Although Chi Yan was eager, he felt it wasn't a good idea to have a late-night rendezvous at this location.
Soon, Chu Yang returned and saw Chi Yan standing outside the tent, dazed. "What are you doing? Come inside."
"Ah? Oh." Chi Yan hurried into the tent, his heart pounding. Although they had slept together before, he felt a bit nervous tonight for some reason.
Chu Yang quickly crawled in too. It was still quite cold at night, but they had brought an electric blanket.
Chu Yang slept on the inside, while Chi Yan slept on the outside. Chi Yan hugged her without making any moves. After all, they were just planning to sleep. Outside, it was peaceful and quiet, with only the street lamps standing guard.
There was another couple near Chi Yan. As he was about to fall asleep, he heard a strange sound. Chi Yan immediately perked up!
Chu Yang frowned and opened her eyes, only to see Chi Yan staring at her intently: ?
Chi Yan quickly pulled up the blanket, cautiously testing the waters first. Chu Yang didn't refuse, so Chi Yan took advantage...
Chi Yan was sweating as he endured, "No, not that. And this place isn't suitable."
Chu Yang looked at him, fearing he might lose control. She decided to lend a hand.
The next day, before the sun had risen, someone outside was calling for those who wanted to see the sunrise to wake up.
Chu Yang heard the voice and struggled to get up. Next to her, Chi Yan sat up too, feeling around here and there.
Chu Yang whispered, "What are you looking for?" She glanced around, her face reddening, with tissues strewn on the floor from the night before.
Chi Yan covered his face, "My underwear." It had gone missing; he had been completely naked the previous night.
Chu Yang pulled his boxer shorts from under the blanket and handed them to him. Chi Yan quickly took them and put on his pants and shirt.
After furtively gathering their belongings, the two exited the tent and breathed in the fresh air. They first went to the restroom to freshen up, then Chi Yan took out bread from his bag. "Here, breakfast."
The two ate a slice of bread and waited for the sunrise. The couple's tent nearby showed no signs of movement or anyone coming out, probably tired from the night before.
Soon, the sun peeked through the clouds and slowly emerged in its entirety. Chu Yang had witnessed the sunrise many times, but each time filled her with awe. At that moment, the boss chimed in, "Everyone, remember this scene and write a reflection essay, okay?"
Followed by collective groans...
That was about it; everyone got up and prepared to head back down the mountain. Last night's companion discreetly approached Chi Yan, winking and whispering, "Hey man, were you successful last night?"
Chi Yan shook his head, and the guy looked shocked, as if to say, "You couldn't do it?"
Chi Yan replied, "The location wasn't suitable."
The guy understood, giving him a thumbs-up. "Good man."
After packing up, everyone was ready to descend. Before leaving, Chu Yang went to use the restroom, and her phone lit up with a message from a stranger, who also sent her coordinates: "If you don't come, I'd be happy for your classmates to serve as fertilizer for the peach blossoms."
Chu Yang's pupils constricted. Zhu Ying! No wonder she had felt uneasy, sensing that something would happen! He was here!
Chu Yang frowned, exiting the restroom to see everyone almost ready to go. The boss did a headcount. "Alright, let's head down the mountain. Those who drove, let me know when you get home safely."
Two girls approached Chu Yang. "Chu Yang, we won't trouble you anymore. Someone else is taking our stuff back, and we're going shopping today, so we'll take a cab down the mountain. Thank you."
Chu Yang smiled, "No problem, be careful on your way back."
"Sure, bye."
Then everyone carried their luggage and gathered trash and began descending, with Chu Yang carrying her backpack and a bag alongside Chi Yan, but she seemed distracted.
Halfway down, Chu Yang suddenly said, "I think I left something behind. I'll go back and get it; you go on ahead."
Chi Yan asked, "What is it? I'll go with you." He thought he had packed everything.
Chu Yang replied, "I left something in the restroom. It's fine, I'll go alone. It'll be quick. You have so much to carry; go ahead to the car and wait for me. I'll be right back. Can you give me my staff? You can carry it for me. Love you."
The staff was wrapped up, looking like a hiking stick.
Chu Yang took the staff and returned to the mountain top.
Chi Yan pondered for a moment but decided to stay and wait, setting down his belongings and sitting nearby. He figured it would take no more than ten minutes, but Chu Yang didn't return.
Meanwhile, Chu Yang reached the top with the staff and followed the coordinates to an undeveloped area of Lingqiu Mountain, which was fenced off and had surveillance cameras, making it inaccessible.
Just as Chu Yang was about to turn and leave, thinking Zhu Ying couldn't possibly do anything, thick smoke suddenly rose from within the undeveloped area - it seemed to be on fire!
Chu Yang didn't believe it was a coincidence; it had to be Zhu Ying's doing!
Someone had already called 119 (emergency services), and Chu Yang received another message: "Hurry up, or you know what'll happen. By the way, did you like the chrysanthemum I gave you last time?"
Chu Yang frowned; it was indeed him causing trouble! After circling around, she finally found a gap in the fence and entered the undeveloped area, getting her hair caught and losing a hairpin, though she didn't notice. She continued forward, her physical fitness much improved from her regular exercise. Passing through the woods and a stream, Chu Yang finally reached her destination.
Zhu Ying appeared from the side, his face looking younger but strange, exuding an aura of darkness, which should have meant he didn't have long to live under normal circumstances.
Chu Yang suddenly recalled the car accident during the Chinese New Year, which must have been related to those lost lives.
The two made eye contact, and Chu Yang unwrapped her staff. "I'm here."
Zhu Ying smiled, "Since you're here, you might as well stay." As soon as he finished speaking, he charged at Chu Yang. She saw that his fingernails were long and black, like a zombie's from TV.
Chu Yang sidestepped Zhu Ying's attack and chanted a spell, freezing his feet in ice.
Unable to move his feet, Zhu Ying took out talismans from his pocket and placed them near his feet, melting the ice. He then charged at Chu Yang again, throwing talismans at her.
Chu Yang couldn't dodge in time and was bound by vines. She chanted another spell, causing the vines to age and wither, allowing her to break free and escape.
Realizing Chu Yang's abilities had grown stronger, Zhu Ying knew he needed to use more powerful magic...
