An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

Surrounded by rolling mountains, it seems like a natural barrier isolating this small world from the outside world.

They went through a lot of trouble to find such a rare habitat surrounded by mountains - the dense shade of the trees cast mottled light and shadows, a crystal clear pond was shimmering with waves, and the surrounding area was covered with lush green grass, dotted with a few wild flowers, emitting a faint fragrance.

Chun Tao directed everyone to spread out the oil-paper cloth and arrange the carefully prepared snacks one by one. She looked at the beautiful scenery before her and couldn't help but sigh, "If only we could barbecue here."

When she mentioned the word "barbecue," her eyes suddenly became distant, and her thoughts drifted back to the happy times when she grilled meat around the campfire at Qingshan Villa. The aroma of meat filled the air, and there were laughter and joy. Thinking about it now still brings warmth.

"Sister Chuntao, just be content!" Hongfen sat on the soft grass, her slender fingers gently stroking the wildflowers beside her, her eyes fixed on the shimmering pond not far away. A faint smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of her mouth. "I brought so many delicious foods, but they can't stop you from eating."

Jing Chunxi, who was just putting a piece of glutinous rice cake to her lips, laughed at the words. She turned to look at Xu Zize, who was sitting on the grass on the other side. He was slowly biting a meat bun. The sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting tiny spots of light on his handsome face.

Feeling her gaze, Xu Zize raised his eyes and smiled at her. That smile was like a spring breeze, warming Jing Chunxi's heart.

In fact, her space was fully equipped with barbecue utensils, and there was an endless supply of fish and shrimp. If she released the two clever hunting dogs, Thunder and Lightning, she would surely be able to catch some hares and pheasants in no time.

But Xu Zize seemed to see through her thoughts and shook his head slightly. Jing Chunxi understood that it was not convenient to use these methods now that there were so many people around.

The children couldn't contain their excitement any longer, and as soon as they got off the carriage, they ran towards the pond, cheering. "Xiao Man, Chu Yi, keep an eye on them," Kuai Jiao shouted.

The two teenagers answered in unison: "Got it!" Although they were still childish and wanted to play to their heart's content, they still remembered their caretaking responsibilities and kept an eye on the children's safety while they were having fun.

"Xi'er, let's go for a walk." Xu Zize finished a meat bun, wiped his hands gracefully, and stood up. He never liked sweets, but now he reached out to Jing Chunxi, who was still feasting, his slender fingers looking particularly white in the sunlight.

"Uh~ okay!" Jing Chunxi hurriedly stuffed the remaining half of the banana leaf rice cake into his mouth, and his cheeks suddenly puffed up like a little hamster stealing food.

This glutinous rice cake is her favorite. The glutinous rice skin as thin as a cicada's wing is wrapped with sweet and soft black bean filling. The moment you bite it, the unique fragrance of banana leaves spreads between your lips and teeth. It is the purest gift from nature.

"Chun Tao? Hongfen, cook some porridge for lunch later." Jing Chunxi swallowed the glutinous rice cake and instructed carefully.

In this hot summer, eating only dry food is not enough to withstand the scorching heat, and you will feel dry mouth and tongue after a while.

"Got it, miss." Chuntao responded as she packed up her lunch box. "Uncle Kuaijiao and the others have already set up the stove over there. Let's go and cook it now so that the food won't be too hot later."

Not far away, Uncle Quickfoot was skillfully stacking stones with two other men. Upon hearing this, he stood up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said with a smile, "It's okay, no rush. Once it's cooked, put the pot in shallow water to let it cool down in a while."

Jing Chunxi brushed off the grass debris on her pants and hopped lightly over to Xu Zize. "Brother Xiaokang, where are we going?" she asked, looking up. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on her face.

"Just taking a walk," Xu Zize said, already starting to walk, his back as straight as a pine tree. Although it wasn't yet noon, the sun was already scorching. Fortunately, the foot of the mountain was covered in lush trees, and the breeze blowing across the water brought a slight coolness, making walking in the shade quite pleasant.

"Don't take the matter between Third Uncle and Aunt too seriously. As long as they are happy, that's all that matters." Xu Zize suddenly spoke, his voice gentle but solemn.

Jing Chunxi was stunned when he heard this. He didn't understand why he suddenly mentioned his third uncle, and he didn't know who the aunt he was referring to was.

She looked at Xu Zize in confusion, her eyes full of bewilderment. Her expression was very much like a kitten Xu Zize had raised when he was a child - docile and lovely, but often showing an ignorant expression. He wanted to pull the soft flesh on her face, but couldn't!

"Isn't Brother Jing my third cousin? And your mother, so stupid!" Xu Zize chuckled and raised his hand to gently tap her forehead. His movements were as gentle as brushing a feather, and his tone was full of doting.

"Oh!" Jing Chunxi finally realized it, but still looked at him in confusion, "I put it down a long time ago, why are you still holding it?"

She spoke from the heart.

When she first learned about her mother and her master, she did feel a brief moment of conflict, but that emotion was gone in a flash.

Now that I think about it, this might not be such a bad thing. As long as my mother truly loves me and my master treats me sincerely, my mother will have someone to rely on for the rest of her life. Given my master's true identity, no one would dare to look down on them or bully them.

But... "Pu Ge'er..." Thinking of his younger brother, Jing Chunxi frowned unconsciously.

She now finally understood why Xu Zize had insisted on letting her stay in the Jing family - not because he was worried that she would be wronged in Prince Jing's mansion, but because he was concerned that Jing Yi might be caught in a dilemma because of them.

When Master was eager to marry, he promised Pu Ge'er the eldest son. However, given the current situation of Prince Jing's mansion, he needed his own bloodline to continue. If Mother did not give Master a child, it would be too cruel to him. And it was not right for Pu Ge'er to occupy the position of eldest son.

But what about Pu Ge'er?

Jing Chunxi believed his younger brother wouldn't object to this marriage. On the contrary, given Pu'er's deep admiration for his master, he'd probably be more than happy to have another adoptive father. That bond, transcending the ordinary bond between master and disciple, had long been deeply etched in his younger brother's heart.

However, if Pu'er really followed his mother into Prince Jing's mansion, would his future be truly smooth? If he was forced to stay in the Jing family, his mother would definitely not remarry - she knew this too well.

"Pu Ge'er is calmer than we thought, and he has his own ideas." Xu Zize's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. "Xi'er, when you go back, why don't you have a long talk with him, weigh the pros and cons with him, and let him make his own decision."

Although he had only been at Qingshan Manor for a short time, Xu Zize had already noticed something unusual about Pu Ge'er. On the surface, the child seemed to spend his time attending the prefectural school and playing, but when it came to Jing Yi and Jing Qiurong, his words and actions revealed a calmness and filial piety far beyond that of an ordinary child. Even towards his older sister, Xi'er, he was respectful and never overstepped his bounds.

What impressed Xu Zize even more was that Pu Ge'er's interest in him, a sudden visitor, was far more than simply coveting the exquisite gifts. Behind those clear eyes lay a sharpness and scheming far beyond his years. Even with his back to him, Xu Zize could sense the subtle scrutiny.

"I'll try!" Jing Chunxi replied casually, with a hint of disapproval in her tone. In her eyes, Pu Ge'er was still a child after all, and might not be able to understand such complicated things.

"There are always more difficulties than solutions." Although Xu Zize's words made sense, they failed to truly comfort Jing Chunxi.

She looked at the children playing in the distance, and her thoughts drifted away again, as if she saw Pu Ge'er from Qingshan Villa.

The breeze blew, and the leaves rustled, as if telling a story that no one knew.