The m passed as they made a small break by a creek on their way around early midday. Greedily drinking from it, Yin ehe cool running dowhroat. She spshed the water onto her face, enjoying the cooling effe her flushed face as she watched how the others went about. Feng massaged her muscles silently in a er as she munched on one of Oscar's sausages, Teddy sitting on the grouo her.

  Tang San was eating a slice of bread and handing out carrots to Xiao Wu, who didn't appear strained. Jiang sat on a rock, his feet dangling ier, his eyes closed, enjoying the sun on his pale skin and soaking in the light. Dai Mubai, oher hand, was not letting Zhu Zhuquing out of his sight, as she was equally enjoying the rest a bit further away.

  Yin got up and walked over to Jiang. He opened an eye, heard her footsteps, and smiled. His head tilted back; he cracked open ao watch her e closer. "Hello," he said, and she grinned.

  "Hello."

  He tilted his head. "How do you do?"

  "Well and fine...you?" She tilted her head the same way, and they both ughed.

  "Damn, could you two stop feeding us dog food?" Fatty said, growling from further back. "It is hard as single people here; it's worse than with Tang San and Xiao Wu."

  "Hey." Xiao Wu objected. "What are you saying there, Fatty."

  "What...? You are feeding Dog food as well." Ma Hongjun made a girlish pose, saying in a sweet voice, imitating her. "Brother San."

  "Mhhh? What did you say?" Xiao Wu walked forward, blushing slightly, while Yin, Ning Feng, Jiang, and the others turned into a peanut gallery as Ma Hongjun experiehe full might of Nuoding Big Sister Wu. She easily slipped past and kicked him iomach as he flew backward, hitting the wooden trunk behind him. Feng made a fad theo poke at the pale cheeks of a K.O. Ma Hongjun.

  "S-Still alive?" She asked, looking at Dai Mubai, who was trying to hold his ughter.

  "Alive," Fatty announced, raising an arm and giving a thumbs-up. Xiao Wu had held back a lot, Tang Yin noted. It was unusual for someoo be scious after being kicked by her. Either that or Ma Honjun was incredibly sturdy.

  Oscar had his mouth open and only let out a "Damn."

  At the same time, Xiao Wu settled, poutio Tang San, swinging her long braid over her shoulder, her cheeks blushing.

  "We'll have to depart if we want to be at the first stop by this evening," Dai Mubai said. All of them got ready again, took formation, and tihe ndscape ged little as they barreled through it, trying to stay in the shade as the su midday.

  As evening sloroached, the heat from the day eventually passed, and clouds slowly started f in the sky above.

  "I'm just hoping it doesn't start raining," Yin muttered, seeing the clouding sky, and the reed with her wholeheartedly. When Dusk came around, they saw their destination lights in the distahey had reached their oint, and all of them sighed in relief.

  "Finally." Xiao Wu called out, and the others all rexed a little more. Finally indeed.

  Yin looked at Zhu Zhuquing and nodded as they switched positions smoothly. Yin took the right, and Zhu Zhuquing was right behind Dai Mubai, who visibly stiffe her closeness right behind him.

  They arrived at the city, and Xiao Wu halted where she ut her hands on her hips. "Food." She announced. "I want food."

  "Seded." Yin raised her hand, followed by Zhuquing holding up hers, and Ning Feng joined in alongside Ma Hongjun in the same breath. Dai Mubai sighed. "Follow me, " he said. I know a fairly good inn, including a restaurant," he said and headed towards the city. But first, we o meet up with our teacher."

  They followed Dai Mubai into the city while chattnig with each other, g little about the curious looks a bunch of children traveling alone caused.

  At some point, Mubai stopped.

  "Fet it. I know a good pce for food. I just remembered, follow me." Dai Mubai said. A cheeky, almost cat found the cream-like grin on his fad a g Zhu Zhuquing, who stood as far apart as possible.

  He led them to an old-looking wooden Inn and then stepped ihe restaurant was bursting at the Seams as Dai Mubai went to the clerk. "Seats for roup?"

  The clerk nodded and thehem to one of the rge and sturdy wooden Tables, one of the few still empty ones, handing them menu cards. Each took one and started pig out food.