"Ah, it's over, it's over. Why is Little Chi squatting on the roof? It has ears like the wind!"
Zhou Guanghan hugged her head with both hands, almost shrinking into Little Crane's embrace. "It's going to bite me again, Sister Heling, I was wrong. I won't speak ill of Brother Xun anymore."
"Fourth Brother~"
"Woof!"
Little Chi barked mightily, exuding an air of dominance. It was the tyrant of Double Tree Alley, unmatched by anyone.
It would bark at Aunt Wang, Uncle Zhang, and even scare babies into silence at night!
Nangong Heling quietly pursed her lips. "Guanghan, you mustn't speak ill of your Brother Xun again, or I won't protect you."
"Sister Heling, I was wrong."
Zhou Guanghan seemed unwilling to leave Nangong Heling's embrace, acting spoiled. "Brother Xun's paintings are actually beautiful; it's just that my knowledge is too shallow to understand them."
"Hmph, you little girl know how to talk." Nangong Heling's voice was as if she were playfully scolding, making it hard to tell if she was truly angry. "Don't let there be a next time.""Uh-huh..." Zhou Guanghan nodded repeatedly, then changed the subject. "Sister Heling, why does the old blind man at the alley's entrance seem to be getting younger? But it seems only Brother Xun has been buying his paintings these years."
"Why are you paying attention to these things?"
"I heard Aunt Wang and the others talking in the alley... They said Brother Xun might know some healing techniques, that the wine is actually medicinal, not bought."
"My eldest brother does know some medicine, taught by a famous doctor, but he rarely practices now."
"Oh... So Brother Xun is quite amazing."
Zhou Guanghan nodded thoughtfully, completely convinced, and continued, "Sister Heling, if my parents fall ill in the future, can we ask Brother Xun to treat them? Of course, we'll pay for the consultation."
"Hehe, then you should wait at the alley entrance for my eldest brother to return. You have to ask him yourself; I can't decide for him."
"Heehee, Sister Heling is so good to Brother Xun."
Zhou Guanghan jumped off the stone bench, full of joy. "Then I'll wait at the alley entrance for Brother Xun to return and bring some food for the old blind man."
"Alright, go quickly, but don't run too fast. How many times did you fall when you were little?"
"Haha, Sister Heling, I know!"
Zhou Guanghan dashed out in an instant, shouting, "Little Chi, bleh bleh bleh~~"
Little Chi glared fiercely. How dare Zhou Guanghan speak loudly to Brother Dog?!
"Woof!"
It barked loudly, leaping nimbly from the roof and said to Little Crane, "Sister Crane, this human girl needs to be taught a lesson!"
"Fourth Brother, don't bring a whole pack of dogs back; they have homes."
"Got it!"
Little Chi howled and dashed out through the small gate.
Chaos erupted in the alley, with Zhou Guanghan's excited shouts echoing. She loved playing with Little Chi the most.
A stick of incense later.
A young girl and a little red dog squatted outside the alley. Nangong Heling also came out, sitting beside the old blind man in the spot reserved for her eldest brother.
Strangely, the old blind man's business was unusually good today, but most of the visitors were men, speaking elegantly, seemingly trying to attract someone's attention.
Nangong Heling carefully examined the old man's paintings, frowning slightly... She really couldn't understand them, even after years of looking.
But she remained quiet, not disturbing the old man, instead picking up a mundane book to read.
Though mundane books lacked the profundity and mystery of those in the world of immortals, they carried a lifetime of experiences and insights.
They were the brilliant bursts of life in a short span, quite precious, with a unique charm. She saw the spirit of ordinary people in these books!
Time passed bit by bit, the evening glow spreading across the sky.
Outside the town.
A man in white, carrying a hoe and wearing a tattered straw hat, walked with a smile as radiant as the sunset. Beside him was a strong Black Bull, both strolling along the path back to town.
The man shouted loudly, knowing no one was around to hear. "Bull, in this setting, isn't it fitting for me to sing a song?"
"Moo~" Black Bull bellowed joyfully, having not plowed fields in ages. It felt as refreshing as rain after a drought, truly enjoying the mundane life!
"The heavens and earth connect, sparking endless imagination..."
Chen Xun began to sing loudly. If you looked closely, the surrounding plants seemed to wither a bit.
But he remained engrossed, for he was not only good at painting and fishing but also, damn it, at singing!
"Moo?!!" Black Bull's joyful mood turned to horror, even quickening its pace until it ran. "Moo~~~"
"Hey, hey?!" Chen Xun looked around. Where's the bull?! His bull!! In the distant horizon, only a small black dot was running away. "Damn it, Bull!! Get back here!!!"
In an instant, dust billowed on the country path as Chen Xun chased after with murderous intent. After all these years, the bull still dared to run when he sang!
They ran farther and farther, the glow of the sunset casting a comical light on their retreating figures.
...
As dusk settled, a faint starlight appeared.
Chen Xun returned, laughing, with his arms around Black Bull's neck. Double Tree Alley came into view, Black Bull exhaling heavily, feeling down after a good beating.