Chapter 172 May Your Wishes Come True

After Zhuang Bieyan paid the bill and returned, he took out a grilled sausage and handed it to Qu He. Then he walked up to the two girls and handed them the remaining bag: "Thank you for liking Ahe. I don't know if you like these snacks."

The two girls were stunned.

They were college students who came to hike on the weekend. Knowing that prices were high in the scenic area, they brought several buckets of instant noodles and bread.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhuang. College students aren't picky. We brought our own food."

Zhuang Bieyan then took out another business card: "This is my assistant's contact information. Come to the Zhuang family building next weekend and contact him. I have prepared a gift for you."

The girls were so surprised that their mouths were agape, and they hesitated to take it for a long time.

Qu He watched from the side, understanding the situation perfectly.

This person was praised for being "young," and now they're practically wagging their tails in the air.

Seeing that the two girls were still hesitant to accept the business card, she stepped forward, took the card, and whispered something in their ears.

The three exchanged a smile, and the girls finally accepted the business card and the food from the bag.

"Sister He from Naqu, can we take a photo together? We promise we won't post it!" one of the girls asked in a low voice.

Qu He nodded: "Of course."

The four of them took a group photo in an open space nearby. Looking at the photos on their phones, the girls couldn't help but sigh:

"President Zhuang and Sister Qu He are such a perfect match, the man is handsome and the woman is beautiful!"

"Especially with President Zhuang's outfit today, just looking at their backs, they look exactly like a college couple."

"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Zhuang's men's outfit today is absolutely stunning."

As Qu He listened to their increasingly outrageous praise, and seeing that someone's smile was about to burst out, she quickly gave them a meaningful look.

The two girls understood each other perfectly, winked playfully, and stopped short of doing so.

"By the way, Sister Quhe, we are also students from Beicheng University. We were filming a vlog during this hike. Would it be convenient for you to appear on camera? If not, we can delete this part."

Qu He didn't care. She looked at Zhuang Bieyan, seeking his opinion with her eyes.

Zhuang Bieyan pondered for a moment, "I can appear on camera, but could you please wait until we come down the mountain tomorrow before releasing it?"

The girl understood that they didn't want their schedule to be disrupted, and quickly assured them, "No problem, absolutely no problem!"

After the group photo, it was getting late, and the four of them said their goodbyes happily.

Qu He watched their retreating figures and couldn't help but nudge Zhuang Bieyan's shoulder: "President Zhuang, are you satisfied now? Are you happy to be praised for looking young?"

Zhuang Bieyan adjusted the brim of his baseball cap, pretending not to hear, and pulled her hand to continue walking uphill: "Hurry up, or we'll miss the sunset."

Pack!

When they arrived at the mountaintop hotel, there was still an hour until sunset.

After checking in, Qu He took Zhuang Bieyan to the ancient tree next door, which was over a hundred years old.

The ancient tree has lush foliage and a thick trunk that requires several people to hug.

The tree trunk and the surrounding railings were covered with layers of red prayer ribbons and blessing plaques. When the wind blew, the ribbons fluttered, and countless people's wishes whispered in the wind.

The red ribbons here are replaced regularly by the scenic area staff every year, and the ribbons are collected and kept safe.

They received two red ribbons and two lucky charms.

As Qu He searched for a suitable spot, she recalled, "I remember the last time I came here, the ribbon was tied around here, I think it was somewhere like that."

She pointed to a railing behind the tree trunk.

Before she could finish speaking, she saw that Zhuang Bieyan had already walked to that spot ahead of her and had begun tying their ribbons and lucky charms.

Qu He stepped forward in surprise, watching him find the place, a strange feeling welling up in her heart: "How did you know it was here?"

Zhuang Bieyan paused for a moment while tying the ribbon, but his expression remained unchanged: "It's nothing, I just thought this place was relatively empty, so it would be convenient to tie it."

"Really?" Qu He was half-believing and half-doubting, and wanted to ask more questions, but was interrupted by a commotion not far away.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! The sun is about to set!"

"Hurry up and grab a spot to watch the sunset!"

Upon hearing this, Qu He didn't have time to think about it and quickly pulled Zhuang Bieyan back to the hotel.

Their room had a small balcony with a view, perfect for watching the sunset and the stars.

Qu He leaned excitedly against the balcony railing, stretching her body slightly.

Watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon in the western sky.

The sunset was breathtakingly beautiful.

The fatigue from the hike vanished instantly with this sunset.

She picked up her phone and started taking pictures.

Zhuang Bieyan stood behind her, and he also raised his phone.

But his gaze did not linger on the horizon.

In the viewfinder, there is only her.

Qu He kept pressing the shutter button.

After taking the photos, she looked down at her phone, which was full of beautiful sunset photos, and pondered which ones to post on her WeChat Moments. Suddenly, someone gently put their arm around her waist from behind.

Before she could react, Zhuang Bieyan gently turned his hand, lowered his head, and tenderly kissed her.

The kiss came suddenly, carrying the crispness of the mountain breeze.

Qu He was stunned for a moment, her cheeks burning.

Zhuang Bieyan released her and gently touched the tip of her ear, which was redder than the sunset, with his fingertip.

Only in this moment, with her in his arms, feeling her warmth and breath, did he feel that it was all real.

Unlike eight years ago, when, under the same sunset glow, he could only stand under the ancient tree and gently touch the lucky plaque she left behind.

"I hope my parents are in good health, and I hope my university life will be fulfilling."

At that time, all he could do was silently respond in his heart: "May your wish come true."

Zhuang Bieyan lowered his head again and kissed him even more deeply.

The kiss carried an almost pious sense of plunder, as if it were an attempt to make up for all the time that had been missed over the years.

The sunset was absolutely stunning.

The clouds, edged with gold, drifted slowly.

The deep blue of the night sky gradually spread to the mountain peaks, already occupying half of the sky, attempting to cover up this last bit of splendor.

The last rays of orange-red sunset in the west continued to resist stubbornly.

It lingered, gently kissing the contours of the mountains.

But the march of night could not be stopped, and that final brilliance, after a brief moment of splendor, eventually exhausted its strength.

It dimmed little by little, receded, and finally let out a satisfied sigh before sinking completely below the horizon.

The world was handed over to the deep blue of starlight.

After taking a shower, Zhuang Bieyan held Qu He and lay down on the recliner on the balcony.

As night deepened, the sky was filled with stars like scattered diamonds, bright yet gentle.

Qu He leaned against him, exhausted, her eyelids heavy, almost asleep.

Zhuang Bieyan looked down at her, gently brushed her hair, and pressed his forehead against hers.

"Ahe, shall we go see the Mid-Autumn Festival fireworks show at the City Park together?"

Qu He mumbled a sleepy "hmm" and snuggled closer to him.

That's considered an agreement.

Zhuang Bieyan looked at her sleeping face, his eyes filled with tenderness, but deep within them lay an indescribable bitterness.

These past few days have felt like stolen sweetness, beautiful as a dream.

But dreams must eventually end.

He looked up at the starry sky.

Ah He, I will tell you all the secrets between us on that day.

At that time, would you still be willing to stay by my side?