Chapter 55 Reaction

Having heard countless instances of such mutual compliments in the workplace, Mu Jiu almost instinctively offered a polite smile: "Thank you, you're handsome too."

"..."

He's saying he likes you! Hello—did you hear that?! I mean, he likes you!!!

[I'm begging you, please, just pretend it was all my fault back then, all my fault, okay? Please forgive me and let's talk this over again, okay? Okay? (Whole wheat bread roaring.jpg)]

[Aaaaaaahhhhhh, so long! This man still loves you! /crying/crying]

Have you forgotten that these two broke up? Do you even know what a relationship breakdown means?

[Divorced people can remarry, it's not like you don't like me now just because you didn't like me before. Just consider it for my sake, what's wrong with getting back together and maybe having sex while we're at it?]

[Those in front, eating and taking things! /laughing]

It's around 2 or 3 pm now, and the sun has lost its midday heat, making it a perfect time for hikers to go out.

After briefly confirming the route on the map, Mu Jiu and Ling Zhao officially embarked on their mountain climbing journey.

At first, the roadside was lined with common pine trees, standing sparsely and letting in large patches of sunlight.

The bluestone steps beneath my feet have been worn smooth by years of footsteps, with tender green moss growing in the cracks. They are covered with a thick layer of pine needles, making them soft and squeaky underfoot.

At first, Mu Jiu's steps were quite light, and in half an hour the two of them were almost at the halfway point of the mountain.

However, the higher you climb, the narrower and steeper the steps become, and in some places you even need to use iron chains driven into the mountainside to keep your balance.

The wind is getting stronger.

It was no longer a gentle sway on the mountainside, but a powerful surge that spiraled upwards from the depths of the valley.

Not only do you need to climb upwards, but you also need to maintain your balance. Your breathing inevitably becomes heavy, and your steps become slower and heavier.

Along the way, sweat had already soaked through his inner clothes, and the stray hairs at his temples were damp with sweat.

Looking at the seemingly endless stone steps, Mu Jiu's expression darkened.

"The road to the summit is winding and circuitous; sometimes, giving up at the right time is for a better start!"

The sound of the loudspeaker, carrying the overly enthusiastic tone characteristic of the景区 staff, abruptly cut in.

Mu Jiu and Ling Zhao turned around at the same time upon hearing the sound.

On a platform not far below, a uniformed staff member was smiling and holding a megaphone as he looked at them.

Seeing them look back, he became even more enthusiastic: "The cable car is 50 yuan per person one way! Would you two like to take the cable car? It goes straight to the top of the mountain, no waiting, safe, comfortable, and saves you energy!"

Beside him, the bright red cable car cabins, lazily hanging on the steel cables, reflected an alluring luster in the sunlight and swayed gently in the mountain breeze.

When Mu Jiu saw the cable car, his eyes lit up unconsciously.

But the moment she heard the price, she refused without hesitation: "No, I can hold out."

Ling Zhao took a deep breath and straightened up: "I'm fine too."

A woman should never say "no"! /clasped hands/clasped hands

[A strong-willed Chinese woman! Her wallet may be empty, but her spirit will never falter!]

[Jiu Jiu: Stubborn.jpg Ling Zhao: Playing along with her stubbornness.jpg]

Who on earth came up with the idea of ​​going on a date and hiking?! Before setting off: A refined, classically styled beauty/aloof, noble gentleman. After setting off: Two disheveled, windswept leopard cats.

I think the problem isn't the mountain climbing itself, but the production team's stinginess. They don't understand that what the audience wants to see is the heart-pounding moment of the two of them alone in the cable car, not this kind of physical heart-pounding.

[Hmm, it's hard to say whether the production team or they are more at fault, considering these two just took a shared electric scooter to catch their flight that morning.]

[Please, please stop mentioning electric scooters QAQ They look so ethereal right now, but every time this is mentioned, I start imagining them dressed like fairies/fairies, speeding around on those little electric scooters.]

After painfully giving up the cable car, I encountered fewer and fewer tourists along the way.

Occasionally, when they encounter two or three well-equipped mountaineers or young people passing them from behind, panting heavily, their gazes always fall on them thoughtfully.

But the two of them had no time to care.

After traversing the steepest section of the mountain path, they finally came upon a slightly more spacious rocky platform where people could rest. Mu Jiu and Ling Zhao both chose to rest there without prior arrangement.

Even if you have plenty of energy when you set off, after all this exertion, your arms and legs will inevitably feel weak.

At this moment, even the clouds in the sky seemed to be stretching lazily.

I leaned against the railing, enjoying the cool breeze, and only about five minutes had passed.

A sound of footsteps suddenly stopped not far from them.

Mu Jiu subconsciously looked up and saw a girl holding a selfie stick, her eyes sparkling, asking expectantly, "Excuse me... are you Mu Jiu?"

Upon hearing his name, a hint of surprise flashed across Mu Jiu's face: "Hmm...hmm?"

"It really is Jiu Jiu! I'm your fan! I've liked you ever since 'The Broken Halberd'! Seriously! I absolutely loved the little princess character! I never expected to meet you here!"

Upon hearing Mu Jiu's response, the other person spun around in a flustered manner before frantically rummaging through their waist bag and pulling out a notebook and a pen. They looked at her expectantly and asked, "Could you sign this for me?"

Mu Jiu glanced at the notebook she handed him, then at the sweat on the girl's forehead and her excited, shining eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he took the pen and notebook and neatly signed his name.

For a moment, Mu Jiu wondered if the production team had arranged for an "undercover" agent to create a dramatic effect for the show.

After all, they can't possibly do high-intensity mountain climbing while simultaneously interacting with the live stream audience. Occasionally arranging some unexpected activities might attract more viewers to the live stream...

"Thank you, Jiu Jiu, Mom... I'm so lucky today!"

"..."

Mu Jiu snapped out of his wandering thoughts.

Great, not only is the other party not someone arranged by the production team, but their fans seem to be of very pure lineage, even being die-hard "mom fans".

Meeting fans offline without any prior warning left her with mixed feelings of excitement and wonder.

Thinking it was just a minor incident, Mu Jiu prepared to politely say goodbye after signing his name.

But then he saw the other person holding the notebook in their arms and turning to Ling Zhao, who had been silent all along.

She lowered her voice and asked tentatively, "Then this person... is... Ling Zhao?"

[That scared me to death! I thought she was going to call for Fang Yucheng.]

[It can't be that bad. Chaomu's popularity has reached the point where if you know Mu Jiu, you'll know Ling Zhao. If they keep going all out now, people will question their true fandom.]

Why? Why do other people bump into their significant other while hiking, while I can only watch from the sidelines, feeling envious?!

I want Chaomu's autograph too, waaaaaah!

"how?"

Ling Zhao raised his eyes, his amber pupils appearing exceptionally clear in the thin sunlight on the mountaintop. His gaze calmly fell on the woman's face, his tone revealing no emotion: "You're also one of my fans?"

"Ah... I... I watched the talent show you participated in..."

Faced with Ling Zhaosheng's unapproachable yet highly aggressive gaze, this "wild mom fan" lowered her voice and her face turned even redder, clearly much more nervous than when facing Mu Jiu.

A flicker of obvious panic and embarrassment crossed her face as she stammered out a few words, "Um...you're handsome too..."

That was a dry statement, and even she herself didn't find it convincing.

The atmosphere remained awkwardly tense.

The mountain wind howled, making the other person feel that whether they stood up or lay down, they were doomed. So, steeling themselves, they closed their eyes and, with a "what the heck" attitude, shouted, "I...I'm a fan of the Chaomu CP! I really love the feeling of the two of you together! I hope you two can get back together soon! Get married soon! And have a baby soon!"

The last four words were almost shouted out, carrying a tragic and desperate air.

After he finished speaking, the platform fell into a deathly silence.

Only the sound of the wind.

Even the camera that was filming seemed to pause for a moment.

After a brief pause, the comments section suddenly erupted with a frenzy:

【!! Are all my fellow fans this brave?!】

[The brave ones enjoy the world first! They get the real deal first!]

[Hahahaha, it's rare to see Chaomu's bewildered expression, I quickly took a screenshot.]

[This is absolutely the best scene of the day! CP fans surprise their idols in person!]

After shouting with all her might, she was stunned and stood frozen in place, her face as red as if it were about to bleed, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Ling Zhao remained expressionless, but a complex emotion seemed to flash in his eyes due to the other party's overly bold statement: "So... you mean you want an autograph too?"

The girl froze, then hurriedly handed over the notebook, nodding her head like a chicken pecking at rice.

Mu Jiu: ...?

The magical scene ended with the excited farewell of this CP fan.

After relentless efforts, they activated their "endurance" skill.

The two stepped over the last step and reached the top of the mountain.

The magnificent mountain view I had envisioned, described as "reaching the summit," did not immediately come into view.

Instead, the mountaintop platform is bustling with the lively atmosphere of everyday life: stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, and drinks are scattered about, and tourists come and go, laughing and chatting.

In the heart of this bustling place, a huge ancient tree stands quietly.

The trunk was so thick that it took several people to encircle it, and the gnarled branches stretched out in all directions, almost covering half of the platform.

Countless red ribbons, wooden plaques, and bells, layered upon layered and densely packed, almost bent the branches under their weight. A mountain breeze swept by, and the thousands of red ribbons danced lightly in the wind, while the wooden plaques clashed together, producing a crisp, delicate tinkling sound.

Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves and the swaying red silk, casting dappled, ever-changing shadows on the ground.

The stylist, who had been waiting there, quickly stepped forward to tidy up the two people's slightly messy hair and clothes from the climb, and touched up their makeup that had been smudged by sweat.

Meanwhile, the crew members waiting at the top of the mountain approached us with two brand-new wooden wishing plaques tied with red ropes: "Welcome to the top, teachers! This is our scenic area's famous 'Wishing Tree.' Visitors who climb here can write down their wishes and hang them on the tree, hoping that their wishes will come true."

He paused, then added very "thoughtfully" and emphatically, "The wishing plaques are provided by the production team and are completely free."

[If the words "free" weren't in bold and underlined capital letters, Chaomu would probably turn around and head back down the mountain, hahaha]

[If the Morning and Evening Couple came to our D City but didn't make a wish under this tree, I would never be happy for the rest of my life!]

[Rumor has it! This tree is super famous locally, also known as the "Matchmaker Tree," and it's incredibly effective for those seeking marriage and finding a partner! Lots of people come to fulfill their vows!]

[Really? Then I have another reason to go to City D during winter break.]

...

"Teacher Mu Jiu seems to be at a loss?" the staff member asked softly. "You haven't started writing yet."

Upon hearing the question, Mu Jiu snapped out of her reverie, stroking the smooth edge of the wishing plaque with her fingers, pausing almost imperceptibly: "...I'm more used to accomplishing things on my own, so I don't know what to wish for right now."

"You can also pray for the safety and health of your family, or for success in your career, etc."

The staff kindly pointed out, "Wishes can take many forms."

A wish...?

Mu Jiu shifted his gaze from the blank wooden sign to the outside of the pavilion.

The wind seemed to have picked up a bit more at the mountaintop, causing the red ribbons on the trees to ripple and sway like ocean waves, making a rustling sound.

Sunlight pierced through the swaying red waves, casting flickering shadows on her face.

Mu Jiu stared blankly for a while before looking away, then looked at the blank wooden sign in his hand again and picked up his pen.

[This time I won't have to write three pages for a long time /laughs]

In the end, they all end up hanging on the wishing tree, which, in essence, means they're locked onto that one tree day and night.

[Ugh, that wooden sign just swung by! I think I saw a word! But I couldn't make it out! Can't the production team give us a close-up? Damn it!]

[I'm in a real hurry! I'm heading to City D right now, is it possible to take a picture with the wishing plaque at dawn and dusk?]

After writing down my wish, I borrowed a bamboo ladder to hang the wishing plaque, and it was almost time to leave.

Staff member: "The observation deck is just ahead. Once the two teachers take a photo together as required, the task will be complete."

It's like the final tribulation of the eighty-one tribulations; trouble always seems to arise before the end.

Once we left the area where the wishing tree was, the wind had become quite strong, making people stagger.

The photographer, who had been summoned, clutched his hat, his voice broken by the wind: "Teachers... we might need to seize the opportunity and do it all in one go!"

Mu Jiu dodged a strong gust of wind, her red veil swirling wildly behind her like flames. She turned to Ling Zhao, her voice still clear in the wind: "The wind is too strong up there. Let's try out the moves here first, get a feel for it, and then go up and film directly, saving time."

Although I don't know what they look like on camera, the wind is very strong.

It was so large that she could almost see the hood on Ling Zhao's head showing signs of loosening slightly.

So much so that she was more worried about whether the photographer would capture the moment when the other person suddenly went bald than about how to immerse herself in the emotions.

Ling Zhao was frowning as she straightened her sash, which had become tangled in the wind. Upon hearing this, she nodded almost imperceptibly.

A young staff member next to me tactfully handed over his phone, which displayed a compilation of short videos of couples taking photos in a traditional Chinese style. He said enthusiastically, "Teachers can refer to these popular poses online. They are highly interactive and produce great photos."

Following the staff member's gaze, the screen appeared: [

In the scene, the swordsman in black silently approaches from behind the musician.

The hand, wielding a sword for years and with distinct knuckles, did not touch that slender waist that could be grasped in one hand. Instead, it gently circled her waist in a restrained arc, carrying an undeniable strength, and steadily supported her center of gravity.

The musician in red, supported by the arm, let herself lean back. Her waist bent in a breathtakingly supple curve, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall, strands drifting in the wind.

Ling Zhao: "...Won't the veil fall off from this angle?"

Mu Jiu: "You're right."

Quickly reject an option, and the phone automatically starts playing the next video:

A cloud of yellow sand swirls and sweeps past the tattered banners.

Against a somber backdrop, a heavily wounded soldier leans against a half-collapsed earthen wall, looking down at a blood-stained map in his hand.

A young girl in red, carrying a bowl of murky water, walked barefoot across the scalding sand as she gracefully approached.

Her face wore her usual, superficial, charming smile, but her eyes were icy cold.

She stopped and suddenly grabbed the worn-out collar of her clothes, pulling the young soldier forward with tremendous force.

Their eyes met, their breaths mingled, and their heartbeats trembled in the deathly silence and howling wind.

The wind whipped up sand and gravel, tearing apart the tattered banners.

The video has finished playing.

Mu Jiu commented thoughtfully, "...It's so windy today, if we use this position our hair will get tangled up first, right?"

Ling Zhao nodded: "Indeed."

The staff member glanced at the two of them, then at his phone, tentatively clicking on another highly-liked video in his favorites list. He turned the screen towards them, his tone carrying a final glimmer of hope:

"Well... how about you two teachers take a look at this?"

The young lady, dressed in brocade and silk, suddenly trembled. Her foot slipped on the wet moss, and with a cry of surprise, her embroidered shoes missed their mark, causing her to tumble towards the chilly lotus pond.

The oil-paper umbrella slipped from his hand and flew into the pool.

Just as she was about to fall into the icy pool, a whooshing sound came from the air.

A hand wearing a black leather glove emerged from her side like an iron clamp, not attempting to grab her flailing arm, but rather, with perfect precision and without room for resistance, gripping her slender waist.

Amid gasps of surprise, the male and female protagonists gaze at each other with deep affection.

But simply put, it is yet another strong piece of evidence that someone can hold the settlement screen with one hand.

Ling Zhao and Mu Jiu met each other's eyes.

Mu Jiu: "...You want to try this?"

[I knew Ling Zhao had been wanting to be cuddled with one hand for a long time! He's just a giant husky who wants his owner to hug him!]

【Oh? So that's what "trying it out" means?】

[This is hilarious! The "one-handed hug" joke is making a comeback here.]

...

Amidst the cheers and laughter in the live chat, the two finally settled on a pose for the photo.

Before they knew it, the day's itinerary had come to an end amidst all the running around, and as night fell, each group of guests was in a different mood.

After returning to her guesthouse in the ancient town, Xiang Wan put her backpack in the corner of the room and was about to wash up when she saw her phone screen light up.

[Please proceed to the VIP lounge on the second floor to participate in today's journey reaction session.]

As instructed, Xiang Wan nearly tripped over the threshold when she arrived at the designated location.

The lighting in the rest area was dim, with only the projection screen emitting a faint blue light.

When the staff led her in, Xiang Wan had already changed into a comfortable beige loungewear set, her long hair was loosely tied up, and her face showed a hint of fatigue after removing her makeup.

She glanced around the room and asked in a calm voice, "Where is he?"

The staff member's smile froze briefly, and their voice lowered, carrying a somewhat formulaic apology: "It seems that Professor Qi Youxiang has a rather tiring schedule today, and we haven't been able to contact him yet."

Xiang Wan nodded, not pressing the matter further, but her lips curved into a fleeting, almost imperceptible smile. The curve was so brief that it was less a smile and more a knowing yet slightly mocking expression.

"Okay," she replied with just one word.

The production team really listened to advice!

"Can't reach him?" I bet he's deliberately not answering. This scumbag knows better than to embarrass himself in public.

Which group do you most want to see, Wanwan? I bet it's Meng Shuning and Fang Yucheng; they seem to get along quite well.

[She's sharing a room with Mu Jiu now, maybe she's curious about her roommate's activities?]

I vote for Chaomu.

I think she'll choose the least awkward one...maybe she'll look at Director Mo and Sister Qi's group?

"Ms. Xiang Wan, which group's segment would you like to watch first?" The staff member promptly offered her the choice, breaking the slightly somber atmosphere.

Xiang Wan's gaze swept over the four options marked on the remote control, and she said almost without hesitation, "Let's check on Mu Jiu and the others first."

So, as the play button was pressed, a carefully edited introductory segment by the production team played, accompanied by an emotional narration:

"When the turmoil of the past subsides, and familiar faces journey together again... what new chapters will each pair of star trails that once intersected and then separated write on this limited journey? Will they rekindle the old flame, or embark on entirely new detours?"

Scene cut-in—

Five o'clock in the morning, in the kitchen of the cabin.

Ling Zhao was wearing a simple black T-shirt, her hair was a little messy, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes.

He picked up an egg, gently tapped it against the edge of the pan with a soft "crack," and cracked the shell open with one hand. The yolk slid into the hot oil, immediately making a pleasant "sizzle."

He heard the oil sizzling and popping in the pan, with tiny droplets bursting open. He picked up a spatula and gently pushed the already solidified egg white towards the yolk.

The camera zoomed in on him, his profile showing a tired yet focused expression. At that moment, a line of text appeared on the screen:

Ling Zhao got up early to prepare breakfast for Mu Jiu.

"Ling Zhao actually woke up so early?"

Xiang Wan looked up in surprise: "No wonder Jiu Jiu was nowhere to be seen when I woke up."

Just as she spoke, Mu Jiu appeared in the living room, fully dressed.

Then, a few seconds later, the two reached some kind of agreement during a conversation that seemed to go nowhere.

The next second.

In the early morning traffic of the city, two figures carrying bags and riding shared electric bikes sped along.

Xiang Wan, who had been expressionless the whole time, finally couldn't help but chuckle softly as she watched the scene: "As expected of the two of them."

Wanwan smiled! She smiled!

I laughed so hard my stomach hurt watching that scene; I really don't know what those two were thinking.

[I got recommended this show. I thought dating reality shows were all about romance and sweet nothings, but this couple is showing me their daily commute during rush hour? (laughing and crying)]

However, Xiang Wan's smile didn't last long. After seeing Ling Zhao change into that dark-colored Hanfu with silver patterns, her expression became somewhat serious.

"This is……"

She narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice even lower than before, "The one Teacher Fang wore in the Ancient Town episode, right?"

The tone was free of any doubt, carrying an air of unwavering certainty.

In the scene, Ling Zhao is having his wig fixed by a stylist. He is dressed in black with silver threads, and his profile is cold and aloof.

Xiang Wan pressed pause, looked at the clothes for a few more seconds, and suddenly shook her head.

“No, wait a minute.” She leaned forward, her eyes sharpening as if she were seeing through the clothing on the screen to something deeper. “This pattern and the sash…”

She suddenly looked up, her face full of surprise: "The Broken Halberd Returns to an Old Friend?"

Just as she finished speaking, the camera suddenly switched from Ling Zhao's slightly tense profile after he changed into his black clothes.

The clear sound of bells penetrated the sound system first.

jingle--

Suddenly, an intense, almost blinding red spread across the entire screen without warning.

[Holy crap!!! Is this really "The Return of the Broken Sword"?? Isn't that Mu Jiucheng's most famous love-defining look?!]

[The production team is really going to kill us! Making Ling Zhao wear Mu Jiu's classic couple outfit with someone else?!]

[That's so mean! Seriously so mean! But I love watching it (doge emoji)]

[I think it's alright. It's just clothing, and Ling Zhao really looks good in it!]

[Isn't this overreacting? The production team probably just thinks this outfit suits Ling Zhao.]

But that's *Broken Halberd*! The masterpiece that cemented Mu Jiu and Fang Yucheng's reputation! Could this be a coincidence?

[Imagine this: if my ex showed up on a date with me wearing matching outfits from when I was at my sweetest with someone else... I'd be ready to punch them.]

On the screen, the video continued to play. Mu Jiu, now dressed in a dazzling red gauze dance gown, stood beside Ling Zhao, who was dressed in black. Red and black, alluring and austere, created a completely new and striking visual.

However, after learning the origin of the black robe, the scene was shrouded in an indescribable and complex meaning.

Xiang Wan leaned back on the sofa, watching silently. Her expression was calm, but something was churning deep within her eyes.

"If I were them,"

She suddenly spoke, her voice soft yet like ice shards cutting through the air, "It's hard not to start arguing at a time like this."

She paused, then added, "Whenever I care about this, I get uncontrollably irritable and want the other person to lay their heart bare before me..."

[Wanwan, sob sob, stop thinking about that jerk, you really deserve better.]

In situations like these, the more you try to stop the injured person from thinking about it, the less they will recover.

[But Xiang Wan and Qi Youxiang have been together for several years, right? The fact that she can talk about these things so gracefully means she's already moved on.]

When the conversation turned to sensitive topics that could easily get out of control, the staff didn't try to guide or press further. Instead, they used close-ups to show the audience Xiang Wan's dazed expression.

A silent atmosphere flowed slowly.

Although her complexion darkened due to some sudden surge of emotion, as the video played, after hearing the words "Very beautiful" on the screen, Xiang Wan gave a slow, gentle laugh.

"Actually, I've always felt that Jiu Jiu and the others are different from me and Xiao Xiang."

Staff member: "Ms. Xiang Wan, what do you think is different?"

Xiang Wan's gaze remained fixed on the image, as if she were reminiscing, or simply observing everything: "The feelings between two people can actually be sensed by outsiders."

The screen projected a magnificent scene.

In the distance, layers of mountains rise one after another, and the mountain mist flows slowly between the peaks and valleys like a light veil.

The afternoon sun had turned into a rich gold, piercing through the thin clouds and gilding the rolling mountain ridges and the surging sea of ​​clouds with a magnificent luster.

The thin veil on Mu Jiu's body was stained even darker by the mountain mist, clinging to her skin and outlining her defined shoulders and waist. Most of her makeup had been washed away by sweat and wind, revealing her clean skin and features underneath.

As the mountain wind passes by, the hem of my clothes flutters and falls back down.

Then, just like a classic scene from that TV series, the princess, filled with vengeance, appeared gentle and obedient, while her left hand gently rested on the shoulder of the person she was destined to be entangled with.

When the powerful minister, who held immense influence in the court, lowered his head, he did not look at the woman he admired, but only at the hand pressing on his shoulder.

This hand might bring murderous intent, or it might be an entanglement that lasts until death.

In the howling wind, their hair, robes, and even body heat were tightly, almost hissing, intertwined together.

The fact that their eyes never met seemed to foreshadow the predetermined ending.

Yet it also hints at a certain feeling of unrequited love.

Xiang Wan's finger hovered over the pause button on the remote control, but she didn't press it immediately.

Only the faint sound of the air conditioner could be heard in the room.

Staff member: "...When you said that other people could see the affection, were you referring to the atmosphere like that between a couple?"

No, it's not quite the same.

Xiang Wan lowered her head, carefully choosing her words: "Sometimes I feel... he's completely fallen for him."

The staff couldn't tell which guest "he" was referring to, and simply waited quietly for the person opposite them to gather their thoughts.

The video on the screen was rewound.

The scene of them looking at each other was slowed down frame by frame.

"It wasn't guilt stemming from past memories, nor was it lingering affection."

If I absolutely have to say something—

Xiang Wan said confidently, "He just repeated the process of falling in love with the same person."