"But dealing with a Su Xiaoxiao is still possible," Zhang Cuihua glanced at Xiao Hong, who nodded in tacit understanding.
The two exchanged a smile. Fu Wenwen, standing beside them, looked at them in confusion. "Sister Cuihua, Sister Xiao Hong, what are you talking about? How will you deal with Su Xiaoxiao?"
"You don't need to worry about this. Stay out of it, so she doesn't cause you trouble," Xiao Hong said to Fu Wenwen.
Xiao Hong looked at Fu Wenwen and cautioned, "No matter what rumors are going around the village, don't take them to heart. There will always be people who are envious and jealous. But you are all from the same village. If outsiders come to question you, the villagers will help you!"
"Thank you, Sister Xiao Hong and Sister Cuihua," Fu Wenwen smiled at them. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do."
"We're all sisters, no need for such polite talk," Zhang Cuihua patted Fu Wenwen's shoulder. She looked at the obedient Lin An beside Fu Wenwen with a sense of novelty. "I've seen Lin An before, but why is he so well-behaved today?"
"Indeed, he used to run away when he saw us and never let anyone touch him," Xiao Hong said, echoing Zhang Cuihua's observation. She looked at Lin An with curiosity, scrutinizing him. Lin An felt shy and turned to rest his head on Fu Wenwen's shoulder, hiding from their gaze.
"Oh, he's even shy," Xiao Hong chuckled. "Looking at him, Lin An really has good looks. In the past, the Lin family was quite neglectful. Sister, take good care of him, and he'll surely grow up to be a handsome young man."
"Yes, I think so too," Fu Wenwen nodded.
Lin An's reliance on Fu Wenwen was akin to that of a biological mother and son. The two women chuckled, realizing that Fu Wenwen had truly earned Lin An's approval.
After a brief chat, they left mysteriously.
Fu Wenwen held Lin An, but suddenly he struggled to get down and insisted on walking by himself. Fu Wenwen held Lin An's small hand, but he suddenly pulled her towards a small path. "Hey? Where does Lin An want to go?"
Lin An pursed his lips and used his strength, hoping Fu Wenwen would follow him. Seeing that he seemed to have something important for her to accompany him to, Fu Wenwen complied and followed him onto the path.
Tall weeds grew on both sides of the path. If Lin An hadn't led the way, Fu Wenwen would never have come here, feeling that the place was a bit dangerous.
"Lin An, where are you taking me?" Fu Wenwen asked softly. Lin An pointed ahead, gesturing for Fu Wenwen to follow him.
Fu Wenwen followed Lin An for a long time, feeling as if they were ascending a mountain, yet the surrounding environment didn't quite suggest that. Finally, Lin An stopped in front of her.
Fu Wenwen quickened her pace. She saw Lin An standing by a large tree, at least a hundred years old. Its branches were as thick as smaller trees nearby. There was a tree hollow in the trunk. Lin An glanced up at the tree, then back at Fu Wenwen, and began to climb the trunk.
Fu Wenwen froze, afraid Lin An would fall. She nervously held out her hands beneath the tree, ready to catch him.
"Lin An, be careful!" Fu Wenwen exclaimed with concern. Lin An, like a little monkey, climbed up in just a few moves.
He climbed to a branch near the tree hollow and sat down, then beckoned to Fu Wenwen from above.
Fu Wenwen chuckled and clapped her hands. "Lin An is amazing."
Judging by his demeanor, he must have climbed this tree many times before. But Fu Wenwen couldn't understand why Lin An had brought her here.
As Fu Wenwen stood there, puzzled, Lin An smiled at her slightly and then disappeared into the tree hollow.