Morning light slipped lazily through the mist that hung like gauze in the depths of the alley, brushing the weathered bluestone walls with a soft wash of gold. Jiang Yining walked quickly along the familiar stone path, a heavy backpack slung over her shoulders and two overstuffed insulated bags clutched tightly in her hands.
The plastic handles had dug deep red marks into her fingers, but she barely felt the sting. A quiet smile lingered on her lips, her thoughts already drifting to the breathtaking scenery of Mount Qiyun and the friends waiting for her there.
“Yining.”
A clear voice called from behind, carrying the faint huskiness of early morning. She turned at once, her heartbeat skipping.
Beneath the dense shade of an old banyan tree at the entrance of the alley stood Xie Shiyan, leaning casually against a black sedan. Sunlight filtered through the leaves above, scattering across his neatly styled hair and the sharp lines of his face. Even the hand resting loosely against the car door seemed refined and composed.
He stepped forward in a few easy strides and took the heavy bags from her without hesitation, his fingers brushing lightly against the reddened skin of her hands.
“They’re this heavy, why didn’t you call me to pick you up at the entrance?” His eyes dropped to the angry red marks on her fingers, his brows knitting slightly, concerned with softening his voice.
“The alley’s too narrow, your car wouldn’t fit, it would’ve been too much trouble.”
Jiang Yining tried to pull her hand back, but he held it gently. His thumb brushed over the marks in slow, careful strokes, warm and impossibly gentle.
“You call this nothing?” His voice lowered, his attention fixed on her hand. “Don’t do this again.”
Heat crept up her ears under his gaze. She tugged her hand free with a little force and forced a light tone. “Alright, alright, Mr. Manager. Let’s go, Xiao Xiao and the others are probably tired of waiting.” She quickly opened the car door and slipped inside, using the movement to hide her racing pulse.
Noticing the faint redness at her ears, Xie Shiyan let out a silent laugh. He placed the bags neatly into the trunk before getting into the driver’s seat.
The engine started with a soft hum, and the car eased into the quiet morning traffic, heading toward the lush outline of the mountains at the edge of the city.
Mount Qiyun lived up to its name, its green peaks half-veiled in drifting mist. Xie Shiyan carried the oversized backpack filled with food prepared by Jiang Yining’s mother, while still holding both insulated bags, his pace steady and unhurried.
Jiang Yining followed behind with her smaller pack. After more than an hour of climbing, her legs felt heavy, each step harder than the last, her lungs burning with every breath. Sweat dampened her hair, loose strands clinging to her flushed cheeks.
“I… I can’t keep going…” She leaned against the rough trunk of a tree, breathing in uneven gasps.
Xie Shiyan stopped and turned back to her. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead, yet his eyes remained calm and gentle. Freeing one hand, he reached out to her naturally. “We’re almost there. Come on.”
She hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in his. Warmth and steady strength wrapped around her at once, guiding her forward. With his help, she pushed through the final steep stretch of the path, and suddenly the view opened wide before her.
“Wow…”
The word slipped from her lips without thought.
Layer upon layer of emerald mountains rolled into the distance, stretching all the way to the horizon. Wisps of mist curled between the peaks, while sunlight poured down, outlining everything in a soft golden glow. The breeze was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of grass and earth, sweeping away every trace of exhaustion.
“Jiang Yining, Xie Shiyan, over here!”
Xiao Xiao’s cheerful voice drifted toward them. She and Lu Jingshen had already laid out a picnic mat on a patch of flat ground nearby.
Her eyes moved from the towering backpack on Xie Shiyan’s shoulders to the bags in his hands, and she exaggerated a deep breath. “Seriously, Yining, did you bring your entire house with you? Shiyan, you’ve really worked hard.” She shot Yining a teasing look.
Jiang Yining was too tired to argue. She waved her hand weakly and staggered toward the wooden railing at the edge of the cliff. Taking a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, she threw her arms wide and called out into the vast valley below.
“Hey, hello!”
Her clear voice echoed back, carrying away the last of her fatigue.
Not far off, Shen Nianan and Zhou Yanze sat quietly on a large rock. Nianan was busy adjusting the settings on a vintage camera, her focus unwavering. Zhou Yanze shifted slightly, positioning himself to shield her from the wind, his gaze lingering on her face with a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
Xie Shiyan calmly unpacked their things and began setting up camp. Once she had caught her breath, Jiang Yining went over to help. They worked side by side, passing items back and forth, their fingers brushing from time to time.
Each brief touch lingered just a moment longer than necessary. Their eyes would meet, and they would share a small, quiet smile, warmth rising unnoticed to the tips of their ears.
As night settled in, the sky resembled a vast velvet cloth scattered with countless diamonds. Stars shimmered overhead, dense and brilliant. The campfire crackled, its dancing flames casting a warm glow over the group.
“Look, a shooting star, make a wish!”
Quick-eyed as ever, Xiao Xiao suddenly grabbed Lu Jingshen’s arm, shaking it excitedly as she pointed toward a silver streak cutting across the night sky.