It was the busy farming season, and dew was still on the tips of the grass. Cheng Yaoyao, Zhang Xiaofeng and a few other educated youth went to work chatting and laughing.
The paddy fields were illuminated brightly by the sunlight, divided into neat grids, and the rice seedlings planted a few days ago were green, strong and upright.
"Snake, there's a snake! Help!" the children playing by the water screamed.
Zhang Xiaofeng hurriedly said: "Go and save them!"
Someone was faster than them and grabbed the twisting water snake in his hand.
"I was bitten by a snake!" the child cried.
The young man held the snake's head and said in a cold voice that gave people peace of mind: "It's a water snake, not poisonous."
The adults nearby also tried to comfort them: "It's just a common water snake, don't be afraid."
The mother of the child who rushed over after hearing the news hugged her child and patted him to comfort him. The young man then quietly walked away from the crowd and threw the water snake into the ditch. The long, earthy yellow snake twisted in the bushes and disappeared.
Only a few educated youth who were watching asked, "Hey, wasn't the one who saved the man your partner, Yaoyao?"
Cheng Yaoyao narrowed her charming peach blossom eyes slightly, and a guess vaguely emerged in her mind. She ignored the others and started to chase after him.
The torn coat could not hide the smooth and upright outline of his back, and his long legs took big steps, making Cheng Yaoyao, who was chasing him, breathless.
"Wait for me!" Cheng Yaoyao was out of breath from chasing, "Wait for me!"
The charming and stunning beauty was chasing after him, but Xie Zhao turned a deaf ear to her and did not slow down his steps for even a moment.
What are you pretending for? Cheng Yaoyao stamped his feet in anger, his eyes suddenly turned, and he said in a soft voice: "Thank you, Third Brother... My feet hurt."
Xie Zhao's straight back trembled, and he finally stopped and turned to look at her.
Cheng Yaoyao took the opportunity to run ahead of him and said, "Why didn't you wait for me!"
Xie Zhao asked indifferently: "Why should I wait for you?"
"You have long legs and walk too fast. I can't catch up with you." Cheng Yaoyao held his stomach and panted, saying in a baby voice.
There was a hint of strangeness in Xie Zhao's narrow eyes, and he looked at Cheng Yaoyao inquiringly.
Cheng Yaoyao raised her chin and looked at Xie Zhao arrogantly. Now she was not so afraid of Xie Zhao, because she had caught the evidence of Xie Zhao's crime!
Humph, it's obviously a non-venomous water snake, but she's taking advantage of it by sucking the poison!
Looking at her coquettish look, Xie Zhao thought to himself, why are you being so coquettish to me? Finally, he nodded: "Okay. I'll wait for you later."
Cheng Yaoyao immediately took off his bag and lunch box, put them into Xie Zhao's arms, and said, "I want to eat mulberries today."
Xie Zhao nodded and said with a half-smile, "Do you want me to shoot another pheasant for you?"
"That, that's too grand, isn't it?" Cheng Yaoyao didn't hear the hidden meaning at all and walked ahead excitedly.
Alas, she originally wanted to expose Xie Zhao for taking advantage of her, but now that Xie Zhao was so good to her, she couldn't bear it anymore. She decided to give Xie Zhao a chance to atone for his sins.
Looking at the arrogant person in front of him, Xie Zhao could no longer hold back the curling of his stern lips, and then returned to his expressionless face.
Cheng Yaoyao was particularly self-righteous about being lazy in the morning. Not only did she not do any work, she also asked Xie Zhao to pick a handful of mulberries for her and eat them while sitting under the shade of a tree.
Cheng Yaoyao had eaten her fill of mulberries, and at lunch she only ate half a mulberry. She put the remaining half in Xie Zhao's hand and asked him to finish it.
Xie Zhao's face turned cold. Before he could speak, Cheng Yaoyao said hastily: "Anyway, I'm full, you must eat this nest of bones! Otherwise, otherwise I will..." I will expose the fact that you took advantage of me.
Xie Zhao asked back: "What do you want to do?"
I'm giving you a chance! Cheng Yaoyao was so angry that his cheeks were dizzy, his eyes were drunk, and he couldn't say anything. He rushed to grab the nest in Xie Zhao's hand: "Forget it!"
Xie Zhao took his hand back and took a big bite of the steamed bun. The steamed bun tasted sweet like food, and Xie Zhao swallowed it in a few bites, looking at Cheng Yaoyao calmly.
Cheng Yaoyao was already smiling, and there was a little red at the corners of his eyes.
Xie Zhao retracted his gaze, took the kettle and drank a few gulps of cold water. As expected, she was a spoiled young lady who would cry if things didn't go her way.
In the early summer afternoon, the whole village is shrouded in warm sunlight. Looking down from a high place, the river water turns into a bright ribbon, meandering through the soybean field, with golden flakes floating on the water surface.
The weather was so nice that even the most hardworking people in Tianshui Village couldn't help but stop and take a rest.
Far away in the soybean fields in the suburbs, Cheng Yaoyao took a nap in the shade of the cornfield and was awakened by a slight itch. She opened her eyes and a bright yellow butterfly fluttered away from her curled eyelashes.
Cheng Yaoyao stretched her waist slowly, and an old coat slipped off her body. It was an old-fashioned coarse cloth coat, the fabric was washed white, but it was very clean.
Cheng Yaoyao sniffed it secretly; the jacket had a dry scent of soapberry and Xie Zhao's unique body odor, like grass and trees in the sun.
Every time she took a nap, Xie Zhao would secretly put clothes on her. Oh, it was really annoying.
Oh, where is Xie Zhao? Cheng Yaoyao stood up and looked around. The soil of the newly reclaimed field was wet, bean seeds and hoes were placed aside, but Xie Zhao was nowhere to be seen.
In the quiet afternoon, there are faint sounds of birds and flowing water, as if I am the only one left in the world.
The weeping willows by the river were immersed in the water. With a rustling sound, a slender and upright figure emerged from behind the thick tree. He was shirtless, and his tight wheat-colored skin was stained with some water droplets, full of youthful vitality in the sunlight.
Xie Zhao lifted the basket in his hand, lowered his head to check, and suddenly saw water splashing in front of his eyes.
"Xie Zhao!"
Xie Zhao's eyes flashed, and he met a pair of peach blossom eyes, full of water, with a teardrop mole under the eyes. At this moment, he was furious, and he didn't know what to do.
Xie Zhao wiped the water off his face, his cold eyes did not waver at all: "Why are you throwing stones at people?"
"I..." Cheng Yaoyao seemed to be at a loss for words for a moment, then raised his chin again: "What are you doing here? I couldn't find you even after I woke up."
The bright sunlight softened automatically when it fell on her, complementing her beauty. Her peach blossom eyes were shining, revealing a hint of grievance.
Xie Zhao paused and raised the basket in his hand: "I was catching fish. I didn't call you because you fell asleep."
The latter sentence seemed to have a different meaning. Xie Zhao pursed his lips, a sense of frustration flashing through his mind.
Cheng Yaoyao did not notice his subtle expression. The delicate young lady was as simple-minded as the clear stream. She rolled up her pants and jumped into the water.
"You!" Xie Zhao caught her, as if he were catching a bright and delicate flower, light and slightly warm, with velvety petals exuding a faint sweet fragrance. He let go of her hand as if it was burned, and growled, "Be careful!"
"I want to see how many fish you caught." Cheng Yaoyao's peach blossom eyes widened slightly, her eyelashes curled up and thickly, and the sunlight cast a light golden color. She spoke with a righteous and confident attitude, without any intention of reflecting on her recklessness.
The boiling blood rushed through his limbs and bones, and all of it was stuffy in his chest. Xie Zhao hadn't felt such intense emotions in years, but the culprit even grabbed the basket in his hand and said, "Show me, how do you catch fish?"
The force was like that of a kitten's claws. Xie Zhao loosened his hand and handed it to her to show her.
The young lady from the city exclaimed over a pile of small fish and shrimps: "There are so many fish and shrimps."
Cheng Yaoyao rolled up his trouser legs and stood in the water with his slender and straight calves covered with tiny water droplets, which reminded people of freshly peeled water chestnuts or lychees, whose flesh would ooze out sweet juice when touched.
Before the thought came to mind, the desire arose. A fire ignited in Xie Zhao's throat.
The intense gaze was hard to ignore. I had not noticed it in the long run, but if I observed carefully today, it was not difficult to find that Xie Zhao was different.
If it were another man, he would have been slapped by Cheng Yaoyao long ago.
Cheng Yaoyao lowered his head and took a few cautious steps in the water. The smooth pebbles hurt his soles and the slightly warm river water flowed over his calves, making him feel relaxed and at ease.
There were small fish swimming around in the clear river water. Cheng Yaoyao carefully reached out his hand...
Unexpectedly, Xie Zhao said in a deep voice: "Go ashore." "No." The little fish that was caught slipped away from his fingers. Cheng Yaoyao was furious and bravely refused!
In the past, she was afraid of Xie Zhao and was always bullied and suppressed by him. Today, she can finally feel proud.
Cheng Yaoyao thought Xie Zhao would continue to catch him, but he just glanced at him and turned around to continue catching fish without saying a word.
For some reason, Cheng Yaoyao curled her lips, feeling unhappy. She didn't want to pay attention to Xie Zhao anymore, and focused on the fish in the water.
Who knew that it was easy to catch Xie Zhao? She swam around in the water without catching any fish, and even scared away all the fish around Xie Zhao.
Xie Zhao glanced at her and walked aside.
Cheng Yaoyao was so angry that he picked up a pebble and threw it out. The pebble fell into the water halfway through its flight, splashing water all over Xie Zhaoman's face.
Xie Zhao wiped his face, his wet eyes became even sharper and colder, he stared at Cheng Yaoyao, waiting for her to explain.
Cheng Yaoyao hid his hands behind his back and said stubbornly, "I didn't mean to do that. I wanted to skip stones."
Xie Zhao nodded, picked up the basket and walked to the river, dumping the lively fish and shrimp in the basket onto the shore.
Cheng Yaoyao breathed a sigh of relief. She was unwilling to admit that she had just been frightened again. She was tired after standing in the water for a long time, so she waded towards the river.
With a "bang", a stone fell not far in front of her, splashing water.
The splash didn't touch her at all, but Cheng Yaoyao stood in the water for a long time. Suddenly, she felt dizzy while looking at the flowing water. She slipped and fell backwards: "Ah!"
The river was shallow, but the splashing water covered Cheng Yaoyao's head and face. A strong hand grabbed her in time to prevent her from drinking more river water.
"Are you okay?" Xie Zhao's indifferent tone finally showed a ripple.
Cheng Yaoyao curled his lips, and his eyes turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye: "You are so annoying!"
"I didn't expect it to hit you. I'm sorry. You... don't cry." Before Xie Zhao finished his words, Cheng Yaoyao started crying.
Xie Zhao had a headache. It was a rare opportunity for him to play a prank, and the stone did not hit Cheng Yaoyao. He did not expect to make this spoiled young lady cry.
Cheng Yaoyao sat in the river, wet and humiliated. He cried and secretly glanced at Xie Zhao.
Xie Zhao whispered, "Don't cry, I'll give you a gift as compensation. I'll pick mulberries for you? Do you want to eat cherries?...Don't cry."
Cheng Yaoyao cried even louder: "Go away and don't look at me!"
Xie Zhao's eyes widened, and he finally reacted and turned his head away: "I won't look at you, you...you get up first."
Cheng Yaoyao gritted his teeth and said deliberately: "I can't get up. My feet hurt."
Xie Zhao asked, "Is it sprained?"
Cheng Yaoyao paused for a moment, "It seems like I was bitten by a snake."
Xie Zhao's shoulders trembled slightly.
Cheng Yaoyao was secretly pleased and stretched out his hand to him: "I can't get up anyway."
The slender white hand was placed in the rough big palm, and Xie Zhao gently picked her up, as if picking a wet and fragrant magnolia flower in the summer night.
When their fingertips touched, both of them felt their hearts skip a beat for some unknown reason, and they felt an indescribable excitement and joy.
Cheng Yaoyao was placed under the tree, leaving the strong and warm embrace, and shivered immediately. Xie Zhao put his coat on her and half-knelt in front of her. His tall figure gave people a great sense of oppression.
Cheng Yaoyao was still a little dazed. She stared blankly at Xie Zhao holding her ankle and pulling her over. His warm breath seemed to fall on the back of her foot.
"You...what are you doing?" Cheng Yaoyao shuddered and his round and small toes curled up.
Xie Zhao said: "Didn't he get bit by a snake? There are no wounds."
"It might be an illusion. Anyway, my foot just hurt!" Cheng Yaoyao pulled his foot back with all his strength and said stiffly, but his cheeks were badly burned and his eyes were in a mess.
Xie Zhao let go of her hand without comment, turned around and walked away.
Cheng Yaoyao said again: "Come back!"
Xie Zhao turned around, narrowed her eyes slightly, and finally revealed a hint of helplessness. Could she be any more troublesome?
Cheng Yaoyao used practical actions to tell him that she could do it!
The afternoon sun was getting hotter and hotter, shrouding the earth with its bright rays. Xie Zhao sat by the river with a blank expression on his face. From time to time, a tender voice could be heard from the meadow behind him: "Xie Zhao, have you dried your clothes?"
"not."
"I'm a little thirsty."
Xie Zhao opened the kettle and passed it behind him.
After a while, he called again: "Xie Zhao."
Xie Zhao didn't want to answer and just stared at the water with empty eyes.
"Xie Zhao, Xie Zhao, Xie Zhao!"
Xie Zhao finally turned around and almost jumped up, his tan face smoking: "You! Don't come out!"
Cheng Yaoyao didn't come out. She rustled and half of her face popped out from behind the meadow. Her delicate peach blossom eyes were filled with grievance. "Why are you ignoring me? I thought you left."
Xie Zhao closed his eyes and said resignedly, "I'm not leaving. I won't abandon you. Be obedient."
Cheng Yaoyao then sat back down obediently. She was just afraid that Xie Zhao would leave her alone, but he said such... words, really.
Cheng Yaoyao lay on the straw mat, wrapped in Xie Zhao's coat, surrounded by the fragrance of grass and trees dried by the sun. Cheng Yaoyao was like a piece of rice cake melting in the sun, her heart soft and sweet.
Cheng Yaoyao said: "Xie Zhao, pick some mulberries for me later."
In the sunshine, Xie Zhao's voice seemed to have a hint of warmth: "Okay."
"You must also eat the steamed buns I brought you tomorrow."
"good."
"Don't be mean to me anymore."
"good."
"I'm going to stay at your house."
"……no."
Xie Zhao finished speaking, slightly tensed up, waiting for the shrewd guy behind him to attack. Unexpectedly, Cheng Yaoyao didn't say a word, which made Xie Zhao feel tangled.
Was it because I rejected her too bluntly and did her feel wronged?
Behind the meadow, Cheng Yaoyao stood on tiptoe. The delicate little arch of her foot was so white that it was almost transparent in the sunlight, with two pink tooth marks clearly visible on it.
She raised the corners of her lips slightly and thought to herself: That's not up to you.
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