Chapter 37: This big peach is really juicy

Ling An looked at Ye Xiuxiu's eyes full of anticipation,

His heart softened, he smiled and promised:

"Okay, since you want to try it yourself, sister will hold you and go pick."

After saying that, Ling An bent down, stretched out his arms, and gently embraced,

and, as if lifting a light weight, held Ye Xiuxiu steadily in his arms.

Next, Ling An exerted a little force and lifted his arms upward,

easily raising Ye Xiuxiu above his head.

Thus, Ye Xiuxiu was now within arm's reach of the peaches on the branches,

she could reach them with a stretch.

At this moment Ye Xiuxiu was extremely excited, she jumped for joy,

her face beaming with a bright smile,

as if she could already see the ripe Jinhua peaches covering the tree, waiting for her to harvest.

Ye Xiuxiu moved like a nimble little monkey,

her eyes locked onto the sturdy trunk of a Jinhua peach tree.

She lightly jumped, her arms tightly gripping the trunk,

then, using hands and feet together, she scrambled up into the branches in an instant.

"Xiuxiu!"

Ling An, seeing this from the side, instantly grew anxious and shouted loudly,

"Xiuxiu, how could you be so reckless as to climb up like that?"

His face was full of worry,

"Come down quickly, it's very dangerous up there!"

However, the response coming from above was Ye Xiuxiu's childish, babyish voice:

"Oh, don't worry, Ling An sister,

"It's fine, not at all dangerous, it's perfectly safe here!

"I'm holding on tight."

Accompanying her words,

Ye Xiuxiu's petite figure was slowly moving forward along the trunk, step by step.

Her goal was clear,

the largest, most vividly colored Jinhua peach ahead.

Finally she neared her target,

Ye Xiuxiu reached out with her right hand and firmly grasped the large peach, while her left hand did not dare to loosen at all,

still gripping the trunk tightly to keep her balance.

Next, she began twisting her right hand, trying to snap the peach off,

but after several attempts she still couldn't succeed.

So she took a deep breath and exerted force again,

twisting left and right, then gave a hard pull,

only hearing a crisp "crack",

and that mouth-watering, juicy Jinhua peach was torn off just like that.

The freshly picked Jinhua peach gave off waves of tempting fragrance,

as if magical, it continuously streamed into Ye Xiuxiu's nostrils.

Gazing at the alluring peach in her hand,

Ye Xiuxiu could no longer suppress her desire,

she quickly grabbed the peach, casually wiped it on her sleeve a few times, then eagerly opened her small mouth and took a bite.

Instantly, a sweet, juicy, wonderful flavor burst in her mouth, the abundant juice filling her mouth at once.

"Wow, it's so delicious!"

Ye Xiuxiu couldn't help but exclaim,

"I've never tasted such a delicious peach before! It's so sweet and extra juicy!"

Having said that, she began to chew in big mouthfuls,

fully enjoying this rare treat.

Right after, Ye Xiuxiu wolfed down a second bite, then a third.

In no time,

about half of the Jinhua peach disappeared from her hand,

devoured by her in a whirlwind.

At this moment Ye Xiuxiu rubbed her round little belly, satisfiedly let out a burp, and muttered, "I'm full, it's really delicious!"

Ling An, watching Ye Xiuxiu's adorable, endearing appearance,

couldn't help but let out a "pfft" laugh.

Seeing her lightly leap with a light body,

like a nimble little bird,

in an instant she arrived beside Ye Xiuxiu,

and opened her arms to gently embrace Ye Xiuxiu.

Then, holding her, they slowly floated down from the tree.

"Since you two little rascals have already tasted this Jinhua peach, I'll now take you back home."

Just as Ye Xiuxiu was enjoying herself heartily,

Ling An also thoughtfully picked an enticing Jinhua peach for Ye Ruyan and handed it to her.

However, Ye Ruyan merely took a small bite,

as if just going through the motions,

and then carelessly tossed it aside.

The peach with a bite taken out of it rolled lonely into the nearby grass.

"Wait a moment, Ling An sis, I still want to pick another one!"

Ye Xiuxiu, seeing this, hurriedly shouted.

Speaking, she also pointed eagerly with her chubby little hand at a peach tree not far away,

her eyes shining as she fixed her gaze on the large peach hanging above,

Then she said:

"I want to pick that peach; I want to bring it back for Grandfather to taste!"

After Ling An heard Ye Xiuxiu's words,

the smile on her face grew even more radiant,

she nodded happily and praised,

"Oh dear, our Xiuxiu is so well-behaved and sensible! This is the first time seeing Grandfather, and she's constantly thinking of him."

Then, Ling An gently patted Ye Xiuxiu's head,

smiling, she continued,

"It's rare that you have such sincere filial devotion; of course I'll help you with this, sis!"

Ling An stepped lightly to stand before Ye Xiuxiu,

her face suffused with a gentle smile,

then she carefully extended both arms,

and gently lifted Ye Xiuxiu up,

After being held by Ling An, Ye Xiuxiu's body trembled slightly,

she strained to tiptoe, stretching her arms to reach the large peach hanging high on the branch.

One could see her nervously and excitedly clutching the peach tightly with both hands,

as if she were embracing the most precious thing in the world.

Next, Ye Xiuxiu took a deep breath, gathering all her strength,

and pulled down hard with both hands.

Only a crisp "gā bang" sound was heard,

and that large Jinhua peach was plucked from the branch just like that.

Ye Xiuxiu looked delighted at the heavy, golden-yellow peach in her hand, her eyes shining with joy and pride.

Just then, Ye Ruyan beside her suddenly said, "Ling An sis, could you also get one for me?"

Her voice was clear and pleasant, with a hint of urgency and anticipation.

After all, seeing Ye Xiuxiu successfully pick the peach and offer it to her elders in filial devotion,

Ye Ruyan certainly didn't want to be left behind.

Upon hearing Ye Ruyan's request, Ling An smiled and nodded,

replying, "Sure, sis, I'll pick one for you right away."

Having said that, Ling An relied on her profound cultivation,

her bright, star-like eyes instantly grew sharp.

She gazed into the distance, scanning the entire peach orchard,

and quickly found a Jinhua peach roughly the same size as the one Ye Xiuxiu had picked.

However, upon close inspection one could notice,

this peach was slightly smaller than the one Ye Xiuxiu had chosen,

but if not compared carefully,

the difference is hardly perceptible.

Nevertheless, from this subtle action it's not hard to see,

deep down, Ling An still favored Ye Xiuxiu just a little bit more.

(End of chapter)