Valley, filling the air with the fresh scent of maple leaves and earth. Song Linchuan was awakened by birdsong outside the window. He rubbed his eyes, crawled out of Song Mingye's arms, and peered out the window. He immediately exclaimed excitedly, "Brother! The rain has stopped!"

Song Mingye opened his eyes, smiling as he pulled him back into his arms: "So happy?" "Of course!" Song Linchuan turned around and hugged his neck, "We can go pick maple leaves to make bookmarks!" Song Mingye nodded and placed a light kiss on his forehead: "Okay, get up and wash up first, then call them to go together."

In Chu Xiaoche's room, Qi Zihao was squatting in front of his suitcase, rummaging through something. "What are you looking for?" Chu Xiaoche walked over and hugged him from behind. "I'm looking for scissors and rope," Qi Zihao turned and smiled at him, "We're going to make lots and lots of maple leaf bookmarks today!" Chu Xiaoche smiled and took a small box from the drawer: "I prepared this for you a long time ago, and there are colored pencils too, you can draw on them." Qi Zihao's eyes lit up, and he kissed him on the cheek: "You're so sweet!"

Jiang Ziyu was gently woken up by Mu Nanjin. "Awake?" Mu Nanjin's voice was gentle. "The weather is nice outside, let's go pick some maple leaves." Jiang Ziyu nodded, sat up, and rubbed his eyes. Mu Nanjin picked up a coat from the side and helped him put it on: "It's still a bit chilly in the mountains, don't catch a cold."

As the six met at the entrance of the guesthouse, sunlight pierced through the mist, illuminating every corner of Red Leaf Valley. The mountainsides were ablaze with vibrant red leaves, washed clean by the rain, their glistening dewdrops refracting iridescent light. "Wow, so beautiful!" Qi Zihao exclaimed, raising his camera and snapping a picture.

"Let's split up and meet back here in half an hour," Song Mingye suggested. Everyone nodded and headed off in different directions.

Song Mingye held Song Linchuan's hand as they walked slowly along the path by the stream. The water was crystal clear, and red leaves drifted on the surface. "Brother, look at this maple leaf, doesn't it look like a butterfly?" Song Linchuan picked up a uniquely shaped maple leaf and said excitedly. Song Mingye took the leaf and examined it carefully. "It really does." He took out a pen from his pocket, gently wrote their names on the leaf, and handed it to Song Linchuan. "This is for you, as a personalized bookmark." Song Linchuan happily accepted it and carefully placed it in his pocket.

Chu Xiaoche and Qi Zihao then ventured into a dense maple forest. The ground was carpeted with red leaves, soft and rustling underfoot. Qi Zihao excitedly wandered through the trees, selecting the most beautifully shaped maple leaves. Chu Xiaoche followed behind him, carrying a bag and carefully filling it with the leaves he had chosen. "Xiaoche, look at this one!" Qi Zihao held up a bright red maple leaf. "The color is so vibrant!" Chu Xiaoche walked over and gently brushed the dew off the leaf. "It really is beautiful. Let's make it into bookmarks and give them to Mingye and the others."

Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin found a quiet hillside and sat on the grass, picking out maple leaves. Jiang Ziyu held a maple leaf in his hand, examining it carefully, then took out a colored pencil from his pocket and drew a small rabbit on it. Mu Nanjin sat beside him, watching him quietly with gentle eyes. "What are you drawing?" Mu Nanjin asked softly. "I'm drawing you," Jiang Ziyu's cheeks flushed slightly, "When you smile, your eyes are as cute as a rabbit's." Mu Nanjin laughed and reached out to ruffle his hair: "Then you'd better draw it nicely."

Half an hour later, everyone gathered at the entrance of the guesthouse, each carrying a handful of maple leaves. "Let's go make bookmarks in the yard!" Qi Zihao suggested. Everyone readily agreed, bringing out tables and chairs and bustling about in the yard.

Song Mingye helped Song Linchuan trim maple leaves, while Song Linchuan drew on them; Chu Xiaoche patiently taught Qi Zihao how to dehydrate maple leaves, and Qi Zihao learned very diligently; Jiang Ziyu wrote poems on maple leaves, and Mu Nanjing handed him a pen. The courtyard was filled with laughter and joy, and the sunlight shone on them, warm and bright.

At noon, the guesthouse owner prepared a sumptuous lunch for them. After lunch, everyone sat in the courtyard, admiring the bookmarks they had made. Song Linchuan, holding the bookmark Song Mingye had made for him, happily said, "This is the best gift I've ever received!" Qi Zihao then distributed his bookmarks to everyone, saying, "I hope you like them!" Jiang Ziyu handed a maple leaf bookmark with a rabbit drawn on it to Mu Nanjin, saying, "Here you go, I made this especially for you." Mu Nanjin took the bookmark, her eyes gentle, "I like it very much, I will treasure it."

In the afternoon, Song Mingye suggested holding a farewell banquet to bring this trip to Red Leaf Valley to a perfect close. Everyone nodded in agreement and got to work preparing. Song Linchuan and Qi Zihao were in charge of setting up the venue, Chu Xiaoche and Mu Nanjin were in charge of purchasing ingredients, and Song Mingye and Jiang Ziyu were helping in the kitchen.

As evening fell, the farewell banquet officially began. The courtyard was adorned with colorful lanterns, and the tables were laden with sumptuous food and drinks. Everyone sat together, raising their glasses in celebration. "To our wonderful trip to Red Leaf Valley!" Song Mingye raised his glass, his smile radiant. "Cheers!" everyone responded in unison, their glasses clinking together with a crisp sound.

At the banquet, Qi Zihao excitedly shared the photos he had taken, while Chu Xiaoche gently explained them to him; Jiang Ziyu showed everyone his painting of the Red Leaf Valley scenery, with Mu Nanjin standing beside him, his eyes full of pride; Song Linchuan leaned on Song Mingye's shoulder, listening to everyone's laughter, his face full of happiness.

As night deepened, the farewell banquet drew to a close. Everyone sat in the courtyard, chatting and sharing their experiences from the trip. "I really don't want to leave," Qi Zihao said with some reluctance. "It's so beautiful here." Chu Xiaoche took his hand: "It's okay, we'll come back again."

Jiang Ziyu looked at Mu Nanjin beside him and said softly, "I'm very happy with this trip." Mu Nanjin smiled and hugged him, "Me too. With you here, every day is happy."

Looking at the people before him, Song Mingye felt a surge of warmth in his heart. "Although the trip is over, our friendship will not end," he said with a smile. "We should get together often in the future." Everyone nodded, their faces full of anticipation.

The next morning, the six packed their bags and prepared to leave Red Leaf Valley. The guesthouse owner saw them to the door, smiling and saying, "Come visit again anytime!" "Definitely!" they all replied in unison.

The car slowly drove away from Red Leaf Valley. Qi Zihao leaned against the car window, watching the red leaves gradually disappear into the distance, his heart filled with reluctance. Chu Xiaoche held his hand and gently comforted him, "Don't be sad, we'll come back." Jiang Ziyu leaned on Mu Nanjin's shoulder, looking at the scenery outside the window, clutching the maple leaf bookmark tightly in his hand. Song Mingye and Song Linchuan sat in the front row, exchanging smiles, their eyes full of happiness.

As the evening breeze kissed the old windowsill, the car had already entered the city. This trip to Red Leaf Valley not only allowed them to appreciate the beautiful scenery, but also deepened the bonds between the three couples. They knew that in the days to come, no matter what storms they encountered, as long as they held hands and stood shoulder to shoulder, they would surely find their own happiness. And those memories of the red leaves, like warm bookmarks, would forever remain in their hearts, witnessing their love and affection.