A gust of wind blew past. As the branches swayed, the head in the shadows beneath the tree vanished.
Even so, a thin sheen of sweat broke out on Shen Xi's back.
"Big sister, what are you looking at?"
Chen Zhen walked over.
"Nothing."
Shen Xi came back to her senses and stroked Chen Zhen's head.
"Thank you for telling me all that. Now I'll teach you how to throw stones."
Shen Xi glanced at the sky. Seeing that it was still early, she picked up a stone and played with Chen Zhen for half an hour.
Once Chen Zhen's aim had improved a little, Shen Xi continued her questions. "Chen Zhen, do you know where I can find some old jujube wood in the village? Peach wood would work too."
Having just learned something fun, Chen Zhen readily answered all of Shen Xi's questions.
"I do, but someone's living in that house right now. You should wait until he leaves. That old man is a little strange."
Chen Zhen seemed to remember something and shook his head.
"It's fine. Take me there."
Seeing that Shen Xi insisted, Chen Zhen said nothing more.
They made their way to the eastern end of the village, where Shen Xi saw a separate courtyard. Above its walls, she could see branches laden with dark red jujubes.
Judging by the size of its crown, the jujube tree had to be quite old.
Delighted, Shen Xi asked, "Chen Zhen, how many people live in this courtyard? What are they like, and what do they enjoy? Tell me everything, and I'll make you some darts to play with later."
Chen Zhen's eyes lit up at the mention of darts.
"This courtyard belongs to the Village Chief. It was originally a place for the Peddler to stay