White clouds and red leaves, leisurely and serene.

Author: Li Yueru
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: He walked step by step to the bushes, his thighs felt stiff. He wanted to sit down and rest. Seeing the sun was about to set, he had to give up the idea of resting. His throat was about to smoke. Water, where was the water? He hadn’t drunk a drop all day, his saliva was almost dry. There must be water deep in the forest. He struggled to lift his legs and walked into the forest. Li Tao walked step by step into the forest. The forest was vast, with tall maple trees, paper mulberry trees, and white lotus trees intermingling and overlapping, covering the sky. The evening breeze swept past, the falling leaves rustled, the air was fresh enough to make one feel like entering a fairyland, and the shade was cool enough to make him feel a slight chill. He quickened his pace and ran along the forest path. In the forest, birds fluttered and played, chirping. If Mei Hongye were beside him, she would be as happy as an angel. Now, Li Tao was alone, and the pain could only be buried deep in his heart. His current situation didn’t allow him to think too much; he still had to keep moving! Deep in the forest, Li Tao heard the sound of a babbling brook. Thirsty upon hearing the sound of water, he immediately became excited and stood up. There were no paths in the forest, so he followed the sound of the stream, struggling through the thorny woods. He climbed over thick bushes, and the sound of the stream grew closer. Finally, he saw water. He shouted in joy, "Water, water!" A stream of clear spring water gushed from the cracks in the rocks, converging into a clear, narrow flow that flowed into a cement-built pool. It turned out to be a small reservoir. A cast-iron pipe was laid underground, extending down the slope. This was the drinking water source for the villagers below the mountain; it needed to be well protected! He washed his hands and face with the overflow from the pool, clasped his hands together to make a ladle, caught the overflowing water, and drank it down greedily. After drinking his fill, he slowly washed the bloodstains on his arms and face. He felt much fresher. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the western sky red. It was almost evening, and he had to leave the forest quickly. Exiting the forest, he looked down at the slope below, which was a wide, grass-covered area. Below the slope was a small village, and further ahead was a small river. The slope was not cultivated, covered in grass. Clusters of red maples dotted the green grass, like a huge emerald screen embedded with red gems. Under the setting sun, the autumn wind swept past, the red maples swayed, and the green waves rose and fell, displaying the brilliance and charm of nature. It was time for the herders to return, and the cattle herds in the distance were almost at the village. A young man, holding a whip, leaped left and right, driving a flock of sheep at the back. Li Tao quickened his pace to catch up and tried to smile, saying, "Young man, you’re skilled! You can drive this flock of sheep well, that’s amazing!" Li Tao had heard that meat sheep are not accustomed to living in groups, so managing a flock was not easy. Li Tao helped drive the sheep while talking. "Ah! Look at your brother, aren’t you cold? You’re still wearing a tank top." The young man turned around and saw Li Tao covered in goosebumps. Without a word, he handed the coat he had slung over his shoulder to Li Tao. "What! What are you going to wear?" Li Tao was moved and didn’t know how to react, because the young man was also only wearing a tank top. "Didn’t you see I was covered in sweat? My home is just ahead; I’ll give you this coat." Li Tao took the coat and quickly put it on, a warm current flowing through his heart. His eyes grew moist, and he was so moved he couldn’t even say a word of thanks.