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Fu Xingchen, accompanied by several villagers, had been searching for food and water in the mountains for some time. On this day, they followed a winding path, surrounded by lush trees whose branches intertwined, nearly blocking out the sky.
"Young Master Fu, we've been walking for so long and haven't found anything useful. Could it be that we've taken the wrong direction?" one villager asked, panting heavily. Fu Xingchen, with a determined gaze, shook his head and replied, "Do not lose heart. This forest is vast; we will surely find what we need. Everyone, let’s persevere and explore a bit further."
Just then, a small stream suddenly appeared ahead, its crystal-clear water flowing gently. The group was overjoyed and hurried to the stream's edge. Fu Xingchen crouched down, dipped his hand into the water to feel its coolness, and cupped some in his hands to taste. Nodding, he said, "This water is sweet and drinkable." The others quickly followed suit, drinking deeply and feeling their fatigue lessen significantly.
Continuing along the stream, the banks gradually opened up. Turning a bend in the mountain path, they were greeted by a breathtaking sight—a valley that seemed like a paradise. Before them lay a flat expanse of land dotted with fertile fields and beautiful ponds; crops thrived abundantly in the fields. A few thatched cottages stood at the edge of the fields, where peach blossoms bloomed profusely, their pink petals drifting down like confetti in the wind, creating an ethereal atmosphere.
"What... where is this place?" one villager exclaimed in astonishment. Fu Xingchen was equally taken aback by the scene before him. Regaining his composure, he said to the group, "Don't just stand there; let’s go take a look."
They cautiously approached the cottages and saw an elderly man working in the fields. Hearing their footsteps, the old man looked up and paused in surprise upon seeing them. Fu Xingchen quickly clasped his hands together in greeting and said, "Elder, we apologize for intruding. We are refugees fleeing from war and have accidentally stumbled upon this place. We hope you won’t hold it against us."
The old man set down his tools and smiled warmly. "No harm done; it’s rare to have outsiders here. Where do you come from? How can there be war in such times?" Fu Xingchen briefly explained about the battles among Wei, Shu, and Wu that had caused widespread suffering among the people. The old man sighed deeply upon hearing this: "Alas, peace seems elusive once more. We have lived in seclusion here for many years and were unaware of such chaos outside."
Looking around in admiration, Fu Xingchen remarked, "Elder, this place is like a fairyland. What is it called?" The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully and replied, "This place has no name; we simply call it 'Anning Valley.' The seasons here are always spring-like, the land is fertile and self-sufficient; we live quite comfortably."
Fu Xingchen pressed on with his inquiry: "Elder, given that there is so much turmoil outside and people are suffering greatly, would it be possible for us refugees to stay here temporarily? Once peace returns, we will leave."
The old man pondered for a moment before nodding. "We are all people who have suffered; how could I refuse? However, though our population is small here, we do have rules that require everyone to work together to protect this peaceful place."
Fu Xingchen was overjoyed and bowed again in gratitude. "Thank you so much! We will certainly abide by your rules and not cause any trouble." He then instructed the accompanying villagers to hurry back to their cave to share this good news with Mu Yunfan and the other villagers.
Upon hearing the news, the villagers cheered with joy. Mu Yunfan immediately organized everyone to pack their belongings and head toward Anning Valley. Along the way, their steps were light as they brimmed with anticipation.
When they arrived at Anning Valley, the villagers were captivated by the beautiful scenery before them; all their fatigue and worries vanished instantly. Mu Yunfan led everyone once more to thank the old man. The elder smiled and said, "Now that you are here, it is fate. From now on, let us all work together to live well."
Under the guidance of the elder, the villagers began to settle in the valley. Fu Xingchen and several young villagers busied themselves with building houses. They transported stones and timber, hammering and chiseling away, and after more than ten days of hard work, they finally erected new homes.
Mu Yunfan and Su Yizhi discussed with the elder how to allocate the land so that everyone could quickly participate in farming.
One Sister, seeing the blooming peach blossoms in the valley, couldn't resist picking a few to place in her hair, smiling as she said, "This place is truly wonderful; it feels like a dream." A nearby uncle chuckled in agreement, "Indeed, our luck has led us to such a great place."
At night, the villagers gathered around. The elder shared stories of the valley and imparted his experiences in farming and hunting. The Children played and laughed nearby while the adults dreamed of their future lives. In Anning Valley, everyone seemed to forget the chaos outside and rekindled their hope for a better life.
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