Hu Xiaoxu's happiest memory was that afternoon he sneaked out to watch the Piaoyao Battleboard tournament. Th…
Hu Xiaoxu's happiest memory was that afternoon he sneaked out to watch the Piaoyao Battleboard tournament.
That day, his parents had to travel far. Before leaving, Lady Hu carefully instructed Xiaoxu not to go out.
Xiaoxu only dared to give a vague promise. Because he had overheard his parents chatting: today, a lively Piaoyao Battleboard tournament was being held at the nearby market. Anyone who won ten matches in a row would win a brand-new Piaoyao Battleboard set.
He knew his own skill wasn't enough to compete. But just seeing so many people play would make him happy enough.
After his parents left, Hu Xiaoxu waited another two hours.
Then, gathering his courage, he climbed over the wall.
He didn't know the way to the market and wandered around, taking many wrong turns.
Stepping onto land outside the courtyard, smelling unfamiliar winds, seeing strange goods and all sorts of people, Hu Xiaoxu felt dazzled, his steps lighter than ever before.
He saw laborers by the well using wooden mechanisms to easily draw up bucket after bucket of water.
He saw children under fruit trees using long bamboo poles to catch chirping cicadas, tying them to strings to play with.
He heard the loom creaking, the shuttle flying back and forth, spinning out soft cloth.
He saw one new, unfamiliar thing after another.
Until his parents caught him and brought him home, scolding him for a long time.
So strange—he hadn't even seen any Piaoyao Battleboard match that day, yet Hu Xiaoxu was extraordinarily happy.