Putting It Down and Being Shameless

Xu Qingzhu stayed beneath the maple tree all afternoon, until his wife called him.

His voice had gone completely hoarse from calling out all afternoon.

Remembering the worry and confusion in his wife's voice on the phone, he couldn't help looking a little rueful.

At his age, and he was acting like some green young lad.

He had no sense of propriety at all.

Still, it was understandable, wasn't it?

His monster friend had called him by name.

In all the years they'd spent together, he'd never once heard her call him by his name.

And now, more than twenty years later, he'd actually heard it?!

Though Spirit Maple had only said his name three times.

After that, he'd been the one calling Spirit Maple's name over and over, never tiring of it.

But the maple leaves had stirred without a breeze, making a crisp, clear sound that was lovely to hear.

He knew it was Spirit Maple responding to him.

Besides, their way of interacting was so familiar that he couldn't help smiling.

It had always been like this.

He was always the one chattering away.

And she would sit quietly beneath the maple tree, her profile cool and detached, yet never showing the slightest impatience.

Every now and then, she would glance at him or let the faintest curve touch her lips.

That only encouraged him to keep "chattering on."

Remembering those days, Xu Qingzhu's smile turned rueful.

He really had no idea why he'd talked so much around her.

He wasn't normally a talkative person.

Perhaps he knew that if he didn't make the effort, he and she might never have shared even those years together.

He had tried so hard, almost giving it everything he had, just to earn