Chapter 171 Modern Era Ends Then you can't make it too difficult...
Bai Ye's breathing paused slightly.
A pair of straight, fair legs were revealed beneath the bath towel, with glistening water droplets slowly sliding down her slender ankles.
Zhong Jiuli held the doorknob with one hand, casually tidying the wet hair that had fallen onto her shoulder with the other, her eyes still slightly red from being soaked in hot water.
She waved her hand gently in front of Bai Ye's eyes: "Are you stupid?"
Before she could finish speaking, Bai leaned in and pushed her back into the steamy bathroom: "I think we can take another shower together."
"Stop it..." Zhong Jiuli's refusal was sealed by a passionate kiss.
Bai also held the woman in front of him tightly, as if he wanted to pour all the longing he had felt over the past few days into this kiss.
After a long while, she finally released her grip, panting, the emotions surging in her eyes burning with a chilling intensity.
Zhong Jiuli raised her hand to cover her eyes, her breath slightly ragged: "We still have to go out today, don't make things difficult for your sister, okay?"
Bai nodded obediently: "Then tonight...?"
“We’re going to camp on the mountaintop tonight.” Zhong Jiuli glanced at her, lightly tapping her forehead with her fingertip. “You wish.”
She slipped sideways through the gap between Bai Ye and the door frame, bringing with her a refreshing, fragrant breeze.
Bai quickly caught up, snatched the hairdryer first, and began drying her wet hair. His gaze lingered on her fair neckline from time to time, like a puppy waiting for its meal.
"Don't bite." Zhong Jiuli looked at her through the mirror, her eyes filled with warning. "And don't leave any marks, we still need to see people later."
"I've been very careful since last time..." Bai muttered softly, a hint of grievance on his face.
"Mmm, good girl~" Zhong Jiuli turned around and gently stroked her head.
Bai was immediately calmed down. She carefully dried Zhong Jiuli's hair and then quietly stood aside, watching her perform her daily hair care routine.
The mirror reflected their figures: one focused intently on applying the paint, the other with a dazed look.
After Zhong Jiuli finished applying her skincare product, she got up and headed towards the dressing room. Bai Ye subconsciously followed her, but was stopped by a look at the door.
"You are not allowed to come in."
Bai stopped in his tracks, looking at her expectantly: "I was just thinking I could help you button up your clothes or something."
“I have hands.” Zhong Jiuli shook her fair and slender hands, then turned and closed the door.
Bai, who was locked out, picked at his fingers out of boredom. A few minutes later, the door opened again, and his eyes lit up when he saw Zhong Jiuli's outfit.
Zhong Jiuli tied her long hair into a high ponytail, and her bright orange windbreaker made her skin appear even fairer, while her black windbreaker pants made her legs look incredibly long. This vibrant outfit was completely different from her usual professional self, giving her a unique charm.
"You look so handsome dressed like that." Bai's eyes lit up, and he kept showering her with compliments.
“Your coat looks great too.” Zhong Jiuli smiled as she straightened her collar, then took her hand and led her downstairs. “Let’s go, don’t keep Liu Yue waiting too long.”
When Bai came downstairs, he saw Liu Yue sitting upright at the dining table, her tableware untouched. "Liu Yue, why aren't you eating breakfast?"
Hearing the voice, Liu Yue turned around and saw the two of them. She immediately stood up and said, "Good morning, Sister Zhong!"
"Good morning, Xiao Liu." Zhong Jiuli nodded with a smile. "Please sit down, don't be shy."
The three sat down at the dining table and, after finishing a hearty breakfast, Zhong Jiuli looked at Bai Ye and asked, "Can you drive?"
Bai nodded: "I took the driving test after the college entrance exam, and I also worked as a designated driver for a while before that."
"Then you'll be driving today." Zhong Jiuli handed her the car keys.
"Okay, I'll go get the car first." Bai Ye grabbed the car keys, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and ran quickly towards the garage.
Walking through the courtyard to the garage, she was astonished to see the luxury cars gleaming coldly under the lights. Her wife's wealth far exceeded her imagination.
She pressed the key, and a black SUV in the corner turned on its headlights.
Bai opened the car door, got into the driver's seat, started the engine, and waited a while before releasing the handbrake, driving the car out of the garage, and parking it in front of the villa.
Zhong Jiuli and Liu Yue were already waiting at the door with their bags on their backs. When the car came to a stop, the two of them got in one after the other.
"Where are we going?" Bai adjusted his seat and turned to look at Zhong Jiuli, who was fastening her seatbelt.
“Luoyun Mountain.” Zhong Jiuli tapped the navigation screen and entered the destination. “We’ll go to the parking lot at the foot of the mountain, then hike to the summit from there, and camp on the mountaintop tonight.”
Bai nodded, lightly pressed the accelerator, and the SUV drove out of the villa area, heading towards the suburbs along the intercity highway.
The scenery outside the car window gradually changed from towering buildings to lush green mountains and forests. Bai also held the steering wheel with one hand. The morning light shone through the car window onto her profile, making her thick, curled eyelashes seem to be tinged with a light gold.
"Sister Zhong, here you go." Liu Yue opened her schoolbag and handed over a bag of hand-shredded beef jerky.
Zhong Jiuli took the packaging bag, tore off a small piece of beef jerky, and held it to Bai Ye's lips: "Want to try some?"
Bai also tilted his head and took the beef jerky from her fingertips, chewing it slowly. "It's pretty good, you should try some too."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Jiuli tore off a piece of beef jerky and put it in her mouth.
"Is that Luoyun Mountain?" Liu Yue leaned against the car window, looking at the distant, misty mountains and forests.
“Yes, that area all belongs to the Luoyun Mountain Range,” Zhong Jiuli replied.
As the vehicle moved forward, the air became increasingly fresh and moist.
Bai also lowered the car window a crack, and the crisp chirping of birds, along with the fragrance of grass and trees, flooded into the car. She took a deep breath and felt the unique and refreshing atmosphere of the mountains.
The car drove on for a while longer before finally stopping at a parking lot located halfway up the mountain.
The three got out of the car, and Zhong Jiuli took out the hiking poles she had prepared in advance and gave them to the two of them.
"Has your friend not arrived yet?" Bai asked casually as he took the hiking poles.
"They should be here by now." Zhong Jiuli said, taking out her phone. Just as she was about to call Liu Xianyue, she saw her walking towards them.
Even dressed in sportswear, Liu Xianyue still looked graceful and charming, followed by a gentle and elegant young woman.
"Hello, students, we meet again." Liu Xianyue greeted them with a smile, then pulled the woman behind her over and introduced her, "This is Jiang Zhiming, just call her Sister Jiang."
"Hello, Sister Jiang! Hello, Boss Liu!" Bai Ye and Liu Yue called out in unison.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group began their ascent along the mountain path.
At first, the five people were able to keep up, but after walking a few hundred meters, the difference in their physical strength became apparent.
Liu Xianyue, slightly out of breath and supporting her knees, waved to the three people in front of her: "You go first, the older sisters are too old to climb that fast."
Bai replied with a smile, "We're just here to stretch our muscles, not to participate in a competition. The first people to get up the mountain don't get to go to the refrigerator. You can only appreciate the scenery along the way if you walk slowly."
She slowed her pace as she spoke, but even so, the group gradually dispersed.
Before anyone knew it, the energetic Liu Yue had disappeared at the end of the mountain path, and the two behind her had also fallen into the distance.
"It's just the two of us left." Bai tightened their clasped hands, his eyes and brows full of smiles.
“Laughing like that is so silly.” Zhong Jiuli shook her head with amusement. “Let’s go to the platform in front and rest for a while, and wait for Liu Xianyue and the others.”
Not far ahead, a silvery waterfall cascades down the cliff, its gurgling water echoing through the quiet forest. Sunlight filters through the misty spray, refracting a faint rainbow.
A viewing platform with a rest area has been built there, providing a place for hikers to rest temporarily.
The two arrived at the waterfall, where a refreshing mist washed over them. Bai Ye took out his phone from his pocket, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Zhong Jiuli: "Shall we take a picture together?"
Zhong Jiuli stepped forward and stood beside her in front of the waterfall.
Bai also held her phone high, and Zhong Jiuli in the camera lens stood straighter than a telephone pole, so she had to quietly bend her knees and rest her head on Bai's shoulder.
Before Zhong Jiuli could react, he pressed the shutter button first.
"Look, look how well I took the picture!" Bai also proudly handed his phone to Zhong Jiuli.
In the photo, the two are cuddling intimately in front of a waterfall, with a dazzling rainbow halo behind them. Zhong Jiuli has a doting smile on her lips, while the guy leaning on her shoulder is grinning from ear to ear.
Anyone could see the ambiguous atmosphere flowing between them.
"It's alright," Zhong Jiuli commented casually.
“How could it be just okay?” Bai retorted, unconvinced. “It’s super, super okay. I’m going to set this photo as my screensaver and look at it every day.”
Zhong Jiuli coughed lightly, as if for tactical reasons.
Bai nodded knowingly: "I know, I know. I'll send you the original image. You want it too, don't you?"
Zhong Jiuli glanced at her, the meaning of which was self-evident: you already know, why ask? Are you looking for a beating?
"You can have the photos if you want," Bai said, tapping his cheek. "Give me a kiss and I'll send them to you."
"I'd rather bite you!" Zhong Jiuli pretended to bite, but softened his grip when he touched her cheek, leaving only a light kiss.
"You really bit me?" Bai pretended to be in pain and pulled the person into his arms.
Liu Xianyue and Jiang Zhiming, who arrived late from behind, had just reached the rest area when they saw the two embracing.
"Gentlemen, please be mindful of your behavior in public. There are no beds here," Liu Xianyue teased with a charming smile.
Zhong Jiuli's ears turned slightly red. She raised her hand and gently punched Bai Ye's shoulder before pushing her away from her embrace by half a step.
Bai turned to the two people and explained, "We weren't kissing, we were just cuddling while watching the waterfall."
"Oh~ I know, you two didn't kiss!"
Liu Xianyue repeated the sentence in a strange manner, which earned her a glare from Zhong Jiuli.
After a short rest by the waterfall, the four continued their ascent to the summit. The higher they climbed, the steeper the path became, and the more physically demanding the climb.
Fortunately, Bai also carried a backpack full of snacks. When Liu Xianyue and the others got tired of climbing, she would take out some snacks to feed them.
"Is Want Want Milk really this delicious?" Liu Xianyue licked her lips, still somewhat unsatisfied, after finishing a carton of Want Want Milk.
"Want Want Milk is the best-tasting milk in the world!" Bai loudly proclaimed.
"Yes, yes, it's delicious. It's normal for you young people to like milk," Liu Xianyue said meaningfully.
"Mr. Liu, are you driving?" Bai asked with a smile.
"Don't talk nonsense with her, let's keep climbing." Zhong Jiuli took Bai Ye's hand and pulled her to continue climbing.
The four of them slowly made their way up the mountain path, and by the time they finally reached the summit, the sun was already setting in the west.
"Yay~ We're finally here." Bai Ye stepped onto the mountaintop platform, opened his arms wide to welcome the mountain breeze and cheered, his clear voice echoing among the mountains.
The mountaintop is open and spacious, with a supply station located on one side, and several restaurants and supermarkets with their lights already on scattered around.
Liu Yue, who was resting on a bench, saw them and immediately ran over to greet them, "I've finally waited for you! If you hadn't come, I would have called the search and rescue team."
"You ran too fast," Bai said with a smile, patting his friend on the shoulder.
"What do we do next? Should we rent a tent first?" Liu Yue asked excitedly.
"The camping gear is all set up. Let's go see the sunset first; the view is perfect right now." After saying that, Zhong Jiuli took Bai Ye's hand and walked towards the viewing platform.
Standing on the viewing platform, the magnificent beauty of the entire Luoyun Mountain Range unfolds before your eyes. The sunset paints the sky with vibrant colors, casting its golden rays upon the forest like scattered gold dust falling to earth.
"How beautiful!" Bai exclaimed softly.
"Do you like it here?" Zhong Jiuli replied softly.
"like."
"Hey you two over there, stop being so lovey-dovey and come take a group photo," Liu Xianyue called out loudly, waving to the two of them.
Bai Ye and Zhong Jiuli walked towards them, and the five of them took several group photos together on the viewing platform. Afterwards, they took many individual and group photos in turn. The afterglow of the sunset disappeared completely, and it got dark.
Warm yellow string lights illuminated the mountaintop platform. As the group arrived at the campsite, the bodyguards who had climbed to the top earlier had already set up their tents. A small campfire was lit in the open space, and the flickering flames and camping lights made this little world warm and bright.
The camping table was laden with various ingredients: marinated meat skewers, fresh vegetables, and sparkling wine and beer in an ice bucket...
"So well prepared? Looks like I'll have to show you something to match this setup." Bai took off his windbreaker, rolled up his sleeves, and walked towards the barbecue grill.
"Show what? Show your skinny arms?" Liu Xianyue teased, swirling her wine glass.
"Don't underestimate me!" Bai tossed her head smugly. "I am known in the martial arts world as the 'Barbecue Beauty'."
As she spoke, she laid the meat skewers on the grill with extremely skillful movements, and it seemed that she had indeed grilled quite a few skewers.
Liu Yue chimed in, "Ah Ye used to work at a barbecue restaurant, and lots of girls would specifically line up there."
"And then?" Zhong Jiuli asked softly, her gaze fixed on the busy figure.
Bai continued sprinkling various spices onto the meat skewers with his hands, then picked up the conversation: "Later, business became so booming that the boss made me work overtime every day without paying me extra, so I quit."
She plated the grilled Wagyu beef, picked up a piece, and brought it to Zhong Jiuli's lips: "Want to try some? This should be eaten while it's hot."
Zhong Jiuli took a small bite from her hand, her eyes sparkling with delight: "It's delicious, you should try some too."
Bai also casually stuffed the meat skewer that she had bitten into into his own mouth. She nodded in satisfaction: "It's really good. It seems your skills haven't gotten rusty."
After she finished speaking, she returned to the grill and continued to turn the meat skewers on the grill.
Half the table was covered with food that had been prepared for baking. Zhong Jiuli stopped Bai Ye, who was about to continue, saying, "This is enough. Eat it all before baking more, otherwise it won't taste good when it gets cold."
"Come, let's toast our chef." Liu Xianyue stood up and poured wine for everyone.
"cheers!"
Five wine glasses clinked gently on the campfire, making a crisp sound. Young people sat around the flickering firelight, their laughter carried away on the night breeze.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Liu Xianyue pulled Jiang Zhiming aside and said they wanted to go play with cold fireworks. Liu Yue didn't want to stay at the camp and be a third wheel, so she went with the two of them.
The camp was suddenly left with only Bai Ye, Zhong Jiuli, and the occasional crackling sound of charcoal popping.
Bai also took a thick blanket from the tent and sat down on a bench at the edge of the camp with Zhong Jiuli.
They embraced each other, sharing the warmth of a blanket, gazing at the myriad lights of homes at the foot of the mountain, where the starry sky echoed the dazzling night sky above.
Zhong Jiuli leaned against her chest, "Are you happy today?"
"I'm so happy. I used to be so busy working that I rarely had the chance to relax and enjoy the scenery like this."
Zhong Jiuli turned to look at Bai Ye, gazing into her eyes under the starlight: "Could you take on fewer part-time jobs in the future?"
"But..." Bai was about to explain when a gentle kiss silenced his unfinished words.
The kiss was light and lingering, their lips gently touching.
After the kiss ended, Zhong Jiuli pulled away slightly, their noses brushing against each other, his voice very gentle: "Could you use the time you spend working to pursue me? Once you've won me over, you won't have to work so hard anymore."
Bai looked into her starry eyes and said, "But I still want to rely on my own efforts..."
“Of course you can,” Zhong Jiuli said confidently. “After graduation, you’ll have plenty of time to show your skills.”
"But now, let me help you enjoy university life, okay?"
Bai laughed and gave her a light kiss on the lips. "Then you can't be too hard to win over, or if I find I can't, I might just give up."
"If you dare not chase me, I'll beat you to death!" Zhong Jiuli said, feigning ferocity.
"I'll chase you, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth." Bai laughed and hugged her even tighter.
The girl's vow was fervent and sincere, carrying far into the night. The stars in the sky seemed to hear her voice, shining even brighter.
The distant mountains stand silently, the evening breeze pauses to listen, and the entire world becomes a witness to this promise.
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Author's note: [Fireworks][Fireworks][Fireworks] Let's end the extra chapter here. I really don't know what else to write.
Thank you all for your support and for reading this far. I love you all.
If you can give me five stars, that would be even better. But even if you don't, I still love you all.
When I get some inspiration, I'll write some bonus chapters [hugs][hugs][hugs] Thanks again everyone, see you in the next book.
Oh, by the way, my next book will be about forced marriage. This is my first time writing this kind of story, so you can bookmark it in advance and give it a try when I start writing (I've already saved one chapter).
[doge][doge] So, although I said it so casually, I actually really, really want to collect it, sob sob sob [pity][pity][pity]
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