Chapter 15: A Tiny Mint Candy

The corners of Shi Yubai’s lips curled upward as he chased after Xu Sui’an.

His long legs gave him an undeniable advantage, and in just a few strides, he caught up to her.

“Let’s see where you think you’re running.”

Naturally, he reached out and took her hand.

Having jogged a little, Xu Sui’an’s cheeks were flushed pink as she muttered under her breath,

“So what if you have long legs?”

“Your legs…”

“…are pretty long too.”

Shi Yubai couldn’t help glancing at her legs before his Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily.

Xu Sui’an lightly kicked him.

“That didn’t sound very convincing.”

One hand drifted toward his waist, ready to tickle him at any moment.

Shi Yubai cleared his throat, trying to suppress his smile.

“Suisui, I meant every word.”

“If you don’t believe me, listen to my heartbeat.”

“It’ll tell you I wasn’t lying.”

Narrowing her eyes mischievously, Xu Sui’an poked the sensitive spot at his waist with a finger.

“Don’t…”

Shi Yubai’s voice turned hoarse.

His peach blossom eyes shimmered like a sky full of stars.

That look made Xu Sui’an’s heart skip a beat.

Feeling flustered, she quickly looked away.

“Tired?”

His voice was as gentle as the breeze as he watched the little girl pretending to be an ostrich.

“Mmm…”

“I am.”

Xu Sui’an had always been a little lazy.

Hiking definitely wasn’t her strong suit.

“I’ll carry you.”

Shi Yubai walked in front of her and crouched down.

I can’t let my Suisui get tired.

Xu Sui’an smiled and didn’t bother refusing.

Leaning close, she mischievously blew into his ear.

Her voice was sweet and soft.

“Xiaobai…”

“You’d better not drop me.”

Shi Yubai lifted her onto his back.

A shallow dimple appeared beside his lips as he walked steadily forward.

“I won’t.”

His back was warm.

Safe.

Comfortable.

Since she’d gotten up especially early that morning, Xu Sui’an soon began feeling sleepy as she rested against him.

“Xiaobai…”

“Aren’t you tired?”

“You’re so light.”

“Not at all.”

He was telling the truth.

Carrying the girl he loved…

Every step felt like happiness.

He could walk like this for a lifetime without ever getting tired.

Before long, Xu Sui’an’s breathing became slow and even.

Sleep quietly claimed her.

Listening to her gentle breathing beside his ear, Shi Yubai felt utterly content.

His steps became even steadier as he savored the peaceful moment.

Zhuang Yan rubbed his eyes before looking at Shi Yubai again.

Brother Shi…

Do you really have to show off like this?

Do you have any idea what you’re doing to your brothers?

I’ve never even seen you work out.

So why are your physique and strength so ridiculously good?

Meanwhile, his own queen, Leng Ningxue, gazed enviously at the sleeping Xu Sui’an.

Seeing that expression, Zhuang Yan immediately crouched in front of her.

“Xue’er.”

“I’ll carry you too.”

“You’re a queen who has a boyfriend.”

Leng Ningxue hesitated.

“Can you really manage?”

“This isn’t flat ground.”

Zhuang Yan turned back, patting his shoulder confidently.

“My Queen…”

“Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about your boyfriend?”

“Carrying you up Mount Nan is easy.”

A man could never admit he wasn’t capable.

If Shi Yubai could do it…

Then so could he.

He hoisted Leng Ningxue onto his back and started climbing.

Her soft hair brushed lightly against his neck.

“A’Yan…”

“If you get tired, tell me.”

“As long as you’re on my back…”

“I’ll never get tired.”

Only then did Zhuang Yan finally understand why Shi Yubai loved carrying Xu Sui’an so much.

Having the girl you liked resting against your back…

It was a feeling he never wanted to let go of.

Not far away, an unhappy voice rang out.

“Look at those boyfriends carrying their girlfriends up the mountain.”

“Why won’t you carry me?”

“Don’t you love me?”

Her boyfriend looked at her in utter disbelief.

“Sweetheart…”

“Are you serious?”

“Have you looked at your weight?”

“Can you really compare yourself to them?”

“If I tried carrying you up the mountain…”

“…I’m afraid I wouldn’t live to see tomorrow.”

The chubby girl glared at him.

The people nearby burst into laughter.

Before long, more and more boyfriends began carrying their girlfriends up the mountain as well.

Mount Nan Summit

A refreshing breeze swept across the mountaintop, making the leaves sway gently.

Xu Sui’an slowly opened her eyes, her voice still sleepy.

“Xiaobai…”

“Are we at the top?”

Shi Yubai carefully lowered her onto the ground.

“Mhm.”

“Drink some water first.”

He held a bottle of water to her lips.

Sweat glistened across his forehead.

Xu Sui’an obediently drank several mouthfuls before taking out a handkerchief and gently wiping away the sweat from his brow.

“Thank you for your hard work…”

“…my boyfriend.”

“Not hard at all.”

Shi Yubai smiled brightly.

Stretching out his long legs, he quietly enjoyed the tenderness of being cared for by her.

A large sunshade sheltered them from the sun.

The scenery atop Mount Nan was breathtaking.

The sky stretched endlessly blue.

White clouds drifted lazily overhead.

Unknown birds sang cheerfully in the distance.

It was a rare, peaceful morning.

Sitting on the picnic mat they had spread out, Xu Sui’an gently massaged Shi Yubai’s arm with her small fists.

“How’s the pressure?”

“Perfect.”

His eyes curved happily.

Having such a thoughtful girlfriend…

I’m so lucky.

Shen Meng’s eyes lit up the moment she spotted Xu Sui’an.

“Suisui!”

Without stopping her massage, Xu Sui’an looked up.

“Mengmeng!”

“Come over here and rest.”

Shen Meng happily hurried toward the sunshade.

In her excitement, she completely forgot about her backpack.

He Nanzhou’s gaze met Shi Yubai’s.

Seeing the teasing smile in his friend’s eyes, he immediately understood.

With practiced efficiency, he secured another sunshade and spread out another picnic mat in one smooth sequence.

“Shen Meng.”

“Your backpack.”

Only then did Shen Meng blink in realization.

Her pink backpack was still in He Nanzhou’s hands.

From nearby, Xu Sui’an silently cheered her on with an encouraging look.

Brother Nanzhou called your name! Go!

She couldn’t help wondering whether the two of them had made any progress during the hike.

“Oh…”

Shen Meng finally came back to her senses.

Her long eyelashes lowered.

Her heart pounded uncontrollably.

Simply because…

He had called her by her name.

Not “Classmate Shen Meng.”

Not “Junior Shen Meng.”

Just…

“Shen Meng.”

A quiet joy bloomed inside her heart.

She treasured it in secret.

Walking over, she accepted her pink backpack.

“Thank you, Senior He.”

“Sit.”

A faint smile flickered across He Nanzhou’s face.

After spending the entire hike observing her…

He had noticed something.

When Shen Meng interacted with everyone else, she was cheerful and confident.

Only when facing him…

Those lively eyes became timid, darting around like a frightened little rabbit.

“Um…”

“You carried my backpack…”

“So…”

“I’d like to treat you to this.”

Sitting on the picnic mat, Shen Meng held out a tiny mint candy.

She was sitting so close to He Nanzhou…

Closer than she had ever dared dream possible.

Will he accept it?

When they were children…

He had once given her a tiny bottle of mint candies.

That was the day she learned his name.

Ever since then…

Mint candies had become a permanent resident in her pocket.

“I’ll gladly accept your thank-you gift.”

He Nanzhou reached out and took the tiny green mint candy.

His thoughts drifted into the past.

Very few people knew…

His favorite candy was green mint candy.

Was this just a coincidence?

Shen Meng’s heart raced as she secretly glanced at his hand.

The little mint candy rested safely in his palm.

That’s wonderful…

He didn’t refuse it.

Does he still like mint candy?

Zhuang Yan plopped down beside He Nanzhou and immediately noticed the candy.

“Brother He!”

“Give me one too.”

“I need something refreshing.”

He Nanzhou casually rolled the green mint candy between his fingers.

“This one was Shen Meng’s thank-you gift.”

“I don’t have any extras for you.”

Leng Ningxue’s eyes immediately sparkled.

She stuffed a bottle of water into Zhuang Yan’s hands.

“A’Yan.”

“Go buy another sunshade.”

“Got it.”

Zhuang Yan obediently got up and headed off.

The moment he was gone, Leng Ningxue scooted over beside Shen Meng.

With a meaningful smile, she secretly gave her a thumbs-up.

Nicely done.

You actually managed to give him the mint candy.

You’re making progress.