We brought a tent and set it up on the spot, wondering if our childhood together would end tonight. But Shen Bing saw through my behavior and warned me with a glare, saying that I could hold her to sleep, but if I dared to go beyond the limit, I would sleep outside. I didn't argue with her, saying, "A man and a woman sleeping together in the wilderness, isn't that like dry wood meeting a raging fire, which will catch fire at once?"
Hey, let’s see who has stronger willpower tonight.
While it was still light, Shen Bing went to collect firewood and I went hunting. I was lucky and used copper coins to shoot two hares. I had my eyes on a pheasant, but it could fly, so I threw a handful of copper coins but still missed. I didn't dare tell Shen Bing when I got back, for fear of making fun of her.
There was a stream not far from the tent. I went to the stream to skin the rabbit and clean its internal organs. Shen Bing had already lit a bonfire, and the sky was gradually getting dark.
In the hot summer, there was no scorching heat in this valley. Feeling the cool breeze, it was very cool and comfortable. We sat shoulder to shoulder on the grass, roasting hares skewered with branches on the campfire. The fat dripped on the flames, making a sizzling sound and exuding a strong meaty aroma.
This mood is so wonderful that it feels a bit intoxicating even without drinking. We didn't speak for a while, just enjoying the silence.
"Bumpkin..."
"Um."
"You said how nice it would be for us to live here in the future, away from the hustle and bustle of the world, without worries..." Shen Bing said as she closed her eyes, intoxicated.
I smiled but didn't say anything because I didn't want to ruin her beautiful fantasy. People who are used to living in cities want to escape to a paradise, while villagers in the mountains yearn for the bustling city. For a country bumpkin like me, although I don't have any pursuit for the living environment, I have a responsibility on my shoulders and I can't pursue it. People in the world have no choice. Can I ignore Xiaoxue and Wei Ziling, give up my ancestral ghost story store, and live in the mountains to enjoy a peaceful life
"Oops, it's burnt..."
We smelled a burnt smell at the same time. Shen Bing quickly opened his eyes and took back the roasted rabbit that was a little black.
"You like to eat rabbit heads and thighs, so these are for you." She knew my preferences very well. She unscrewed off the rabbit head and two thighs and handed them to me. She kept blowing on her fingers because they were so hot.
I unscrewed a small bottle of Erguotou. With such a beautiful night view and such fragrant rabbit meat, it would be boring if I didn't drink some wine. I didn't dare to drink too much, two taels was enough. I felt that this campfire picnic was very comfortable. Shen Bing rested her head on my shoulder with satisfaction and leaned on me with her whole body. We chatted casually and fell asleep unknowingly.
Damn, I was thinking about making a big fuss, but in the end, nothing happened.
In the middle of the night, there was a strong wind in the valley, which woke us up from the cold. We crawled back to the tent in a daze. Unexpectedly, at this time, we heard a strange sound. "Scratching..." It sounded like digging the soil, or like an animal scratching something. We couldn't help but wake up a little, turned around and looked around, but it was pitch black and we couldn't see anything.
The sound sounded very far away. If we were not downwind, we would not be able to hear it. I thought that there were many animals in the mountains, maybe they were digging holes, so there was no need to worry about it, so we should just go to sleep. Just as I was about to get into the tent, Shen Bing gently pulled me, pointed to the southwest and whispered: "Look, there seems to be light over there."