He didn't even recognize the camphor tree, but he was too embarrassed to let Ah Jiu know.
Now that he was asked such a question, he really didn't know how to answer: "Maybe."
"..." Ah Jiu could tell that Tuoba Yan was always bewildered when it came to family matters, and perhaps he didn't want to talk about it.
"Hoo." Ah Jiu ignored him and blew out the newly lit flame with a puff of her lips.
Smoke mixed with the scent of camphor instantly spread: "This way, there won't be any mosquitoes."
"Little Yan Yan, you know so much," Little Yan Yan scratched the back of his neck, feeling embarrassed.
"Perhaps you're from a wealthy family and haven't seen this before."
Ah Jiu stood up and walked around with the smoking camphor branch.
Especially towards Grandma's side, she sat there motionless, and the mosquitoes would feast as they pleased.
Then, following the direction of the smoke, she found the wind direction and placed the branches at the leeward side, so the whole family could rest well at night.
"Mom, this sand can help stop your bleeding."
Meng Shaode glanced meaningfully at Tuoba Yan and walked directly towards Wang Shi.
"Jiu'er, come to Mom, Mom has something to tell you."
It was obvious that communicating with their daughter still fell on the mother.
"What is it?"
"You're still young, remember Mom's words, don't get into a relationship before you're twenty-two. Girls need to be aware of danger to prevent future trouble."
Cai Lihua gently instructed her daughter.
"Ah?" Ah Jiu was stunned: "Mom, what is 'getting into a relationship'?"
"This..." Cai Lihua clicked her tongue with difficulty, preparing to organize more suitable words for her daughter to understand from her mind:
"It means you need to keep your distance from men. You're too young now and don't understand anything. Mom is afraid you'll be taken advantage of. When the time comes, Mom will find a good one for you, and then you can think about getting married."
She said a lot, implying that Mom was experienced and had eaten more rice than Ah Jiu had salt.
"Mom, I don't understand what you're saying." Ah Jiu didn't understand the part about her being young.
"Sigh, it's just, I think that kid is acting strange, especially the way he looks at you."
Cai Lihua gritted her teeth and decided to be straightforward, otherwise, this silly girl would never understand.
"Ah?" Ah Jiu looked back at Little Yan Yan.
He was imitating her, holding a branch and smoking mosquitoes everywhere. When he was looked at, he grinned at her:
"What's wrong with his eyes? Mom, it's so dark, can you see his eyes?"
Besides, his gaze was sometimes pure, and sometimes a bit silly, she didn't see any malice.
"..." Cai Lihua was completely baffled. Her silly daughter couldn't understand what she was trying to say.
"Hurry up and clean up and go to sleep. Kid, you come here. We'll take turns keeping watch, one for the first half of the night, the other for the second half," Meng Shaode called out from over there.
"Okay, Uncle."
Tuoba Yan agreed verbally, but he held the smoking branch in his hand and looked into the distance, showing no sign of participating in the arrangements.
Ah Jiu followed his gaze.
The once lush mountain range of Mount Qiming was now like a bald monk. The winding paths at the foot of the mountain were visible at a glance.
Several torches moved rapidly through the mountains. It was too far to see clearly, but judging by the speed of the torches, they seemed to be riding horses.
Behind them, there were scattered, swaying lanterns, clearly the hanging lanterns on carriages.
"Sister Ah Jiu, who are those people? They don't look like fleeing refugees. It's rare to be able to afford horses on this road, and there are four or five of them at once."
Little Yan Yan stood on the mountain, arms crossed, looking puzzled. His leisurely demeanor was completely out of sync with the current situation.
"There's also a carriage."
Thinking of this, Ah Jiu gasped. She had discovered something strange.