After a long day of hustle from 9 a.m., the kids can finally head home. Chinese New Year traditions like family reunions are deeply ingrained in our culture—Xiao Xi naturally looks forward to the holiday every day, since Mom was too busy to care for him during this period. Hes been free to eat, drink, and play games... As for Ning er, though shes used to living alone, she still attends the New Years Eve dinner every year!
Of course, Ah Jun was equally eager to return home immediately, to push his limits and embark on a journey with Xiao Xi and the others. Yet the fear of heights remained a lingering burden in his heart. While the long-altitude experience might not trigger severe reactions now, the shadow cast by that moment in his soul could never be easily erased.
The childhood traumas—those persistent suppression, shocks, and torments—have become an unconscious habit, even the mere thought of them feels like a burden. After all, a childs heart is fragile. No matter how resilient one might be, enduring storms alone is impossible. Yet the seeds of cause and effect within remain ever-growing, sprouting, flourishing, blossoming, bearing fruit, and multiplying endlessly.
It was only when he had enough courage and strength that he could face it correctly. By then, it might have been deeply rooted— and the wound must heal, just like a wound, after cleaning, apply the right medicine, and temporarily protect it with a bandage, which will take some time.
It takes so much to heal a trauma, let alone a young heart. So its only natural for Ah Jun to hesitate. As for how the outside world... what does it have to do with him?
Fortunately, this child was born with the innate healing conditions—being an orphan might be a cleansing process, and his family could very well serve as the best bandage. As for the medicine, it likely refers to the experiences of growing up... When the healing will come is left to time, and ultimately, it all depends on Ah Juns own will.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I..."
At this moment, looking at Xiao Xi and Ning Er, the receding back, Ah Jun was really pleased, but as his attention gradually returned, he began to realize his own problem.
So the child, who was in a state of inner confusion, suddenly asked about his plan for the Spring Festival travel rush--but was interrupted by the emperors words, and the long-pondered words in his heart had to stop immediately...
Oh, right, wait a minute—hey, sir, are you ready? Why are you dragging your feet? Hurry up! The kids waiting in a rage, not even checking the time! Quick, hurry up!
Then, a phone call from the Emperor made the child fall into another dilemma--should he continue to ask? Are they preparing? What... it seems to have something to do with me?
"Come on, come on, come on... all you know is to talk, do you think its so obedient!"
"What youre saying... well, isnt that going well? Youve never been so capable before, have you?"
—Whats going on? Uncle Yue, whats he up to...? Theres something following him. Ah, I see it—its a horse, mine? But it doesnt have wings. Could that be a celestial beast?
I said, "You try it... it really is! But today its going really well, it seems to be really happy!"
"Well... oh, Xiao Jun, come!"
"Hmm? Why hasnt this kid come home yet? Does he really want to stay here for the New Year? What nerve! Wait, thats... How did the Father Emperor bring it along too? Is this for him to ride? Hmph, indeed! Hmm, sigh. Ha, but Ill see what he does next!"
As Commander Boyue led the horse closer, Ah Jun gradually noticed that the horse looked a little familiar. Then he suddenly turned his head to look at the red rabbit beside him, and then turned back to compare it.
—Well? There are more than just two... They look almost identical. Could it be that its not the only one?
"We know you are afraid of heights, so I specifically told Boyue to bring it!"
"Well... but it depends on fate!"
—Us... who else? The princess and Yuwen Lu... Wait, that cant be the Empress Dowager... Oh, thats terrifying! Ah, I get it—maybe its the Retired Empress Dowager... Hmm, shes such a kind old lady, but I probably cant keep my promise...
" lot or luck by which people are brought together ?"
After a moments deliberation, the bewildered child voiced his second inner dilemma. Naturally, there was also the concern about timing—after all, land and air transport differ significantly in speed. While Xiao Xi and Ning er should arrive in time, as for him, given the current situation, it seemed somewhat uncertain...
"Hi, dont make a big deal out of it--no problem... try?"
—Hmph! Even a princess cant tame this horse, and you, a total rookie, think you can ride the Red Hare? Dont cry Mom when youre done!
However, the little princess knew something about the new horse in front of her, but now she saw her right hand on her left elbow, her face a little unwell, and she said to herself.
As for Ah Jun, his mind was full of doubts at this moment--question one, what is it? And, can I ride well... So, will it be in time?
The childs innate sensitivity and naivety had already planted many little fantasies in his mind. Then Ah Jun, still in a daze, turned his head hesitantly and looked again at the horse, suddenly revealing an ignorant foolishness...
"How about them two..."
Chapter 36 The Eve of the Lunar New Year, People are on the Spring Festival travel rush
Faced with two red rabbit horses, Ah Jun couldnt help but feel curious. He pointed innocently and raised his confusion. For this very normal question, Boyue smiled and began to explain the first question in his heart.
It turns out that this generation of blood-sweating steeds consisted of two twin red-haired horses named Chitu. The earlier horse, Tuti, was Boyues personal mount... Now, the horse before Ah Juns eyes is Chichi, Tutis younger brother!
She remains single to this day, a mother of one... because no one has ever made her willingly become a car. Even a princess like Xiao Gongzi is treated the same way, without discrimination.
So at this point, the little princess waiting on the side was in a state of mixed emotions, and her face was changing constantly--after all, this proud and noble princess had tried to master it.
Yet the red horse showed no fear, fighting with all its might... As the saying goes, Wealth cannot corrupt, might cannot bend, poverty cannot sway — in the end, the horse successfully escaped the princesss antics and shook her off, but accidentally threw the precious body to the ground...
The girls heart rippled again at the thought of those painful memories, and given the current situation, she couldnt help feeling a bit envious—after all, this was the worlds only unpaired Red Hare... Though wild and hard to tame, it was a rare treasure and the crown princes most prized possession.
Yet today, the girls father, in a surprising twist, delivers it to a younger son who doesnt share his views... Naturally, the girl feels a bit annoyed—fortunately, her experience foreshadows the outcome to come!
Well, the thought of it makes me look forward to it. Good show!
So, next time, can Ajun indirectly wake up this girl in the ivory tower again?
The answer is...
—Why is this guy always so hesitant? Whats the point of talking to a horse... Not mounting? Afraid? Haha, thats hilarious—riding a horse and being so scared... Oo, got on! The shows about to begin... Right? Hey, why are you so quiet today? Last time, you werent like this... Oh, really? Do you think you can ride two laps? Ill make you laugh, I... Whats going on? You actually started running? Thats impossible! Still laughing, laughing, laughing? Ill make you laugh, Ill make you all laugh, I...
"Hmm, brother Law, lets go!"
"Um!"
"Xiner, where are you going?"
"I... I... went to Brother Laws house, we had agreed!"
What nonsense! Your great-grandmother was waiting for you to have the New Years Eve dinner! How could you...
Oh well, well, let her be... Its always been this way in the past, when a woman grows old, she cant stay, let alone Old Master Yuwen, whos still waiting...
"My father, my mother, my child, I bid farewell... Go!"
— Hmm, you have me, but not me... You, you stay and eat, you, Wada!
So obviously, the answer is... yes!
Once again, that guy Ah Jun had inexplicably turned the girls perception upside down. Just as the old grudge had faded, a new one arose. The proud little princess was so furious she could only collapse in silence, finally fleeing in defeat. As for the heart-wrenching process, it all began ten minutes ago!
— By then, the sun had lingered at its zenith for a long while, reluctantly beginning its descent... After Commander Bolee had introduced Chichi, Ajun, encouraged by the Emperor, slowly approached the horse...
But in the second after he arrived, the red horse, like a magnet, swooped toward Ah Jun--and soon their faces were astonishingly close...
This moment brought a sudden warmth to Ah Jun, who had been lost, and he began to feel relaxed all over... Soon, the conflicted boy started to relax and bond with the horse—staring at each other with wide eyes, occasionally exchanging words, even if their languages didnt match...
But after a while, Ah Jun accidentally noticed that the horses eyes were filled with red liquid—was it blood? The boy was surprised as he wiped it away and asked urgently why...
Fortunately, the expert beside me said that this was just red tears--after all, for Chitu, whether it was tears or sweat, it was dark red, like blood...
— Well! The blood-sweating horse lives up to its reputation!
Under the experts guidance, Ah Jun finally managed to mount the horse. The beasts towering stature made the climb arduous, leaving the boys movements somewhat clumsy. This, of course, became a delightful surprise for the girl watching from the sidelines... Hmm, impressive! Keep it up!
--After the appetizer, its time for the main course!