Ling Tingyu buried her chin in her collar, revealing only the upper half of her face tinged with pink.
Lu Xian, noticing her silence, thought she might have frightened her and leaned down to look at her. “Professor Ling?”
Ling Tingyu pressed her collar lightly and met Lu Xian’s gaze. “Can we…”
She paused.
Lu Xian: “Can we what?”
The warm glow of the ground lamp illuminated the Omega’s sparkling eyes.
“Do it now…” Ling Tingyu leaned in closer and whispered a single word: “Me.”
A breeze drifted from afar, carrying her words lightly.
Though the wind was cool, it felt scorching against Lu Xian’s ears.
“Professor Ling…” Lu Xian’s throat burned. “We’re in the middle of the wilderness.”
Ling Tingyu curved her beautiful eyes. “Don’t you think that makes it even more thrilling?”
“Not at all.” Lu Xian tugged her hood down, covering even the upper half of Ling Tingyu’s face.
Her gaze was too tempting just looking at her made Lu Xian’s heart soften, making it impossible to refuse.
“Hey!” Blinded by the hood, Ling Tingyu huffed. “What are you doing?”
A few excited shouts rose from the grassy hilltop.
“A shooting star!”
“There really is one! Quick, make a wish!”
The meteor streaked across the sky, brightening the dark night.
Lu Xian adjusted Ling Tingyu’s hood properly.
As her vision cleared, the first thing Ling Tingyu saw was Lu Xian’s face.
Behind them, the fleeting meteor; before her, the person she could reach out and touch.
“Lu Xian…” Ling Tingyu’s gaze lingered on her eyes.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Lu Xian chuckled, her dark eyes glimmering with starlight. “The meteor’s here.”
“Yeah, it’s here.” Ling Tingyu’s eyes trailed downward, past Lu Xian’s high nose bridge, stopping at her rosy lips.
Lu Xian felt Ling Tingyu’s gaze grow scorching, the next second, the Omega pressed her hands against her shoulders and leaned in.
“What are you doing?” Lu Xian braced one hand against the grass behind her, her vision completely overtaken by Ling Tingyu.
Lu Xian beneath, Ling Tingyu above.
Ling Tingyu lowered her lashes. “Is the meteor prettier than me?”
The delicate scent of white tea filled the air between them.
The Omega’s hair brushed against Lu Xian’s neck, sending tingles down her spine.
Lu Xian could barely hold back. “You’re prettier, sis…”
By the time they returned, it was already past midnight.
After seeing Ling Tingyu back to her room, Lu Xian finally headed to her own.
Little Bunny: [Lu Xian, aren’t you staying with me?]
Lu Xian knocked and entered to find You Yijia still awake, gaming. She muted her mic and asked, “I thought you weren’t coming back? Did you see the meteor?”
“Yeah.” Lu Xian flopped onto the bed and texted Ling Tingyu: [Get some rest, sis.]
You Yijia spared her a glance and clicked her tongue. “With that look on your face, I’d have thought you missed it.”
Lu Xian: “What look?”
“Disappointed.” You Yijia arched a brow. “Or more accurately, a little… unsatisfied.”
Lu Xian: “…”
Was it that obvious?
You Yijia grinned. “Don’t tell me I hit the mark. What were you doing out there for so long?”
“What do you think?” Lu Xian couldn’t be bothered to entertain her. If this kept up, You Yijia might actually figure it out.
But You Yijia just shrugged it off and moved on to something more pressing.
“Lu Xian, is your sister an adult yet?” she asked casually, eyes still on her game.
“Not yet.” Lu Xian frowned. “Why are you suddenly asking about Wen Tian?”
“I just ran into her outside.” You Yijia turned off the game. “I saw the kid was alone, so I chatted with her for a while.”
Wen Tian was by herself.
Lu Xian remembered at this time, Lu Li should be with Lin Xu.
You Yijia asked cautiously, rare for her: “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Mind what?”
You Yijia: “Me being friends with your sister.”
“No.” Lu Xian didn’t think much of it; she still trusted You Yijia.
With Lu Xian’s approval, You Yijia finally relaxed. She turned off the bedside lamp and said, “I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep. You should get some rest too.”
Lu Xian took a shower and came out to see a message from Ling Tingyu.
Little Bunny: [Crying emoji.]
It was an animated sticker of a little white bunny wiping its tears. Lu Xian was utterly charmed by how adorable she was.
The next morning, there were no group activities, so everyone had free time.
Lu Xian woke up early, enjoying the rare chance to breathe in the fresh mountain air.
On her way back to the hotel, she saw Wen Tian sitting outside.
Wen Tian noticed her too and ran over: [I thought you hadn’t come. I didn’t see you anywhere.]
From yesterday until now, Lu Xian really hadn’t had time to check on Wen Tian.
Lu Xian: “Why are you sitting here alone? Didn’t you sleep in?”
[I slept from last night until now. I’m not tired anymore.] Wen Tian sighed: [I don’t know where Sister Lu Li went. I’m so bored.]
Lu Xian hesitated, Lu Li was probably even less available for Wen Tian.
Lu Xian: “Have you had breakfast yet?”
Wen Tian shook her head.
Lu Xian: “Let’s go together. I haven’t eaten either.”
At seven in the morning, the first-floor restaurant was nearly empty.
As Lu Xian and Wen Tian entered the buffet area, they ran into Lu Li.
Wen Tian’s eyes lit up, so Sister Lu Li hadn’t left.
“Wen Tian.” Lu Xian handed her a plate. “Go get some food first.”
Wen Tian quickly took it, picked a few things she wanted, and hurried over to sit with Lu Li.
Lu Xian followed behind: “Slow down.”
Lu Li had arrived early and was almost done eating.
Wen Tian hastily typed on her phone: [Sister Lu Li, are you leaving?]
Lu Li gave a small hum, then said to Lu Xian, “Take your time. I’ll head back first.”
“Alright.” Lu Xian noticed she had packed a to-go meal, guessing it was for Lin Xu.
Wen Tian put down her chopsticks, her face scrunching up: [Sister Lu Li is always so busy.]
Lu Xian: “Yeah, so you can’t disturb her or bother her.”
Wen Tian pouted: [I don’t even get a chance to talk to her. How could I possibly disturb her?]
Just as Wen Tian finished signing, someone called out: “Little Sweetie.”
You Yijia sat down beside Wen Tian: “What a coincidence.”
Lu Xian choked and looked at You Yijia: “What did you just call her?”
You Yijia corrected herself with a smile: “Wen Tian.”
Wen Tian was furious, she wasn’t used to strangers being so familiar with her: [Don’t call me ‘Little Sweetie.’ I have a name.]
You Yijia didn’t understand sign language, but Wen Tian’s annoyed expression made it clear she didn’t like the nickname.
You Yijia tried to make amends: “Wen Tian, are you mad?”
Wen Tian turned her face away.
You Yijia awkwardly turned to Lu Xian for help: “What do I do if your sister’s upset?”
Lu Xian shrugged: “Apologize properly. I’m leaving now.”
You Yijia: “Lu Xian, don’t go.” Wen Tian kept eating, her cheeks puffed out like a little hamster.
You Yijia sat down opposite Wen Tian and said gently, “Wen Tian?”
Wen Tian looked up.
You Yijia deliberately made a funny face to tease her.
Wen Tian gave a look of disdain: […]
You Yijia: “…”
…
In the afternoon when descending the mountain, there were two options.
One was to take the cable car, the other was to hike down.
You Yijia said to Lu Xian, “Want to race?”
“No.” Lu Xian refused without hesitation.
The firm rejection made You Yijia choke back her words: “I wanted to compete with you though.”
During the ascent, there had been rewards, giving Lu Xian motivation to race, but there was none for the descent, why waste time?
As it turned out, everyone was sensible and chose to take the cable car.
While waiting for the cable car,
Xia Wanzhou lined up beside Lu Xian: “Lu Xian, can I ride with you? I’m a bit afraid of heights.”
“Actually, I’m scared too.” Lu Xian took a step back and introduced You Yijia: “She’s not afraid of heights. You can ride with her.”
“Huh?” Xia Wanzhou: “Her?”
You Yijia silently glared at Lu Xian fine, pushing her out as a shield.
“Lu Xian, just this once.” You Yijia gritted her teeth. She had originally wanted to ride with Wen Tian. If Wen Tian weren’t Lu Xian’s sister, You Yijia would never have agreed to help.
“Deal.” Lu Xian reminded You Yijia: “The cable car’s here.”
You Yijia and Xia Wanzhou reluctantly boarded the cable car together. Before leaving, You Yijia called out to Wen Tian: “Wen Tian, I’ll wait for you at the bottom.”
Wen Tian didn’t hear her, busy typing on her phone as she leaned close to Lu Li, showing her the screen: [Sister Lu Li, can I ride the cable car with you?]
Since the child was her responsibility, Lu Li felt she had to take charge.
Lu Li gave a soft “Mm.”
Wen Tian finally smiled.
Lin Xu’s heart sank. Even though Lu Li had just kissed her last night to make up, today she was leaving with another girl, what exactly did that mean?
“Wen Tian.” Lu Xian said: “Come here, ride with me.”
Wen Tian: [But I already promised Sister Lu Li.]
Lu Xian: “I have something to tell you.”
Wen Tian reluctantly walked over: [Alright then.]
In the end, only the four of them remained. Lu Xian rode with Wen Tian, leaving Lu Li to ride with Lin Xu. Lu Li sighed in relief, but something nagged at her, as if Lu Xian knew something.
Lu Li boarded the cable car and reached out to Lin Xu: “Give me your hand.”
“No.” Lin Xu grabbed the handrail and got on by herself.
Lu Li: “…”
Why was she angry again?
Wen Tian watched the two walk away, then looked up at Lu Xian: [What did you want to tell me?]
Lu Xian: “…”
“Well…” Lu Xian lowered her voice: “Tingyu is here. Let’s wait for her to go together.”
Wen Tian was delighted: [Sister Tingyu is here too?]
After everyone else had left, Ling Tingyu emerged from the hotel.
The two of them had stayed out on the lawn so late last night that by the time they returned, it was already past midnight. After messaging Lu Xian, Ling Tingyu had been upset and couldn’t sleep until dawn.
Then, having barely slept in the morning, she had to get up and leave.
Ling Tingyu walked over and drowsily leaned into Lu Xian’s arms: “So tired.”
Completely unaware that Wen Tian was standing beside them.
Wen Tian quietly slipped away, pointing at the cable car for Lu Xian: [I’ll ride by myself.]
Before Lu Xian could respond, Wen Tian was already gone.
Lu Xian: “…”
This kid.
“Didn’t sleep well?” Lu Xian used her hand to shield Ling Tingyu from the sunlight filtering through the trees.
Ling Tingyu wrapped her arms around Lu Xian’s waist and looked up: “I couldn’t sleep.”
Lu Xian gazed down at her: “Why?”
“What do you think?” Ling Tingyu tugged open Lu Xian’s collar. “Who told you not to come keep me company?”
Lu Xian’s slender, fair neck was exposed as Ling Tingyu’s warm fingertips lightly traced it. “So you’ll have to make it up to me.”
The delicate touch brushed against her tense neck, making Lu Xian’s heart sink. “We’re still outside, don’t go too far…”
“What are you nervous about?” Ling Tingyu’s soft lips pressed against the side of her neck. “Just let your sister kiss you once.”
The damp heat enveloped her neck, turning Lu Xian’s skin red where it was touched.
Ling Tingyu pulled back slightly, gazing at the red mark on Lu Xian’s snow-white neck before asking, “Can I kiss you again?”
Lu Xian: “…”!?