C10 He Tricked the Stone Frog Here and Then

“Once again, I see the smoke rising, dusk covering the land. I wonder where the smoke is headed. The sunset is poetic, the twilight picturesque. Though it's all beautiful, you're the only one in my heart. Once again, the smoke rises, stirring my memories. I wish you'd turn into a colorful cloud and fly into my dreams...”

The melody was something Mo Xuxiao had never heard before. The lyrics, though simple, were filled with poetic imagery. Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of charm that captivated Mo Xuxiao as he listened.

“Hey, let me give you a basket!”

Mo Xuxiao turned around to see her offering him a beautifully crafted basket.

“Oh, come on, why are you being so fussy? If you feel like you owe me, just give me five stone frogs!” Luo Lingyan stepped into the stream and handed the basket to him.

Unable to hold back, Mo Xuxiao laughed. “So, a girl chats me up just to get my stone frogs?”

“Yep! You figured it out, huh? Haha...” Luo Lingyan laughed.

“Just a basket for five stone frogs? Isn’t that a bit much?”

“Don’t be so stingy! Besides, isn’t it fate that we met here in this big world? And I won’t take advantage of you. How about I give you a basket of stream fish later?”

"Another basket of stream fish?" Mo Xuxiao suddenly realized that before she arrived, the stream seemed unusually dry, but now it was flowing again. Could this be her doing?

She seemed to know everything—from the stars to the earth—and had skills in gathering herbs and weaving baskets. It wouldn't be surprising if she knew how to use something like "drunken fish grass" to catch fish, especially since she had a faint fishy smell about her.

"Yeah, you can dry stream fish and make all sorts of delicious snacks like crispy fish bites, braised fish, stir-fried fish, and spicy fish. They're all my specialties and go great with rice!"

"Let's skip the stream fish. How about this: I'll provide the fish, and you come to my place over the next couple of days to cook a few dishes for my mother. If she likes your cooking, I'll give you five stone frogs. How does that sound?" Lately, the weather had been stifling, and his mother had lost her appetite. She hadn't eaten well for days, and he was worried about her.

"Sure, I didn't know you were such a devoted son. How about this: if your mother enjoys my cooking, you convert those five stone frogs into cash for me. Deal?"

"You little money-grubber!" This girl was clever and articulate, with a lively and charming personality. His mother would surely be pleased.

"I saw you smile, so I’ll take that as a yes. Come on, let's shake on it." Lingyan eagerly held up her hand.

"Childish," Xuxiao replied, knowing he couldn’t back out of what he’d agreed to.

"Alright, it's a deal then. My name's Lingyan. What's yours? Where do you live?" She thought, as long as she could get her hands on those five stone frogs, she'd figure out the rest later.

"Xuxiao."

"Xuxiao? Like 'ink' and 'dawn'? Which 'xiao'? And where do you live? If you don't tell me, what if I end up looking for the wrong person or place?" Lingyan's eyes drifted to his leg.

"Don't worry. As long as you ask, anyone with common sense will point you in the right direction."

"Hey, are you calling me dumb?" Lingyan glared at him, annoyed.

"Did I insult you?" Xuxiao asked, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"Ugh, I’m not going to argue with you," Lingyan said, crouching down to untie the stone frogs from his leg. "Xuxiao, why don't you just give me this string of stone frogs? It's only a couple more."

"Don't touch them. Catch some more, and I'll give them to you." Not many dared to address him so casually, yet here was this girl, not only ignoring the usual formalities but also boldly showing her interest and now trying to take his frogs.

"Oh." Hearing Xuxiao's suggestion, Lingyan focused on the stream and noticed the fish showing signs of being stunned. She quickly grabbed some vines, and after weaving a basket, she began collecting the fish.

"Xuxiao, the water's too deep over there for me. Could you help me gather the fish?"