In the garden of the Zhou Family’s old house, Ping’an Brothers and their lifelong friends, a dozen or so young guys, are gathered around a pavilion beside a patch of bamboo, chatting leisurely.
Not far off, lotus flowers stand gracefully in the pond; as the breeze blows, bubbles rise on the water’s surface as the fish breathe.
A dog suddenly jumps into the pond with a splash, catching a small carp in its mouth and tossing it onto the riverbank, causing a few dogs on the bank to bark wildly.
"Er Bao! Do it again. I’ll treat you to some meat."
"You’d better not snatch Er Bao’s meat, that’s good enough."
"Dogs are truly happy creatures."
May 1st gave the other a sideways glance, "That’s easy, just become sworn brothers with Er Bao."
That remark made everyone in the pavilion burst into laughter.
Young people’s time is truly carefree, they play and joke around without a worry, and before long, someone strips off their clothes and jumps into the pond.
The rest of the energetic young men followed, shouting for him to compete against the dogs in catching fish, to see who could catch the most and the fastest.
A few people leaning lazily against the pillars in the pavilion have already set their sights on the vegetable garden not far away, discussing whether to have a picnic.
Sitting on a stone bench, May 1st reached out and scrambled the checkered board on the stone table right in the midst of being fiercely contested, leaving a stunned Liu Yi, who then asked, "Boring?"
"A bit."
Meanwhile, a burst of silvery laughter rang from afar, and in a blink, four or five girls appeared walking down the path.
May 1st squinted slightly and gave Liu Yi a meaningful smile.
Liu Yi gave him a sideways glance, flicking nonexistent dust off his pants.
Empty-handed, Yi Tangtang jogged over to the pavilion, beaming as she looked at Liu Yi, pretending not to see May 1st and the others nearby.
"Brother Liu Yi, want some watermelon?"
Liu Yi cast a glance at his brother, beckoned to the shy Yi Tangtang, and stretched out his right leg to pull out a snow-white handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
Yi Tangtang took it and wiped the sweat off her forehead, then shoved it into her own pocket, making May 1st twitch in amusement: Poor little brother lost another handkerchief.
"Brother Liu Yi, when is Godmother coming back? I miss her."
"Soon."
"When Godmother comes back, remember to call me."
"Okay."
"I knew Brother Liu Yi is the best."
May 1st felt goosebumps rise even in the heat of summer, glancing again at the little girl latched onto Liu Yi’s side with her eyes darting around, he couldn’t help rubbing his arm.
Women are truly tigers!
This little girl is already showing her claws.
Too scary!
Walking slowly nearby, Mo Xiaobei and her sister Fatty Qu Shengmei each placed a tray on the stone table and called out loudly, "Come eat the watermelon."
Qu Shengmei looked at her, then at those in the pavilion, and smiled with delight.
May 1st grabbed a piece, looking at Mo Xiaobei, "Stop calling, you guys hurry up and eat, or it’ll all end up in those beasts’ mouths."
"May 1st, can we talk about something?"
May 1st decisively shook his head, "No!"
Mo Xiaobei’s almond-shaped eyes glared wide, "I haven’t even said anything yet."

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