Chapter 36
On the return journey from their trip to the seaside, the scenery outside the car window gradually changed from the azure coast to verdant fields. Song Linchuan leaned on Song Mingye's shoulder, the coolness of seashells still lingering on his fingertips. "Brother, when summer comes, let's go to the mountains to escape the heat?" he suddenly suggested, his eyes shining like they held starlight. Song Mingye smiled and ruffled his hair: "Sure, wherever you want to go, we'll go."
Qi Zihao in the back seat immediately chimed in, "I know a mountain stream that's really cool, and you can even catch small fish there!" Chu Xiaoche tapped his forehead helplessly, "All you do is play around. Be careful not to fall into the water." Jiang Ziyu said softly, "Summer in the mountains must be very quiet, perfect for painting." Mu Nanjin held his hand and replied gently, "Then let's go there. I'll accompany you to sketch."
Summer arrived quickly, and after a few showers, the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees. Song Mingye had booked a guesthouse in the mountains in advance. The courtyard was filled with grapevines, their vines hanging down and blocking most of the sunlight. When they arrived, the guesthouse owner was sitting at the door shelling peanuts. Seeing them, he smiled and greeted them, "You've finally arrived! I saved the coolest room for you."
The room was on the second floor. Opening the window revealed distant green mountains, and a mountain breeze carrying the scent of pine needles instantly dispelled the summer heat. Song Linchuan excitedly ran to the window and pointed to the stream below the mountain: "Brother, look, there really is a stream there!" Song Mingye walked over and gently hugged him from behind: "Don't rush, we'll go play by the stream tomorrow."
Chu Xiaoche and Qi Zihao's rooms were right next door. Qi Zihao had just put down his luggage when he pulled Chu Xiaoche to the yard to pick grapes. The purplish-green grapes hung heavily on the vines, and Qi Zihao tried to reach them on tiptoe for a long time but couldn't. Chu Xiaoche smiled, walked over, picked a bunch, and held it to his lips: "Try it, is it sweet?" Qi Zihao took a bite; the grapes were juicy and sweet, and his eyes narrowed: "Super sweet!"
Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin were tidying up their art supplies in the room. Jiang Ziyu took out his easel and began sketching the green mountains outside the window. Mu Nanjin sat beside him, helping him mix the paints and occasionally reminding him, "The light has changed, so the colors can be a little lighter." Jiang Ziyu nodded, and with a light turn of his brush, the outline of the green mountains gradually became clear.
Dinner was authentic farm-style cooking: stir-fried seasonal vegetables, stewed free-range chicken, and small fish freshly caught from the stream—all exceptionally delicious. Song Linchuan kept piling food onto Song Mingye's plate: "Brother, eat more. The chicken from the mountains is especially fragrant." Song Mingye smiled and accepted the food, then placed the small fish from his bowl onto Song Linchuan's plate: "You eat too, but be careful of the bones."
Chu Xiaoche peeled chicken feet for Qi Zihao, whose mouth was full. Qi Zihao mumbled, "Xiaoche, let's go catch small fish tomorrow!" Chu Xiaoche nodded helplessly, "Okay, but be careful." Mu Nanjin then served Jiang Ziyu a bowl of chicken soup, "Drink some soup to warm your stomach."
After dinner, everyone sat under the grape trellis in the courtyard to cool off. The owner brought over a bamboo bed, and Song Linchuan lay on it, swinging his legs and listening to the cicadas chirping in the distance. Song Mingye sat beside him, fanning him. Qi Zihao leaned against Chu Xiaoche, holding a flashlight and shining it around on the ground, trying to find fireflies. Jiang Ziyu leaned on Mu Nanjin's shoulder, quietly watching the stars in the sky.
"Wow! Fireflies!" Qi Zihao suddenly shouted, pointing to the grass not far away. Several fireflies, their faint light dancing among the grass, looked like stars fallen to earth. Everyone fell silent, watching this beautiful sight. Jiang Ziyu picked up his paintbrush and quickly sketched on the paper, wanting to record this moment of beauty.
Late at night, Song Mingye lay in bed, Song Linchuan curled up beside him. The cicadas outside the window gradually faded, and a gentle mountain breeze brought a cool breeze. "Brother, the nights in the mountains are so quiet," Song Linchuan whispered. Song Mingye took his hand and patted it gently. "Yes, we'll come here every summer to escape the heat." Song Linchuan nodded, snuggled closer to him, and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Qi Zihao couldn't wait to drag Chu Xiaoche to the stream to catch small fish. Song Mingye, Song Linchuan, Jiang Ziyu, and Mu Nanjin also arrived shortly after. The stream water was crystal clear, revealing the pebbles and swimming fish at the bottom. Qi Zihao squatted by the stream, holding a small net, carefully watching the fish. Suddenly, he cast the net down but caught nothing. Chu Xiaoche smiled and walked over, patiently instructing him, "Approach slowly, don't disturb the fish."
Song Linchuan and Xiaobai were playing by the stream. Xiaobai excitedly ran around in the water, splashing water everywhere. Song Mingye sat on a rock by the stream, watching them with a smile on his face. Jiang Ziyu sat under the shade of a tree nearby, holding a sketchbook and sketching the scenery by the stream. Mu Nanjin sat beside him, handing him paints with gentle eyes.
At noon, the group returned to the guesthouse with the small fish they had caught. The owner fried them for them, and they were deliciously crispy. After lunch, Song Mingye was a little sleepy, so Song Linchuan helped him back to his room to rest. Qi Zihao and Chu Xiaoche played cards in the courtyard, while Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin continued drawing and reading.
As evening fell, the group strolled along a mountain path. The setting sun cast its golden glow upon the green hills, and wildflowers along the roadside emitted a faint fragrance. Song Mingye held Song Linchuan's hand, Chu Xiaoche had his arm around Qi Zihao's shoulder, and Mu Nanjin held Jiang Ziyu's hand. The six of them walked side by side on the path, their shadows stretched long by the setting sun.
"Brother, look, there's a rainbow!" Song Linchuan suddenly shouted, pointing to the sky. Everyone looked up and saw a beautiful rainbow hanging in the sky, its colors vibrant. "Wow, so beautiful!" Qi Zihao clapped his hands excitedly. Chu Xiaoche hugged him from behind: "Do you like it? It's a gift from nature."
Jiang Ziyu leaned against Mu Nanjin's chest, looking at the rainbow in the sky, a faint smile on his lips. Mu Nanjin lowered his head and placed a kiss on his forehead: "In the future, we will see many more rainbows together."
Cicadas chirped incessantly in the trees, as if telling the story of summer. The evening breeze kissed the old windowsill, bringing the coolness of the mountains and a sense of happiness. Song Mingye looked at his loved ones and friends beside him, his heart filled with warmth. He knew that after weathering the storms, these simple, happy days were the most precious. And in the springs, summers, autumns, and winters to come, they would always be together, witnessing all the beauty of the world.
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