The weather they chose for this mountain hike was quite good—overcast.
Plus, being up in the mountains, it was cooler than down below, with a gentle, refreshing breeze blowing through.
Ji Heng: “Is this your first time hiking?”
“No, it’s my second time.”
To Ji Heng, this answer was practically the same as saying it was her first. He called out to the group leading the way ahead, “Xu Haonan, pick a gentler route.”
“Got it.” Xu Haonan immediately understood Ji Heng’s intention.
He must be considering Xia Wan as a beginner. Since they were the ones who invited her along, they should take good care of her.
“Thank you.” Xia Wan understood too.
“No problem. If we took our usual route, you’d probably be crying from exhaustion by the time you reached one-third of the way, stuck in a dilemma.”
“…” Xia Wan thought it would be better if Ji Heng spoke less. His intentions were clearly good, but why did his words always sound so unpleasant?
Just like what he said at the restaurant this morning.
“I wouldn’t cry,” Xia Wan muttered quietly.
Ji Heng didn’t catch it. “What?”
“Nothing, let’s keep going.” Xia Wan quickened her pace. At her current speed, she would soon fall far behind the group ahead.
She could also tell that Ji Heng was adjusting his pace to match hers.
“Xia Wan, when are you releasing a new song?” asked Gu Chi, the fan.
“I’m not sure yet. It depends on when inspiration strikes.” To write a good song, even just the lyrics require repeated revisions.
It’s not something that can be written casually.
As for some of the shallow, catchy tunes on the market, she could write one in a few minutes, but that wasn’t what she wanted.
When it came to music, she was overly perfectionistic. Any work she released had to be something she was satisfied with herself.
Gu Chi: “If you release a new song, I’ll definitely support it.”
Hearing this, Xia Wan smiled. “Thank you. I’ll send you a special edition album then.”
Gu Chi exclaimed, “Really? That would be amazing!”
Even regular albums were hard to get, and Xia Wan was actually going to give him a special edition. He really hadn’t been wrong to be her fan—his idol was truly beautiful and kind-hearted.
Upon hearing this, Xu Haonan, Su Yi, and Chen Yubai chimed in, “Can you send us one too?”
Although they weren’t as fanatical as Gu Chi, they still really liked Xia Wan’s songs.
Without hesitation, Xia Wan replied, “Of course.” She turned to the man beside her. “Do you want one too?”
Gu Chi jumped in to answer for Ji Heng, “He doesn’t want it. Give his copy to me.”
He hadn’t forgotten that Ji Heng had said Xia Wan wasn’t his idol, so it would be useless for him to have it. He was even worried that Ji Heng might sell the album his idol gave him for money.
Ji Heng shot him a glance. “Who said I don’t want it?”
Before hearing Xia Wan’s songs, he might have declined.
But after listening to them, it was different. Her songs were beautiful, and her voice was lovely too.
“You’re just doing this on purpose,” Gu Chi felt Ji Heng was deliberately opposing him.
Ji Heng couldn’t be bothered to explain. If he really tried, with these troublemakers around, the more he explained, the messier it would get.
Seeing that Ji Heng wanted one, Xia Wan couldn’t help but smile. After all, last time when the others asked for her autograph, Ji Heng was the only one who didn’t.
Xu Haonan: “How long are you planning to stay here?”
“A week. What about you?” His question made Xia Wan think about the possibility of them leaving before she did.Then this place must be open to the public, and there would be tourists coming. By then, she wouldn’t be able to feel as carefree as she did now.
“The plan is for three days. If the company doesn’t need us, we might stay a bit longer.”
“I see.” Xia Wan decided that after they left, she would head back too. After all, this place had a high flow of people. “Do you come here often?”
Chen Yubai: “Yes, whenever we have time, we come up here to stay for a few days. The air is fresh, there are plenty of activities, and it’s very comfortable.”
Xia Wan nodded in full agreement. If this resort were hers, she would live here every day. “So, every time you come, do you suspend operations and not accept tourists?”
“Yes, too many people would ruin the experience.”
“That’s really nice.” Xia Wan’s tone was full of envy.
Gu Chi said cheerfully, “If you like it here, we’ll invite you along next time we come.” Given his status as an idol, it might be a bit inconvenient for him to come here under normal circumstances.
“Huh?” Gu Chi’s enthusiastic attitude caught Xia Wan off guard. “Okay.” But she assumed he was just being polite.
“Great, it’s settled then. Let’s exchange contact information. I’ll message you when the time comes.” Gu Chi took out his phone as he spoke.
Naturally, Xia Wan couldn’t refuse and added Gu Chi on WeChat.
The others took the opportunity to add Xia Wan on WeChat as well.
Except for Ji Heng.
Xia Wan glanced at him and, seeing that he had no intention of adding her, put her phone back in her pocket.
She couldn’t quite figure Ji Heng out.
A little over an hour later, Xia Wan was completely exhausted and wanted to stop for a rest.
“You guys go ahead. I’ll sit here for a while.” Luckily, there was a bench nearby for tourists to rest on.
After saying this, Xia Wan sat down and began massaging her sore, aching legs.
“Then let’s all take a break.” Everyone stopped. They couldn’t just leave her there alone—that would be too rude.
After all, hiking was about relaxing, not competing.
As long as they reached the top before dark, it was fine.
“Here.” Ji Heng took a bottle of electrolyte water from his hiking backpack and handed it to her.
This was exactly what Xia Wan needed most at that moment. She was extremely thirsty, but she didn’t take it immediately. “Do you have enough for yourself?”
Ji Heng: “Yes, don’t worry. There’s plenty of water.”
“Okay, thank you.” Xia Wan unscrewed the cap and drank about a third of the bottle.
Ji Heng then gave her an energy bar to eat.
She really did need to replenish her energy, so she didn’t hesitate to accept it.
“We have other snacks here. Do you want any?” Gu Chi, who was resting nearby, asked.
“Not right now. I’ll eat later.” She wasn’t very hungry, and the energy bar would be enough for the moment.
“Alright, just let us know if you want anything.” Gu Chi was more than happy to take care of his idol.
After resting for a while, the group continued on their way.
This time, Xia Wan truly couldn’t keep up with their pace and had to slowly make her way up, step by step.
But Ji Heng didn’t walk as fast as the others. Unlike during their morning run, he didn’t leave her behind. Instead, he stayed just two or three steps ahead of her.
Xia Wan jogged a couple of steps to catch up with Ji Heng. “Let me carry the backpack. You’ve been carrying it for so long.”
That hiking backpack must be quite heavy, especially with the water inside.
Ji Heng looked at Xia Wan, who was still breathing unevenly. “With your current stamina, if you carry this bag, you might not have the strength to walk anymore.”
“……” If he didn’t want her to carry it, he could’ve just said so. Did he have to throw in a jab at her?Such a handsome man, it’s a pity he has such a sharp tongue.
But considering how well he’s been taking care of her, she couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.
Thanks to the two hiking sticks Ji Heng gave her, she could manage much more easily.