Jiang Wan led the horses up the mountain, deliberately stopping at an open space near the small courtyard, letting the horses graze and frolic.
She found a shaded spot herself and nibbled listlessly at the pastries she had brought from home.
She had no intention of approaching the small courtyard. She firmly believed that the "energy tree" could not resist temptation.
Even if he didn't come today, what about tomorrow? The day after?
As long as these two horses were in her hands, she didn't believe she couldn't lure him out!
Jiang Wan found two vines and used her ability to weave a hammock between two trees. She then lay down in the hammock, leisurely waiting for the fish to bite.
Gu Chenzhou's mood had been low since returning from the foot of the mountain.
Coupled with his recent injury, he seemed a bit listless.
Seeing him like this, Yan Li became somewhat angry. "Look at yourself now, where is any of your father's spirit! You're so dejected over a small matter not going your way. How will you bear the many more things that won't meet your expectations in the future?"
"If even such a small matter can affect your state of mind, then forget about revenge!"
Scolded, Gu Chenzhou couldn't help but feel ashamed. "Master, I... I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so petulant. Please don't be angry."
Seeing his demeanor, Yan Li couldn't help but sigh. "Don't blame me for being too strict with you. It's just that what you carry on your shoulders forces me to be hard on you. Chenzhou, you must not disappoint the souls of over three hundred Gu family members!"
Gu Chenzhou's childish face was filled with hatred and pain. He clenched his fists and said, "I will definitely avenge them!"
Just then, the neighing of horses echoed from afar.
The two inside the house were startled and quickly grabbed their weapons, leaning against the wall.
However, apart from the neighing, there were no other sounds, and the neighing was also very distant.
Yan Li cautiously poked his head out to check. He saw two horses, one red and one black, chasing and playing in the woods, looking very lively.
Gu Chenzhou also peeked out. "Chiyan and Moyun?"
"It's them."
"How did they get up the mountain? Did they run out on their own?"
A flash of surprise crossed Gu Chenzhou's eyes. He quickly put his finger in his mouth and whistled.
The two horses, hearing the familiar whistle, froze for a moment, then turned to gallop towards the direction of the sound.
Jiang Wan snorted, "Don't forget your identities!"
Little Red and Little Black immediately dared not move, but their large horse eyes were filled with sadness.
Jiang Wan jumped down from the hammock and tapped the heads of the two horses. "If you want to see him, cooperate!"
The two horses snorted and lowered their heads, nibbling at the grass listlessly, clearly without appetite.
Jiang Wan was not soft-hearted at all. She jumped back onto the hammock, propping her feet up, waiting for the "energy tree" to come to her.
After waiting for a while, Gu Chenzhou found that the horses were not galloping towards him as he expected, so he whistled again.
Seeing that the horses still didn't respond, he said to Yan Li, "Master, can I go take a look?"
Yan Li, however, was not entirely strict. He grunted, giving his permission.
Gu Chenzhou quickly ran towards the horses. Hearing the sound, Jiang Wan's lips immediately curved upwards.
She flipped off the tree, used her ability to restore the hammock, and found a place to sit under the tree.
As soon as Gu Chenzhou arrived, he saw Jiang Wan sitting under the tree, grinning at him. "Little brother, what a coincidence."
Gu Chenzhou didn't even spare her a glance, his eyes solely focused on the two horses.
Little Red and Little Black, seeing their original owner, excitedly circled Gu Chenzhou, constantly nudging him with their heads.
Gu Chenzhou was also very happy, patting Little Red for a moment, then Little Black.
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "Little brother, aren't my Little Red and Little Black particularly handsome?"
Gu Chenzhou was slightly taken aback. "Little Red? Little Black?"
Jiang Wan nodded with a smile. "Yes, their names. Aren't they nice?"
The two horses snorted unhappily. They disliked such names.
Gu Chenzhou clenched his fists tightly.
The warhorses of his father and elder brother! Chiyan and Heiyun, who had achieved great feats on the battlefield, were given such rustic names!
How dare they!
Jiang Wan smiled innocently. "Little brother, I heard people say that giving a humble name makes it easier to raise them. When our family found them, they were seriously injured and almost died. Our family went to great lengths to heal them, and fearing they wouldn't be easy to raise, we gave them such names."
Gu Chenzhou was stunned. He had never expected the origin of the names to be like this.
Thinking that he had misunderstood the little girl and her family just now, he felt a little embarrassed and said against his will, "Yes, these names... are quite nice."
Little Red and Little Black seemed to understand his words and snorted unhappily.
Gu Chenzhou reached out and stroked them, calming their emotions.
Seeing that the time was almost right, Jiang Wan got up and ran to Gu Chenzhou's side, grabbing his hand. "Little brother, do you really like my horses?"
Gu Chenzhou wanted to shake her off, but Jiang Wan continued, "If you're willing to play with me, I'll let you ride them!"
The suggestion was too tempting, and Gu Chenzhou's resolve was not firm. He said awkwardly, "Play what?"
Seeing his awkward expression, Jiang Wan was almost laughing her head off.
She hadn't expected this "energy tree" to be so interesting.
However, she maintained a facade of innocence and simplicity. "Take me mushroom picking. The mountain paths are difficult to walk, so you hold my hand!"
Only then would she have a reasonable excuse for physical contact with him.
Gu Chenzhou was reluctant. "Men and women should not touch each other!"
Jiang Wan held out a small palm. "I'm only five years old!"
Men and women should not sit together after the age of seven. She was only five, so there was no question of propriety.
Gu Chenzhou fell silent.
Jiang Wan happily pulled him into the woods and then turned back to instruct Little Red and Little Black, "Don't run around. Wait for me here."
As soon as they entered the woods, Jiang Wan held Gu Chenzhou's hand tightly, constantly absorbing energy from him.
As she absorbed, she observed Gu Chenzhou's expression, wondering if her absorption had any effect on his body. After observing for a while, she found that Gu Chenzhou's breathing hadn't even changed.
This was truly wonderful!
She had previously worried that this energy was his life force, and if she absorbed it, he might not survive.
Now that she was sure there was no effect, she could absorb energy from him at will in the future.
Jiang Wan's eyebrows lifted with joy.
Gu Chenzhou initially disliked Jiang Wan's touch, but for Chiyan and Moyun, he could only endure it through gritted teeth.
However, when he looked back, he saw the little girl's excited and joyful expression, and he was slightly taken aback.
Was holding his hand something to be so happy about?