The blazing sun beat down mercilessly upon the earth, making the air feel thick, stifling, and almost frozen solid. Deep inside a secluded, cool, and tranquil mountain valley, a waterfall plunged downward, crashing against the rocks with thunderous force before plunging into a lake in a flurry of splashing water and rising mist. Layer upon layer of surrounding peaks were covered in lush, verdant trees, looking as though draped in emerald robes. Near a densely wooded, overgrown rock face, an enticing aroma drifted leisurely out from the thick weeds. Inside the dim cave, the only source of light was a flickering flame. In the middle of the cave floor, a pale yellow bonfire crackled merrily, casting dancing, shadowy silhouettes against the stone walls like clawing demons. Above the small flames, a rabbit was being roasted, its golden hue emitting a mouth-watering scent. A young man held a branch, turning the roasting meat over the fire with absolute concentration.
Enticed by the intoxicating scent of the rabbit, the young girl sitting nearby pursed her rosy lips, her face blooming into a sweet, flower-like smile as she cooed, "This roasting technique... my, my, it's almost as good as Chen Yingjian's mother's." Outside the cave, crisp birdcalls occasionally echoed, and a gentle breeze swept through, bringing a refreshing coolness. As she spoke, her lively eyes sparkled with mischievous light, and she gently shook her head, one hand unconsciously twisting the hem of her garment like a playful little sprite. Her eyes fluttered, seeming to hide endless joy and curiosity.
"Heh heh heh... Well, of course. I wouldn't dare boast about much else, but I spent years practicing this grilling technique under my mother's guidance," Chen Yingjian said, lifting his chin with a look of utter self-satisfaction, clearly quite proud of his culinary skills.
Seeing the young man's smug expression, Lin Shanshan smiled slightly without refuting him. She knew well enough that his mastery in this area was indeed profound and gave him reason to be proud. "Humph, look how full of yourself you are!" Lin Shanshan pouted playfully, crossing her arms over her chest and turning her head away in feigned anger. Yet her lively eyes darted back to steal a glance at the young man, a trace of an imperceptible smile lingering at the corners of her lips like a sly little fox. Sunlight filtering through the leaves outside dappled her with shifting shadows, while she thought to herself, *Actually, seeing him this happy makes me happy, too.* She muttered under her breath, "All you know how to do is show off," while lightly stamping her foot on the ground, displaying an adorable, childish charm. Her dainty feet and the stamping motion were full of childlike innocence.Chen Yingjian reached out and picked up the roasted rabbit, carefully blowing on the meat, which was still steaming. After a moment, as the heat subsided, he handed it to Lin Shanshan and said with concern, "Be careful, it’s still a bit hot."
Hearing this, Lin Shanshan nodded obediently. Seeing the fine beads of sweat on the young man’s forehead, she pulled a pale pink handkerchief from her bodice with her fair, jade-like hand and gently wiped his brow. Her manner was that of a gentle and virtuous young wife, and she murmured softly, "Brother Yingjian, you’ve worked hard." Her fingers brushed across his forehead like a gentle spring breeze. Once finished, she slowly withdrew her hand, carefully folded the handkerchief, and tucked it back into her bodice, her face glowing with care and tenderness. Her earnest expression was enough to make anyone smile.
Breathing in the fresh scent of the young girl and feeling the intimate touch of the soft handkerchief against his brow, a ripple passed through Chen Yingjian’s eyes, which had been as calm as a deep pool. His gaze involuntarily fixed upon her beautiful face. He sighed inwardly, thinking that if he could take her as his wife in this life, he would have no regrets. Yet, he feared that in his current situation, such a union was not meant to be. At this thought, his heart darkened. His gaze drifted downward, past her snow-white chin, to the gentle swell of her chest, which made the green fabric of her dress appear like rolling hills.The young girl's expressive, lively eyes seemed to notice something. Her hand, wiping the sweat from the boy's forehead, paused slightly. Following his gaze with the corner of her eyes, her pretty face instantly flushed as rosy as a sunset. She hurriedly used both hands to block that line of sight, and said reproachfully, "Brother Yingjian, you... you are so improper!" With that, she even gave the boy's shoulder a light punch, her face full of bashful shyness, yet tinged with a cute, teasing annoyance. A breeze from outside the cave drifted in once more, stirring her hair, while her heart fluttered like a startled fawn: "How could Brother Yingjian look at me like that? It's so embarrassing." She couldn't help but complain playfully, "Oh, you are not allowed to look at me like that anymore!" At the same time, she shifted her body slightly to the side, not forgetting to stick her tongue out at the boy. That pink, delicate tongue flashed past, utterly playful.
Chen Yingjian gave an awkward, dry cough, his panicked gaze drifting elsewhere, not daring to meet the young girl's eyes.
Seeing the boy's embarrassment, Lin Shanshan let out a soft huff, put away her handkerchief, and instead reached out to tear off a rabbit leg, eating it with grace while muttering, "You only know how to bully me." She chewed the rabbit meat in small bites, occasionally brushing away crumbs from the corner of her mouth with her slender fingers, looking utterly adorable. The firelight in the cave illuminated her face, flickering as she muttered to herself inwardly, "Hmph, next time I must not let him off so easily." Her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were seriously pondering how to "punish" the boy.The young girl's delicate mouth gently chewed on the crispy, tender meat as she kept her head lowered, casting sideways glances of out the corner of her eye toward her own burgeoning, curvaceous figure. Her face flushed slightly, looking even more charming and lovely in the glow of the fire. Yet Chen Yingjian, sitting beside her, failed to notice Lin Shanshan's shyness, leaving her feeling somewhat disappointed. Outside the cave, the chirping of insects rose and fell in waves, as if telling a story of summer. "Could Yingjian-gege really not have noticed how I've changed?" she muttered softly to herself. "Hmph, such a blockhead." With that, she wrinkled her dainty nose in a playful and cute expression. Her scrunched-up nose looked just like a ripe little cherry.
As the two lapsed into silence, the only sound left in the quiet stone cave was the crunching of teeth chewing meat. Illuminated by the flickering flames, the young girl ate with elegance, while the youth devoured his food like a ravenous tiger, gnawing fiercely on a succulent rabbit thigh, bolting his meal down with grease covering his mouth.
"Eat slower. No one is fighting you for it."
The youth raised his head, his mouth stuffed with meat, and flashed a grin at Lin Shanshan. Then, chewing vigorously a few times, he swallowed the food in his mouth in one gulp.
"Tee-hee-hee." Seeing this, Lin Shanshan covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her body trembling slightly with laughter. "You look utterly ridiculous like this." Her eyes were filled with mirth, curving into crescent moons. In her heart, she truly wondered if the boy's throat went straight down without any bends, given how he could swallow so much meat all at once. At the same time, she found this genuine side of Yingjian-gege immensely endearing. Just then, moonlight quietly spilled into the cave, adding a touch of gentle beauty to the scene. She tilted her head, watching the youth with eyes full of smiles and tenderness.
As time slipped quietly away, the two ate and drank their fill, then sat back-to-back on a rock ledge. The atmosphere was tranquil and peaceful, the firelight flickered uncertainly, and the sound of gentle breathing echoed softly in the quiet cave...
"Yingjian-gege, why do you think people... live?" Lin Shanshan played with a lock of hair resting on her chest, her head lowered, wearing a thoughtful expression. Originally, she had wanted to ask why people cultivate the Dao, but midway through the thought, she changed her question, wondering to herself, "I wonder how Yingjian-gege will answer me."
This abrupt question made Chen Yingjian pause slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he smiled and said, "I think it must be to protect certain things or certain people."
"Then who is Yingjian-gege going to protect?" Lin Shanshan's heart skipped a beat, and a face beaming with eager anticipation broke out. Nervously, she thought, "Will he say it's me?"
At the girl's question, Chen Yingjian's gaze dimmed instantly, and he emitted a bitter chuckle in his heart. Who could he possibly protect in his current state? And who even needed his protection? It seemed there was not a single person. But if he absolutely had to name one, it would be the girl right before him. She had grown up with him since they were young; even when he had fallen on hard times and become the laughingstock of others, she had never shown the slightest trace of disdain. At this thought, a warmth surged through his heart. A flash of light pierced his dimmed gaze, and he smiled softly, saying, "There is... but... I won't say for now."
"Hmph, stingy!" Lin Shanshan pouted, her face full of dissatisfaction as she stamped her foot and said, "Can't you just tell me now?" She felt anxious and annoyed, wondering, "What on earth is Yingjian-gege thinking? Why won't he tell me now?" She muttered under her breath, "You just love leaving me in suspense." With that, she turned her head away so she wouldn't have to look at him, crossing her arms over her chest. Her puffing, sulking expression was exceptionally cute. Her cheeks swelled up like two plump little apples.
"Alright, next time. It's too stuffy in here, let's go out for a walk." Chen Yingjian turned around, affectionately patting the young girl's head with his left hand, and said with a smile.
Though she hadn't gotten the answer she wanted and her pretty face remained puffed up in a pout, Lin Shanshan reluctantly yet obediently nodded. "Fine, but you definitely have to tell me next time." With that, she skipped happily behind the youth and out of the stone cave. Outside, the bright moonlight illuminated the path ahead. Butterflies frolicked in the grass while she secretly looked forward to hearing the answer next time, muttering to herself, "I won't let you off so easily next time." As she walked, she kicked a small pebble along the roadside with her foot, moving just like a joyful little deer. Her bounding silhouette appeared lively and spirited in the twilight glow, as if the entire valley had been filled with life and vitality simply because of her presence.
The cool mountain valley and the sweltering heat outside felt like two completely different worlds. The young girl bounded and played through the valley like a joyful spirit, picking fresh flowers to wear in her hair one moment, chasing butterflies the next, her crisp laughter echoing all around the valley.
This small valley was something the two of them had accidentally discovered when they were children. Seldom visited by others, it had naturally become their utopia—a secret place belonging strictly to them, and the focal point of their fondest memories.
The youth sat beneath a large banyan tree that required two adults to embrace, taking shelter from the heat. Leaning his back against the trunk, he watched the girl dancing gracefully through the valley like a butterfly. A gentle smile curved the corners of his delicate face, and his eyes reflected the girl's lithe figure. At that moment, how he wished time could freeze forever in this exact instant!
Because here, there were only the two of them, free from external disturbances and unburdened by countless worries. Carefree and happy!