(a)

Follow Ling Chunshui into the "Xiaoyao Palace", the Xiaoyao Mansion covers an area of nearly one acre, the garden pavilions in the mansion are exquisite and chic, and the guards are heavily guarded, guarding a line of guards along the way, nodding to the county lord, making Shen Chunfeng have a feeling of 'waiting for the door is as deep as the sea'. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info

Ling Chunshui had a smile on his face, like a butterfly flying all the way into the back garden, and smiled: "Dad, I'm back!"

Shen Chunfeng couldn't help but shake his head lightly: "This county lord is really hopeless. ”

When I entered the back garden, I saw a handsome middle-aged man with a black beard sitting there, wearing a blue-navy smock with excellent texture, a sky blue embroidered short coat, sky blue embroidered trousers, and black soft-soled boots, playing chess with Zhuang Yu, while Liu Chengfeng was standing quietly watching from the sidelines. Shen Chunfeng immediately recognized at a glance that the middle-aged man was the 'Easy Prince' Ling Fengyun who he met in the 'Great Dragon Temple' last time.

Ling Chunshui flew over and hugged Ling Fengyun's neck: "Dad." ”

Ling Fengyun smiled lovingly: "Chun'er, don't make trouble, otherwise Dad will lose." ”

Ling Chunshui childishly scolded Zhuang Yu: "Zhuang Yu, you are not allowed to win my father." ”

Ling Fengyun said angrily and funny: "You kid." ”

Zhuang Yu's heart was confused when Ling Chunshui appeared, and he still had the heart to play chess, but he was afraid that his head had already become a paste, and there was nothing else in his eyes except Ling Chunshui.

Shen Chunfeng walked in, and Liu Chengfeng said in surprise: "Ah Feng, are you here?"

Shen Chunfeng said lightly: "Big young master." ”

Ling Fengyun glanced at him and put down the chess pieces in his hand: "Hey, young man, we seem to have seen it there?"

Shen Chunfeng said without humility: "The grass people remember that they have a relationship with the prince in the 'Dalong Temple'. ”

Ling Fengyun muttered, "Yes, it should have been seven days ago!"

Shen Chunfeng said respectfully: "I disturbed a lot last time, and I ask the prince to forgive me for the crime of ignorance?"

Ling Fengyun smiled and said, "It's okay, why didn't you see the little girl who was with you last time?"

Shen Chunfeng's expression changed: "Her name is Dugufeng, and she is Zhuo Bufan's junior sister. After we left the 'Great Dragon Temple', she was nowhere to be found. ”

Liu Chengfeng's face changed greatly, and he asked in a panic: "Ah Feng, did you lose Miss Feng?"

Shen Chunfeng's expression suddenly overshadowed: "The other party's martial arts are too high, I don't know why I kidnapped Miss Feng." However, judging from the situation, it seems that it is someone whom Miss Feng knows? Otherwise, with Miss Feng's intelligence and wit, she would not have been arrested so easily. ”

Liu Chengfeng nodded: "Miss Feng is a well-known little elf, whoever catches her will definitely be unlucky?"

Ling Fengyun asked with concern, "Do you want this king's help?"

"Thank you for your concern. However, a friend has already gone to find it through some special channels, and I believe there will be news soon. ”

Ling Fengyun's eyes showed a solemn look: "This person can take people away from you, it seems that he must not be an ordinary person? Now the hidden dragons and crouching tigers and dragons and snakes in the capital are mixed, which makes this king extremely worried? The safety of the capital, this king is also duty-bound!"

Shen Chunfeng said humbly: "Although the grass people have learned some martial arts for self-defense, they are also some flower fists and embroidered legs, and they only hate that the protection is not good, which caused Miss Feng to be taken away." Alas, I just hope that Miss Feng is safe and sound, otherwise it will be difficult to get rid of her guilt. ”

Ling Fengyun comforted: "Young man, you don't have to be sad? Ji people have their own natural appearance, and the little girl will be fine?"

"Thank you"

Ling Chunshui shouted unhappily: "Dad, are you patronizing and trembling with him, ignoring your daughter?"

Ling Fengyun smiled and asked, "Okay, Dad asked you, what's the matter with you?"

Ling Chunshui smiled and hugged the prince's elbow: "Dad, let Brother A Feng stay in the 'Xiaoyao Mansion' in the future, okay?"

Shen Chunfeng was stunned, his eyebrows furrowed, and he felt Zhuang Yu's unfriendly light.

Ling Fengyun looked startled, and asked with a smile, "Why?"

Ling Chunshui said coquettishly: "Dad, you don't know, my daughter met three gangsters in the market just now, and it was all up to Brother Feng to save me." ”

She let go of her hand, quickly walked up to Shen Chunfeng, and picked up his arm: "Dad, look, in order to protect his daughter, he took a knife for his daughter?"

Ling Fengyun was stunned and said, "Young man, does the injury matter?"

Shen Chunfeng embarrassedly broke free of her hand and said, "It's just a small injury?"

Ling Fengyun smiled and said, "Since you are the benefactor of Chunshui, let's stay!" His voice came out with a slight loudness: "Ling Zhong." ”

Then an old man in his fifties came in, with a smile on his face, dressed plainly and respectfully, and said, "Master." ”

Ling Fengyun pointed at Shen Chunfeng: "Ling Zhong, let this young man stay in the empty room in the east wing, and say hello." ”

He said to Shen Chunfeng kindly: "You stay first, let Ling Zhong have someone prepare hot water for you, take a bath, change your clothes, and then come to the hall for dinner!"

Shen Chunfeng hurriedly said: "Lord Wang, you're welcome, don't you dare to be ashamed?"

Ling Chunshui said unhappily: "Brother Feng, why are you so polite? Just on the face of saving my life, my father must treat you well." ”

She looked at Ling Zhong with a pretty face: "Uncle Ling, you have to take care of my guests." ”

Ling Zhong nodded again and again: "Yes, Miss." He glanced deeply at Shen Chunfeng: "Please follow me." ”

Shen Chunfeng couldn't help but glance at Liu Chengfeng for help, but Liu Chengfeng had a strange smile on his face, as if he was gloating.

Ling Chunshui threw himself beside Ling Fengyun and kissed him on the face excitedly: "Dad, you are so good!"

Ling Fengyun smiled dotingly: "You kid, don't mess around!"

Ling Chunshui smiled and winked mischievously: "Dad, you continue to play chess, Chun'er go and take a look at Auntie." ”

As soon as Ling Fengyun heard her mention Han Suyue, he couldn't help but feel that he couldn't help himself.

Zhuang Yu's heart was full of jealousy, and seeing the liveliness, affection and laughter of the spring water, his heart couldn't help but be full of tenderness and sweetness.

Ling Chunshui turned around excitedly: "Ling'er, let's go." The body flew out like a butterfly.

Ling'er held the 'green jade' qin, said goodbye to the prince, and then followed Ling Chunshui out.

(b)

Ling Chunshui walked through the large garden and entered a smooth corridor, under which was a large pool of fish. Stepping out of the corridor, there is a small bamboo forest, and the bamboo side is a unique pavilion.

Then through this bamboo forest, I saw a round stone gate, like a bright moon, and the person living in it seemed to be Chang'e, silent, lonely and lonely guarding the Moon Palace. On the stone door is the three words 'Mingyue Xuan', and the font of the dragon flying and phoenix dancing is elegant and elegant. There was a melodious sound of the piano inside, and the sound of the piano was full of resentment and loneliness.

Ling Chunshui ran all the way into the 'Mingyue Xuan', with a Gege laugh: "Auntie, auntie." ”

"Mingyue Xuan" is arranged more luxuriously and magnificently, the red wall is green tile, the eaves are purple bells, and there are pieces of laurel trees planted in it, the fragrance of flowers is overflowing, and the fragrance is full of garden.

At this time, it is August, the trees are golden, and the fragrance shrouds the 'Mingyue Xuan' in a fragrant mist, which makes people feel refreshed and intoxicated with a dreamy scene.

Ling Chunshui happily ran into the exquisite room, only to see that the room was also elegant and chic, full of dazzling.

In front of the window, there is a guqin, and in front of the piano sits a beautiful woman in her thirties, she is beautiful, enchanting, and radiant, just like Chang'e in the Moon Palace.

Ling Chunshui can be called beautiful, charming and moving, but compared with a glamorous woman, she lacks a woman's mature temperament and glamorous charm.

Han Suyue stood up, a smile blooming on her face, like a hundred flowers blooming. Ling Chunshui flew into her arms lightly like a milk swallow, and said coquettishly: "Auntie." ”

Han Suyue stretched out her slender fingers and stroked Chunshui's face: "You girl, you ran there early this morning, and my aunt is bored alone in Mingyue Xuan?"

Ling Chunshui smiled and said, "Auntie, Chun'er is not here, and she brought a gift to Auntie?"

Han Suyue was stunned and said, "No wonder our little county lord is so happy, it must be that Xiaoyu is back?"

Ling Chunshui snorted and said unhappily: "No, who will care about him? Auntie, Chun'er will show you." ”

She reached out and took the 'green jade' from Ling'er's hand and put it on the table: "Auntie, this is a treasure in the guqin, a priceless treasure?"

Han Suyue stretched out her hand to stroke the qin, and felt a cold air in her palm.

Ling Chunshui smiled: "Auntie, this guqin is called 'Green Jade'." I heard that the body of this piano is made of a whole piece of green jade, and the strings are tied with the silk of 'ice silkworm'. ”

Han Suyue smiled in surprise: "Yo, when did our little county lord become so knowledgeable?"

Ling Chunshui twisted her body shyly and said coquettishly: "Auntie, it's all said by others, Chun'er knows so much?"

He turned back to Ling'er and said, "Ling'er, you go and take a look, and ask Uncle Ling to treat my guests well." Also, don't change him into any of his subordinates' clothes, for his hand is wounded, and ask someone to wash it for him. ”

"Yes, miss. Ling'er said Daofu and turned out.

Han Suyue's eyes showed a look of surprise, and she said jokingly: "When did our little county lord start to care about people, and he is still a man, is it really incredible?"

Ling Chunshui threw herself into Han Suyue's arms and said, "Auntie, isn't it? He's just a very special person! Besides, he's still my savior!"

Han Suyue smiled and said, "I'm afraid that things are not so simple, right?

A red cloud flew up on Ling Chunshui's pretty face: "Auntie." ”

She touched her rose-like lips to Han Suyue's ear and told what had happened, Han Suyue couldn't help but open her eyes wide in surprise, revealing a somewhat incredulous look.

Ling Chunshui raised a flower-like smile: "Auntie, tell me about it, is there such a well-educated and talented boy in the world?"

Han Suyue nodded solemnly: "It's really rare, it seems that our little county lord is tempted? However, I can't see his character from this point? What's more, it's just a one-sided relationship, Chun'er can think clearly?"

Ling Chunshui pouted unhappily: "Auntie, Chun'er has always been wrong? If you like someone, you look at him, and you feel an electric shock in your heart, isn't it? He is different from others, for some reason, Chun'er always feels that he has a very sad mood, which makes people feel that they want to cry for it." ”

Han Suyue asked softly: "Chun'er, this person is indeed very capable? Judging from all aspects of what you said, he must be a young man with a deep heart and a very heavy city, don't look at your usual eccentric appearance, but after all, you are young and ignorant, and sometimes you seem naïve, so it's best not to deal with him, you are not his opponent?"

Ling Chunshui pouted, her face was delicate, and she hummed like a mosquito: "Auntie, Chun'er knows it." ”

Han Suyue shook her head: "Auntie cares about you! Now these people are demonic, and their hearts are all flowery, not as good as Zhuang Yu's heart for you, he is much more sincere than this young man." ”

Ling Chunshui pursed his lips and said angrily: "It's him who says everything, obviously Chun'er doesn't like him, and he won't marry him, you just want to get us together, what is this coming back!"

Han Suyue said softly: "Chun'er, my aunt is also from here, and she has also experienced ups and downs in the rivers and lakes, and she has already seen through men's faces, so you have to believe in your aunt's vision, he is not suitable for you." Besides, you are a dignified county lord, but he is a waiter, and you are not a good match? Even your father will not agree. ”

Looking at the spring water with tears on her face, she persuaded: "Chun'er, aunt remember, didn't you like Xiaoyu very much when you were a child?

Ling Chunshui lowered his head and said, "Auntie, Chun'er was still young and ignorant in the past, Chun'er was too weak and in poor health at that time, and she could only talk to Zhuang Yu in the capital. So I don't know what it means to like and love? After five years of washing, Chun has changed, Zhuang Yu has also changed, Chun'er has forgotten him, and now I understand that I have always regarded him as my brother and a playmate. ”

Han Suyue sighed: "Chun'er, no matter what, my aunt still thinks Zhuang Yu is stronger, and he is also a famous queen?"

Ling Chunshui shook his head, and his eyes showed an unwavering temperament: "Auntie, Chun'er can rely on you for other things, but Chun'er won't listen to her own life's major events." If Chun'er wants to find a person she likes the most, otherwise, Chun'er is willing not to marry for life. ”

Han Suyue's heart was shocked, knowing that Ling Chunshui's personality was very similar to herself, and it was not easy to persuade.

She stretched out her hand to hug Ling Chunshui into her arms, stroked her long hair, and said quietly: "Chun'er, it is very hard to love one, and there are endless tribulations. ”

Ling Chunshui shook his head: "Auntie, Chun'er is not afraid, no matter how hard it is, you must strive for your own happiness." ”

Han Suyue sighed and said, "But what about Zhuang Yu? And your father won't agree." She thought for a while and then said: "Chun'er, it is my aunt's greatest wish to be happy forever, but it is not so simple between men and women? Not to mention that you are just one side, Chun'er, listening to Auntie's words, you had better understand more for a while before thinking about it? As the saying goes: It is difficult to draw the skin and bones of a tiger, and it is difficult to know the face of a person but not the heart, and the aunt is really worried about you?"

Ling Chunshui raised his head and looked at Han Suyue with tears in his eyes: "Auntie, have you ever loved someone, can you tell Chun'er?"

Han Suyue's heart trembled, and she bit her lip tightly: "Chun'er, don't you understand?

Ling Chunshui's eyes couldn't help but widen: "The two of you, who are they!"

Han Suyue's misty eyes were hazy and unpredictable, and she said slowly: "They are two brothers, and they are all first-class masters in martial arts. ”

Ling Chunshui's eyes were full of fantasy for a moment: "They must all be very handsome and handsome, aren't they?

Han Suyue's eyes remembered many things wistfully, and her expression was a little sad: "They are all very famous characters, among them, the eldest seems cold and withdrawn, but he is very handsome, wearing a black robe, and his hair is scattered; However, he is very kind and kind, and is a well-known gentleman in the rivers and lakes, and the younger brother, on the contrary, is handsome and dashing, and has a suave nature, and has a temperamental personality, both good and evil, always dressed in a robe as white as snow, and always has a gentle and charming smile on his face, but sometimes he has a cold expression that is high and invincible, and he is a very complicated person. In the rivers and lakes, the younger brother is especially favored by women, but his swordsmanship has broken the soul of all men in the world. ”

Ling Chunshui had an excited look on his face: "Auntie, it would be good if Chun'er met them, such an excellent man, I believe I will also fall in love with them?"

Han Suyue had a desolate look on her face: "Not bad." Any woman will be fascinated by them and will never forget, especially the younger brother, any woman can't stand his smile, she will be fascinated and unable to extricate herself, and my aunt is no exception. ”

Ling Chunshui's eyes showed a look of surprise: "Auntie, who do you like the most!"

Han Suyue sighed: "They are all nemesis in my aunt's mind. Alas, there are some things that you still don't know. ”

Ling Chunshui was extremely disappointed, and asked again: "Auntie, whose child is that Jun'er?"

Speaking of Jun'er, Han Suyue's eyes were full of tenderness, and she didn't say anything: "Chun'er, don't mention the past, okay?

Ling Chunshui guessed with curiosity in his heart: "Aunt don't say it, I also know, it must be my brother's child?" Jun'er's smile is also very cute, everyone wants to kiss him, if he grows up, he will definitely charm many women, hehe." ”

Han Suyue naturally didn't know what Ling Chunshui was thinking in his heart, but he couldn't help but think of Jun'er, thinking of the sustenance of his life, he was his own treasure. She also remembered in her mind that in that stormy weather, that sad man, that crazy man, that handsome and charming cheeks and fanatical passion, forever seared in the depths of her soul.

(b)

Ling'er hurriedly prepared a full set of clothes for Shen Chunfeng, from the headscarf and shoes to the underwear, and was when she met two pretty girls in plain clothes coming over with clothes.

Ling'er smiled and said, "Sister Wan'er, Sister Xue'er, you go and rest! Shen Gongzi will hand it over to me, and take the clothes back!"

Wan'er asked in surprise, "Sister Ling'er, what is the origin of this person, even the county lord takes such good care of him?"

Ling'er said with a smile: "Probably because he saved Miss's life!"

Xue'er also chuckled and said, "This person is really shit luck?"

Ling'er nodded: "Maybe!"

She turned around and came to the east wing, pushed the door in, and heard a cold voice from inside: "Who is it?"

Ling'er smiled: "It's me, Miss asked me to send you clothes." ”

Through a layer of bead curtains, there was a hot mist inside, and the sound of rushing water came out.

Ling'er opened the bead curtain, but saw Shen Chunfeng poking his head out of the bath bucket: "Miss Ling'er, what are you doing?"

Ling'er smiled and said, "It was Miss who called me here, you are injured, I will take a bath for you!"

Shen Chunfeng frowned, and waved his hand when he was not used to being waited by others: "Ling'er, you go out, I'll just come by myself." Besides, I'm just a waiter, and I don't have the habit of being waited?"

Ling'er's eyes widened, and she said unhappily: "It was ordered by the young lady, how can I go? Don't be nervous, I'm used to waiting, it doesn't matter." ”

Wan Chunfeng was stunned: "Ling'er, do you often wait for people to take a bath?"

Ling'er nodded: "Yes!"

Shen Chunfeng had nothing to say: "Since that's the case, then it's okay!"

Ling'er rolled up her sleeves, picked up the fragrant wattle and the scarf and started to move, Shen Chunfeng was so happy that someone was waiting, closing his eyes and quietly resting. It's just that the slender hand brought out the deep desire that he had hidden deep in his heart, and he couldn't help but breathe more and more.

Ling'er took a long scarf to gently wipe his back, staring at his naked body curiously, but saw that he was covered with countless scars from his shoulders to the bottom, the traces were extremely small, like a strip of spider silk, glowing red, and also with an incredible charm and attraction, Ling'er couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke the scars on his body, and asked strangely: "Brother Feng, it seems that you have a lot of injuries on your body?"

Shen Chunfeng said lightly: "That's the scar from the past, it's been a long, long time. ”

Ling'er's eyes showed a look of pity, and she stroked it gently: "It must be very painful!"

Shen Chunfeng said something she would never understand: "The pain in the body can never compare to the pain in the heart, it eats away at your body and mind like a poisonous weed." ”

He thought to himself when he would become cheerful and talk to a girl about some boring troubles.

Shen Chunfeng stood up, revealing most of his body and urged: "Miss Ling'er, don't be stunned!"

For some reason, Ling'er felt that her heart was "pounding", her face was red, and her shining eyes were staring at his shoulders, chest, and lower abdomen...... Somehow, she felt her heart beat faster and her face redder. But her eyes couldn't take her eyes off his body, as if there was something on it that attracted her, and when she heard Shen Chunfeng's voice, she came back to her senses, her heart beat faster, and her face was as red as an apple.

Ling'er somehow reached out and pressed his chest, and his shining eyes stared at his chest: "Brother Feng, are you a man?"

Shen Chunfeng was taken aback by her words: "What are these words, am I a woman?"

Ling'er looked at him and muttered, "Why are men different from women?"

Shen Chunfeng explained: "If everyone in the world is the same, why should there be any men and women? If this is the case, wouldn't the world be in chaos?"

Ling'er was puzzled and asked, "Why do there have to be men and women?"

Shen Chunfeng said impatiently: "Because men and women are indispensable, if there are no men or women, the people in this world are afraid that they will be extinct long ago." ”

Ling'er still didn't understand, and asked again, "Why?"

Shen Chunfeng patted his head in annoyance, he didn't know why Ling'er was so stupid, but her master Ling Chunshui didn't seem to be stupid, and he was a little smart.

He sighed: "I can't answer this question for you, in short, when you get married in the future and have children, you will understand?"

Ling'er couldn't help but have the determination to break the casserole and ask to the end: "Why do you want to have a child? How are children born?"

Shen Chunfeng was so angry that he almost jumped up, unwilling to continue talking to her, so he simply shut up and jumped out of the bathtub.

Ling'er looked at his naked body, only to feel that his heart was beating and his face was burning.

Shen Chunfeng said: "Ling'er, you go out, or I'll come by myself!"

Ling'er shook her head, picked up the head and wiped it for him, looked Shen Chunfeng up and down, and said, "I understand, are men and women really different?"

Shen Chunfeng had doubts in his heart, his brows furrowed, he had a bad idea in his heart, and his eyes stared at her coldly: "Are you annoyed?" Miss Ling'er, don't tell me that you have never waited for a man!"

Ling'er said aggrievedly: "I didn't!"

Shen Chunfeng's body jumped into the water again as if he had been electrocuted, and said angrily: "Didn't you say that you were used to waiting?"

Ling'er pursed her lips, not understanding why Shen Chunfeng was angry and said, "Ling'er often waits for the young lady to take a bath, and she doesn't know what the difference is between a man and a woman?

Shen Chunfeng waved his hand: "Get out, get out!"

Ling'er's eyes began to redden: "However, I haven't ...... yet"

Shen Chunfeng shouted: "Get out." ”

Ling'er pouted: "Hmph, it was fine just now, why did you lose your temper, you are really difficult to wait? If it weren't for Miss, I wouldn't bother to care about you?"

Shen Chunfeng shouted again: "Get out quickly!"

Ling'er shook her head and went out, her eyes filled with tears, and she seemed to be scared by Shen Chunfeng to cry!

Shen Chunfeng was angry and anxious, he didn't expect to meet such a stupid girl, so he jumped out of the bathtub again, and put on his clothes after dividing five by two.

(c)

Ling'er pouted and rushed into the "Mingyue Xuan" in a huff, Ling Chunshui raised her head and looked at her strangely: "Ling'er, what's wrong, who bullied you?"

Ling'er said unhappily: "Miss, that person is really difficult to serve, and he still loses his temper with me? If it weren't for Miss's face, I wouldn't have waited for him to take a bath?"

Ling Chunshui smiled and said, "Ling'er, have you gone to wait for him to take a bath?"

Ling'er was so angry that she pouted: "Yes, Miss, didn't you say that he was injured and asked someone to wait?" Ling'er thought to herself, he was Miss's guest, so he waited for him to take a bath, who knew that he actually lost his temper, if it wasn't Miss's guest, I wouldn't bother to pay attention to him?"

Ling Chunshui said with a smile while putting some snacks in his mouth: "It's really embarrassing for my family's Ling'er, he is really blessed? Ling'er, how could he lose your temper?"

Ling'er said cautiously and shyly: "I just asked him, 'Why are men and women different?'"

With a "flutter", Ling Chunshui laughed so much that the dim sum in his mouth sprayed everywhere, and he smiled exaggeratedly: "You...... You...... Yo, I'm laughing to death!"

Han Suyue couldn't help but laugh: "Ling'er, what did he say?"

Ling'er said: "He said that everyone in the world is the same, wouldn't the world be in chaos? ”

Ling Chunshui laughed so hard that he clutched his stomach and shouted, "Ling'er, you ...... Haha......"

Ling'er pouted: "Miss, what's so funny? I just asked him, 'Why do you have to divide men and women!'" She glanced at Ling Chunshui, and said slowly: "He said again, 'I don't answer you', in short, I will understand later, but I really don't know!"

Han Suyue couldn't help but smile and asked, "Ling'er, why did he lose his temper later?"

Ling'er lowered her head, and said with a red face: "I just looked at him a few more times?"

Ling Chunshui covered his mouth and asked with a smile: "You just look at him a few more times, so as not to make him lose his temper, what's going on?"

Ling'er said embarrassedly: "He doesn't have any clothes, in fact, I just want to see the difference between men and women?" He asked me, 'Don't tell me you haven't served men?' I shook my head. He jumped into the bucket again, lost his temper with me, and drove me away. Miss, he's so hateful!"

Ling Chunshui laughed wildly, rolling on the ground with laughter, Han Suyue covered her mouth with a handkerchief, laughing with tears, but she was thinking in her heart: "This person's character is not bad?"

Ling'er looked at them stupidly, I really didn't know what was funny about this.

She turned away, muttering, "Why does it all look like there's something wrong?"

The sky was about to get dark, and bursts of wild laughter came out of the "Mingyue Xuan", and the bright moon in the sky was also frightened and hid in the thick clouds.