Chapter 18 Beautiful Creatures in the Red Maple
Ruan Rou’s death did not cause much shock, it was just one of the most common traffic accidents.

A few sighs and a few curses against unscrupulous drivers were all the ripples.

However, compared to other people who heard the news, Xiao Xiao's feelings were naturally deeper.

He should have had a chance to save this girl.

This thought always lingered in his mind, causing him to toss and turn, with a hint of fatigue and gloom between his brows.

He discovered the monster that possessed the girl, and he even had a fight with the monster.

However, this only exacerbated his current frustration and resentment.

The lingering sense of guilt was like a maggot on his heel. Intellectually, Xiao Xiao knew that even though he had some adventures and even though his body had undergone some changes, he did not become a superman. He was still an ordinary person. He had no choice but to accept this result. He had to admit that he was helpless and powerless.

However, emotionally, negative emotions still inevitably made his limbs cold and his heart feel suffocated.

It's a feeling that can't be vented, which makes people feel extremely uncomfortable.

He knew that he was getting into a dead end.

Even though I knew it, I couldn't get rid of this state for a while.

This is a living life!

……

"Third brother, what happened to you these days? Did anything happen?" Zhao Luzheng looked worried.

"Yes, third brother, you've almost become a gloomy stay-at-home these days. Come, talk to me and I'll give you some guidance." Zhuge Yun put his arm around Xiao Xiao's shoulders, acting like an elder having a heart-to-heart talk, but his overly exaggerated expression made people feel it was out of tune.

"Has someone so blind bullied you, third brother? Who is so bold? Do you want to die?" The eldest brother bumped his fists together, looking ready to fight. His tall and strong figure was quite intimidating.

Xiao Xiao felt a little amused and a little warm.

"I am fine."

"It's just that there are some things I haven't figured out recently."

"Hmm? Have you figured it out now?"

"Figured out."

Xiao Xiao curled his lips and smiled, the haze between his brows disappeared, leaving only a clear and bright look.

He has never been a person who is hard on himself, and the struggles of the past few days have been enough.

He never likes to be sad about the passing of time or blame others.

Things have come to this point, and no matter how much he thinks, it will be useless.

He has always believed in a saying: if you are rich, you should help the world; if you are poor, you should take care of yourself.

All he could do was to do his best and leave the rest to fate.

……

There is one place you must visit in Beijing in November, and that is Xiangshan Park in the western suburbs.

At this time in Xiangshan, the mountains are covered with red maples, as bright as the morning glow, in full swing, dyeing half the sky red.

Walking along the mountain path, looking around, you can see the forests are all colored, and the frosted leaves are redder than the flowers in February.

……

Today is the weekend, and it is the maple viewing season again. Even though the sky is slightly clear and the cool air has not yet dissipated, Xiangshan is already crowded with tourists.

Although such a scene lacks some of the quiet charm of the maple forest, it is also lively and joyous in its own way.

……

Xiao Xiao is from Yanjing. Ever since his parents brought him to Xiangshan for the first time, he fell in love with the red maples here.

Every year since then, he would come to Xiangshan to enjoy the maple leaves. When they heard that he was coming to Xiangshan, three non-Beijing people, Zhang Bo, Zhuge Yun, and Zhao Luzheng, responded positively and followed him.

They have long admired the red maples in Xiangshan.

At this moment, the maple forest is like the sea. Being in it, you will feel dizzy and dazzled. Your eyes and heart are filled with bright red.

……

Even though he had been here many times, Xiao Xiao still found the scenery pleasing to the eyes, and could not help but slow down his pace and appreciate it carefully.

Maple leaves have an extremely delicate outline that is different from ordinary leaves.

The word "beauty" always comes to mind easily.

Unlike beautiful flowers, beautiful maple leaves have a unique kind of clear and elegant beauty. Even though it has such a bright red color, it does not have a trace of worldly vulgarity. Instead, it reveals a somewhat chilly and rugged beauty.

Hmm? Xiao Xiao's relaxed brows suddenly twitched.

what is this?
The maple tree in front of me is in great shape, with layers of maple leaves covering the criss-crossing branches, a patchwork of deep red and light red.

But what the hell is this tail-like thing that is the same color as the maple leaf and hanging in front of him?

Xiao Xiao almost subconsciously wanted to reach out and grab it.

Xiao Xiao raised his head, narrowed his eyes slightly, and saw the green beak.

A touch of green amidst a sea of ​​red couldn't be more eye-catching.

Xiao Xiao looked through the branches and leaves before he saw the full appearance of this unknown creature.

Uh, a bird that looks a bit like... a pheasant?
Its entire body was as red as a red maple tree, except for its beak, which was green. Its tail, which was obviously several times longer than its body, hung down lazily, swaying gently with a bit of nonchalance.

It’s a beautiful creature.

Xiao Xiao stared at the bird on the branch in a daze.

The other party seemed to have sensed something, and suddenly, Xiao Xiao was caught off guard and met a pair of round black eyes.

Huh, it's rare that a monster's eyes aren't red, Xiao Xiao thought in a daze, staring at the pair of black eyes. The air was frozen for a moment.

Obviously, this is another monster.

The breath of monsters has become more and more familiar to Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao has almost become numb to the various monsters he encounters in his life.

However, although both are birds, this one is much more pleasing to the eye than Qin Yuan. Moreover, when Xiao Xiao sniffed it, he didn't find any unpleasant smell. He didn't know if it was because it was in a maple forest, but he felt that this monster also had the fragrance of maple leaves, which was a clean, clear and pleasant smell.

……

"Third brother, what's wrong with you?" Zhang Bo, who was walking forward with his head down, turned back inadvertently and found that something was wrong with the third brother. He looked up along the direction where the third brother was raising his gaze, but naturally saw nothing but maple leaves. He couldn't help but wonder: Isn't it just maple leaves?
Zhuge Yun walked directly to Xiao Xiao's side, stretching his neck to the point of breaking, but he still couldn't tell what Xiao Xiao had been concentrating on.

"Isn't there nothing?"

"Third brother, leniency will be given to those who confess; severity will be given to those who resist. What were you looking at just now?" Zhuge Yun said as he looked around without giving up.

"Third brother, are you tired?" Zhao Luzheng was not surprised by Xiao Xiao's daze. It was just staring at a tree. It was not a big deal at all.

"Ah, I'm fine." Xiao Xiao withdrew his gaze from the unknown creature, and his light eyes swept across the long bright red tail and looked at Zhang Bo and others.

“I just think this maple tree is particularly beautiful.”

"Hey, really?"

“I think they’re all pretty much the same.”

“Is this one really that beautiful?”

Xiao Xiao smiled without saying anything and didn't argue. It was just an excuse.

(End of this chapter)