The little tree was scolded severely, and it seemed that the bottom of May and July had been exposed. Xia Zhi lowered his head and smiled. July's face turned red, and May's skin was a bit thicker, with a faint blush on her face.

  Xia Erniang's face also showed some embarrassment as she sat on the kang. The little tree said unintentionally, but the listener might have a different intention.

  "Little Tree, stop making a fuss. You're just a kid, and it's only because your sister took your seat that you're saying all this nonsense. Seventh Month, give Little Tree some space."

  In July, he glared at the little tree and reluctantly moved aside. But before the little tree could take off his shoes and get on the bed, Little Black Fish had already put down his pen. "I'm not writing anymore, let's go out and play."

  Tian Lai Bao was very obedient, since May and July came, he had been sitting quietly, not saying a word. At this time, hearing Xiao Hei Yu speak, he suddenly came to life and responded with a "good".

  Old Xia didn't know what he was thinking, but also said a sentence, "It's okay, you've been sitting for half a day. Little Dragon, take Xiaobao out to play."

  "Alright, Dad." Little Black Fish then took Tian Lai Bao down from the kang.

  "Alright, Lao Shu and Lai Bao, you two go ahead and take Xiao Shu with you. I won't be going."

  "Sixteen, why don't you go?" Little Black was not very happy.

  Old man Xia immediately spoke up: "You think you're something like sixteen or whatever. You play your own, don't bother with sixteen."

  The little black fish pouted, but didn't dare argue with Old Man Xia, however the steps he took to leave were no longer so swift.

  May and July followed closely behind, bowing respectfully to Old Man Xia and Old Lady Xia before following them out. Old Man Xia glanced out the window and saw that the two little girls hadn't returned to the east wing, but were instead heading towards the main gate.

  Old Man Xia grunted and raised his head to glance at Auntie Xia.

  "She's still young, and that child of Lai Bao is not as sturdy as our village children. Let Wu Yue keep an eye on them for a bit, Wu Yue is a sensible girl." Xia Erniang said with a smile.

  Old Man Xia ground his teeth, lowered his head to think for a moment, and then ordered Xia Zhi: "Sixteen, you go and keep an eye on things, don't let anything else happen."

  "There's May and July too." Xia Er Shu interrupted.

  Old Man Xia suddenly glared at Auntie Xia Er, and she immediately shut her mouth. Old Man Xia urged Xia Zhi: "Sixteen, go quickly."

  "Ah." Xia Zhi hastily responded and left.

  She had just stepped out of the door when Old Lady Xia followed her out, carrying a shoe sole. "It's cool outside, I'll go outside to weave a shoe sole."

  Old Lady Xia and Xia Zhi walked to the gate, saw that the children were not at the door, and hurriedly instructed again: "Sixteen, take care of yourself, don't let anything happen, it will make your grandfather uncomfortable."

  "Milk, I'll try." Xia Zhi could only answer this way. She vaguely sensed something and was very displeased in her heart.

  Summer Solstice saw May and July in the river valley. After leaving Summer's house, Little Black Fish realized that Summer Solstice wasn't going to follow him, so he didn't walk as slowly as before. He walked quickly, and Xiaomu and Tianlai didn't dare fall behind.

  This made May and July suffer.

  On the dirt road, it's not a big deal, but when you get to the riverbank, the sandy ground is soft, and there are patches of sticky mud pits everywhere, with tall and short grass. It's not that no girls come here, but none of them dress up like May and July do.

  Two little girls were wearing the dresses that Luo Juan gave them yesterday. The dresses didn't quite fit, and the skirts were a bit too long, almost dragging on the ground. They weren't wearing the usual thick-soled cloth shoes that ordinary village girls wore, but rather soft-bottomed embroidered shoes.

  When the summer solstice arrived, I saw Xiao Hei Yu, Tian Lai Bao and Xiao Shu Er had already taken off their shoes, rolled up their pants to the root of their thighs, and were happily paddling in the water. May and July, on the other hand, were walking unsteadily on the shore, finding it extremely difficult to walk, yet still unable to catch up with Xiao Hei Yu's group.

  In the river valley, there were many mischievous kids playing. When they saw May and July's appearance, they stopped playing with water and instead pointed at them and laughed loudly. May was okay and didn't say anything. July knew the kids were laughing at her and couldn't help but scold them back with her hands on her hips. The kids weren't afraid of her at all, but thought she looked even more amusing and laughed even harder. There was also a naughty little kid who walked out of the deep water with his butt exposed, trying to scare May and July with his loud shouting.

  Xia Zhi wiped the sweat from her forehead, really wanting to turn around and go back. However, thinking of Old Man Xia, she gritted her teeth and chased after them. Xia Zhi quickly caught up with the two sisters, and grabbed May's arm.

  May and July both stop in their tracks, turning their heads back to look at the summer solstice.

  "Let's let you go back!" Xia Zhi said coldly with a sharp gaze.

  "Sixteen, didn't you say you weren't coming?" May shifted her muddy and grass-covered feet in her shoes. "I still have to take care of Old Uncle. Otherwise, Sixteen, you go call out to Old Uncle. He'll listen to you."

  "Don't you understand what I'm saying? I told you to leave, are you going to leave or not?"

  "Our dad can't control us coming out to play for a while. Fourth sister, don't tell on us. You've never come over here to play before?" July said indignantly.

  She must have been here before, mostly to dig vegetables and cut grass, a few times to play. But she never dressed up like them.

  "Take a look around you. Are you here to have fun or just to be a novelty for others?" Xia Zhi continued, her eyes sharp as knives.

  In May, she looked around at the surroundings. She was naturally aware of the awkwardness that had arisen. However, they had already walked to this point and ended up in this state, so if they were to turn back now, it would seem even more embarrassing for them.

  "Here, take them." Xia Zhi handed two baskets to the two sisters.

  May and July stared blankly at the baskets in their hands. Xia Zhi was considerate, bringing not only the baskets but also sickles for cutting grass.

  "You're just here to cut grass and feed pigs! You might as well go back soon!" Xia Zhi instructed, then ignored the two of them and went along the riverbank to chase after small black fish.

  In May and July, the two of them looked back at each other, and then again at Xia Zhi's back. Xia Zhi's figure was agile and nimble, like a happy little roe deer. The two sisters exchanged a glance, pretended to cut a handful of grass, and quickly tied it behind Xia Zhi's back.

  When Xia Zhi walked past the river bend, she turned her head and took a look, only to see that May and July not only didn't turn back but also followed her. This is... She couldn't drive them away, so she could only move forward, taking Tian Lai Bao further away. In this way, even if May and July lost some face today, as long as they didn't get in touch with Tian Lai Bao, it wouldn't be a big deal.

  Thinking so, Xia Zhi quickened his pace.

  May and July saw it behind them and became more anxious, their feet were tangled by the skirt, May fell face down into the grass.

  The summer solstice has turned over the river bend and is no longer visible.