Chu Yang dammed up the downstream with a bamboo tray while Chi Yan and the other children herded the fish from upstream to downstream, driving them into the bamboo tray. When they lifted up the tray, there were several palm-sized small fish inside.
After doing this a few times, they went with Chu Luo's friends to catch some pond snails. The setting sun gradually went down as the chattering children happily headed back.
The palm-sized small fish were pan-fried and put into beancurd to make soup, while the pond snails were left in water overnight to be stir-fried and eaten tomorrow.
Early next morning, the pitter-patter rain woke Chu Yang up from her dreams. Since it was raining today, there would be no work to do and she could sleep more.
Around 10 o’clock, Chu Yang finally got up. She saw Chi Yan teaching Chu Luo his summer vacation homework in the living room while Chu’s Dad was washing his tricycle outside in the rain and Chu’s Mom was picking vegetables. Seeing her get up, Chu's Mom immediately brought breakfast from the kitchen, “It’s still warm, eat up.”
“Okay.”
After lunch, Chu Yang’s parents went back to their room for an afternoon nap. Chu Luo also disappeared somewhere. Chu Yang also returned to her room, intending to “work”, while Chi Yan sneakily followed her in.
As Chu Yang sat on the bed “casting spells”, Chi Yan sat at the head of the bed reading a book. After she finished her “work” and put away the crystal ball, Chi Yan immediately pounced on her, rubbing his head on her neck. The two of them had not had intimate hugs or kisses for a long time, at most holding hands occasionally.
Chu Yang replied to fans on her phone with one hand while stroking his head with the other. After she was done, she threw away her phone and pulled up the quilt, “Let’s take an afternoon nap.”
Chi Yan immediately moved off her and neatly tucked them both under the quilt, one hand hugging her waist and his head resting on Chu Yang’s chest as he closed his eyes to sleep.
Rainy days like these were especially suitable for sleeping. The soothing pitter-patter lulled them to sleep quickly.
The two weeks passed by very quickly. During his stay in the countryside, Chi Yan had tanned quite darkly. With one day left, he was listless the whole day, following Chu Yang wherever she went. “Why don’t I postpone my return trip for one more day, just one day!”
“No!”
“Then half a day will do too. I’ll go back early tomorrow morning, okay?”
Chu Yang picked up her backpack basket, “Come on, let’s go pick some fruits. You can bring them back tomorrow.”
Chi Yan followed her unwillingly, swinging the foxtail weeds hitting the bushes around them, “Don’t wanna go back.”
Chu Yang: “Do you want to look in the mirror? See how tanned you are?”
Chi Yan: “I’m a guy, it’s fine if I tan. It’s healthy, man!” He flexed his muscles as he spoke.
Chu Yang made a disgusted “Ew” sound, “Hurry up. My mom said she’d kill a chicken or duck for you to bring back. Which do you want, chicken or duck?” Chu Yang thought for a while, “Why not one chicken and one duck? A chicken in your left hand and a duck in your right.” She started singing.
Upon hearing chicken and duck, Chi Yan quickly declined, “No need, fruits are enough. You can keep the chicken and duck to eat.”
Chu Yang: “You’ve been feeding them for a few days anyway, so might as well eat them.”
In fact, Chi Yan did not really mind. What he actually wanted to bring back most was his girlfriend, but that was not possible.
After picking a backpack full of fruits, they were put into snake skin bags and loaded into the rear compartment of the car. The chicken and duck to bring back were also picked and prepared to be slaughtered early next morning.
That night when going to bed, Chi Yan looked at Chu Luo and said softly, “I’ve taught you for so long and am leaving tomorrow. I want to have a nice chat with your sister now if you can pretend you don’t know anything?”
Chu Luo rolled his eyes.
Chi Yan went on, “After I go back, I’ll mail you the airplane cannon model I showed you last time that you really wanted, okay?”
Chu Luo thought for a while before pulling up his quilt to cover his head and waved his hand in consent.
Chi Yan immediately got off the bed to put on his shoes and quietly went out, then gently knocked on Chu Yang’s door. Of course, Chu Yang knew right away who it was and got out of bed to open the door. Chi Yan slipped right in, “I’ve already bribed your brother. He’ll pretend he doesn’t know anything.”
Chu Yang: ......
On the bed, Chu Yang lay to one side while Chi Yan lifted the quilt to climb up, tightly hugging her limbs with his own. “I’m leaving tomorrow. You have to cater to all my wishes tonight, or else I won’t leave!” Ouch!
Chu Yang hit him once.
Chi Yan rubbed his head, “Don’t wanna leave.”
Chu Yang closed her eyes, “You must leave!” It wouldn't look right for him to stay at her home for most of the summer vacation.
“Then...I want a kiss,” Chi Yan brought his head to Chu Yang’s face, carefully examining her looks – long eyelashes, cute nose, and...rosy lips.
Chu Yang opened her eyes and was instantly drawn into his deep yet gentle gaze. Chi Yan slowly moved closer, first kissing her forehead, then her nose, and going further down...
Outside the window were croaking frogs while in the grass, two crickets were fighting. The two crickets were locked in combat, one big cricket scrabbling at the other small cricket. Suddenly the two crickets rolled over with the small cricket trying to push the big one away but was grabbed by it instead. The big cricket’s limbs kept restlessly scrabbling here and there on the small cricket’s body!
Inside the room, Chu Yang’s eyes were slightly red, her cheek had a bite mark, her lips were swollen red, and her chest heaved up and down. She slapped Chi Yan’s shoulder, “Are you trying to suffocate me?!”
Chi Yan’s eyes shone brightly. One hand caressed her face, “Have you caught your breath?”
Chu Yang looked at him puzzled: ?
Chi Yan smiled, “Since you have, shall we continue?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Chi Yan’s lips covered hers again...
Going back and forth endlessly, tangled up constantly, his hands were especially restless too. Even after being slapped for being unruly, they would behave for a few minutes before acting up again...
Two hours later, Chu Yang directly kicked him, “Stop!” Her mouth was sore and swollen.
Chi Yan finally stopped, leaning on her shoulder and hugging her while his hand stroked her waist.
Chu Yang checked the time, it was very late. “Time to sleep, go back quickly.”
Chi Yan was reluctant, “Stay a bit longer.”
So he stayed a while longer, and a while more, until Chu Yang finally chased him out at almost 1 am. What a clingy guy!
Chi Yan laughed as he went back into Chu Luo’s room. As soon as he entered, Chu Luo looked over.
Chi Yan quickly wiped the smile off his face, “Ahem, little brother isn’t asleep yet.” Then he climbed onto bed, covered himself properly and went to sleep!
As Chi Yan fell asleep, he still had a smile on his face. If not for Chu Luo beside him, he would have laughed out loud immediately.
Early next morning, Chu Yang’s parents slaughtered chicken and duck. They also picked fresh vegetables to pack into bags, along with a bag of peanuts for Chi Yan to bring back.
Chi Yan felt warm inside but also somehow felt like he was here to stock up...the rear compartment would be stuffed full...
Chi Yan was supposed to leave after lunch but right after breakfast, while everyone was preparing things for him, Chu Yang’s aunt came over.
