Chapter 38

Yu Nian peeled open the candy, placed it in her mouth, and the rich strawberry flavor spread across her tongue that sweetened her heart.

She sat on the rock while eating the candy with her little face bulging, while randomly tapping her sore little legs and complaining softly, “It’s really tiring ah, more exhausting than writing ten exam papers. I suspect the old man just found an excuse to get me out because he thought I was a hindrance at home.”

Li Xiang couldn’t help but laugh when he heard this, “Is it really that tiring?”

Yu Nian nodded vigorously, “Of course, the moment I heard about camping, I brought so many things today. I don’t even know if I’ll use them. I wish I hadn’t brought so much.”

As Yu Nian said, she took the bag, unzipped it, and handed it to Li Xiang, saying, “Here, look.”

Li Xiang lowered his gaze and glanced at the miscellaneous items in the bag–floral water¹Eau de toilette – a lightly scented perfume., a small first aid kit, sunscreen, power bank, and more. It looked like a treasure chest.

Of course, there were also plenty of snacks, taking up most of the space.

Li Xiang pointed curiously at a pink, bear-shaped, round box in Yu Nian’s bag, “What’s this?”

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Wszzsokdt Nk Dkydt’p rskdvle ekalnvksd, Zw Lkyd zssjle esod yde, yqvla vyjkdt vbl kvlx swv, nbwnjzle, “My-ey! Rv’p y plokdt jkv!”

Nk Dkydt zssjle yv Zw Lkyd’p raswe zkvvzl lmralppksd, yde vbl nsadlap sq bkp lulp nwahle lhld xsal.

Tso nswze psxlsdl cl ps yesayczl, cakdtkdt y plokdt jkv qsa nyxrkdt?

“Ebu eke usw cakdt vbkp?” Nk Dkydt ypjle, vkzvkdt bkp blye.

Zw Lkyd zssjle wr yde pxkzle yp pbl lmrzykdle, “Zsw rascyczu esd’v wdelapvyde vbkp. Nssj, vblal yal vall caydnblp lhlauoblal sd vbl xswdvykd. Rd nypl ol ynnkeldvyzzu vlya psxlvbkdt, kv okzz nsxl kd bydeu.”

Zw Lkyd qlzv rzlyple okvb blaplzq yde Nk Dkydt, okvb y rzyuqwz pxkzl sd bkp zkrp elzkclayvlzu vlyple bla, “Uyd usw lhld wpl kv?”

Zw Lkyd pdsavle zktbvzu, “Psd’v wdelalpvkxyvl rlsrzl. Tyhld’v usw lhla plld y rkt awd okvbswv byhkdt vypvle rsaj? Rv’p fwpv vbalyekdt y dllezl yde plokdt zlqv yde aktbv. R’hl prlnkqknyzzu alplyanble kv.”

Fllkdt vbkp rlapsd lyadlpvzu lmrzykdkdt, Nk Dkydt nswzed’v blzr cwv cwapv kdvs zywtbvla. Rv oyp sdzu yv vbkp xsxldv vbyv Zw Lkyd alyzkgle yde pvyale yv Nk Dkydt okvb yd kdektdydv zssj.

So, this person was making fun of me?

“Alright, little tailor, I’ll rely on you then.” Li Xiang raised his hand and patted Yu Nian’s head, the doting in his eyes not concealed.

Li Xiang was already good-looking, and when he had a serious expression, it gave off a distant and unfriendly vibe. However, Yu Nian knew that this person could smile.

When he smiled, his eyes and eyebrows curved, creating a warm and inviting aura. Especially after Li Xiang’s voice went through the voice-changing period, it became deep and magnetic. His demeanor carried the unique hormones of youth.

Yu Nian found herself momentarily mesmerized.

Li Xiang noticed her staring and deliberately moved closer, meeting her gaze with a teasing tone, “What’s wrong? Stunned by the sight?”

Yu Nian quickly snapped out of her daze, clutching her book bag. She turned her head away from Li Xiang, awkwardly denying, “Stop being narcissistic.”

Then what are you blushing for?

Li Xiang opened his mouth to ask but swallowed his words back.

He was afraid that if he asked, this person would get flustered.

So, he didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he nodded towards Yu Nian’s backpack, “Isn’t it too heavy? I offered to carry it for you earlier, why did you refuse?”

Based on Li Xiang’s understanding of Yu Nian, this guy wouldn’t hesitate to take a break whenever she could.

Yu Nian rolled her eyes inwardly.

Why else? Little male lead, your blatant favoritism, makes it difficult for me to keep a low profile in front of the female lead ah.

But she couldn’t say that out loud.

Yu Nian lowered her head, pulling on the backpack zipper, with a hint of shyness, “Everyone else is carrying one, it would be bad if I don’t.”

Well, turns out this person has a thin skin at times.

So, Li Xiang decided to change his approach.

He reached over, opened his own backpack, and handed it to Yu Nian, saying, “How about you put some things in here to lighten the load?”

Upon hearing this, Yu Nian stared blankly at Li Xiang, contemplating the meaning behind his words. Internally, she couldn’t help but scream, ‘No, it’s not my fault for overthinking! Which script is this again ah? There’s no indication in the book that the male lead is interested in the little supporting role like me. Why does it seem like we have some kind of affair?!’

Li Xiang observed the person in front of him quietly, not sure where her thoughts had wandered off to. Her entire little face was almost crinkled up, giving her an amusing appearance.

Yu Nian, who had been stunned, finally reacted when a slight pain on her forehead kicked in. Unable to bear it, she reached up to cover it, complaining with a pout, “What are you doing ah, suddenly hitting people.”

Although it wasn’t really painful, the surrounding crowd might get the wrong idea. They might think it was some playful act between a couple.

Wait, where was I just now?

No, no!

Yu Nian, oh Yu Nian, you’ve read too many novels, ba. Chi Yao is obviously just teasing you.

Li Xiang, fearing that Yu Nian might feel burdened, deliberately restrained his expression and spoke with a cold tone, “Don’t overthink it. I’m just worried you’ll slow down our progress up the mountain.”

See, see? His explanation is so clear and straightforward. I knew it, how could he suddenly be so kind-hearted.

With Li Xiang’s explanation, Yu Nian felt justified and at ease. She scratched her head and smiled, “Then, I’ll trouble you.”

As she spoke, she stuffed all her miscellaneous items with a bit of weight into Li Xiang’s backpack without paying much attention. Only after she finished did she realize that the backpack, which was initially flat, now looked quite swollen.

Yu Nian blinked innocently and asked, “Can you carry it?”

Li Xiang smiled, “Of course.”

With that, afraid that Yu Nian wouldn’t believe him, he lifted the backpack with one hand right in front of her and even raised an eyebrow playfully.

Although Li Xiang didn’t say a word, Yu Nian still managed to detect a hint of pride and show off in his expression.

Come on, da ge, can you please pay attention to your character setting ah?

What happened to the aloof and hard-to-approach demeanor?

What’s with the showing off!

Of course, in order to transform herself from a cumbersome turtle into a cheerful lark, Yu Nian chose to keep her mouth shut.

When Zhang Chuanze and Liu Manman returned, there was a noticeable improvement in the atmosphere compared to before.

Yu Nian, who had been dragging behind all along, now resembled a lark in the woods, stepping with a light pace and a smile on her face.

Seeing this, Zhang Chuanze, the one with a motherly heart, finally breathed a sigh of relief and teased from behind, “Impressive ah, Shi Nian Nian. After a short break, you’re so full of energy.”

“Hehe.” Yu Nian turned around with a proud expression, “Ever heard of the tortoise and the hare race? I was just conserving energy, you know.”

After Yu Nian finished speaking, she deliberately glanced at Li Xiang, afraid that he might expose her.

However, he didn’t.

Li Xiang just smiled and even nodded in agreement, giving the impression of approval. It made Yu Nian feel a bit embarrassed. When no one was paying attention, she stuck her tongue out at him.

Zhang Chuanze believed it was true and playfully bowed, “Admire, admire. You’ve turned mountain climbing into a competition. Well done, Shi Nian Nian.”

“No big deal, no big deal,” Yu Nian waved her hand, pretending not to care.

Along the way, Liu Manman didn’t say much. Watching the lively Yu Nian in front, a flash of envy and resentment passed through her eyes.

As for the significant change in Yu Nian’s demeanor, she knew the reason behind it very well.

While Liu Manman followed Zhang Chuanze to take scenic photos, her gaze never left Li Xiang.

In Liu Manman’s eyes, Li Xiang was like a beacon of light. Such a dazzling and proud person, yet he effortlessly smiled at Yu Nian.

This was an honor she had never received.

Liu Manman saw Li Xiang open his backpack, exchange a few light-hearted words with Yu Nian, and then watched as Yu Nian stuffed her belongings into his bag.

The sight of the two of them chatting and laughing and their familiar demeanor, deeply pierced Liu Manman’s heart.

Hidden behind a tree, Liu Manman clenched her fists, a knot of emotions forming in the depths of her heart.

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Author’s Note:

It’s time to work!!!?