PCMWF Chapter 160

After cheering each other on, the four families split up. Hua Zhao took Pei Qiqi’s hand and walked to the stone that was taller than her. The puzzle was actually simple for an adult. The symbols were simple and abstract, like an ancient script. Hua Zhao put down Qiqi’s bag, confident he would solve it, and let him think in peace. She wanted all the cameras on Qiqi. After this aired, everyone would know how smart he was.

Pei Qiqi didn’t disappoint. He soon pointed at a symbol: “Auntie, this looks like an owl.”

Hua Zhao looked closer. It was clearly a pattern of an animal.

“There’s a deer, a squirrel.”

Six animals in total. What did the other symbols mean? Pei Qiqi thought, listening to the birds.

“Find the guardians of the forest,” he muttered, looking around.

Hua Zhao prompted: “Should we find them? Where would they be?”

Pei Qiqi’s eyes lit up: “The symbols are their homes. We just have to find them.”

Hua Zhao smiled, pinching his serious little face: “Good job.”

Looking closer, each symbol had an arrow. Following the arrows, with Hua Zhao’s help, he soon found the animal statues hidden in the clearing. They were made of foam, not heavy. Pei Qiqi ran to bring them all back and arranged them in order.

A celebratory tune suddenly played over the speakers: “Congratulations, Pei Xu, you’re the first to finish. Come get your fragment!”

In another part of the forest, Mi Le and Mi Huan reached the maze. After reading the instructions, they stepped inside.

“Don’t be scared, Brother. Just follow me,” Mi Le said, trying to be reassuring.

Mi Huan pretended not to see his brother’s slow pace and played along. Mi Le was nervous. He loved mazes, but this one was tight and narrow. At the first crossroads, he hesitated.

He felt his sweaty palm. Mi Huan crouched down, wiping his forehead: “Lele, what are you afraid of?”

Mi Le took a deep breath: “I don’t know.”

Mi Huan, knowing his brother well, patted his head: “You’re afraid of taking the wrong path, aren’t you?”

Mi Le was only five and a half, but he was fiercely competitive. As the oldest of the group, he felt he had to take care of the others. Mi Huan’s heart ached. They had a big age gap, and he’d always seen his brother as a happy-go-lucky kid. But when he and Wang Zhi watched the footage, Mi Le looked so serious, protecting his friends. Mi Huan saw his legs trembling, but he kept going. Wang Zhi was relieved to see Niu Niu so well protected and thanked Mi Le. Mi Huan managed a smile, his eyes stinging. He’d told Mi Le to look after the others, but actually seeing it was bittersweet.

He made it light: “It’s okay if you make a mistake. It’s just a game. We can always start over.”

Mi Le looked at him silently. The maze seemed too big, and he was afraid of getting lost. His head was ruffled, and his hand was held tightly. Mi Huan’s hand was warm and strong, giving him confidence.

“Your big brother’s here. What are you afraid of?”

Mi Le blinked, a little dazed: “Brother.”

Mi Huan led the way, stopping at each junction to ask his opinion. They chose wrong a few times, but Mi Huan led him back until they found the right path. In less than ten minutes, they found the exit and got the fragment. Mi Le looked back at the winding maze.

“See? We made a lot of wrong turns, but we still got out.”

Mi Le nodded.

“So don’t be afraid to choose, and don’t pressure yourself. You’re only five. You’re already amazing.”

His brother rarely praised him. Mi Le was thrilled, rubbing his thumb against his brother’s palm.

With his fragment, Mi Le worried about the others. Nearby, Niu Niu had her protective gear on and was carefully stepping onto the balance beam.

“Niu Niu, your brother’s waiting at the finish line.”

Both of them had to walk the beam. Thick mats cushioned any fall. Niu Niu took a breath and stepped on, her legs trembling.

The beam was only a few meters long. Wang Zhi ran across in a minute and stood at the finish, cupping his hands: “Go, Niu Niu!”

Wang Zhi was still a kid, waving his arms and cheering loudly. Niu Niu lost her rhythm and fell off the beam. Wang Zhi was speechless. Niu Niu fell onto the mat, tears welling up. She stayed still, afraid of falling.

“Does it hurt, Niu Niu?”

Niu Niu had to cross the beam alone, and Wang Zhi couldn’t help, much to his frustration.

She looked at her cousin and sniffled: “…No.”

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