In the following days, I followed Uncle Chiye’s advice and took Shui Ruohan around to play. I was truly fortunate to know Shui Ruohan, who was as light as a gentle wind, without so many burdens or masks…
Shui Ruohan inexplicably became obsessed with making paper kites, rolling up his sleeves in the rear pavilion garden, carefully fixing the bamboo.
He jumped while tilting his head and smiled at me like a gentle breeze: “Okay.”
“I’m unbeatable at rope jumping in the orphanage!” I rolled up my sleeves, focusing intently on the rope that was rising and falling, then ran and jumped into the swinging rope. He laughed and repeated my words: “Unbeatable in the orphanage?”
I could tell you, but you wouldn’t understand, you stupid jellyfish!” For some reason, I really enjoyed teasing Ruo Han, especially loved seeing his clear and serene smile that remained even when he knew I was teasing him.
“It’s not fair, I’ve been jumping for so long.” Just as he finished complaining, his foot slipped and the rope tripped him. I waved my hand, signaling the two rope-swinging attendants to leave, then laughed mischievously: “You agreed earlier, I didn’t force you!”
“Yes, yes, I admit defeat. What does Miss Long want to ask?” He sat by the stone table, picking up a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
d he was, I couldn’t help but want to laugh. Despite being so tired, he was still jumping. I sat across from him, stood up, and snatched the handkerchief from his hand, wiping the fine sweat from his forehead across the table.
He was stunned, looking deeply at me. I raised an eyebrow and smiled, answering his previous question: “As clever as Ruo Han, how could you not know what I’m asking? What exactly are you planning that keeps thirty thousand soldiers lingering outside Night Mountain?”
“Hehe, it was originally just an old grudge between the imperial court and Night Mountain, because a certain person has indeed delayed things for quite a while.” He recovered from his stunned state, lightly laughing, his thin and handsome face subtly turning away. The handkerchief in my hand fell empty.
