“I’m thinking,” You Ran said, “how to fake your suicide after pushing you down the mountain.”
"Give up, you can't do it." Qu Yun was completely unfazed by the threat.
You Ran had to admit that what Qu Yun said was true—no matter what, You Ran would have to eat him first before killing him.
"Who is that man? I remember seeing you several times back in school, and he was always standing next to you." Qu Yun's question was like a net made of silk, seemingly light, but cool to the touch, tightening unexpectedly.
You Ran tiptoed and pinched Qu Yun's cheeks, which looked even more tender in the greenery, with both hands, and laughed, "Boyfriend, are you jealous?"
It feels so good when you squeeze it, it's almost like you can squeeze water out of it.
The two were playing a love game when they suddenly heard a sound of bones trembling.
Turning around, they found Ye Xiaomi standing behind them, her face pale. With great difficulty, she managed to utter a few words: "Teacher-student...love, incest, promiscuity."
After she finished speaking, Ye Xiaomi's face turned even paler, because she saw a chilling glint flash across You Ran's teeth and Qu Yun's lips at the same time.
One was like a black cat about to catch someone, and the other was like a wild beast about to devour someone.
Xiao Mi's keen sixth sense told him that the two men's next step was to kill him to silence him and destroy the evidence.
Then, a scream was heard, and a slender boy tumbled and crawled down the mountain path.
"From now on, spend less time with him," Qu Yun said, watching Ye Xiaomi's hurried departure.
“He is my good friend,” You Ran explained.
"I understand, but he's a man, and I'm your boyfriend."
"so what?"
"At least, don't let him be by your side every time I run into you."
"You're so domineering," You Ran complained.
"Thank you for the compliment," Qu Yun replied indifferently.
You Ran lifted her backpack up a bit and frowned, saying, "You're really a strange person. One minute you're so cold to me, and the next you're so jealous."
"I'm not jealous," Qu Yun corrected. "I just don't want others to touch what's mine."
She calmly retorted, "I am not yours."
Qu Yun raised his eyebrows, the curve carrying a hint of danger.
But then, You Ran turned her face to the side, lowered her head, twisted the hem of her clothes, and whispered, "I am your person."
Qu Yun: "..."
Since they were already here, You Ran and Qu Yun decided to climb Mount Hua.
But this mountain is not easy to climb; it's so steep it's like rock climbing, and without a safety rope.
Although You Ran had once achieved the first place in the women's 800 meters, her physical strength was simply not up to par. After climbing for an hour, her legs began to tremble and her hands began to shake.
"Never mind, let's go downstairs," Qu Yun said.
I looked up leisurely—it was so high that I twisted my neck.
"No, no, we've finally made it this far, how can we give up? I think we're not far from success." You Ran sat down on the ground and took out a bottle of mineral water to gulp it down.
Just then, a couple passed by them. The woman rubbed her feet and said sweetly to her boyfriend, "I'm tired, carry me."
The man dared not disobey, so he immediately squatted down and let his girlfriend lie on his back, then began to climb upwards at a snail's pace.
You Ran watched the couple walk away with envious eyes, then cleared her throat and said in a sweet, coquettish voice, "I'm tired too."
Qu Yun turned her head and said in a clear, unassuming tone, "There's no way I can carry you up there."
"Why?" You Ran was utterly disappointed.
"Because that would be too dangerous," Qu Yun gave this reason.
"An excuse," You Ran muttered to herself. The couple had done the same thing just now, and nothing happened.
Out of spite, after resting enough, You Ran rushed forward, trying to leave Qu Yun far behind. But no matter how fast she walked, Qu Yun always kept a certain distance from her.
As she climbed, You Ran suddenly noticed a group of tourists gathered in front of her. Upon closer inspection, she discovered that the couple lying in the center were the same sweet couple from before.
At this moment, they lay on the ground, their expressions pained.
“Walking around in this kind of place is exhausting enough, let alone carrying someone. These unlucky kids are always so reckless. Look, they fell down without even realizing it.”
You Ran learned the whole story from a tourist.
It turns out that Qu Yun's reasoning was still valid.
But You Ran, being a child at heart, was too embarrassed to admit her mistake and could only grit her teeth and continue climbing.
After exhausting all her strength, You Ran finally stopped trying to be brave, squatted on the ground, and gasped for breath.
Qu Yun followed slowly from behind. Although he had climbed the same distance as You Ran, he was neither red-faced nor out of breath, and not even a drop of sweat was visible.
"Can't run anymore?" Qu Yun stopped in front of You Ran.
"You can walk by yourself." This time, You Ran wasn't being stubborn; she simply couldn't walk any further.
Qu Yun didn't say anything, but simply took You Ran's bag, slung it over his shoulder, then took her hand and pulled her up.
So, Qu Yun continued climbing the mountain, dragging You Ran along with him.
This made You Ran feel much more relaxed.
After relaxing, You Ran started to get restless again.
"Qu Yun".
"Um?"
"With your bag on both sides, you look just like a turtle."
"If you don't want to be pushed off the mountain, then shut up."
"Hey, do you even know where we are right now?" You Ran tugged at his hand.
"Where?" Qu Yun asked.
You Ran chuckled to herself: "Holding hands, huh? I know you did it on purpose. You seem to care about me, but you're actually just trying to take advantage of me."
Qu Yun: "...You're overthinking it, really."
You Ran continued to chuckle to herself: "Don't be embarrassed because I saw through your ulterior motives. By the way, do you want to know what's next after we hold hands?"
Qu Yun: "Can I say I don't want to?"
You Ran: "Don't be so hypocritical. Our next step is the kiss you've been longing for."
Qu Yun: "..."
You Ran: "Are you happy or not? If you are, just say 'hmm'; if you're not, just stay silent."
Qu Yun: "..."
You Ran: "Look at you, you're so happy you can't even speak."
Qu Yun: "..."
After enduring several hours of relentless bombardment, the two finally arrived at Carp Ridge.
The pictures of the carp's spine that I used to see were incredibly dangerous. People on it looked like ants, as if a gust of wind would send them tumbling down.
But this time, You Ran walked on it herself and didn't feel any danger.
But You Ran knew that if a helicopter were to take a picture of her climbing from above, she would definitely feel weak in the knees and trembling in the face when she saw it later.
Just like when she impulsively said to Qu Yun, "Let's be a couple," You Ran was extremely surprised by her own actions afterward.
But if she had to choose again, she would still climb the carp's spine and still propose to Qu Yun.
It's clear that falling in love is like climbing Mount Hua—you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin.
On Chaoyang Peak, You Ran and Qu Yun stopped. It was a great spot to watch the sunrise, but unfortunately, it was afternoon and only the sunset was visible.
Gazing leisurely at the distant mountains where verdant green and scattered white clouds intertwined, and at the indescribable colors of the clouds overhead, for some reason, a surge of emotion gathered and swelled within her. Unable to control it, she could only place her hands to her lips and shout into the distance, "That big jerk... I love you!!!"
As the clouds intensified, their colors spilled down, and a faint ripple of color stirred within Qu Yun's eyes.
After shouting, he turned around leisurely and said calmly, "The big jerk I was talking about is you."
"I know." Qu Yun's lips twitched, as if... she was smiling.
"So you're not going to respond?" You Ran asked.
"How do you want me to respond?" Qu Yun asked.
“Just like I just did.” You Ran’s eyes were bright and full of anticipation.
But Qu Yun's words extinguished the fire in You Ran's eyes: "I can't do it."
"No, that's a huge loss. I have to take back what I just said." You Ran turned around, timely concealing the disappointment in her heart.
Just as she was about to shout at the sky, "I hate you, you big jerk!" just like before, You Ran's body was turned around.
Just like in idol dramas, Qu Yun kissed her at that moment.
You Ran couldn't quite remember the specific details of the scene; her only impression was the taste of chocolate on Qu Yun's lips and tongue.
Dark chocolate, not sweet, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
Damn it, You Ran thought, I didn't even give her a piece of chocolate, how disloyal.
Having finished venting his anger, climbed the mountain, held hands, and shared a kiss, Qu Yun decided to take You Ran to the train station and send her home.
Although the snail's leisurely pace could fill it with a strong sense of pride, the ticket gate was still reached.
"Go ahead, be careful." Qu Yun handed the backpack to You Ran.
"You think you can just kick me out after you've taken advantage of me?" You Ran asked with a mournful look.
Qu Yun tugged at You Ran's ponytail, not with much force, but with a playful smile on his lips: "The day I truly devour you completely, you won't even have the strength to speak."
You Ran turned her head to the side, turned her back, and leaned her hand against the wall, remaining silent.
"What are you doing?" Qu Yun asked.
"I'm imagining the day you'll take advantage of me completely." Qu Yun noticed that there was saliva brewing at the corner of You Ran's mouth.
At this moment, ticket checking began, and Qu Yun urged You Ran to join the queue.