Xia Wan had just returned to her room when she heard the doorbell ring.
Opening the door, she found Ji Heng standing there. “Is there something you need?” she asked.
Ji Heng got straight to the point. “If you’d like to go hiking, you can join us.”
Xia Wan didn’t quite understand what he meant. “But I thought you didn’t want me to come?”
As soon as she said it, she regretted it, feeling her tone carried a hint of accusation toward Ji Heng.
Hearing this, the man at the door realized it was his fault—it seemed Xu Haonan and the others were right after all.
“It’s not that I didn’t want you to come. I thought you didn’t want to go, so that’s why I said that.” He had intended to help her out, but it turned out his good intentions had backfired.
For some reason, Ji Heng’s simple words inexplicably brought Xia Wan a sense of happiness.
“I still think I shouldn’t go. I won’t be able to keep up with you all,” Xia Wan expressed her lingering concerns.
After all, they had just met, and she didn’t want to trouble them.
Ji Heng didn’t mind at all. “If you want to go, then go. Don’t overthink it. We won’t feel ‘burdened’ by you.”
Since they had extended the invitation, the things she was worried about weren’t issues for them.
Xia Wan felt that if she declined again, it would come across as overly fussy. “Alright, I’ll go.”
Besides, going with the resort owners would surely offer the best experience.
After all, no one knew the place better than they did.
“Great, we’ll wait for you downstairs,” Ji Heng said, preparing to leave now that his mission was accomplished.
“Wait a moment,” Xia Wan called out to him.
Ji Heng paused and turned around. “What’s wrong?”
“What should I bring?” This was only her second time hiking; the first had been during her school days with friends.
She had mostly forgotten what to bring for a hiking trip.
“Bring a change of clothes. We’ll be staying up there tonight. I’ll take care of the rest,” Ji Heng assured her. They hiked here often and had all the necessary gear.
Even if Xia Wan wanted to buy hiking supplies, she couldn’t—the shops in the resort had been closed for the past few days.
“Okay.” Xia Wan wasn’t surprised about staying overnight.
There was no way they could make the round trip in one day, and descending after dark would be too dangerous.
Ji Heng glanced at Xia Wan’s outfit. “Wearing a skirt isn’t very practical for hiking. You might want to change into pants.”
“Right, I know that.” Xia Wan looked down at her short skirt. Even without Ji Heng mentioning it, she knew this outfit wasn’t suitable for hiking.
“Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head out now.”
“Mm.”
After closing the door, Xia Wan quickly changed into a comfortable, breathable long-sleeved top and pants—this would protect her from mosquito bites and UV rays.
She then packed two sets of spare clothes, just in case, and prepared her sunglasses and hat as well.
Fortunately, she had brought plenty of clothes, including various types for different occasions.
But there was one thing she had overlooked: she hadn’t brought a backpack.
The bags she had brought were completely unsuitable for hiking, and none of them were large enough to hold her clothes.
“What should I do now?” Xia Wan wondered, staring at the two neatly folded outfits on her bed, unsure how to proceed.After searching around, she found a paper handbag in the suitcase—it was from when she had bought clothes, though she didn’t know why it had ended up in her luggage.
She hadn’t used this suitcase in a long time.
Xia Wan placed her clothes into the bag. Carrying it while hiking might be a bit inconvenient, but having it was better than nothing.
When Ji Heng went upstairs, he happened to run into Xu Haonan and the others, who had just finished breakfast, along with Su Yi, who hadn’t been there earlier.
“Is Xia Wan coming?” Gu Chi asked eagerly.
Ji Heng replied calmly, “Yes.”
“Alright, then let’s hurry and get our things ready.”
By the time Xia Wan came downstairs, the five of them were already waiting for her.
Ji Heng frowned slightly when he noticed the bag in Xia Wan’s hand.
The other four had also seen it. Su Yi spoke up, “What’s in that bag you’re carrying?”
Seeing that they all had hiking backpacks on their backs, Xia Wan said, “Clothes. I didn’t bring a backpack. Is there somewhere nearby to buy one? I’ll go get one.”
“No need to buy one. Just put the bag in Ji Heng’s backpack—there’s room in his.” As soon as Su Yi finished speaking, he unzipped the backpack on Ji Heng’s back.
Actually, any of their backpacks could have held it, but the reason he chose Ji Heng was that when he saw the two of them standing together earlier that morning in what looked like “couple outfits,” he thought they seemed unexpectedly well-matched.
Both in terms of looks and height.
It wasn’t just him—anyone who didn’t know better would surely assume they were a handsome couple made for each other.
Even if they weren’t a couple now, he could always play matchmaker.
Xia Wan looked up at Ji Heng. Without his permission, she didn’t put the bag into his hiking backpack.
Ji Heng had initially wanted to argue with Su Yi—any of their backpacks would do—but seeing Xia Wan’s gaze on him, he found it hard to refuse.
He took off his backpack and said, “Go ahead.”
Xia Wan said gratefully, “Thank you.”
After she put her things inside, Ji Heng handed her his hiking stick. “Here, for you.”
Xia Wan took it—it was essential for hiking. “Thank you.”
Nearby, Gu Chi, seeing his idol repeatedly expressing thanks, said, “No need to be so polite. We’re all friends here—no need to stand on ceremony.”
Although he had only just met Xia Wan—or rather, Xia Wan had only just met all of them—he had actually known of her since two years ago, when she released her first single, “SUMMER.”
Xia Wan nodded. “Alright.” These people really were quite nice.
Chen Yubai said, “Let’s get going, then.”
Xia Wan walked over to Ji Heng’s side. “Let me carry the hiking backpack.”
Since her clothes were inside, she felt she ought to share the load. Better to do it now, while she still had the energy.
Otherwise, later on, even if she wanted to carry it, her body might not allow it.
Ji Heng raised an eyebrow slightly. “No need.” How heavy could a few pieces of her clothing be?
Even if it were heavy, he would never let a woman carry his backpack.
“Alright then. If you get tired, let me take over.” Noticing he had nothing in his hands, Xia Wan asked, “Why don’t you have a hiking stick?”
“I don’t need one.”
“Oh.” Xia Wan glanced at the others walking ahead—none of them had one either.