Spring outing

At the entrance of Nangang No.1 Middle School, the morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with the unique dampness of early spring.

Xu Ying stood at the edge of the crowd, looking down at her backpack to check the contents—water bottle, snacks, band-aids, sunscreen… She habitually brought an extra set, just in case. Her mother had nagged her to be careful last night, and while she agreed, she was secretly thinking about finding a quiet place to memorize some vocabulary words today.

"Xu Ying!" Lin Xiaoyu rushed up from behind and grabbed her shoulder. "Are you moving with all this stuff?"

Xu Ying stumbled slightly from the bump, and smiled helplessly: "Better safe than sorry."

"Tsk tsk, a top student is a top student, even on a spring outing she doesn't forget to study." Lin Xiaoyu winked and opened her backpack, pulling out an English vocabulary handbook. "Sure enough! You're going to overwhelm us!"

Xu Ying reached out to grab it, but Lin Xiaoyu nimbly dodged, holding the book high and making faces at her. Amidst their laughter and playful banter, Xu Ying caught a glimpse of a black motorcycle parked at the school gate, its engine humming deeply, drawing the attention of the surrounding students.

The person on the vehicle took a long stride and removed his helmet—it was Zong Heng.

He wasn't wearing his school uniform today, but a black hoodie with the collar slightly open, revealing a faint scar on his collarbone. The morning breeze ruffled his hair, but couldn't hide his sharp eyes.

Xu Ying subconsciously looked away, but heard Lin Xiaoyu gasp: "Holy crap, Zong Heng looks so handsome today?"

"He's always been like this..." Xu Ying muttered softly.

"It's different! Today he really has that... that 'I'm the best in the world' aura!" Lin Xiaoyu excitedly pinched her arm. "Do you think he dressed up specially?"

Xu Ying didn't answer because she noticed that Zong Heng's gaze had swept over her and landed directly on her.

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the backpack strap.

Zong Heng walked slowly toward them with one hand in his pocket and the other hand holding a can of iced cola, his fingertips still wet with water droplets.

Lin Xiaoyu immediately let go of Xu Ying and exaggeratedly took two steps back: "Um... I'm going to ask the class monitor something!" After saying that, she ran off in a flash.

Xu Ying stared at her retreating figure, cursing the traitor in her heart.

"Hey, good student." Zong Heng was already standing in front of her, looking down at her. "Bringing so much, are you going on a spring outing or fleeing a disaster?"

His voice was slightly hoarse from the morning, mixed with a faint hint of menthol.

Xu Ying looked up and met his half-smiling eyes: "None of your business."

Zong Heng raised an eyebrow, then suddenly reached out and pinched her cheek: "You've gotten bolder?"

His fingertips were cool, yet their touch made her ears burn. Xu Ying slapped his hand away and took a step to the side: "Don't touch me."

Several girls nearby were secretly glancing over, and their whispers could be faintly heard:

"Are they really together?"

"Zong Heng actually touched a girl on his own initiative..."

"Why is Xu Ying pretending to be so high and mighty? She's obviously overjoyed inside, isn't she?"

Xu Ying pursed her lips, pretending not to hear. Zong Heng suddenly turned his head and coldly glanced at the person who had spoken. The girls immediately fell silent, lowering their heads and pretending to tidy their bags.

He chuckled and turned back, his gaze landing on Xu Ying's backpack: "Is it heavy?"

"good."

"Give me."

"ah?"

Zong Heng had already grabbed her backpack without a word and slung it over one shoulder. His movements were so natural, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. Xu Ying stood there, stunned, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"What are you looking at?" Zong Heng shook the cola in his hand. "Want a drink?"

"In no mood."

“You’re lying.” He suddenly opened the can and handed it to her. “You looked at it three times just now.”

Xu Ying was taken aback—she was indeed a little thirsty, but she didn't expect him to notice such a detail.

She hesitated for a moment, took the cola, and whispered "thank you".

Zong Heng watched her take a sip, then suddenly asked, "Is it sweet?"

"It's alright."

He reached out and brushed his thumb across the corner of her lips: "You got some."

Xu Ying froze, her heart suddenly racing. Zong Heng, however, nonchalantly withdrew his hand, turned and walked towards the assembly point, leaving her standing there alone, her cheeks burning.

The homeroom teacher blew the whistle: "Line up and get on the bus! Sit according to your student ID number!"

Xu Ying's student ID number is 1, and Zong Heng's is 2. She had just sat down in the window seat when the seat next to her was taken—not by Zong Heng, but by the class monitor, Lin Hao.

"Xu Ying, may I sit here?" Lin Hao pushed up his glasses. "I have a physics problem I'd like to discuss with you."

He did indeed have a workbook in his hand, but Xu Ying knew it was just an excuse. Ever since she got first place in the grade in the last monthly exam, Lin Hao had been finding all sorts of reasons to get close to her.

"I..." she was about to answer when a cold laugh suddenly came from the back row.

Zong Heng leaned against the back of his chair with one hand, looking down at Lin Hao: "Your student ID number is 3, right?"

The carriage fell silent instantly. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

Lin Hao's Adam's apple bobbed: "I... I just wanted to ask a question..."

"Go back." Zong Heng's tone was calm, but his eyes were frighteningly cold. "Don't make me say it a second time."

Lin Hao's face turned pale and then red, and he finally slunk away. Zong Heng plopped down next to Xu Ying, his long legs casually stretched out, his knees brushing against hers almost imperceptibly.

Xu Ying shrank closer to the window: "Childish."

Zong Heng smiled and suddenly leaned close to her ear: "If you hide again, I'll throw you out of the car."

A warm breath brushed against her earlobe, and Xu Ying instantly straightened her back. She could smell the faint scent of mint on him, mixed with a hint of motorcycle leather, which inexplicably made her heart race.

"Who...who hid..." she said stubbornly, but dared not turn her head to look at him.

Zong Heng chuckled and reached into the side pocket of her backpack, pulling out a book—the English vocabulary handbook.

"You love studying that much?" He flipped through a few pages at random, then suddenly stopped.

Xu Ying looked over in confusion, and her blood froze instantly—in the blank space of the book page, she had casually drawn a few chibi figures last night, one of which was a profile of Zong Heng, with an exaggerated "fierce" emoji added.

Zong Heng stared at the painting for two seconds, then suddenly turned to look at her: "So, the good student was daydreaming in class?"

Xu Ying reached out to snatch it back: "Give it back to me!"

Zong Heng held the book high so she couldn't reach it, and with his other hand he gripped her wrist: "The drawing is good, but..." He pointed to the "fierce" label, "How could I be that fierce?"

“You’re clearly fiercer!” Xu Ying blurted out.

A burst of laughter erupted in the carriage. Zong Heng narrowed his eyes and suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards him. Xu Ying was caught off guard and almost bumped into his arms.

"And now?" he lowered his voice, so only she could hear, "Still fierce?"

Xu Ying looked up and met his eyes, which were so close to hers. Sunlight streamed through the car window, falling on his eyelashes and casting a small shadow beneath his eyes. At this distance, she could even count the faint beauty mark at the corner of his eye.

Her breathing became erratic.

Zong Heng seemed satisfied with her reaction, released her hand, and returned the book to her: "Keep it safe, don't let anyone else see it."

He leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, but the corners of his lips turned up slightly.

At the foot of Qingfeng Mountain.

The homeroom teacher waved a small flag: "Work in pairs and look out for each other! Meet at the mountaintop platform at noon!"

After the group disbanded, the students walked up the mountain in twos and threes. Xu Ying stood still, adjusting her backpack straps, but couldn't help glancing behind her out of the corner of her eye—Zong Heng was being talked to by several boys. He leaned lazily against a tree, twirling an unopened bottle of mineral water in his hand, a nonchalant smile on his lips.

"Xu Ying!" Lin Xiaoyu suddenly rushed over from the side and grabbed her arm. "Let's be a team!"

Just as Xu Ying was about to nod, Lin Xiaoyu winked at her and said, "Oh dear, I forgot! I promised to go with Zhao Yuan!" She exaggeratedly slapped her forehead and turned to call out to Zhao Yuan, "Zhao Yuan! Wait for me!"

"Lin Xiaoyu!" Xu Ying reached out to grab her, but grasped only air. Lin Xiaoyu turned around, made a face at her, and disappeared in a flash.

"..."

Xu Ying took a deep breath and walked alone towards the hiking trail. The stone steps wound upwards, flanked by dense bushes, with the occasional chirping of birds. She walked slowly, deliberately keeping her distance from the students ahead of her.

Footsteps came from behind her, neither hurried nor slow, always two or three steps away.

She knew who it was without even turning around.

"Why are you following me?" Xu Ying finally couldn't help but stop.

Zong Heng stood on the steps below, one hand in his pocket, looking up at her. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on his face. He squinted, his tone matter-of-fact: "Who's following you? Is this your road?"

Xu Ying turned around and continued walking.

Zong Heng caught up with her in a few strides and walked alongside her. His shoulder occasionally brushed against her backpack, causing a slight sway.

“You’re walking too slowly,” he suddenly said.

"If you think it's too slow, you can go ahead."

“No.” Zong Heng unscrewed the bottle of mineral water and took a swig, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “The teacher said we should ‘look out for each other.’”

Xu Ying pursed her lips: "I don't need you to take care of me."

“I need it.” He turned to look at her, a playful glint in his eyes. “I’m afraid of the dark.”

"..."

The higher she climbed, the steeper the stone steps became. Xu Ying's breathing quickened, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She raised her hand to wipe them away, when suddenly she heard a "click" beside her—

Zong Heng opened her backpack with one hand.

"What are you doing!" She turned around in a panic.

"Let me get you some water." He had already taken the thermos out of her bag and shook it. "It's so heavy, no wonder you're walking so slowly."

"Give it back to me!"

Zong Heng easily dodged her hand, unscrewed the lid of the cup, and handed it to her: "Want some?"

Xu Ying glared at him, her chest heaving slightly. In the sunlight, Zong Heng's eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes, and that infuriating smile still lingered on his lips.

She snatched the cup and tilted her head back to drink a few sips. The water was already lukewarm, with a faint lemon scent.

"Is it sweet?" Zong Heng suddenly asked.

How can plain water taste sweet?

"I'll try it."

Before Xu Ying could react, Zong Heng had already taken a big gulp from the spot where she had drunk from. His lips were still on the rim of the cup, but his eyes were fixed on her.

Xu Ying's ears burned: "That's my cup."

"Mm." Zong Heng shoved the cup back into her hand, his thumb brushing against her fingertips. "It's mine now."

She almost dropped the cup.

In a pavilion halfway up the mountain, several girls were resting. Seeing them approach, one of them immediately waved: "Zong Heng! Over here!"

Xu Ying subconsciously quickened her pace to try and go around, but Zong Heng grabbed her backpack strap.

Where to?

"You guys chat, I'll go first."

Zong Heng frowned, about to speak, when a girl in a pink coat ran over from the pavilion: "Zong Heng, I brought some sushi, want to eat together?"

The girl's name was Lin Ya. She was the art and literature representative of the class next door. She had long, flowing hair and two dimples when she smiled. She completely ignored Xu Ying and went straight to tug at Zong Heng's sleeve.

Zong Heng stepped aside: "No need."

Lin Ya's smile froze for a moment before she looked at Xu Ying: "You... were you together?"

Before Xu Ying could speak, Zong Heng had already grabbed her backpack strap and pulled her forward: "Let's go, good student."

Even after walking more than ten meters, Xu Ying could still hear the girls behind her talking:

"What are you so arrogant about..."

"That transfer student is such a show-off..."

Xu Ying paused. Zong Heng immediately noticed: "What's wrong?"

“They’re right,” she said softly. “You don’t have to do this.”

"What?"

"You're deliberately trying to annoy them." Xu Ying looked up at him. "Is it really that fun to use me as a shield?"

Zong Heng's expression instantly turned cold. He stepped forward, his tall figure looming over her: "Xu Ying, what's going on in your head?"

“It’s true.” She gripped the backpack strap tighter. “The whole school knows you hate girls who bother you, so the reason you’re suddenly getting so close to me is because—”

"Why?" Zong Heng took a step closer, his voice low and deep. "Explain yourself."

Xu Ying stepped back, her heel touching the edge of the step, and her body swayed—

Zong Heng grabbed her waist.

The distance between them suddenly closed. Xu Ying could smell the faint scent of mint on him, mixed with the aroma of sun-dried cotton. His palm was pressed against her lower back, the heat burning her skin through the fabric.

“Because…” her voice trembled, “because you want them to give up…”

Zong Heng stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

“Xu Ying.” He lowered his head, his breath brushing against her earlobe, “Sometimes, you can be really incredibly stupid.”

After passing the pavilion, a narrow forest path branched off from the main road. Xu Ying was about to walk onto the main road when Zong Heng stopped her: "Let's go this way."

"Why?"

"There are few people."

The path was indeed quiet, the thick layer of fallen leaves rustling underfoot. Zong Heng walked ahead of her, his back as straight as a pine tree. Occasionally, when a branch grew sideways, he would reach out and push it aside, letting her pass before letting go.

As Xu Ying watched his retreating figure, she suddenly remembered Zhou Xiaoyu's words: "Zong Heng is indifferent to everyone else, but he's different with you."

Aren't they the same?

Lost in thought, Xu Ying was startled when Zong Heng suddenly stopped. Caught off guard, she bumped into his back, her nose brushing against his collar.

"Watch where you're going." He turned around and gently flicked her forehead with his finger.

The gesture was too intimate, and Xu Ying froze on the spot. Zong Heng seemed to realize something as well, his hand freezing in mid-air.

A gust of wind blew by, and the leaves rustled.

Xu Ying came to her senses first, lowered her head and walked around him: "...Hurry up, it's time to assemble."

She didn't see Zong Heng's expression behind her—the boy stood there, looking down at the fingertips that had just touched her, his Adam's apple bobbing.

The path ended at a near-vertical steep slope, with only a few thick iron chains serving as handrails. Xu Ying tentatively stepped on it, and the gravel immediately tumbled down with a clatter.

"Let's take another route," she said, sounding hesitant.

Zong Heng had already grabbed the chains: "Scared?"

"Too dangerous..."

"I'm here, what am I afraid of?"

He spoke so matter-of-factly, as if his presence guaranteed absolute safety. Xu Ying hesitated for a moment, then grasped the chain.

Zong Heng went up first, then turned around and extended his hand to her: "Step on my footprints."

His hands were large, with thin calluses from years of playing basketball on his palms. Xu Ying carefully placed her hand on his and was immediately held firmly.

"Grab the chain tightly with your other hand," Zong Heng instructed. "Yes, step here with your left foot."

She was completely absorbed in following his instructions, unaware that their hands were clasped together more tightly. Halfway up, Xu Ying slipped—

"ah!"

Zong Heng reacted quickly, pressing her against the rock wall. His chest pressed against her back, his breath hot against her ear: "Hold on tight!"

Xu Ying's heart pounded, her fingers gripping the cracks in the rock. Zong Heng's arm was across her waist, like an iron band.

"It's alright," he said, his voice a little hoarse. "I'm here."

These words seemed to have a magical power, and Xu Ying's rapid breathing gradually calmed down. Only then did she realize how ambiguous their posture was—Zong Heng was practically hugging her from behind, his chin rubbing against the top of her head.

"Can...can I go up?" she asked softly.

Zong Heng didn't answer immediately. Xu Ying felt his breath catch in his throat for a moment before he slowly released her hand: "Okay, follow me."

For the last few meters, neither of them spoke. Only after climbing onto the platform did Xu Ying finally breathe a sigh of relief. She turned around to thank him, but saw that Zong Heng had his back to her, his ears bright red.

Under the blazing sun, the boy's innermost thoughts were laid bare.

The stone steps of Qingfeng Mountain grew steeper as they climbed, the rugged rocks smooth and damp from the rain. Xu Ying walked carefully, her fingers gripping the backpack straps, her breathing slightly rapid from the ascent. Zong Heng followed half a step behind her, his gaze occasionally falling on the back of her taut neck—where tiny beads of sweat glistened in the sunlight.

"Hey, good student," he suddenly said, "Want to take a break?"

Xu Ying shook her head, her ponytail swaying slightly with the movement: "No need, we're almost at the top of the mountain."

As soon as she finished speaking, her right foot stepped on a loose stone—

"Click".

The rock suddenly slipped, and Xu Ying fell forward.

"—Xu Ying!"

Zong Heng reacted with astonishing speed. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, while his other hand wrapped around her waist. The momentum caused the two of them to crash heavily into the rock wall beside them. Xu Ying's back hit the hard stone surface, while Zong Heng's arm was across her waist like an iron hoop, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

"Hiss..." A sharp pain shot through her ankle, and Xu Ying gasped, her legs buckling as she tried to slide down.

Zong Heng immediately tightened his arms, pressing her firmly against the rock wall: "Don't move!"

His voice was low and rapid, his breath hot against her ear. Xu Ying subconsciously looked up and met his eyes, which were inches away from hers—his dark pupils held an emotion she couldn't understand, like the sea before a storm.

"Did you twist it?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Xu Ying pursed her lips and nodded, then tried to move her right foot, immediately letting out a cry of pain.

Zong Heng's brows furrowed deeply. Without a word, he squatted down and grasped her ankle with one hand. His palm was burning hot, his fingertips rough, and when he gently pressed them against her swollen skin, Xu Ying trembled all over.

"If it hurts, just yell it out," he said without looking up.

"It doesn't hurt."

Zong Heng sneered, then suddenly tightened his grip on his fingers—

"Ah! Zongheng, you—!"

"You call this not painful?" He looked up at her, his eyes fierce and terrifying. "Xu Ying, can you stop being so stubborn?"

Xu Ying was stunned by his shout, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Zong Heng's expression froze. He abruptly released his grip, his Adam's apple bobbing twice, and when he spoke again, his voice had softened: "I'll carry you down the mountain."

“No need!” Xu Ying immediately refused. “I can walk by myself.”

She tried to stand up, gripping the rock face, but the moment her right foot touched the ground, she stumbled in pain. Zong Heng quickly caught her, grinding his teeth in anger: "You're going to argue with me, aren't you?"

Some students nearby had already noticed the commotion and were gathering around in twos and threes.

"What's wrong with Xu Ying?"

"It looks like I twisted my ankle..."

"Wow, is Zongheng going to carry her on his back?"

The whispers were like fine needles, pricking Xu Ying's ears until they burned. She struggled to push Zong Heng away: "Let go... I can walk slowly by myself..."

Zong Heng's face immediately darkened.

He grabbed her wrist, leaned down and whispered through gritted teeth in her ear, "Xu Ying, if you move again, I'll carry you down the mountain in front of everyone—you choose."

Xu Ying froze.

His breath brushed against her earlobe, carrying the coolness of a mint and a hint of dangerous ruthlessness. She knew he meant what he said.

"Carry me." She finally managed to squeeze out a single word, her voice barely audible, like a mosquito's hum.

Zong Heng smirked triumphantly, turned around, and squatted down: "Come on up."

Xu Ying carefully climbed onto his back. Zong Heng's arms went under her knees, and with a gentle lift, he carried her on his back.

"Hold on tight," he commanded.

Xu Ying's hands loosely encircled his neck, her whole body stiff as a board. Zong Heng's back was broad and warm, and through the thin fabric, she could clearly feel the rise and fall of his muscles.

"Are you planning to strangle me?" Zong Heng suddenly said.

Xu Ying then realized that her hand had been gripping his collar tightly without her noticing. She hurriedly loosened her grip slightly: "I'm sorry."

Zong Heng chuckled softly and deliberately bounced her around: "Hold on tight, I won't be responsible if you fall."

Xu Ying gasped and instinctively hugged his neck tightly. This action brought her chest close to his back, and they could feel each other's rapid heartbeats even through their school uniforms.

"You..." she punched his shoulder in embarrassment and anger, "You did it on purpose!"

"Yes, I did it on purpose," Zong Heng admitted frankly, but slowed his pace slightly. "So?"

Xu Ying was so angry that she couldn't speak, so she buried her burning face in his back and pretended to be dead.

The path downhill was more difficult than the path uphill. Zong Heng, however, walked with remarkable steadyness. When encountering steep slopes, he would slightly bend his knees to cushion the impact, and when loose rocks rolled down, he would turn to shield her on his inside. His breathing remained steady, as if carrying multiple people on his back was nothing to him.

"Zong Heng," Xu Ying suddenly called him softly.

"Um?"

"Are you... tired?"

He chuckled softly, "What? Feeling sorry for me?"

"No way!" Xu Ying retorted immediately, "I'm just afraid you'll drop me!"

Zong Heng suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Xu Ying." He turned his head, his lips brushing against her hair. "Your heart is beating so fast."

Her breath hitched.

"I...I'm in pain!"

"Oh." He drawled, clearly disbelieving. "Then why didn't you hug me tighter when it hurt?"

Xu Ying was filled with shame and indignation, so she opened her mouth and bit his shoulder.

"Hiss—" Zong Heng gasped dramatically, "Are you a dog?"

"Put me down!"

"I won't let go."

"Zong Heng!"

"I'm here." He laughed so hard his chest vibrated. "Why are you calling me so affectionately?"

Xu Ying was completely at her wit's end and buried her face in his back in despair. Zong Heng had a faint minty scent mixed with the smell of sun-dried cotton, which inexplicably made her feel at ease.

In a pavilion halfway up the mountain, Lin Xiaoyu was resting with several girls. Seeing them approach, Lin Xiaoyu's eyes widened: "Yingying! What's wrong?"

Xu Ying was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear on the spot: "My ankle...twisted..."

Lin Xiaoyu's gaze darted between the two of them, then a mischievous smile suddenly appeared on her face. She pulled out her phone: "Don't move! This scene is too classic!"

"Don't take pictures—!" Xu Ying hurriedly looked up.

Click.

In the photo, Zong Heng is facing away from the camera, only showing his sharp profile; Xu Ying is lying on his back, her face as red as a ripe tomato, her hand still clutching his collar.

"Well done," Zong Heng surprisingly commented. "Send me a copy."

"Zong Heng!" Xu Ying grabbed his neck in anger.

Lin Xiaoyu ran off with a grin: "I'll pass it on to you later—!"

After the crowd dispersed, Xu Ying asked sullenly, "...Why did you carry me on your back?"

Zong Heng continued walking: "What do you think?"

"Because the homeroom teacher said we should look out for each other?"

He scoffed, "Do you think I care what the teacher says?"

"Then why..."

Zong Heng suddenly stopped.

The mountain breeze rustled through the treetops. His voice, carried on the wind, was so soft it was almost inaudible:

"Because it's you."

Xu Ying was stunned.

Before she could react, Zong Heng suddenly started running.

"Ah—! Zong Heng, what are you doing!"

"Hold on tight!" he laughed. "I'll show you what it's like to fly!"

The wind howled, and the boy's silhouette shimmered in the sunlight. Xu Ying clung tightly to his neck, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.

At that moment, she suddenly wished—

This road has no end.

After the school doctor finished bandaging Xu Ying's ankle, he told her to move around as little as possible for the next couple of days. She sat on the bench in the infirmary, looking down at her swollen ankle. The white bandage was neatly wrapped, but it still ached slightly with the slightest movement.

The door to the infirmary opened, and Zong Heng walked in, carrying her backpack. He stood in the doorway, backlit, his features sharply defined.

"Can we walk?" he asked.

Xu Ying tried to stand up, but hissed in pain the moment her foot touched the ground. Zong Heng frowned, took two steps over, slung his bag over his shoulder, and then bent down—

"Wait, wait!" Xu Ying frantically reached out and pressed against his chest. "You don't need to carry me! I can manage myself..."

Zong Heng ignored her, grabbed her wrist with one hand, and with the other hand he went straight under her knees and picked her up horizontally.

"—!"

Xu Ying froze, her breath caught in her throat. His arms were strong and powerful, his chest pressed against her shoulder, and her heartbeat, deep and steady, came through the fabric.

"Zong Heng! Put me down!" She struggled for a moment, her ears burning red.

"You'll fall if you move again." He glanced down at her, his tone indifferent, but a slight smile played on his lips. "Want to try?"

Xu Ying immediately froze.

The distance from the infirmary to the bus stop wasn't long, but every second felt incredibly long to Xu Ying. Passing students glanced at her, some whispering, others taking out their phones to take pictures. She wanted to bury her face in Zong Heng's chest, but that felt even stranger, so she could only stiffen her neck and stare intently at the distant treetops.

"You..." she began softly, "Could you walk a little faster?"

Zong Heng scoffed, "Too slow? Then run back?"

That's not what I meant!

"Then what do you mean?" He deliberately slowed his pace, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Afraid of being seen?"

A warm breath brushed against her earlobe, and Xu Ying's fingertips unconsciously tightened around his collar.

"You did it on purpose."

Zong Heng didn't deny it, but just chuckled softly, the vibration of his chest clearly transmitted through the air.

The bus was already mostly full of students. When Zong Heng carried Xu Ying onto the bus, the noisy carriage fell silent for a second, and then burst into cheers.

Wow—!

"Heng-ge is awesome!"

"Xu Ying, what happened to your foot? Is it alright?"

Xu Ying was so ashamed she wanted to jump out of the car, but Zong Heng's arms were like iron clamps holding her, and she couldn't break free at all. He glanced around coldly, and the jeers immediately subsided by half.

Xu Ying was placed in a window seat, and Zong Heng sat down next to her, his long legs casually stretched out, his knees resting against the back of the seat in front, taking up most of the space. She shrank closer to the window, trying to keep her distance from him, but the carriage was only so big, and no matter how she tried to avoid it, their arms would still brush against each other from time to time.

Lin Xiaoyu leaned out from the front row and winked at Xu Ying: "Yingying, does your foot still hurt?"

"Much better..." Xu Ying chuckled dryly.

"I just posted the photos in the class group chat, they're amazing!" Lin Xiaoyu waved her phone. "Do you want to see them?"

Xu Ying was taken aback: "What photo?"

"The one where Zong Heng carried you down the mountain just now!"

Xu Ying's vision went black.

The class group chat? Wouldn't that mean the whole class would see it?!

She frantically pulled out her phone and opened the group messages—

Lin Xiaoyu: [Image]

[Student A: Holy crap! This looks like something out of an idol drama!]

[Student B: Help! Heng-ge's profile is killing me!]

[Student C: Xu Ying's face is so red, hahaha!]

In the photo, Zong Heng is facing away from the camera, only revealing his sharp profile. His brows are slightly furrowed, and his eyes are focused on the mountain road ahead. She is lying on his back, her face as red as a ripe tomato. One hand is clutching his collar, while the other hand is unconsciously resting on his shoulder, her fingertips slightly curled.

Xu Ying abruptly locked the screen, her heart pounding.

"How did the filming go?" Zong Heng suddenly leaned over and asked.

Her hand trembled, and she almost dropped her phone: "So-so."

Zong Heng raised an eyebrow, reached out and took her phone, unlocking it with his fingerprint—only then did Xu Ying remember that the last time he forcibly took her phone to play games, he had somehow recorded her fingerprint.

"Hey! Give it back!" She lunged forward to grab it, but Zong Heng raised his hand high, and even though she was practically lying on top of him, she still couldn't reach it.

"Well done," he commented, staring at the photo with a smirk. "I've saved it."

"no!"

Zong Heng ignored her, tapped the screen a few times, and then shoved the phone back into her hand. Xu Ying looked down—

He set the photo as her phone wallpaper.

She looked up and glared at him, but Zong Heng had already leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes to rest, and had an expression that said, "What can you do to me?"

Xu Ying gritted her teeth, opened the photo album to change the wallpaper, but found—

He encrypted the photos.

The password is her birthday.

The car started moving, and the scenery outside the window began to rush past. Xu Ying stared at her phone screen, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

How did Zong Heng know her birthday?

She stole a glance at him. The boy had his eyes closed, his eyelashes casting a small shadow under his eyes, his nose was high and straight, and his lips were pressed into a straight line, making him look aloof and unapproachable.

But only she knew how hot his palms were, how steady his back was, and how clearly the muscles in his arms were taut when he held her.

Xu Ying looked away, lowered her head and fiddled with her phone, pretending not to notice that the tips of her ears were still burning.

The car jolted, and her shoulder bumped into Zong Heng's arm. He opened his eyes and turned to look at her: "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt."

Zong Heng hummed in agreement, then suddenly reached out and pressed her head onto his shoulder: "Sleep for a while."

Xu Ying froze: "I'm not sleepy."

"I'm sleepy," he said matter-of-factly. "Don't move around."

His shoulders were broad and comfortable to lean on; he smelled faintly of mint, mixed with the warmth of sunshine. Xu Ying wanted to push him away, but inexplicably, she didn't move.

Sunlight streamed through the car window, falling on the overlapping hems of their clothes. Xu Ying glanced up and saw the small mole on Zong Heng's Adam's apple, rising and falling gently with his breath.

Her heart started racing again.

It was already evening when the car returned to school. The sun was setting, and the sky was covered with orange-red clouds.

The students got off the bus one after another. Xu Ying's foot had gotten a little better, and she could walk with difficulty. She slowly stood up, holding onto the seat. Zong Heng was waiting in the aisle with her backpack, and clicked his tongue impatiently: "What are you dawdling for?"

"I can walk by myself..."

Zong Heng didn't say anything, but bent down, put one hand under her knees, and picked her up again.

"Zong Heng!" Xu Ying exclaimed, "Put me down!"

“Shout louder,” he raised an eyebrow, “so the whole school can hear.”

Xu Ying immediately shut up.

There were hardly any people left at the school gate, and the setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them. Zong Heng carried her to the bus stop before putting her down, then took a mint out of his pocket and tossed it to her.

"Wait here," he said, turning to leave.

Xu Ying was taken aback: "Where are you going?"

"Buy water." He said without turning his head. "I'm thirsty."

Xu Ying watched his retreating figure, then suddenly remembered something and took out the unopened bottle of mineral water from her bag: "I have some here."

Zong Heng stopped and turned to look at her.

The setting sun cast its light upon him, outlining the boy's tall and straight figure. He walked back, took the water bottle, unscrewed the cap, took a sip, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Xu Ying inexplicably felt her mouth was dry.

"Thanks." He handed the water bottle back to her, then suddenly leaned closer, his voice low, "Next time—"

"I want the one you bought yourself."

His breath brushed against her ear, carrying the coolness of mint and the moisture of mineral water. Xu Ying froze, her heart skipping a beat.

Zong Heng straightened up, put one hand in his pocket, and walked in the opposite direction, his back view lazy yet arrogant.

Xu Ying stood there, clutching the bottle of water, when she suddenly realized—

It seems like she's really finished.