At the foot of the mountain, Zhang Qinghua handed the basket he was holding to Song Lili, tied the rope around himself, and led the way into the deeper part of the mountain.
Song Lili paused for a moment, looked at the basket in her hand, pursed her lips, then grasped it, smiling as she walked away with Yang Mei.
Li Qinghua didn't want to leave, but... the bomb in front of him was still raging, and if he wasn't allowed to extinguish it, he was afraid of being caught in the crossfire. Little did he know that he was already a fish in the mud.
Li Qinghua quickly caught up with Zhang Qinghua, took a deep breath, and asked casually, "What's wrong with you all of a sudden? Did Lili make you angry?"
Zhang Qinghua looked at Li Qinghua with a cool gaze, which made Li Qinghua's hair stand on end, and a chill seeped into his pores, making his teeth chatter.
Just as Li Qinghua was about to give up and her smile was becoming increasingly stiff, Zhang Qinghua turned her head and asked, "You and she used to be very close?"
"Her? Who?" Then she suddenly realized, "You mean Lili? I don't know her well, but I've met her before and spoken to her."
"As you know, I have many friends. Song Jianshe and I are on good terms. He sometimes brings his sister along. I've only met her a few times, so what's wrong?"
Li Qinghua was puzzled. Why would his friend ask him if he was close to Song Lili? A terrifying thought suddenly crossed his mind.
"Zhang Qinghua, you wouldn't be... jealous, would you?" But she didn't dare say the last three words, and just looked at him with a surprised look.
Zhang Qinghua didn't speak, but pursed his lips and stared intently at Li Qinghua for a long time before finally saying, "You're overthinking it. I was just asking."
But Li Qinghua was filled with curiosity, as if he had discovered a new continent, and forgot the unease he had felt earlier, chasing after Zhang Qinghua.
"No, that's not it. I think you're just jealous but won't admit it. Tell me, I won't laugh at you."
"Wow, that's amazing! You actually get jealous, and so obviously at that. Does Song Lili know? Should I tell her?" Li Qinghua couldn't help but tease Zhang Qinghua.
But was Zhang Qinghua so easily threatened? His eyes darted around warily, and he casually said, "Then I'll tell Yang Mei you like Luo Juan..."
"What? Zhang Qinghua, don't get me into this. Someone like Luo Juan is rotten to the core. I would never like her. No, no one would like her."
Li Qinghua panicked, "Zhang Qinghua, let me tell you, if you really tell, then we can't be friends anymore!"
"Then shut up."
"Okay," Li Qinghua answered decisively and loudly, drawing the attention of both Song Lili and Yang Mei.
The two had been speaking in hushed tones, so Song Lili and Yang Mei, who were some distance away, couldn't hear what they were saying.
Li Qinghua's almost roaring voice immediately drew everyone's attention, and they all looked at him curiously.
Li Qinghua felt embarrassed and shy when she was stared at by two pairs of clear, bright eyes, one of which belonged to her sweetheart.
Zhang Qinghua scoffed at Li Qinghua's expression, his disdain evident.
Li Qinghua was unhappy, but there was nothing he could do but seek revenge in his heart.
Li Qinghua walked to Yang Mei's side with a silly grin, without explaining why he had acted that way earlier, because it was simply not a topic he could easily tell the two girls.
Song Lili was genuinely curious about what Zhang Qinghua had said that had made Li Qinghua so agitated.
She wanted to ask more, but Li Qinghua stopped her. He put his index finger to his lips to tell her not to speak, because he saw Zhang Qinghua staring at a certain spot and twitching her ears.
This is Zhang Qinghua's expression when he discovers something; it's because they grew up together that he knows his little tricks.
Li Qinghua was happy, and an excited smile appeared on his face, but he still suppressed it.
Have you discovered something? Are there animals around here? Are they far away?
Li Qinghua had complete faith in Zhang Qinghua's hearing, which was naturally superior to others and could not be envied. During the period of famine, it was this innate ability that ensured that no one in either family starved to death.
Stopped by Li Qinghua, Song Lili followed his gaze to Zhang Qinghua. Had she discovered something?
Suddenly, Zhang Qinghua darted to the right and disappeared behind the trees in an instant, his figure barely visible.
Song Lili reacted quickly, immediately realizing there was something there. She asked, "We found it, right? There is something, right?" and jumped out after Zhang Qinghua.
Only Yang Mei and Li Qinghua remained in place. Li Qinghua slowly put down his right foot, which had just stepped out, and glanced at Yang Mei.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
