Xiao Qiqi opened her mouth wide, turned her head with difficulty, and looked at the opposite side in disbelief.
24. Reconciliation
There weren't many people visiting Huangshan this season, and only Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan were seated in the four-person table.
"What's wrong?" Xia Xuan asked for the hundredth time, but Xiao Qiqi just kept her mouth shut and ignored him. Xia Xuan smiled mischievously, "If you don't speak, I'll punish you!" Xiao Qiqi still ignored him. Xia Xuan reached out and slowly stroked Xiao Qiqi's leg, sliding it very lightly and gently. Xiao Qiqi felt a strange, unbearable tingling between her thighs. She was ticklish and jumped away involuntarily, "Ah, don't touch me!" Her unusually loud scream drew strange laughter from a couple opposite them. Xiao Qiqi blushed and kicked Xia Xuan's leg, but he caught it with both hands.
"Tell me why you're angry. Even if you're sentenced to death, you need a reason, right?" Xia Xuan sighed and took off Xiao Qiqi's shoes.
Why did you take off my shoes?
"Let your feet rest on me, it'll be more comfortable that way. We're going to sit for over ten hours, your legs will hurt," Xia Xuan replied naturally. "Don't be angry, okay?"
"I'm so angry!" Xiao Qiqi pouted. "Don't you know what you've done?"
"What exactly did I do?" Xia Xuan frowned. "Was it because I helped Xu Chun back home after she twisted her ankle yesterday?"
"Ha! That's a pretty good reason, a twisted ankle?" Xiao Qiqi sneered. "Xu Chun was with me all afternoon yesterday, full of energy. You lied without even checking."
Xia Xuan's expression grew more serious, and she already understood a bit. "But what did Xu Chun say to you?"
"What did she say? Are you scared now?" Xiao Qiqi kicked Xia Xuan's leg. "Hmph, two-timing, huh?"
"Qi Qi!" Xia Xuan said with unusual seriousness, "Don't you trust me at all? If I wanted to be with Xu Chun, I wouldn't have waited until today, would I?"
Xiao Qiqi recalled Dai Kunkun's words, "Who knows what you're thinking? Maybe you're graduating soon and want to go crazy like everyone else. Two beauties embracing, how wonderful."
Hearing this, Xia Xuan already knew the reason and couldn't help but smile wryly, "What are you thinking about all day long? Xu Chun and Li Yue are together, didn't you know?"
"Li Yue? You're talking nonsense. I saw Li Yue not even glancing at Xu Chun the day before yesterday."
Xia Xuan shook her head. "That's because Li Yue can't let go of his pride, just like us, secret lovers. Qi Qi, even if you don't believe Li Yue and Xu Chun, you should at least believe me, right? Am I the kind of person who's promiscuous? Put your hand on your heart and think it over."
Looking into Xia Xuan's serious eyes, which were like a deep pool of water, unfathomable yet filled with tenderness, determination, and deep affection, Xiao Qiqi thought of the sweetness of these past few days and couldn't help but lower her head. "I'm not a mind reader, I don't know what you're thinking. In short, I just don't trust you."
Xia Xuan could hear the compromise, even the childish sulking, hidden in Xiao Qiqi's stubbornness. She held Xiao Qiqi's feet in her arms and gently massaged them. "Childish!"
"Whose child is it?" Xiao Qiqi retorted, kicking Xia Xuan's hand. "Don't touch it, just pretend to be a good person."
"Then can I swear it?" Xia Xuan pressed down on Xiao Qiqi's fidgeting feet, looked directly into Xiao Qiqi's eyes, and said very seriously, "I swear I have never loved Xu Chun."
"Are you tempted?" Xiao Qiqi persisted. Xia Xuan was indeed taken aback. Xu Chun was a beautiful woman loved by everyone, the most beloved woman in men's hearts. Xia Xuan smiled wryly, "Qiqi, don't push your luck."
"Hmph, I knew it. Men are all the same. Lust is a double-edged sword. They can't even move their legs when they see a beautiful woman."
"Qiqi, don't do this!" Xia Xuan pinched Xiao Qiqi's foot. "I don't want to lie to you. Xu Chun looks like that, no man wouldn't take a second look at her. But I will never love her, don't worry."
"If you don't believe it, the first sign is that you're starting to have feelings for it."
Xia Xuan's eyes suddenly dimmed. She turned to look at the fields rushing past the window. "I've seen too many women like her. I can admire them, but love? Hmph, not at all." Xia Xuan turned to look at Xiao Qiqi. "That kind of woman, even my grandfather and uncles, are surrounded by women like that. I've seen them since I was little. I only feel tired and contempt. Qiqi, do you understand this kind of feeling?"
Xiao Qiqi was speechless, not expecting Xia Xuan to be so blunt. "...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"Don't say sorry. I just want you to know that I will never fall in love with Xu Chun, and I will never have anything to do with her. You have to believe me." Xia Xuan reached out and touched Xiao Qiqi's bruised forehead. "Does it still hurt? How did you get kicked?"
Xiao Qiqi pushed Xia Xuan's hand away, "Ugh, it's so dirty, you touched my feet."
Xia Xuan persisted, but unable to touch Xiao Qiqi's face, he grabbed her hand. Xiao Qiqi wasn't as strong as him, so she could only let him hold her, and even glaring at him couldn't stop him. "Tell me, what exactly happened yesterday?"
"It's all because of you!" Xiao Qiqi felt wronged, recalling her outburst of tears yesterday. Xu Chun had been like that for four years, never once failing to say that Xia Xuan was her boyfriend. How could she be so foolish as to not believe her lover? "Yesterday, I was walking on the playground when I got hit by a ball. Later, I cried because of the pain, and my feet hurt from shopping too, so I asked the boy who kicked me to carry me home." Xiao Qiqi was unwilling to admit that she cried because she felt betrayed by Xia Xuan, so she could only say it was because of the pain.
"I see." Xia Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, which had made him anxious all night. "You're not allowed to let other boys carry you anymore, or I'll get angry." Thinking about how intimate she was with that boy, Xia Xuan still felt annoyed and pinched Xiao Qiqi's hand harder.
"Ouch!" Xiao Qiqi cried out, "It hurts! Why are you bothering me? You carried Xu Chun on your back yesterday, but I can't have other boys carry me?"
"Qiqi, what kind of logic is that?"
"This is my logic. If you dare to betray me, I'll betray you. Humph, I've never been one to suffer a loss since I was a child. This is called fairness. Don't you understand?" Xiao Qiqi argued illogically.
Xia Xuan smiled wryly, "Can something like this really be this fair?"
Xiao Qiqi raised her eyebrows provocatively, "Of course, if you don't believe me, just try it. If you dare to look at a pretty girl for too long, I'll dare to touch a boy."
Xia Xuan covered her head, utterly speechless. "Xiao Qiqi, you're such a troublesome guy, no wonder everyone calls you a genius."
Xiao Qiqi shook her head smugly, "Of course, that's my style, my personality!" Then, rolling her eyes, she said, "Regretting being bothered by me, huh?"
Xia Xuan frowned deliberately, "Regret." Seeing Xiao Qiqi's changed expression, she quickly said, "Regret not being pestered by you sooner."
Xiao Qiqi smiled smugly. Xia Xuan moved to sit next to Xiao Qiqi, hugged her tightly as if afraid she would fly away, rested her chin on her soft hair, and said in a low, husky voice, "Qiqi, you are not allowed to run away alone without a word in the future. No matter what happens, we will talk face to face."
Xiao Qiqi nestled in his arms, feeling only warmth, and her heart, which had been churning for two days, strangely calmed down. "Xia Xuan, I will always believe in you."
Xia Xuan held her soft, warm body, listening to her sweet, innocent voice, feeling her soft breasts pressed against his thin clothes, occasionally rubbing and bouncing. His heart raced; he could practically hear the blood boiling in his veins. He forced himself to push her away slightly, sat up straight, and took a deep breath. Xiao Qiqi pushed him away, puzzled. "What are you doing? I feel very comfortable with you holding me." Xia Xuan smiled strangely, leaned over, and kissed Xiao Qiqi's cheek. "Hmm, I think I'll sit across from you."
"Why?" Xiao Qiqi asked curiously, but Xia Xuan had already sat down opposite her. This time, Xiao Qiqi didn't wait for Xia Xuan to help her take off her shoes; she naturally stretched her feet onto Xia Xuan's lap. Xia Xuan looked at the two small, white, and smooth feet on her lap, feeling a dazzling whiteness. She grasped them in her palm; they were warm, soft, and slippery, an indescribable, tingling sensation like ants crawling on her skin. She sighed inwardly, resigned to her fate, pinched Xiao Qiqi's feet, and then held them tightly, once again enduring the irresistible temptation of that soft, powerless flesh.
The two arrived in Huangshan City in the evening, so they had to stay overnight and head up the mountain the next day. Xiao Qiqi took out a map from her backpack, pointed to a hotel, and said, "Let's stay here. I heard the price is reasonable and it's clean."
Xiao Qiqi followed Xia Xuan to book a room and went inside. Dropping her backpack, Xiao Qiqi plopped onto the soft single bed with white sheets. Xia Xuan, however, leaned against the door, glancing at Xiao Qiqi, "Qiqi, why did you only book one room?"
Xiao Qiqi rolled over, clutching her thick, soft pillow. "Oh, of course we have to save money when we're out. A double room has two beds, right?" Xia Xuan just couldn't help but feel annoyed. Did this girl think she was a saint?
"Hehe, what are you afraid of? We've slept in the same bed before, why would I be afraid of you?" Xiao Qiqi rolled over and got up, her hair already a mess. "I'm going to take a shower, and then we're going to eat stinky mandarin fish. I heard it's a specialty."
Xia Xuan smiled wryly, watching Xiao Qiqi rummage through her bag for clothes before going into the bathroom to shower. Before leaving, she gave Xia Xuan a light peck on the cheek, saying, "Wait for me." Xia Xuan suppressed the flutter in her heart and sat on the bed watching TV, which was filled with commercials and scenes of couples being affectionate. Xia Xuan felt a surge of irritation. Aside from that night she and Xiao Qiqi snuggled together on the floor of her friend's house, she had never actually stayed alone with a girl like this before. But that was in winter, when they had just started dating, and they were wearing thick clothes, so of course she didn't think about anything.
Now, Xia Xuan scratched his head in distress. He had already been overcome with emotion on the train, and even now he felt an uncontrollable longing for Xiao Qiqi. He gave a wry smile. Was his self-control really that weak? He pinched his cheek, regaining his composure. Love intensifies desire; it's the temptation of Satan.
Xiao Qiqi came out of the shower. It was already quite hot in late May. She was only wearing a tank top and tight denim shorts, drying her hair with a towel. Xia Xuan looked up and saw Xiao Qiqi's fair skin, flushed and smooth from the steam, her eyes hazy and dreamy with affection. The faint scent of her after-shower fragrance wafted into Xia Xuan's nostrils. Xia Xuan couldn't help but clutch the bed, avoiding her gaze.
Xiao Qiqi hadn't thought much of it; it was just her usual clothes. She skipped over to Xia Xuan, bringing her face close to his. "You should take a shower too, then we can go out to eat?" Xia Xuan glanced up and saw her bright red lips, as beautiful and delicate as peach blossoms in March, her breath carrying a faint fragrance. Her small tank top barely contained her youthful, budding body as she leaned forward. The flutter in his heart intensified, but he pushed Xiao Qiqi away and rushed to the door as if fleeing. "Let's go eat now." Xiao Qiqi looked at his retreating figure strangely, putting down her towel. "What's wrong? I didn't say anything, why are you reacting so strongly?" Xia Xuan opened the door, saying impatiently, "Hurry up and change your clothes, I'll wait for you outside."
Xiao Qiqi looked at her clothes; there was nothing wrong with them. Many people dressed like that. She took the money from her bag, tidied her hair a few times, and skipped out the door. But she saw Xia Xuan leaning against the wall, staring blankly at the ceiling. "Let's go! There's a river over there, and the riverbank is full of all kinds of snacks."
"Why are you dressed like this?" Xia Xuan frowned, looking at Xiao Qiqi's fair skin, still faintly flushed, her delicate collarbones exposed, and her denim shorts taut on her hips, making her legs appear exceptionally long and alluring. "No, change your clothes." Xia Xuan was firm. Actually, he had never seen Xiao Qiqi dressed like this before, and his intuition told him it wasn't good. If she went out like this, wouldn't people stare at her?
Xiao Qiqi took Xia Xuan's arm and giggled, "I always dress like this at home, and my mom always says it looks great. But my brother, when he sees me like this, he acts like he's seen a ghost and tries to make me change. I just won't change, it'll make him so mad. Hehe, and you'll be mad too." Xiao Qiqi tiptoed and kissed Xia Xuan's lips, "Let's go, I've already found out, there are lots of snacks in Huangshan."
A love of beauty is a girl's nature, and Xiao Qiqi knew that dressing like this would definitely attract attention, so she completely ignored Xia Xuan's insistence and dragged him away, ignoring Xia Xuan's dark expression. On the way, Xia Xuan held her tightly in his arms, as if afraid others wouldn't know he was her boyfriend. Xiao Qiqi gradually understood his intentions and started making all sorts of faces in his arms. Xia Xuan acted strangely, completely ignoring her provocations, his gaze constantly drifting into the distance, as if he dared not linger on Xiao Qiqi. Xiao Qiqi, oblivious to men's psychology, was only interested in all the novelties and snacks on the street, and her mind soon wandered to the roadside, completely unaware of Xia Xuan's occasional strange looks.
25. Huangshan (Part 1)
When they got back that evening, Xiao Qiqi lay on the bed watching a soap opera. Xia Xuan took a shower and came out still wearing his own long pants and shirt, panting as he sat on the bed. Xiao Qiqi looked at him strangely, "Xia Xuan, you didn't bring any clothes, did you?" Xia Xuan dried his hair, "I rushed out with you in such a hurry, so I just brought myself."
Xiao Qiqi said "Oh," and seeing the sweat on his forehead, she couldn't help but say, "Why don't you take off your shirt? There's no one else around anyway." Seeing Xia Xuan looking at her strangely, she quickly added, "My brother often goes shirtless in front of me in the summer, it's nothing."
Xia Xuan ignored her, drew the curtains, stood by the window to let the wind blow on her, and after a while said strangely, "Qiqi, didn't anyone tell you not to be alone with strange men at night?" Xiao Qiqi looked up at Xia Xuan, "What strange men? You're not just anyone, you're Xia Xuan!" Her tone naturally revealed trust and dependence.
Looking at her innocent smile and bright eyes, Xia Xuan felt the suppressed excitement in his heart all day vanish instantly. After reflecting on his actions, he sat down next to Xiao Qiqi, leaned down and kissed her still slightly bruised forehead. "Qiqi, I'm sorry."
Xiao Qiqi turned her head to look at him, "It doesn't hurt anymore, so don't keep saying sorry." Xia Xuan smiled gently, pinched Xiao Qiqi's cheek, and couldn't help but slowly kiss her delicate, petal-like lips again, but only lightly before pulling away. He patted her head and said softly, "Go to sleep early, we need to get up early tomorrow morning." Xiao Qiqi nodded obediently, "Okay, let's go to sleep early, we'll go hiking tomorrow!"
Xiao Qiqi fell asleep as soon as she said she would, and within two minutes she was lying on the pillow, breathing evenly. Xia Xuan, with her hand behind her head, watched Xiao Qiqi's sleeping posture. She was curled up like a baby, tightly hugging the large pillow, her face lying on her side as serene as a water lily in a still lake, hazy and beautiful. Xia Xuan smiled, leaned over and kissed her soft cheek, then turned over and fell asleep herself.
The next day, early in the morning, Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan boarded a minibus to the foot of Huangshan Mountain, and then took a bus into the mountains. The winding mountain roads, with their numerous sharp turns, elicited screams from Xiao Qiqi. Watching the sheer cliffs outside the window as the bus glided past, it felt as if it were gliding over the mountain peaks, before taking them to another maddening peak. Xiao Qiqi nestled in Xia Xuan's arms, screaming incessantly, while Xia Xuan held her hand tightly, silent, his pale face revealing his… fear of heights. Xiao Qiqi hugged Xia Xuan's head, burying her face in his chest, "Xia Xuan, let's go to this mad peak together, and then plunge off the cliff, our lives and souls forever bound together, okay?"
Xia Xuan nestled against Xiao Qiqi's soft chest, breathing in the light fragrance and feeling Xiao Qiqi's rapid heartbeat. She held Xiao Qiqi's slender waist even tighter, saying, "Let's go crazy together until we die."
Buying tickets, climbing the mountain, riding the cable car—Xiao Qiqi held tightly to Xia Xuan, who was afraid of heights, the whole way. On the cable car, Xia Xuan, disregarding his pride and strength, buried his head in Xiao Qiqi's chest, closing his eyes and whimpering, "Qiqi, this is the most important thing I've ever done for you in my life. You must remember it. Because of you, I am fearless." Xiao Qiqi felt his chest fill with warmth, secretly kissing Xia Xuan's earlobe, whispering in his ear, "If you climb Tian Du Peak with me, I will believe in your love." Xia Xuan looked up in fear, gazing into Xiao Qiqi's almost transparent eyes, filled with breathtaking fearlessness and expectation. Xia Xuan couldn't help but nod, "From the moment I set foot on Huangshan Mountain, I belonged to you."
The strange rocks, the sea of clouds, the bizarre pines—Huangshan's beauty can captivate anyone. Standing on the sea of mist, Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan felt as if they were draped in clouds and enveloped in a fairyland. While Xia Xuan found the scenery undeniably beautiful, fear ultimately prevailed. He clung tightly to Xiao Qiqi's waist, resting his head on her shoulder, secretly peeking into the secluded valleys and rocky landscape. "Qiqi, how come your waist is so thin?" Xia Xuan suddenly asked, a question completely unrelated to the scenery. Xiao Qiqi turned and glared at him, only to see his awkward smile. Knowing he was just being paranoid, she quickly patted his hand reassuringly. "Aren't girls' waists supposed to be thin? Not like an old lady's bucket, right?" Xia Xuan nodded, his unshaven stubble tickling Xiao Qiqi's neck, causing her to squirm uncontrollably. Xia Xuan nervously pulled her back a step. "Sweetie, don't move. I'm here with you, my heart pounding."
Xiao Qiqi picked up on the previous topic, "By the way, Xia Xuan, what if I get old and my waist gets as thick as a bucket? Will you still hold me like this?" Xia Xuan chuckled, "Silly girl, I'll be full of wrinkles by then, of course I won't dislike you."
"Tch!" Xiao Qiqi pouted. "Men are all sweet talkers. Maybe we'd be worlds apart by then." Xia Xuan leaned in to look at Xiao Qiqi's face seriously. "What nonsense are you spouting now? I've already told my family I'm going to Beijing for graduate school after graduation. My grades are all out, have you forgotten?"
Xiao Qiqi leaned her head back, resting her weight on him. "Let's live for today, who knows what tomorrow will bring. Xia Xuan, don't worry, I was just saying. Everyone who graduates is anxious and uncertain, you know that." Xia Xuan kissed Xiao Qiqi's cheek. "But I won't allow you to be anxious and uncertain." Xiao Qiqi retorted, "So domineering." Before she could finish speaking, Xia Xuan's warm lips sealed hers.
Lovers are so passionate, and Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan are no exception. Xia Xuan smiles aloofly at everyone, but deep down she also harbors expectations for love. Xiao Qiqi, seemingly arrogant, is no match for the emotions of a young woman.
Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan stood under two ancient pine trees standing close together. "Look, Xia Xuan, those are the Lovers' Pines. Lots of people are taking pictures. Shall we go take some too?" Xia Xuan nodded and took out a camera from Xiao Qiqi's backpack. "Let's find someone to take a picture of us together." Xia Xuan hugged Xiao Qiqi, and the two of them smiled sweetly, as if their inner feelings were as eternal as those Lovers' Pines.
The sky over Huangshan changes color in an instant. Just moments ago, the sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow on the sea of clouds, but in the blink of an eye, dark clouds blanketed the area. Xiao Qiqi and Xia Xuan walked arm in arm along the stone path beneath the flowering trees. Xia Xuan anxiously looked at the sky, "Qiqi, what should we do? It's going to rain." Xiao Qiqi didn't seem to mind, smiling as she took Xia Xuan's hand, "I don't mind, anyway, you'll be with me even if we get soaked." A gust of cold wind swirled up from the valley, and Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but shiver, snuggling closer to Xia Xuan's warm embrace. "Xia Xuan, it's so cold up here! It's almost June, and it's still so hot down here!" "This is a mess. It's still like early spring here. It's a pity we're not afraid of getting wet, but we are afraid of the cold." Xia Xuan hugged her tighter, then turned around and saw an old farmer carrying a load on a shoulder pole coming towards them. He quickly called out, "Uncle, do you have any raincoats for sale?" The old farmer was a porter from the foot of Huangshan Mountain. Every day he carried raincoats, cucumbers, instant noodles, sausages, and other items up the mountain like this. He was best at doing this kind of business that provided help in times of need. He quickly put down his load, smiled, and took two raincoats. "Fifty yuan each." It was just a thin film, with no technological components. But at this moment, dark clouds were gathering, and he figured he might as well do business with a powerful man.
Xiao Qiqi picked up the raincoat and shook her head, "I'm not buying it, I'm not buying it, isn't this ripping people off?" Xia Xuan pulled Xiao Qiqi's hand, "Be good, don't argue, what if we get gonorrhea if we don't buy it? We won't be able to go down the mountain until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest." Saying that, she took out her money. Xiao Qiqi looked up at the sky, the dark clouds seemed to have moved away a lot, and even a ray of golden sunlight was showing, so she laughed and said, "Xia Xuan, let's make a bet, I bet it won't rain." Xia Xuan also looked at the sky, but still wasn't sure, so she paid and took two raincoats, "I can only bet it will rain, what's the bet?" Saying that, she paid another twenty yuan and took two cucumbers. Xiao Qiqi's heart pounded; it was ridiculously expensive! She said resentfully, "I bet you can climb to the top of Tiandu Peak without help or a cane." Xia Xuan's eyebrows twitched, and she followed Xiao Qiqi's steps. "And what if you lose?" Xiao Qiqi turned back and smiled slightly. "If I lose, we won't go to Tiandu Peak." Xia Xuan grinned happily, revealing a mouthful of perfectly white teeth. "Then I'll pray here that it will rain." Xiao Qiqi laughed heartily, snatched the cucumber from Xia Xuan's hand, and examined it closely.
Xia Xuan leaned over and asked curiously, "What are you looking at?" Xiao Qiqi replied in a muffled voice, "I'm seeing if the thorns on these cucumbers are more handsome than those down the mountain. They're ten yuan apiece." Xia Xuan then patted Xiao Qiqi's head and pinched her cheek. "Childish!" Xiao Qiqi dodged his hand and took a big bite with a "crunch." "Let's taste it again to see if it's sweet!"
The two stopped at a platform. Xia Xuan still had his arm around Xiao Qiqi's waist, standing behind her with his head resting on her neck. Occasionally, he would glance at the misty valley in front of them. Xiao Qiqi pointed to a small, pen-tip-shaped mountain peak in the distance. "Xia Xuan, look, that's 'The Wonderful Brushstroke'." Xia Xuan looked closely and exclaimed, "Indeed, it's a perfect image." Xiao Qiqi turned to look into Xia Xuan's eyes up close. "Xia Xuan, your handwriting is so beautiful, it's on par with Qi Gong's."
Xia Xuan smiled regretfully: "What's the use of imitation? What's most important is creating your own style, just like Qi Gong." Xiao Qiqi slapped his face, "You ungrateful bastard."
Xia Xuan grabbed Xiao Qiqi's hand from behind. "Open your palm." Although Xiao Qiqi didn't understand what he was going to do, she obediently opened her palm. Xia Xuan then extended his fingers and began to write stroke by stroke on her palm. Xiao Qiqi giggled, her hands itching. Xia Xuan pressed down on her fidgeting hand. "Be good, don't move. Close your eyes and feel what I'm writing." Xiao Qiqi turned to look at his smiling, affectionate eyes, slowly closed them, and felt his warm fingers tracing the lines on her palm, each stroke slow yet firm. After writing the last stroke, Xiao Qiqi felt her ears turn red. Xia Xuan pulled her close and turned her around, their bodies pressed together. He whispered in her ear, "What did you write?" Xiao Qiqi blushed and her heart pounded. After a long pause, she chuckled softly before saying, "Xia Xuan loves Xiao Qiqi."
Xia Xuan pushed Xiao Qiqi away and laid his hand out in front of her. "It's your turn to write something beautiful." Xiao Qiqi grasped his warm, slender fingers, feeling as if the warmth of his skin emanated from her very heart, an indescribable burning sensation. "Close your eyes." Xia Xuan smiled and closed his eyes. Xiao Qiqi stretched out her hand and began to write, stroke by stroke. After finishing, Xia Xuan clenched his fist. "Yes, I'm going to hold these words in my palm forever."
Their eyes met, and their tenderness and affection were beyond words. Perhaps this was the love that had been brewing for four years. The hazy feelings had finally heated up and turned into a flame that burned in their hearts.
26. Huangshan (Part Two)
The two stayed at the Paiyun Hotel that night, which cost 120 yuan a night and was a crowded place with many other people. Xiao Qiqi was so tired that she didn't care about the smell of the blankets or the noise of others. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
It felt like she'd barely touched her pillow when she heard all sorts of ringtones. Annoyed, Xiao Qiqi grabbed the blanket and covered her head, but the sounds of laughter and playful chatter still pierced her ears. Apparently, they were getting up early to watch the sunrise at Paiyun Pavilion. Xiao Qiqi didn't want to get up, but her phone rang too. It was Xia Xuan. Xiao Qiqi sighed and got out of bed. What was so interesting about the sunrise?
After a quick wash, she went out. Xia Xuan was already waiting at the door, his shirt a little wrinkled, but he looked quite energetic. Xiao Qiqi, still half asleep, let him lead her hand as they climbed to the top of the mountain. She mumbled, "What's so interesting about the sunrise? It might be cloudy, with dark clouds everywhere." Xia Xuan pinched Xiao Qiqi's lips. "Don't talk nonsense. Can you sleep that much?"
Xiao Qiqi yawned inelegantly, "I feel just right after sleeping 24 hours a day." Xia Xuan chuckled, then led Xiao Qiqi away from the crowd towards another path. Xiao Qiqi finally opened her eyes fully, "Huh, aren't we going to watch the sunrise?" Xia Xuan pulled Xiao Qiqi into her arms, "There's no one on the mountain path in the early morning. We can quietly enjoy the morning scenery, watch the sun dip below the eastern mountains, the mist rise from the pine forest, and listen to the birdsong and the gentle breeze. It's much better than being crowded together with so many people."
Xiao Qiqi clapped her hands and laughed, "Xia Xuan, you're so thoughtful." The morning wind, carrying the chill of dew, was so cold that Xiao Qiqi couldn't help but shiver and snuggled into Xia Xuan's arms. "Xia Xuan, I'm so cold. Aren't you cold?" Xia Xuan hugged her, their body temperatures warming each other. "Holding you makes me feel warm."
Xiao Qiqi hit him, "How come I never noticed before? You're really glib." Xia Xuan didn't dodge. Xiao Qiqi's fist landed on his straight back, turning into tenderness like the wind, and she hugged his waist.
The two of them nestled together as they climbed the mountain path, undisturbed by the lush greenery, occasionally punctuated by the chirping of birds and insects, their faces framed by strangely shaped rocks—a truly idyllic scene. They weren't in a hurry, simply walking peacefully, chatting and enjoying the scenery; their mood was indescribably good.
"Xia Xuan, it's so beautiful here! The cliffs, the rocks, wow, and the sea of clouds! Nature is amazing!" Xiao Qiqi clung to a bent pine tree on the edge of the cliff, peering down at the towering precipice and gazing at the distant sky and clouds merging into one. Xia Xuan, however, kept his distance, reaching out a long arm to tug at Xiao Qiqi's clothes. "Come on, let's go. This isn't fun at all." Xiao Qiqi turned to look at Xia Xuan's strange expression, then burst into laughter, shaking incessantly on the pine tree. Xia Xuan was terrified, but finally mustered his courage, ran over, quickly grabbed Xiao Qiqi's waist, and retreated as fast as he could. Whether it was his weak legs or Xiao Qiqi's struggle, the two of them tumbled backward. Xiao Qiqi landed in Xia Xuan's arms, continuing to giggle, but Xia Xuan refused to get up, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Qiqi, you scared me to death! Don't go back to the edge of the cliff, I'm scared."
"I'm not scared." Xiao Qiqi got up and touched Xia Xuan's face. "Look how scared you are. Are we still going to climb Tian Du Peak?"
Xia Xuan sat up, rubbing his forehead, and gritted his teeth, "Climb! For Qi Qi, I'd go through fire and water." Xiao Qi Qi happily hugged Xia Xuan's neck and gave him a quick kiss. "Xia Xuan, I know you're the best! You know, if I didn't climb Tian Du Peak, I'd feel like I'd wasted my trip to Huangshan." Xia Xuan pulled Xiao Qi Qi into his lap. "Qi Qi, just this once, I'm giving you my life. From now on, you belong to me." Xiao Qi Qi breathed on Xia Xuan's neck. "So, does this count as a contract of servitude?"
Xia Xuan considered it seriously, "I guess so." Xiao Qiqi turned her head to look at Xia Xuan's smug smile and pouted, "Xia Xuan, I suddenly feel like I'm pretty silly. You only used one rose to win me over." Xia Xuan pinched her cheek, "Not one, but thousands. For the past four years, I've planted a rose in your heart every day, but you didn't realize it. You were only focused on the scenery outside and forgot about the rose garden that belonged to you behind you."
Xiao Qiqi pinched Xia Xuan's arm. "How can you talk like that? Are you saying that you set a trap for me to fall into?" Xia Xuan deliberately frowned exaggeratedly. "You should say I'm stupid. I waited in the Rose Garden for four years before you finally turned around."
Xiao Qiqi still felt that happiness came too easily. "Xia Xuan, why are you so good to me?"