My humble days in ancient times

Xu Qinghe was busy practicing calligraphy and martial arts every day. Whenever he had some free time, he would go out and wander around, trying to see if he could find suitable land.

The weather was getting colder and the chill was getting more intense, so people started putting on their cotton-padded clothes. After much deliberation, Xu Qinghe finally decided to go to the provincial capital.

Li and Xu Dafu did not come here early this year as usual. They did not move in until the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The rivers in the village were frozen, and the ice was so thick that it seemed like a solid quilt covering the rivers.

Many people go to the river on the easternmost side of the village to play. The river is not wide, only about five meters wide.

Many people were seen skating happily on the river, creating a lively atmosphere. Some were skilled, gliding across the surface as lightly as swallows, their faces beaming with excitement; others were a bit clumsy, falling from time to time, but quickly getting back up to continue enjoying the skating experience; and even children, accompanied by adults, took cautious steps, their eyes filled with curiosity and surprise.

The entire river was filled with laughter and joy, becoming the happiest place in winter.

Xu Ruyi stood on the corridor on the second floor and saw the scene in the east from afar. At first, she thought that two families were arguing!

By the time Xu Ruyi, Xu Ruyuan, Xu Xiaohua and Du Xiaoyue hurried over, quite a few people had already gathered on the river.

Xu Ruyi couldn't help but say, "This is a natural ice rink."

Xu Ruyuan asked curiously, "What is an ice rink?"

"It's on a very slippery ice surface." Xu Ruyi explained simply.

"Oh, why is the ice so slippery?" Xu Ruyuan continued to ask.

"Maybe it's because the ice is hard and the surface is very smooth, so the friction between your feet and the ice is small, so you slide!" Xu Ruyi replied.

Xu Ruyuan was confused after hearing this and asked, "What is friction?"

Xu Ruyi secretly groaned in her heart, but was thinking: Don’t ask anymore, my knowledge is limited and I can’t explain it!

Xu Ruyi couldn't help but go down and play for a while, but when she slid too fast, the wind was too strong, and there were villagers all around, so she didn't dare to be too reckless.

Uncle Wang and his wife lived by the river. Uncle Wang was boiling steaming hot water in a pot, so everyone could have a couple of bowls of it if they felt cold. After Xu Ruyi drank a bowl of water, she felt warm from throat to stomach and felt much better.

At this time, the two brothers, Big Bear and Little Bear, came over. Big Bear and Little Bear stood on the shore and watched for a while, then walked down.

At this moment, everyone ran to the river bank.

Xiong Da frowned and asked, "What's going on? Why did you all run away and stop playing when we came here?"

Someone shouted, "I don't dare to play anymore. What if the ice cracks?"

"How is that possible? Although my brother and I are fat, we don't weigh as much as you guys, right? You are really making a fuss about nothing." Xiong Da said disapprovingly.

"No, we just played for a while. Let's take a break now and play again later." Someone hurriedly explained.

Xiong Er said to Xiong Da, "Ignore them, let's play our own game."

"That's right." Xiong Da said and slid freely on the ice.

After a while, Zhou Qiang arrived. He quickly went down to play with Big Bear and Little Bear, their laughter echoing on the ice.

Xu Ruyi turned to Xu Ruyuan and said, "Do you want to go play together?"

Xu Ruyuan shook his head gently: "No need, I'll just stand here and watch everyone play."

"Miss, let me accompany you to play." Du Xiaoyue stood up bravely at this time.

Xu Ruyi smiled and nodded.

Xu Xiaohua and Xu Ruyuan stood obediently on the shore and watched.

Xu Ruyi stepped onto the ice, her figure light and graceful, moving freely across the surface like a nimble swallow. Furthermore, she danced gracefully while skating freely, her graceful posture pleasing to the eye.

Xu Xiaohua was so excited that she shouted excitedly on the shore: "Miss, you are amazing! Miss, you are amazing! That's great!"

Xu Ruyuan yearned for Xu Ruyi's carefree demeanor, silently thinking, "If only one day I could walk freely on the ice." But would that day ever come? Right now, she didn't even dare stand on the river.

Seeing Xu Ruyi dancing on the ice, her graceful and agile figure was like a fairy descending to earth, and everyone praised her endlessly.

Widow Wang said sourly, "I didn't expect Miss Xu to be so capable. Oh, why am I inferior to her in every way?" There was a strong sense of envy and resentment in her words.

Auntie Pang grinned and said, "How many people in this world can compare to her? Look at her, her looks, her figure, her skills!"

Widow Wang sighed helplessly and said, "Are people really divided into smart and stupid?" Her eyes were full of confusion and bewilderment.

"I don't know about that, but some people are very talented. Maybe this is talent!" Auntie Fat stared at Xu Ruyi intently. Her relaxed and at ease look really made people envy her from the bottom of their hearts. "We can only envy her."

Du Xiaoyue was sliding there slowly and carefully, and she accidentally fell down.

Everyone watching this scene felt that her fall was heartbreaking, but they couldn't help but find it funny.

Du Xiaoyue quickly got up, brushed off the ice and continued walking. Slowly, she found her balance.

Xu Dayan watched from the shore for a long time, thinking disdainfully, "How difficult can this be? It's just about the same as walking on flat ground."

So she stepped onto the ice with full confidence. But she lost her balance at the beginning and fell hard with a "thump", her face flushed with anger.

Feeling everyone's eyes on her, she felt increasingly embarrassed. So she mustered up the courage to stand up and took a few more steps, but she was still not careful and slipped forward quickly, then slammed into the riverbank and sat down on the ice.

"Oh, it's so cold." Xu Dayan couldn't help but complain, her voice full of dissatisfaction and discomfort.

Luo Daying said with a distressed look on his face, "Come up quickly! What's so fun about this? It's freezing here, what if you fall and get hurt?"

Xu Dayan looked at Xu Ruyi who was still enjoying herself there, her eyes full of envy and jealousy, and she felt extremely envious.

Why can't I do it? If I can't, then I just need to practice more. Isn't it said that hard work can make up for lack of talent?

"Mom, don't worry. It's okay as it's not broken. I still want to play some more." Xu Dayan said stubbornly and continued walking forward.

She was seen swaying back and forth like a tumbler, her hands moving erratically. She was nowhere near as graceful and elegant as Xu Ruyi.

Luo Daying was not paying attention and Xu Eryan beside him quietly went down to the ice surface.

Luo Daying suddenly became a little anxious and angry: "Eryan, come up quickly, what are you doing down there?" His voice was full of anxiety and worry.

"Of course it's for fun." Xu Eryan said nonchalantly, but she slipped and fell after taking just two steps.

Luo Daying hurried down and pulled her up, scolding her angrily and anxiously: "You didn't listen to me, you must have fallen down!"

Xu Eryan rubbed her sore buttocks, but her eyes were fixed on Xu Ruyi as she said, "Sister Ruyi is really amazing."

"Whether she's powerful or not has nothing to do with you. Your biological sister is Xu Dayan. Okay, just stand on the shore and watch!" Luo Daying said unhappily, holding Xu Eryan's arm tightly, fearing that she would run around again.

This time, Xu Ruyi had a blast. Her face was filled with a cheerful smile, her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she was completely immersed in this rare happy time.

After returning, Xu Ruyi said to them with a lingering feeling, "It's been a long time since I've had such an exciting and fun time! I feel like all my worries have been thrown away, and my whole body and mind have been extremely relaxed and happy."