The cave was located near a cliff edge, and there were many thorns growing outside, so wolves couldn't get through. Song Zhaodi breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ah Shui, why did you come all this way? I've been looking for you all day, you know? The forest is so dangerous, how dare you come to the deep mountains?"
"Shut up, you idiot! I didn't come to this deep mountain by myself. It's you who's incredibly stupid, running all the way into the mountains. I was right by the stream where I usually play, but you insisted on going to the cave to look for me."
"If you can't find me, run into the deep mountains. I'm only doing this because I'm afraid you'll get eaten by wolves and then no one will talk to me anymore. Otherwise, I wouldn't have followed you all this way." Zhao Shui's handsome face was sour, and his tone was unusually stiff.
However, Song Zhaodi wasn't angry at all. She smiled and sat down next to Zhao Shui, taking his arm and leaning on him, saying, "Ah Shui was worried about me, so he followed me all the way. Why didn't you say anything? You made me run so far, and you ran so far too. You must be exhausted."
“I’m swinging on vines and tree branches, much faster than you, and I even have time to rest. Unlike you, you’re so clumsy, you were even scared to tears just now.” Zhao Shui turned her face away and shook off her arm, not letting her hold it.
"If I don't cry, you won't show up, right? Ah Shui, you've gone astray." Song Zhaodi teased him with a resentful look.
The two spent the night in the cave, intending to return after dawn. However, a sudden downpour began in the early morning, trapping them inside the cave. Fortunately, over the years they had developed a habit: no matter how rushed they were in the mountains, they would pick anything edible and put it in their pockets.
So when they entered the cave, both of them carried a lot of food in their arms.
"Ah Shui, why are you still angry? I already said I won't leave, I'll stay with you and Auntie forever, I'll never leave the swamp in my life, okay?" Song Zhaodi had already sworn to Zhao Shui last night that she would never leave him, and he was clearly not angry anymore last night.
Why did you wake up with such a sour face again this morning?
Zhao Shui snorted and said, "My mother wants you to find a husband. Do you want to leave? My mother said you're a grown woman now, and a woman's time to get married and have children is when she grows up."
“If you don’t want me to leave the swamp, then I’ll stay here forever. I’ve promised you that so many times, don’t you believe me?” Song Zhaodi glanced at him furtively.
In fact, she had thought about it long ago. Zhao Shuiren was good-looking, and apart from being a bit weak, she was very kind to her. She would share her good food with her and was willing to let her make clothes and shoes from her good animal hides. Her aunt was also a good person, and both she and her son treated her very well.
If she were to go out and find someone to marry, she might not be able to find a better mother-in-law and husband than them. In her heart, she was willing to marry Zhao Shui.
Zhao Shui, that blockhead, was oblivious. He clearly liked her but didn't realize it. All he knew was that he couldn't let her leave. He jumped up and down when he heard that she was going to marry someone else. Yesterday, he even followed her around like a fool.
"How can I be sure what you're saying is true?" Zhao Shui didn't understand.
"Then what do you want me to do to believe you? I've already said that after we get married, we'll work at sunrise and rest at sunset, just like ordinary married couples live." Song Zhaodi rested her chin on her hand and imagined the future.
"According to you, we've been husband and wife for a long time, haven't we?" Zhao Shui seemed to suddenly realize.
"You silly thing, that doesn't count. Husbands and wives should have a wedding ceremony and do some special things."
Looking at Song Zhaodi's face, which had turned a deep shade of liver, Zhao Shui was completely bewildered. "Something special? I don't understand, but I want to be with you."
“But…” Song Zhaodi covered her face.
"But what?" Zhao Shui knew nothing.
Considering that Zhao Shui had lived in the swamp since childhood and had never had any contact with outsiders, he was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper. It was normal that he didn't understand some things between men and women.
Song Zhaodi recalled how, a few years ago, when they were fleeing famine, she and several fellow villagers would sneak through dog holes into the kitchens of wealthy families to steal food.
Because she didn't know where the kitchen was, she took a wrong turn and accidentally wandered into the room of a wealthy man's concubine. She was only twelve years old at the time, and when she realized she had entered the wrong room, she was about to leave.
Unexpectedly, the master and his concubine returned suddenly. The two of them went into the room and soon fell onto the bed together. At that time, Song Zhaodi was hiding behind the screen. She had her eyes closed and her ears covered, not daring to listen or see.
But people are always curious. She didn't know what the two men were doing on the bed. They couldn't finish for a long time, so she opened her eyes to take a look.
This sight was shocking; it was unsuitable for children. Alas, little Zhao Di blushed with embarrassment as she was forced to learn something new.
She recalled what the women at the village entrance were saying when they chatted: how men and women would have children only after getting married and doing this and that.
However, as she fled, she quickly forgot what she had seen that day. But now, looking at Zhao Shui, she remembered it all. She thought that besides herself, there was only Zhao Shui and Zhao Shui's mother here.
Whether they get married or not is just a formality, it doesn't matter. What matters is that the three of them can live well. Zhao Shui is willing to marry her, and she is willing to marry him, so it's only right that they do this and that together.
"Ah Shui, would you be willing to do this and that with me?" she asked.
Zhao Shui nodded firmly, "I'm willing, but I don't know how to do it?"
It's okay if he doesn't know, *serious face*. She knows a little bit, and the two of them can learn from and exchange ideas with each other.
So the young couple started learning and communicating, and they officially became a couple that very day.
Zhao Shui was clumsy the first time and handed in her assignment in a hurry.
Although he failed the first test, the young man was full of youthful vigor and thought he could do the homework a few more times until he passed the test.
When he got back, the first thing Zhao Shui said to his mother was that he and Song Zhaodi had finished their exams, and that she should give up the idea of sending them away.
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