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墨書 Inktalez
The next day, the sun shone brightly once again.
Xiao You got up early, helping her grandmother feed the chickens and water the vegetables, busy and happy. She loved life in the countryside; each day was filled with freshness and fun.
After breakfast, Xiao You took a small bamboo basket and prepared to go to the riverbank at the village entrance to pick some wild fruits.
As she passed by the large Banyan Tree at the village entrance, she noticed a stranger sitting on a stone bench beneath it.
It was a boy who seemed to be about the same age as Xiao You. He wore a clean white shirt and blue jeans, with white sneakers on his feet. His outfit clearly indicated that he was not a child from the village.
The boy had his head down, holding a book in his hands, but his gaze was not on the pages; instead, he stared at the ground, lost in thought.
Curious, Xiao You walked over. Having grown up in this village, she knew everyone here, but she had never seen this boy before.
“Hi!” Xiao You said as she approached him, taking the initiative to greet him.
The boy looked up and glanced at Xiao You. His eyes were clear, yet there was a hint of melancholy in his expression.
He didn’t speak, just continued to look at her.
Not minding his silence, Xiao You squatted down in front of him, tilting her head with a smile as she asked, “Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”
After hesitating for a moment, the boy finally spoke in a soft voice that resembled a mosquito's buzz: “I... I’m A Ze. I came... to my grandmother’s house for summer vacation.”
“A Ze?” Xiao You repeated the name, then burst into laughter. “I’m Xiao You, but you can call me You You!”
A Ze nodded gently in response.
Seeing that he wasn’t saying much, Xiao You continued enthusiastically, “Our village is so much fun! There’s a creek where you can catch fish and shrimp; we have an orchard where you can pick fruit; and at night, there are fireflies that are absolutely beautiful! What do you like? I can take you to play!”
Xiao You’s enthusiasm left A Ze feeling a bit overwhelmed. Growing up in the city, he rarely interacted with peers, let alone had a lively and cheerful friend like Xiao You.
Unsure of how to respond to her excitement, he lowered his head and continued to stare at the ground.
Noticing A Ze’s silence, Xiao You thought he might not be interested in those activities and asked again, “Do you like reading? What book do you have there?”
A Ze lifted the book slightly for her to see.
“The Little Prince?” Xiao You recognized the title. “I’ve read that book too! I really like the little fox in it!”
A Ze’s eyes brightened for a moment, and he finally spoke again, “You… like the little fox too?”
“Of course!” Xiao You nodded. “The little fox says, ‘One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.’”
A Ze looked at Xiao You with a hint of surprise. He hadn’t expected this seemingly carefree country girl to have read The Little Prince and even be able to recite lines from it.
“Do you… do you like that quote?” A Ze asked.
"Mm!" Xiao You nodded vigorously. "I think what the little fox said makes a lot of sense. Just like fireflies, their light may be faint, but it's warm and beautiful. Only by truly feeling can one appreciate their beauty."
A Ze was taken aback. He hadn't expected Xiao You to connect The Little Prince with fireflies. Suddenly, he felt that this girl was quite different from others.
"Do you... want to go see the fireflies tonight?" A Ze mustered the courage to ask.
Xiao You smiled brightly. "Of course! I go to see the fireflies every night! Do you want to come with me?"
A Ze hesitated for a moment. He wanted to see the fireflies, but he was also afraid of going with Xiao You. He didn't know how to interact with her or what to say.
"I..." A Ze stammered, "I... think I'll pass."
Xiao You's smile froze on her face, and she looked a bit disappointed, but she didn't push him.
"Alright," she said, "if you change your mind, you can always come find me. My home is at Village East End, right by a big Sophora Tree; it's easy to find."
With that, Xiao You picked up her bamboo basket and walked away.
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