Chapter 436 (Part 1 of 2)
The mountains stretched out in an endless sea of green beneath the blazing sun, and the cicadas were singing merrily. Along a forest path, a group of boys and girls around eleven or twelve years old made their way home downstream, following the stream. All five carried cowhide book bags. At the front, Yu Guang tilted his head back and called to the girl lagging behind:
"Zhao Xiang! Hurry up, or the Instructor will have closed the door by the time we get there!"
Zhao Xiang wore a gray cloth outfit covered in patches. The fabric looked dingy, but it made her fair skin stand out. Her cowhide book bag hung in front of her chest, and her sleeves and trouser legs were rolled high, exposing her thin, bony arms and legs.
"Why are you rushing me?" The girl was short and scrawny, but she had a temper to match. She lifted her head and glared at Yu Guang. "I'm not afraid of the Instructor closing the door. It's so hot out, I don't even want to go study!"
Yu Guang wasn't annoyed by her outburst. Instead, he earnestly tried to persuade her. "Your mother would never agree to that. She and your father spent a lot of money to get you a chance to study at Guiyi Hall. You can't let their money go to waste. Wait here, don't move. I'll come help you across."
The mountain path was rugged, with streams everywhere. Even in the height of summer, moss covered the trails, making them slippery. The mountains were stiflingly hot, and sweat covered the children's faces.
Zhao Xiang stopped in the middle of a steep stream and held out her hand to Yu Guang, still grumbling. "It's so hot I could die.