The early autumn forest was still lush with green; the "layers of color" described in books had yet to appear. Only the occasional drifting leaf carried a hint of autumn's withered yellow.
But before it could fall to the ground, a large hand snatched it up.
Yang Yi, carrying a heavy hiking backpack, walked at the rear. He casually tore the leaf he'd grabbed, peeling away the withered parts bit by bit, leaving only the veins. He twisted it around his finger like a ring, then tossed it aside carelessly.
This was a bad habit left over from his past life's childhood survival training in the jungle—whether to pass the time or relieve the pressure of life-and-death moments, this habit still came naturally to him now.
But it was just nostalgia!
Watching the two lovely figures ahead—one like a blooming white rhododendron, the other a small, adorable seven-mile fragrance—Yang Yi felt that this life was truly blessed just right!
"This spot is about right!" Yang Yi called out to Mo Fei and Xixi, smiling gently. "Too close to the stream, and it gets a bit damp."
The place Yang Yi had chosen wasn't too far from the road; the car parked by the roadside was still visible. More importantly, there was a small stream flowing down from the mountain. Yang Yi had heard its sound from a distance, and being near the stream made it convenient for washing things.
"I want to play in the water." Xixi looked longingly at the trickling stream a few dozen meters away, tugging at her mother's hand and acting spoiled.
"That won't do. You promised Daddy you'd look after the kittens." Yang Yi unclipped the travel cat carrier hanging from his backpack, pointing at the restless movements inside.
Xixi pouted, a bit reluctant, but still said, "Okay..."
However, there was also a three-year-old Mo Fei here!
"Playing a little won't hurt! Let Daddy watch them for now; they can't escape from the carrier anyway. I wonder if there are little fish in the stream—let's catch some to feed the kittens!" Mo Fei's eyes darted around slyly. She set down her own backpack, leaned it against Yang Yi's, then cheerfully took Xixi's hand.
Though she knew two-month-old kittens couldn't eat fish, it made a good excuse. Imagining the cool stream water flowing over her toes, Mo Fei felt a surge of childlike excitement.
"Yeah, yeah! Cats love fish the most!" Xixi quickly set the cat carrier on the ground, pushed it toward her father, and pleaded, "Daddy, can you watch Xiao Guai and the others for Xixi?"
The little girl's tone was especially earnest, and she used her irresistible big, watery eyes. Yang Yi couldn't hold out, waving his hand helplessly. "Go on, go play!"
"Mo Fei, make sure to hold Xixi's hand. The pebbles there might be slippery." Yang Yi couldn't help but remind her.
He could see that the stream was very shallow, probably just ankle-deep, but as a parent, how could he not worry?
"I know!" Mo Fei pulled the giggling Xixi and ran off.
Yang Yi shook his head. He found a few stones nearby and started building a stove. Today's outdoor barbecue was much better than in his past life—aside from needing to find materials to build the stove on the spot, things like charcoal, wire mesh, skewers, and so on were all ready, still packed in his big hiking backpack!
"Xixi, come here! It feels nice to step on, not prickly!" Mo Fei's cheerful voice came from the stream, mixed with the little girl's silver-bell-like laughter.
Yang Yi turned to look. Under the streaks of sunlight filtering through the trees, Mo Fei and Xixi were playing barefoot in the water.
Mo Fei sometimes splashed water that hit Xixi's face, the cool sensation making the little girl gasp, but she found it fun and soon started stomping harder herself!
Yang Yi smiled faintly and continued building the stove, using small stones to fill the larger gaps.
By the time Mo Fei and Xixi had played enough—the little girl's voice a bit hoarse from shouting—the stove was already sending up wisps of white smoke. Yang Yi was placing the wire mesh on top, waiting for the charcoal to glow red before putting on the ingredients to grill.
"Wow, you're amazing!" Mo Fei came over, watching and exclaiming in surprise. "You got the fire going in no time! My dad used to take forever with barbecues, and he only managed with an electric grill later!"
"Mommy's dad is Xixi's grandpa!" the little girl dutifully explained to her father, making sure he understood. "Not Daddy!"
Yang Yi smiled slightly and said, "What did you expect? Otherwise, how could I dare call myself an expert in front of you?"
"Need any help?" Mo Fei rolled up her sleeves, eager to pitch in.
Yang Yi remembered the time she'd suddenly wanted to make fried eggs for Xixi's breakfast, and a black, charred "object" came to mind. He shook his head firmly. "No, I'll handle the barbecue. You just wait to eat!"
"Fine, fine, Expert Yang. You'd better do a good job! I want delicious grilled chicken legs, grilled eggplant, and grilled mantou..." Mo Fei said, but she still helped Yang Yi take the ingredients out of his backpack and laid them out on the canvas mat nearby.
Xixi was playing with the kittens on the side, but hearing her mother list those foods, she was practically drooling!
Mo Fei spread out a picnic blanket on the grass—this would be where everyone rested after eating, drinking, and playing. But Xixi got there first, opening the cat carrier and letting Xiao Guai, Duo Duo, and Xiao Hui out.
These three little ones, though bold, were very attached to Xixi. She pulled out cat toys from her small backpack, and the kittens started playing on the picnic blanket.
Mo Fei didn't idle either; she took out the cat food bowls and filled them with kibble.
Soon, the tempting aroma of meat drifted over from Yang Yi's side, mixed with the strong, pungent scents of cumin and black pepper. Xixi's stomach growled, but she also sneezed twice.
Mo Fei walked over, and Yang Yi looked up, smiling. "It'll be a bit longer; it's not cooked yet!"
He thought Mo Fei was getting impatient.
But Mo Fei crouched beside him, took out a small handkerchief, and wiped the sweat from Yang Yi's face. She laughed, "I was afraid you'd get cooked yourself!"
In truth, watching Yang Yi handle the barbecue made her feel a bit sorry for him. The tall, 1.87-meter man was crouched by a makeshift outdoor stove, with smoke blowing every which way. When the wind shifted, it engulfed him, making him cough uncomfortably.
"Don't stay here choking with me!" Yang Yi laughed. "Go play with Xixi. The barbecue will be ready soon!"
"You're chasing me away!" Mo Fei pouted, pretending to be upset. "I'm not happy now!"
Yang Yi looked at her rosy lips and couldn't resist. He sneaked a glance at Xixi—the little girl wasn't looking their way—so he grew bold.
In a flash, quicker than a thief covering his ears while stealing a bell, Yang Yi leaned over and kissed Mo Fei's red lips. Then he acted as if nothing had happened, turning back to poke the foil-wrapped enoki mushrooms with a bamboo skewer, leaving Mo Fei's face flushed bright red.
"Yang Yi!" Mo Fei scolded playfully, her face burning as she hurriedly checked Xixi's direction, too flustered to even punch Yang Yi.
These little intimacies weren't a big deal, but she was afraid their daughter might see!