"We know you're doing this for our sake."
The old man smiled.
"That kid really is being a bit of a pest."
"I hope what you said just now will make him give up on this maple tree."
The old man looked up at the maple tree beside him.
The sea of maple leaves tinged his slightly cloudy eyes red.
The maple tree in his yard really had grown beautifully.
Its branches and leaves were lush.
Its trunk was thick and sturdy.
Its leaves also stayed red longer than those of other maple trees.
That man had a good eye.
No, no.
It had nothing to do with having a good eye.
Even someone with no eye for beauty could tell how lovely his maple tree was.
"Mm."
Xu Zizhen nodded.
He hoped so too.
Let the matter end here.
If it dragged on... it wouldn't be good for anyone.
"What's wrong?"
At some point, Spirit Maple had sat down beside Xiao Xiao.
It took a Maple Leaf Crisp straight from the plate in Xiao Xiao's hand.
With its mouth somewhat full, its voice lost some of its usual chill, which sounded so much like a demon's.
Xiao Xiao glanced at Spirit Maple, slightly surprised.
As if it knew what had surprised him, Spirit Maple took another Maple Leaf Crisp.
"They're all looking at me."
By "me," Spirit Maple meant the maple tree.
Seeing Spirit Maple help itself so freely, Taotie landed beside the plate too and opened its mouth wide.
Xiao Xiao flicked Taotie on the forehead with a bent finger.
Though Taotie looked somewhat indignant, its mouth shrank a little.
Xiao Xiao lowered his eyes and smiled.
He explained to Spirit Maple, "The person who just left wants this maple tree."
He looked