"Mmm! Sweet!"
She had never eaten this kind of fruit before, sweet with a hint of sourness that could stimulate one's appetite.
Xia Weiliang, while biting into the wild fruit, sized up the man standing opposite her.
He was wearing a set of sportswear, looking to be in his early twenties. His skin was a healthy wheat-tan, and he was quite handsome. He could make a crowd swoon or a group scream wherever he went!
"Xin Hong?"
She remembered his name.
Xin Hong glanced at her and nodded.
"Xia Weiliang?"
Xia Weiliang smiled and also nodded, "Got a moment? Can we chat?"
Xin Hong didn't answer, but he walked over and sat on a rock, casually picking up a pebble to skip on the water.
Xia Weiliang ambled over and squatted beside him, "Your village chief has the surname Xin, and you're also surnamed Xin. Is this your official clan name?"
Xin Hong finally replied, "When you entered the village, did you see the archway?"
"Yes."
"Xianye Jushi, Xin Ziye."
"Understood!"
Xia Weiliang got it. This was an inherited surname!
"Why are there only you and the village chief in the village? Are there no other people?"
Xin Hong just stared at the water's surface and replied faintly, "There are, you just haven't seen them."
At that moment, a cool breeze blew, and Xia Weiliang shivered for no reason.
"Haven't, haven't seen them?" She gave an awkward laugh, "It's, it's that I didn't see them, or that I can't see them..."
The man chuckled then, turning his head to reveal a rare flicker of amusement in his eyes, "Guess?"
Damn it!
She hated this suspenseful atmosphere during tense moments!
"If you want to say it, say it. If not, forget it."
Everyone has their limits!
Xin Hong wasn't offended. He withdrew his gaze and said unhurriedly, "Baoqi Village was originally a very prosperous and lively village. We survived the wars and the times of scarcity. This is a true paradise, untouched by the world, enjoying the tranquility of heaven and earth."
Xia Weiliang listened quietly. He chuckled unconsciously again, but the laughter sounded exceptionally hollow, "No matter how rapidly times develop, the people here never thought of understanding the outside world. However, more than twenty years ago, the old village chief saved a group of outsiders who were lost..."
His eyes began to change, and the expression on his face turned to hatred.
Xia Weiliang's heart skipped a beat. Why did this sound like a tale of national vendetta and deep-seated hatred?
"Um... if you don't want to talk about it, it's fine. I was just curious, no other intentions."
Just then, Xiao Shuai ran over with the equipment, calling out to them, "Niangniang!"
Xia Weiliang turned to look. Xiao Shuai, panting, ran over, "Niangniang, Brother En and the others are getting anxious. They're urging you to come back."
"Oh, okay."
She had wanted to invite Xin Hong to sit with them, but in the time it took her to turn around, he was gone!
Xia Weiliang stood there stunned, feeling the wind around her turn even colder.
She couldn't help but rub her arms, her voice trembling a little with unmanly fear, "Shuai, just now... did you see anyone else?"
Xiao Shuai's eyes widened, and he shook his head, "No, it's just you..."
Suddenly realizing something, Xiao Shuai's face changed drastically. This time, he even hid behind her, "Niangniang... is, is there anyone else here? You, you don't scare me, okay!"
This place was already eerie. Not a soul in sight, no phone signal, and the walkie-talkie crackled as if interfered with!
Though they didn't say it, everyone was actually quite uneasy!
Seeing his reaction, Xia Weiliang felt both scared and amused, "You, a nearly 1.9-meter tall young man, can't you show a little manly spirit?"
"Niangniang... I don't really care about personality issues. At critical moments, I can be your sister!"
Xia Weiliang was amused to the point of being annoyed. She reached out and poked his forehead, "Look at your courage!"
His antics made her less scared. She grabbed him and walked away, "Let's go. Those female ghosts like pure, inexperienced guys like you."
"Ah—"
Xiao Shuai was so scared he almost clung to her.
On the tree, a lazy figure was present.
Xin Hong watched the retreating pair with amusement, then looked up towards the distance. From his vantage point, he could see those wooden pavilions...