Traveling through the busy farmland of a peasant girl

Shen Li and Bai Jin sat opposite each other. The pitch-black night was like a huge black curtain, wrapping them up.

In this quiet atmosphere, the bonfire burned happily and crackled, as if expressing its enthusiasm.

The sparks were like a group of naughty elves, jumping into the night sky from time to time, and the fleeting light drew subtle arcs in the darkness.

Both of them looked bored, and Shen Li was the first to break the oppressive silence: "Brother Bai, I heard that you are the top scholar, which is an amazing achievement.

Your study experience over the past decade or so must be filled with stories, and I imagine it must be extremely rich, right?"

Bai Jin raised his head slightly, and the firelight shone on his face, just like a skilled painter who used warm colors to outline a gentle contour.

His eyes were filled with indifference as he softly said, "It's just ordinary homework, day after day, year after year. There's nothing special about it, it's nothing special."

Shen Li shook her head slightly, with a hint of surprise in her eyes. Her eyes were like a beam of light, projected directly on Bai Jin.

Her voice was crisp and full of curiosity. "I've heard that the men in your wealthy families are proficient in everything, like all-rounders, playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. They're truly amazing. Is that true?"

Bai Jin smiled lightly, that smile was like a spring breeze, gently brushing across his face, but he didn't say much.

He slowly reached out his hand, and with his slender fingers gently plucked a leaf. The leaf seemed to come alive in his hand. He placed the leaf to his lips, his movements natural and graceful.

While Shen Li was wondering, a melodious tune slowly flowed out from between the small leaves like a gurgling stream.

The music was ethereal and graceful, like a clear spring in the mountains, leaping and flowing between the cracks in the rocks, making a clear and pleasant sound;

It is also like a gentle breeze in the woods, carrying the fragrance of flowers and plants, wandering among the branches and leaves, and spreading in the silent night sky, as if covering this cold night with a layer of dreamy veil.

Shen Li widened her eyes, which were like two bright stars, and watched Bai Jin concentrate on playing the instrument without blinking.

Her heart was filled with disbelief, and her voice was filled with uncontrollable surprise: "A leaf can actually play such a beautiful melody. Your ability is really eye-opening to me."

Bai Jin finished playing the song and put down the leaves, which seemed to still retain his warmth.

He looked at Shen Li and smiled, "It's just a trivial skill, just a pastime in my spare time, just to kill time."

Shen Li was still immersed in the music, which seemed to be still echoing in her ears for a long time.

Suddenly, as if awakened from a dream, she raised her head and asked, "Brother Bai, can you teach me how to blow the leaves? When I learn, I can play it for Daddy, Mommy, Brother, Grandpa and Grandma!"

Her face was filled with excitement and anticipation, as if she could already see herself blowing the leaves in front of her family.

Bai Jin looked at the little girl's fascinated expression and couldn't help but smile inwardly. That smile was like the warm sunshine in winter, warming people's hearts. "Of course! I really envy your family for getting along so harmoniously."

Shen Li tilted her head, looking like a cute little kitten, and asked in confusion: "Don't your father and mother love you?"

Bai Jin was silent for a while, and that brief silence was like the calm before the storm.

A barely perceptible sadness flashed across his eyes as he slowly said, "My mother was ruthlessly taken away by illness when I was eight years old.

My father then married a new wife, who turned out to be his mistress! My father insisted that Li had given birth to his child and that he must marry her home!

When Shen Li heard Bai Jin's words, the smile on her face froze instantly, like a blooming flower suddenly hit by frost.

Her eyes were full of sympathy and pity: "Brother Bai, you have been through so much. I... I am very sorry."

Bai Jin shook his head gently, as if trying to shake off those sad memories from his mind, as if trying to dispel the pain that followed him like a shadow: "It's okay, it's all in the past. But since then, the atmosphere at home has changed a lot."

Shen Li frowned, her brows like two crescent moons, but at this time she was worried: "Then your stepmother, is she not good to you?"

Bai Jin looked at the jumping flames, which danced in his eyes, and said slowly: "She has her own children, so she naturally pays more attention to them.

I gradually became a dispensable person in that family. However, because of this, I was able to focus more on my studies, and I gained a lot.

Shen Li hugged her knees with both hands, as if giving herself a warm hug, and said seriously: "Brother Bai, don't be sad. I will accompany you in the future and treat you as my own brother."

Bai Jin turned to look at Shen Li. Her eyes sparkled with sincerity in the firelight, and that light was like the brightest star in the night sky, dazzling and moving.

He couldn't help but feel warm in his heart: "Xiao Li'er, I'm very pleased to hear your words. Come, let me teach you how to blow leaves first."

As he spoke, Bai Jin broke off another leaf, which seemed like a precious gift in his hand.

He handed it to Shen Li and began to patiently explain the key points of playing the instrument. Shen Li listened attentively without blinking, trying hard to imitate Bai Jin's movements.

For a moment, the only sounds around the campfire were Bai Jin's gentle teaching voice and Shen Li's occasional questioning voice.