Chapter 7

In the Imperial Capital, at the Jade Capital Mountain Camp.

Wen Chaosheng clutched his little backpack tightly, shrinking silently onto the wooden bench without a word.

Last week at Elder Xi’s longevity banquet, Song Xuelan had learned from her best friend Shen Ruo about this outdoor summer camp.

They said the camp was specially designed to build kids’ self-reliance and life skills. Professional teachers would accompany them throughout, safety officers would keep watch, and child behavior analysts would observe and provide follow-up educational advice.

Wen Chaosheng was just at the age where he needed that kind of training, so his parents, Wen Chunshen and Song Xuelan, quickly signed him up.

All around him, kids his age were chatting animatedly, but Wen Chaosheng, shy as he was, felt like he didn’t fit in at all.

He stared longingly at the camp’s big wooden gate, fantasizing about sneaking home.

Fat chance of that.

“Sigh.”

Wen Chaosheng let out a helpless breath.

He unzipped his backpack and buried his little head inside, trying to escape the awful situation.

He didn’t know how much time passed before someone patted his shoulder. “Hey, are you Wen Chaosheng?”

The voice was bright and crisp, sounding vaguely familiar.

“…”

Wen Chaosheng poked his head out from the backpack and met a face beaming with a sunny smile.

“Whoa, it really is you!” The other boy reacted faster, shouting loudly toward the front, “Xi Zhui, he’s over here!”

Wen Chaosheng blinked slowly and looked up to see two figures approaching.

It was Xi Zhui.

And the other boy he’d seen in Xi Zhui’s room before.

Wen Chaosheng’s surprised gaze darted between the three faces before it finally clicked. After the banquet last time, he’d overheard Aunt Shen Ruo and his mom talking.

The kid in the pink tank top was Xia Fengyi.

The other one was Shen Zhaoye, Xi Zhui’s cousin, whose dad was German.

The three were classmates with a close bond. Their parents knew each other well and often sent them to events together. This summer camp was no exception.

“Wen Chaosheng, why’d you stick your head in your backpack? That’s hilarious.”

Xia Fengyi was a chatterbox, rattling on right away. “No wonder we looked everywhere and couldn’t find you!”

Xi Zhui nailed it with a single comment. “Turtles are all like that.”

Wen Chaosheng’s cheeks burned. “I-I was just looking for something.”

He wasn’t good at lying; his excuse came out all stuttery. But at least he’d run into some familiar faces his age, which calmed his racing heart a bit.

Xi Zhui didn’t call him out.

Xia Fengyi was the outgoing type and plopped right down next to Wen Chaosheng. “You here by yourself?”

Wen Chaosheng nodded.

“Oh, this is our second time—me and them. Let me tell you, this camp is super fun!”

Xia Fengyi wouldn’t let the conversation lag, launching into his spiel. “The teachers take us fishing in the streams, picking fruit, foraging for mushrooms, and there are tons of wild little animals…”

Wen Chaosheng stared at Xia Fengyi’s nonstop yapping mouth, his eyes wide with shock.

He’d never met a kid his age who talked this much, and so fast—like a machine gun spraying words.

Xi Zhui caught Wen Chaosheng’s incredulity and smirked for a second.

A mute and a motormouth, now stuck together.

“Alright, kids, quiet down and gather round to hear what the teacher has to say—”

Only when the camp teacher grabbed the megaphone did Xia Fengyi finally pipe down.

Wen Chaosheng was always the obedient sort, so he stood up right away.

The teacher took a headcount and issued the first task. “Now, everyone find your buddy or buddies. Pairs or groups of three.”

“For the next six days, you’ll do all the daytime activities and lessons with your group, and bunk together in tents at night.”

As the teacher explained the team-up, the crowd started buzzing.

Wen Chaosheng stood quietly at the back, his face troubled.

What now?

He didn’t know any of the other kids.

Xia Fengyi, with his experience, blurted it out. “Xiao Zhui, A-Ye, us three together again! Just like last year!”

Shen Zhaoye had no objections and wasn’t much for words. “Sure.”

“…”

Xi Zhui had already heard from Shen Ruo that Wen Chaosheng would be at the camp. She’d even specifically told him to look out for this “brother,” since he was shy and introverted.

So from the moment the teacher announced teams, Xi Zhui had been watching Wen Chaosheng’s reactions on the sly.

In no time at all, the other boy had nearly twisted his backpack strap to pieces. His dark eyes fluttered helplessly, and his ears were bright red.

It was just teaming up. Was it really that embarrassing?

Xi Zhui couldn’t understand Wen Chaosheng’s agony, but seeing him on the verge of tears, he spoke up. “Fengyi, you team with Zhaoye this time.”

He pointed at Wen Chaosheng beside him. “I’ll go with him.”

The picked partner blinked in surprise. “Huh?”

Xi Zhui coolly shoved his hands in his pockets. “What, you don’t want to?”

“No, no!”

Wen Chaosheng shook his head like a rattle, terrified Xi Zhui might change his mind. He scooted closer and agreed in a rush. “Thanks, Xi Zhui!”

Xi Zhui glanced at the little cowlick on his head. “Yeah, no problem.”

…

Each summer camp session had limited spots, carefully selected.

This one had fourteen kids total, forming six teams of two or three after pairing off.

The first day was just for gathering and settling in—no mountain hikes. Each team followed a teacher to set up their tent for the night.

Xi Zhui had plenty of camping experience under his belt and stood by calmly. Wen Chaosheng, on the other hand, was fascinated, craning his neck to watch the whole demo, his head bobbing along now and then.

Xi Zhui watched his teammate’s reactions and found it more entertaining than pitching the tent.

Once it was done, Wen Chaosheng looked expectant. “Xi Zhui, are we sleeping here tonight?”

Xi Zhui thought it was a dumb question. “You could always crash in a tree like a wild man.”

“…”

Wen Chaosheng muttered, “I don’t wanna.”

What if he fell? It’d hurt for sure.

Xi Zhui eyed him solemnly. “Fair enough. Turtles can’t climb trees anyway.”

“…”

He wasn’t Little Turtle!

Wen Chaosheng sulked but didn’t dare argue with Xi Zhui, afraid he’d get ditched from the team. Instead, he let out a super tiny “hmph” in protest, then shuffled back to the teacher with his curly little head, ignoring Xi Zhui.

…

Dinner was a nutritious camp-provided meal, with an educational jungle adventure cartoon playing during.

Wen Chaosheng sat in a cozy corner, glued to the screen. Afterward, they showered in shifts under the teachers’ guidance.

Dressed in the camp’s matching pajamas, Wen Chaosheng dashed back to their tent.

He pulled open the flap and found the inside transformed. The camp staff had laid down a thick rug, added two cartoon blankets, and strung up glowing star lights.

Xi Zhui sat inside, fiddling with a Rubik’s Cube. His fingers flew, solving it effortlessly without a second thought.

He looked up. “You done?”

Wen Chaosheng admired how cool he was and took a shallow breath. “Yeah.”

Xi Zhui unzipped his backpack, stowed the cube, and pulled out two things. “Here, take these.”

Wen Chaosheng’s eyes went wide as he accepted them.

It was the story picture book from last time—the one he hadn’t finished!

And underneath, a brand-new one he’d never seen!

Wen Chaosheng cradled the two hefty books, his mind reeling from the surprise. “F-for me?”

“Who else? You’re the only one who likes this stuff.”

Xi Zhui zipped up his bag, playing it cool. “Last time you helped tidy the race car blocks on my desk, right? Consider it thanks.”

He’d only noticed his spotless desk after the banquet, but Wen Chaosheng was already gone by then.

Maybe it was his family vibe, but Wen Chaosheng had loved stories since he was little. This gift hit right in the heart.

Fresh from his hot shower, his cheeks flushed even pinker. “Thanks, Xi Zhui! I love them!”

Not only did he not beat him up, but he teamed up with him and gave gifts too!

Wen Chaosheng unilaterally decided to let the “Little Turtle” jabs slide.

Xi Zhui met his sparkling eyes and suddenly felt awkward. “I’m gonna hang with Fengyi and the others. Coming?”

“Nah.”

Wen Chaosheng shook his head, his focus already on the books.

Once Xi Zhui left, he eagerly flipped to the page he’d left off.

…

The camp’s lights-out melody played, and Xi Zhui finally returned from next door.

Wen Chaosheng was still buried in his book, tireless.

Xi Zhui crawled into the left sleeping bag. “Wen Chaosheng, lights out. Time to sleep.”

Wen Chaosheng hated to put it down and whispered a tiny plea. “Just a bit longer? Please?”

“…”

Acting spoiled again?

Xi Zhui didn’t stop him, just rolled over with his back to him. “Don’t blame me if you oversleep tomorrow.”

Wen Chaosheng remembered he couldn’t laze in like at home, so he set the book aside and switched off the star lights.

Soon, the patrolling teacher’s lights-out call echoed outside.

Bang!

The main lights shut off, and night fell swiftly.

Wen Chaosheng balled himself up in his sleeping bag, eyes shut, drifting toward sleep.

The night deepened.

Insects chirped faintly nearby.

Wen Chaosheng always slept like an angel at home, barely shifting. Xi Zhui, though, tossed and turned restlessly tonight.

After a long while, Wen Chaosheng couldn’t hold back. “Xi Zhui, why aren’t you asleep yet? Missing home?”

“…No.”

Not home. He missed his velvet baby blanket at home.

Xi Zhui had slept with that blanket since forever—couldn’t go anywhere without it. Somehow, it got left out of his luggage this time.

Without his Abebe, Xi Zhui stewed in insomnia.

The more he dwelled, the crankier he got. In a fit of young master pique, he kicked off his covers. “You sleep. Mind your own business.”

Wen Chaosheng caught his movements in the dark. “You’ll catch a cold like that.”

“Won’t.”

“Will.”

Wen Chaosheng insisted, convinced Xi Zhui was homesick.

Wen Chaosheng remembered that he was a little older than Xi Zhui, making him the big brother. He rolled onto his side to coax him. “Xi Zhui, how about I tell you a bedtime story? Whenever I can’t sleep, Mom always tells me one.”

Xi Zhui turned his head to look at him. “Aren’t you going to sleep? I won’t roll over anymore. I won’t disturb you.”

Wen Chaosheng spotted the blanket that Xi Zhui had kicked to the far end of the tent. He pulled a bit of his own blanket over and gently draped it across Xi Zhui’s stomach, explaining earnestly, “You have to cover your stomach when you sleep.”

“I…”

A sweet, soft fragrance wafted into Xi Zhui’s nose, and his words of refusal caught in his throat.

Wen Chaosheng asked, “What kind of story do you want to hear?”

Xi Zhui lowered his head for a deep breath. He actually quite liked the scent on the blanket. “Anything.”

Wen Chaosheng thought for a moment. “Once upon a time, there was a Smart Bean on top of a mountain. Lots of little animals wanted to get it, but the mountain was so tall that no one dared to try…”

“Until one day, the little squirrel, the little monkey, and the little white rabbit decided to climb the mountain together to find the Smart Bean…”

“They climbed and climbed…”

Xi Zhui had no interest in these bedtime stories, but Wen Chaosheng’s voice was so soft that it really had a lulling effect.

He tried closing his eyes. The fluffy blanket carried a delightful fragrance—one that felt even more comforting than his little blanket at home.

Gradually, drowsiness crept in.

Half-asleep, Xi Zhui mumbled, “Wen Chaosheng, do you drink milk before bed?”

Wen Chaosheng’s story wasn’t even finished yet. The sudden question left him stunned. “Huh?”

Xi Zhui slurred, “Then why does it smell so sweet?”

“No.” Wen Chaosheng leaned down to sniff himself before answering, “It’s the Baby Cream.”

Not milk—it was coconut milk scented.

Song Xuelan had told him to rub it on his face, hands, and neck every night, so he could be a pampered little baby!

“…”

Oh.

Xi Zhui didn’t even reply.

In his hazy state, he thought he was back home. He reached out and hugged his “little blanket,” tilting his head and nuzzling right into it.

Wen Chaosheng stared at Xi Zhui, who had suddenly latched onto him. He blinked in bewilderment, his face turning red.

He wasn’t used to being held like this by anyone else. He pushed lightly with his hand, letting out two feeble puffs of breath. “Hey, Xi Zhui… Xi Zhui, are you asleep?”

Xi Zhui frowned and only hugged him tighter. “Don’t make noise. I’m sleepy.”

“…”

Fine.

For the sake of that bedtime story, he wouldn’t disturb him.

Wen Chaosheng stopped squirming and let the dreaming Xi Zhui use him as a pillow.

Mimicking Song Xuelan’s final step for tucking him in at home, he patted the small head pressed snugly against his chest. “Goodnight.”

Mom always said that only good sleep would help you grow big and strong.