No matter what, the boy couldn't bring himself to say the words he'd used to refuse Xiao Xiao to the old man.
For a moment, the boy was at a loss.
What was he supposed to do?
"Come along."
Xiao Xiao smiled.
"Don't keep Grandpa Xu waiting."
Those words were like the final straw placed on the scales in the boy's heart...
Before the boy's mind could make a decision, his feet had already taken on a will of their own.
The boy walked toward Xiao Xiao.
When he came to his senses, his steps faltered.
But he didn't stop.
Never mind.
The boy reassured himself.
He was only going to have a look at the maple tree.
It wouldn't take long.
And he really couldn't bring himself to refuse the old man's warm invitation.
"Come, come."
The old man led the way with a beaming smile.
He hadn't noticed the boy's inner turmoil at all.
Since he was already here, he might as well make the best of it.
The boy tried to get himself into a better frame of mind.
He looked around.
What a huge courtyard.
Or rather, what a huge house.
It was so much bigger than his home.
This one courtyard alone was bigger than his whole house.
Never mind the rest.
The boy was amazed.
The impact of the courtyard dispelled some of the gloom between his brows.
A faint glimmer lit his eyes.
"The maple tree is just up ahead."
The old man walked with his hands behind his back.
He didn't walk quickly.
But his steps were steady.
The old man seemed to be in good health.
Those words seemed to pull the boy back from a dream to reality.
He froze for a moment.