Yuan Jue sat by the bed, his left hand gently stroking the face of the woman who seemed to be asleep. A look of sorrow and desolation crossed his face: "Feng Fei, when will you wake up? Do you know that in this world, I am alone? Even with unparalleled martial arts skills and the strength of a mercenary, I cannot be happy. My happiness can only be given to me by you. Feng Fei, please wake up. You've been asleep for so long. Please wake up! After you wake up, I'll agree to anything you ask..."
Yuan Jue's voice grew softer and more sorrowful, a single tear falling onto the woman's eye on the bed. Feng Fei's heart skipped a beat: Was that woman also named Feng Fei? Feng Fei…
Feng Fei slowly approached, looking at the person on the bed, and sighed inwardly: What a beautiful woman, but her face was too pale, yet it did not detract from her beauty in the slightest.
Just as Feng Fei was about to take a closer look, he suddenly felt someone tap his right shoulder. Startled, Feng Fei turned around, only to be blinded by the sunlight. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, only to see Xiao Jiao's boyfriend, Zhang Yuan.
"Fengfei, I just saw you standing here, not moving at all. What are you thinking about?" Zhang Yuan was a handsome boy who would blush when talking to girls. Apart from Xiao Jiao, he could only have normal conversations with Fengfei.
"What?" Feng Fei was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "I must have been distracted just now, so I didn't see you. Did you come to see Xiao Jiao?" Seeing Zhang Yuan nod, Feng Fei took out the key and handed it to him, "Take the key with you. Xiao Jiao might be asleep, so don't wake her up."
Zhang Yuan nodded and took the keys. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly asked, "Where are you going?"
"Xiao Jiao wants to eat something, I'll go buy it for her."
"Oh, then I'll go with you!" Zhang Yuan took Feng Fei's bag without hesitation and stepped forward first: "I think I guessed what she wanted to eat! Chicken wings, right!"
Feng Fei smiled and nodded, following behind Zhang Yuan. When he tried to recall everything he had seen while he was lost in thought, he found that he couldn't remember it no matter how hard he tried.
If he couldn't remember, he wouldn't think about it anymore. Feng Fei quickly put the matter out of his mind, bought some food with Zhang Yuan, and went back to take care of Xiao Jiao.
Chapter 3: The Handsome, Rich, and Powerful Yang Mu
Back inside, Xiao Jiao was indeed still sleeping. Feng Fei said to Zhang Yuan, "Go and keep Xiao Jiao company," and then went into the kitchen.
After plating the cooked food she bought and washing some fruit, Feng Fei took the fruit to Xiao Jiao's door and quietly brought Zhang Yuan out: "These fruits are for you and Xiao Jiao. If Xiao Jiao wakes up, you should give her some fruit first."
Seeing Zhang Yuan nod, Feng Fei glanced at her watch and continued, "It's almost eleven o'clock. If Xiao Jiao doesn't wake up on her own in half an hour, wake her up. I'll go cook now." With that, Feng Fei waved to Zhang Yuan and turned to leave, unaware of the meaningful glint in Zhang Yuan's eyes as he looked at her.
Half an hour passed quickly. Feng Fei heated up the groceries she had bought and served the rice when Zhang Yuan came out of the room with Xiao Jiao. Xiao Jiao's face still had a rosy glow from sleeping. Feng Fei teased her a few times, and the three of them sat down to eat and chat.
"Fengfei, when are you going to find a partner?" Xiaojiao started the conversation, but it was a topic Fengfei didn't really want to talk about. However, to be considerate of the patient's feelings, Fengfei thought for a moment and said, "That depends on fate. You know I'm not in a hurry for this." After finishing, Fengfei ate a few mouthfuls of rice, blinked at Xiaojiao, and wondered why she suddenly asked this.
Xiao Jiao smiled mysteriously at Feng Fei, then winked at Zhang Yuan repeatedly. Finally, when Zhang Yuan's face turned red, she spoke up: "Feng Fei, do you still remember Zhang Yuan's colleague?"
Colleague? Feng Fei was puzzled, unable to recall ever meeting Zhang Yuan as a "colleague".
Seeing Feng Fei's expression, Xiao Jiao knew that Feng Fei had no impression of that person at all, and helplessly rubbed her forehead: What a waste of that person's sincere feelings.
"You really don't remember? That guy named Yang Mu, you really don't have any impression of him at all? You used to affectionately call him Mu Mu!" Xiao Jiao finally couldn't help but roar.
Yang Mu? Feng Fei muttered the name to himself, seemingly vaguely remembering it: "That tall, rich, and handsome guy?"
Seeing Xiao Jiao nod, Feng Fei nodded in agreement. Xiao Jiao waited for Feng Fei's next reaction, but found that after nodding, Feng Fei immediately started eating.
"Little Feifei! How can you be so oblivious! I'm talking about that rich, handsome guy, Yang Mu, rich, handsome guy, and you don't react at all!" Xiao Jiao suddenly threw the bowl and chopsticks in her hand on the table, leaned on the table, and roared as she leaned her upper body close to Feng Fei's head.
Because she stood up too suddenly, Xiao Jiao, who was not fully recovered from her illness, swayed uncontrollably, which startled Zhang Yuan so much that he turned pale and quickly helped her up.
Feng Fei was also quite frightened. He quickly went to Xiao Jiao's side, pressed her down to sit, and then sighed, "What kind of reaction do you expect me to have? You know that Yang Mu and I are from completely different worlds."
Xiao Jiao was silent for a moment, but still wanted to argue: "But how will you know you're not suited for his world if you don't try? Look, Zhang Yuan can be friends with that rich and handsome guy, so it means that he at least won't look down on us commoners. Maybe you two can really have a good marriage?" Xiao Jiao's voice was seductive, but Feng Fei only hesitated for a moment before firmly refusing: "It's pointless. I'd rather stay home and watch more movies than try this."
Seeing Feng Fei return to her seat to eat, Xiao Jiao gritted her teeth in anger and gave Zhang Yuan a meaningful look. Just as Zhang Yuan was about to refuse, he received Xiao Jiao's threat and had no choice but to sit down next to Feng Fei. "Feng Fei, um, Xiao Jiao and I are going hiking next weekend, do you want to come?" Before Feng Fei could react, Zhang Yuan continued, "Don't refuse! If you refuse, Xiao Jiao will ignore me, and I'll be so pitiful and miserable. You wouldn't be able to bear it, would you, Feng Fei?"
With his delicate features, Zhang Yuan was quite adept at being cute. Thinking of Xiao Jiao and Zhang Yuan's happiness, Feng Fei reluctantly nodded.
Seeing that Feng Fei had agreed, Xiao Jiao gave Zhang Yuan a praising look. Zhang Yuan happily sat back down next to Xiao Jiao, and the two began showing off their affection in front of Feng Fei. However, Feng Fei was already used to the two of them being so lovey-dovey, so he effortlessly ignored all their words and actions.
After finally finishing the meal, Zhang Yuan conscientiously cleaned up the dishes, while Xiao Jiao went back to her room to rest. Patients need to rest more! Feng Fei watched Xiao Jiao and the other girl doing their own things, smiled, and returned to his own room, sitting wearily on the bed.
Yesterday, she drank with Xiaojiao and the others and spent the night in the lakeside park. Although it seemed like she had slept all night, she still felt very tired. If Xiaojiao hadn't suddenly fallen ill, she probably would have collapsed onto the bed and fallen into a deep sleep as soon as she got home this morning.
Do you want to take a nap?
The idea was incredibly tempting, but after just a fleeting thought, Feng Fei couldn't stop yawning. He threw back the covers, took off his shoes, and slipped into bed. The soft, warm blankets made every pore on his body relax. With a satisfied sigh, Feng Fei slowly closed his eyes, a smile on his face.
Time flies, and another week has passed in the blink of an eye.
That day, while Feng Fei was still fast asleep, Xiao Jiao got up early, washed up, and then ran to dig Feng Fei out of bed.
"Fengfei, get up! We're going hiking today! Did you forget?!" Xiaojiao's roaring style was always a part of Fengfei's life. Fengfei covered his ears and sat up, muttering, "Okay, okay, I'm up!"
Watching Feng Fei get out of bed and get dressed, Xiao Jiao nodded in satisfaction. "Hurry up, I'll go prepare breakfast first." As she walked to the door, Xiao Jiao suddenly turned back to Feng Fei and said, "Bring an extra set of clothes. It's easy to get your clothes wet and dirty while climbing mountains. If you don't have a change, you're bound to encounter some 'good things' on the way down." Xiao Jiao's sly reminder made Feng Fei shiver involuntarily.
With a chuckle, Xiao Jiao waved the shovel in her hand before turning and leaving.
Feng Fei yawned and stretched. She really didn't want to get out of bed. Was she not going to get any sleep in all weekend? What was the point of climbing the mountain? She would definitely be exhausted. She kept grumbling to herself, but her hands didn't slow down. In no time, Feng Fei had changed her clothes.
By the time Feng Fei had finished packing, Zhang Yuan had also arrived, but he was followed by a handsome man.
"Yang Mu?" Feng Fei was taken aback. "What are you doing here?"
"I didn't expect you to still remember me." Yang Mu's voice was very pleasant, but it made Feng Fei a little embarrassed. If Xiao Jiao and Zhang Yuan hadn't helped her imagine what Yang Mu looked like last week, she probably wouldn't have recognized him so quickly.
With an awkward laugh, Feng Fei gestured for Yang Mu and Zhang Yuan to sit down. At that moment, Xiao Jiao came out of the kitchen with breakfast.
"Zhang Yuan, there's still a lot of stuff in the kitchen, come help me." As she returned to the kitchen, Xiao Jiao called Zhang Yuan away without hesitation.
Zhang Yuan smiled apologetically at Yang Mu, greeted Feng Fei, and then followed Xiao Jiao into the kitchen. For a moment, only Feng Fei and Yang Mu remained in the living room.
Feng Fei fidgeted with the spoon in front of him somewhat awkwardly, making a crisp sound as the porcelain clattered together, which made the atmosphere between the two of them even more strange.
"Ahem," Yang Mu gently tapped the table, "Are we going hiking together today? Are you coming too?"
Feng Fei looked at Yang Mu with confusion and tentatively asked, "Are you going too?" Seeing Yang Mu nod frankly, Feng Fei couldn't help but complain in his heart about Zhang Yuan, who had actually followed Xiao Jiao's bad example. There were clearly three people at the time, so what's the point of having an extra one now?
Just as I was about to ask something else, Xiao Jiao and Zhang Yuan came out of the kitchen carrying breakfast.
After giving Xiao Jiao a disdainful look, Feng Fei stared intently at Zhang Yuan until he raised his hands in surrender: "Feng Fei, I... don't blame me, I... you know what's going on..."
"snort"
Fengfei turned her head to the other side, refusing to look at the child who had been led astray.
Zhang Yuan suffers a setback, and Xiao Jiao steps in!
Xiao Jiao ran to Feng Fei's side, half-squatting down, hugging Feng Fei's arm with both hands, and rubbing her head against Feng Fei's shoulder, saying coquettishly, "Oh, Xiao Fei Fei, don't do that! It'll be more lively with one more person. You know Zhang Yuan and I will be all together, what will you do if you're bored by yourself? It's good that Yang Mu is with you, you won't be so bored, right?"
I'm shivering, I'm shivering, I'm shivering.
At this moment, Feng Fei trembled as he pulled Xiao Jiao away from him: "Xiao Jiao, don't do this again, I really can't stand it..." Wiping his arm, Feng Fei sighed at Xiao Jiao's increasingly powerful seductive skills, but he didn't see the smile and doting look hidden in Yang Mu's eyes.
"Let's eat first!" As the host, Feng Fei consciously invited Yang Mu to eat.
Breakfast ended amidst Yang Mu's occasional admiring glances at Feng Fei and Xiao Jiao and Zhang Yuan's playful winks.
"I'll go pack my things a bit more." As soon as he finished eating, Feng Fei fled in a disheveled state, leaving behind Xiao Jiao and Zhang Yuan laughing heartily, and Yang Mu with a faint smile on his lips.
After closing the door, Feng Fei leaned against it, exhausted.
Yang Mu's gaze was unbearable for her. They had only known each other for a short time, and today was only the third time they had met. If Xiao Jiao and Zhang Yuan hadn't been doing her homework, she probably wouldn't have recognized Yang Mu standing right in front of her. She really didn't know when he had fallen "deeply in love" with her.
Feng Fei couldn't help but suspect Yang Mu's motives, but she had neither money nor beauty, and no matter how she looked at her, she couldn't figure out what she had that Yang Mu, a rich and handsome man, would want.
No matter how hard she racked her brains, she couldn't figure out the reason. Feng Fei grabbed her hair in frustration. "I have nothing on me. Hmph, if anyone dares to have any ulterior motives towards me, I'll make sure they never have a good life again!" After cheering herself up, Feng Fei roused herself, packed her things, opened the door, and stepped into the hall with her head held high.
Looking at Xiao Jiao and the other two who had already gotten ready, Feng Fei's face showed a hint of unease.
Taking a step forward, Feng Fei waved his right hand: "Let's go!"
Chapter 4 Phoenix Mountain
Phoenix Mountain is located three kilometers southeast of Fengcheng. Its main peak, Zanyun Peak, rises to 840 meters above sea level. Renowned for its rugged beauty and secluded charm, it is one of the "Four Famous Mountains" of Liaoning Province, along with Qianshan, Yiwulü Mountain, and Yaoshan. The mountain's rugged terrain resembles a phoenix spreading its wings, hence its name. The mountain is divided into four scenic areas: West Mountain, East Mountain, Miaogou, and the Ancient City. Among them, the West Mountain scenic area has the most concentrated attractions and is also the most rugged and spectacular.
Feng Fei and his three companions ascended from the western mountain.
Although Phoenix Mountain is much lower in height than Mount Hua, its perilousness is similar. Like the ridge on an old ox's back, though smooth and difficult to traverse, it has no steps, requiring one to hold onto iron railings to climb. In winter, when ice and snow accumulate, it becomes a dead end. Its perilousness is no less than that of Mount Hua's Canglong Ridge. The world's most spectacular plank road, carved into the undulating cliff face, slopes downwards; without the protection of iron railings, it would be a dead end even without ice and snow. Its perilousness is no less than that of Mount Hua's Changkong Plank Road. The mountain paths of Phoenix Mountain often appear broken yet are actually continuous; this "survival from the brink of death" is a marvel unlike anything found on Mount Hua.
If you encounter such a situation, first, avoid anxiety; second, search carefully. When you find an iron ring or stone handle in a crevice, even if it's just big enough to squeeze through, climb in. Once you reach the end, you can fully appreciate the feeling of "a new village appears after a dark willow grove." Sometimes, leaping from one stone to another, you might suddenly find a path beneath your feet, which also allows you to appreciate the feeling of "finding life in a desperate situation."
It was the height of summer, so Xiao Jiao, who wanted to experience the wonder of "turning adversity into opportunity," could only sigh that the timing was wrong.
Feng Fei was secretly delighted, though she was still somewhat afraid of this treacherous place. Although it was still dangerous, it was much better than when it was frozen and covered in snow in winter.
They started from Ziyang Temple, and their planned route included major attractions such as Doumu Palace, Bixia Palace, Guanyin Cave, Phoenix Cave, Silkworm Maiden's Oak, Phoenix Tears, Lingxian Cave, and the Lazuli Tree, before ending at Luohan Peak. Upon arriving at Guanyin Cave, Xiao Jiao pulled Zhang Yuan to the other side, leaving Feng Fei and Yang Mu alone.
Being alone with a man was an experience Feng Fei desperately lacked, so she felt quite awkward. Yang Mu, however, was very composed, looking at Feng Fei with a smile and saying, "Let's continue. Zhang Yuan and the other guy probably won't be back anytime soon." Feng Fei nodded; Xiao Jiao and Zhang Yuan were clearly doing it on purpose, so they definitely wouldn't be back immediately.
"Let's go then." Feng Fei took the lead, having gotten used to walking in front of others since some point in her life.
Yang Mu was initially taken aback. He had expected Feng Fei to remain bewildered, but instead, she quickly adopted a confident and mature demeanor. Interesting, very interesting indeed. A captivating smile played on Yang Mu's lips, drawing whispers and pointing fingers from the surrounding girls. However, he seemed oblivious, calmly following behind Feng Fei. Feng Fei, even less aware, was completely absorbed in the surrounding scenery.
Half a day passed, and Feng Fei and Yang Mu arrived at Phoenix Cave.
For some reason, Feng Fei felt a sense of familiarity in Phoenix Cave that stirred her heart, but she was also very certain that she had never been to Phoenix Mountain before, and she didn't know why she had this feeling.
Feng Fei touched her chest. Yes, this was it. Her heart had started beating rapidly the moment she stepped into Phoenix Cave, as if something here was calling to her. She took an involuntary step, walking towards the left side of Phoenix Cave. That was it; there, a voice was calling to her.
Suddenly, Feng Fei's arm was grabbed. He frowned and turned around, only to see Yang Mu looking worried.
"What's wrong?"
"I should be the one asking you what's wrong." Yang Mu's brows were furrowed, revealing a deep frown. The elders said that people with this frown shape were resolute and destined for greatness.
Feng Fei shook his head and murmured softly, "I don't know either..." His voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Yang Mu led Feng Fei out of Phoenix Cave and saw that Feng Fei looked reluctant to leave and kept looking back at Phoenix Cave. He said in a deep voice, "Why don't we go back first? I'll call Zhang Yuan and the others."
Once outside Phoenix Cave, Feng Fei felt as if she had lost all her strength. If Yang Mu hadn't been supporting her, she probably would have collapsed to the ground long ago. Hearing Yang Mu's words, Feng Fei nodded involuntarily. For some reason, she felt extremely tired at that moment and desperately wanted to close her eyes.
Thinking this, Feng Fei closed her eyes. She was very tired and seemed to be falling asleep.
Seemingly in her sleep, she heard someone say, "Feng Fei, when will you wake up? Do you know that in this world, I am the only one who can be happy, even with unparalleled martial arts skills and the strength of a mercenary king? Only you can give me happiness. Feng Fei, please wake up, you've been asleep for so long, please wake up? After you wake up, I'll agree to anything you ask..."