Chapter 13
At four in the morning, the guesthouse was still shrouded in the inky darkness of night. The chirping of insects outside the window had gradually subsided, leaving only the warm glow of the string lights casting dappled patterns of light on the stone path. Chu Xiaoche quietly got up, careful not to wake Qi Zihao, who was fast asleep beside him. The boy was curled up in the blankets, wisps of hair falling across his forehead, a faint smile on his lips, as if he were having a sweet dream.
Chu Xiaoche sat on the edge of the bed, his fingertips gently tracing Qi Zihao's flushed cheeks. He recalled their late-night conversation, during which Qi Zihao blushed and said that he was the person Qi Zihao photographed most often. His heart raced. He took out his phone and looked through the photos Qi Zihao had sent him last night. Each one was perfectly captured: Qi Zihao's focused posture as he arranged the picnic blanket, his concentrated effort as he carried him down the mountain, and the silhouette of his profile bathed in the gentle golden light of the setting sun.
"Hmm..." Qi Zihao turned over, opened his eyes groggily, and saw Chu Xiaoche sitting on the edge of the bed. He rubbed his eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "Chu Xiaoche, why are you up so early?"
"I want to take you to see the sunrise." Chu Xiaoche smiled and spoke softly, "The sunrise at the mountaintop is beautiful; it would be a shame to miss it."
Qi Zihao immediately woke up, his eyes sparkling: "Okay! I'll get up right away!" He quickly put on his clothes, not forgetting to pick up his camera, afraid of missing any beautiful moment.
The two tiptoed out of the room, only to find two figures already in the courtyard. Jiang Ziyu was carrying a drawing board, and Mu Nanjin was holding a coat; they were clearly also heading to watch the sunrise.
"Are you going to watch the sunrise too?" Chu Xiaoche asked with a smile.
Mu Nan nodded, her gaze falling on Jiang Ziyu, and said gently, "He said he wanted to paint the light and shadow at sunrise."
Jiang Ziyu's ears turned slightly red. He didn't say anything, but tightened his grip on the easel on his back, while unconsciously taking a step closer to Mu Nanjin.
The four walked side by side up the mountain. The night had not yet completely faded, and the mountain air was exceptionally fresh, carrying the fragrance of grass and earth. Qi Zihao walked in front, stopping from time to time to take pictures of the remaining stars in the night sky. Chu Xiaoche followed behind him, reminding him to watch his step on the pebbles.
"Look, that star is so bright!" Qi Zihao pointed to the sky, his tone excited. Chu Xiaoche followed his gaze and reached out to tidy his wind-blown hair: "That's the morning star. It's out, so the sun will rise soon."
On the other side, Jiang Ziyu tripped over a stone and stumbled forward. Mu Nanjin quickly caught him, gripping his wrist tightly, her voice full of concern: "Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?"
Jiang Ziyu steadied himself, his cheeks flushed slightly, and gently shook his head: "It's nothing, thank you." He could clearly feel the warmth of Mu Nanjin's palm, like a warm current spreading from his wrist to his heart.
By the time they reached the summit, the eastern sky was already beginning to lighten. The four found an open spot to sit and wait for the sunrise. Qi Zihao set up his camera and aimed it eastward. Chu Xiaoche sat beside him and quietly draped his coat over his shoulders, saying, "It's windy up here, don't catch a cold."
Qi Zihao looked up at him and smiled, "You too, don't just think about me." He moved closer to Chu Xiaoche, and their shoulders gently leaned against each other, warm and reassuring.
Jiang Ziyu took out his easel and began sketching the light and shadow on the horizon. Mu Nanjin sat beside him, quietly watching him paint, occasionally whispering reminders: "Make the clouds on the left a little lighter; the sun is about to come out, and the light and shadow will be warmer." Jiang Ziyu nodded, adjusting his brush according to his suggestion, and the colors under his brush gradually became brighter.
Before long, the sun rose above the horizon, and golden rays instantly filled the sky, illuminating every corner of the mountains. Qi Zihao excitedly pressed the shutter, capturing this magnificent moment. Chu Xiaoche looked at his profile illuminated by the sunlight, his eyes tender, and couldn't help but reach out and hold his hand: "Zihao, I have something to tell you."
Qi Zihao turned his head and met his serious gaze, his heart inexplicably racing: "Go ahead."
“From the first time I saw you by the stream, I was attracted to you.” Chu Xiaoche’s voice was deep and firm. “Your smile, your seriousness, and those gentle images in your camera all made me want to get closer to you. Zihao, I like you, not just as a friend, but as someone who wants to watch the sunrise and sunset with you, and walk with you through every spring, summer, autumn and winter to come.”
Qi Zihao's cheeks flushed instantly, and his eyes welled up with tears. He nodded vigorously, his voice choked with emotion, "Me too, Chu Xiaoche, I like you too."
Chu Xiaoche smiled and pulled him into his arms. The sunlight shone on them, warm and dazzling. Qi Zihao leaned against him, listening to his strong heartbeat, his heart filled with sweetness.
On the other side, Jiang Ziyu looked at the sunrise in front of him, then looked at Mu Nanjin beside him, and mustered up his courage to say, "Mu Nanjin, I also really like the poem you mentioned before."
Mu Nanjin turned his head, his eyes full of surprise: "Really?"
"Yes." Jiang Ziyu nodded, his eyes serious. "I also want to spend my life with the person I love, amidst the joys and sorrows of life. Mu Nanjin, I like you."
Mu Nanjin's lips instantly curved into a smile. He reached out and took Jiang Ziyu's hand, his fingertips gently stroking the back of his hand: "I've been waiting to say these words for a long time. Zihao, I like you too."
The two smiled at each other, sunlight falling on their clasped hands, outlining their gentle silhouettes. Jiang Ziyu lowered his head and continued painting the sunrise before him, but this time, his painting included a figure standing side by side.
Just then, familiar footsteps sounded behind them. Song Mingye and Song Linchuan also arrived, and seeing the two couples embracing in front of them, they smiled at each other.
"It seems we're late and missed a very important moment," Song Mingye said with a smile.
Song Linchuan walked over to Qi Zihao and patted him on the shoulder: "Congratulations."
Qi Zihao scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "Thank you."
Chu Xiaoche held Qi Zihao's hand and said with a smile, "Let's watch the sunrise together. Such a beautiful view should be shared with someone you love."
The six of them stood side by side on the mountaintop, watching the sun rise higher and higher, its golden rays bathing them in warmth and brightness. Qi Zihao raised his camera, pressed the shutter, and captured this heartwarming moment. In the photo, the smiles of all six were exceptionally radiant, like the rising sun, full of hope.
On the way down the mountain, Qi Zihao was still being carried on Chu Xiaoche's back. He lay on Chu Xiaoche's back, holding a camera, occasionally snapping photos of the scenery around them, as well as Chu Xiaoche's gentle profile. Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin walked side by side, their hands tightly clasped together, occasionally whispering to each other, their eyes full of sweetness.
Song Mingye and Song Linchuan walked at the back, watching the two couples ahead of them, their hearts filled with joy. Song Mingye put his arm around Song Linchuan's shoulder: "Achuan, look, they've both found their happiness."
Song Linchuan nodded and leaned against him: "Yes, it's really nice."
When they returned to the guesthouse, the sun was already high in the sky. The guesthouse owner, seeing them come back, smiled and said, "You all look so happy; you must have seen the most beautiful sunrise!"
"Mmm!" Qi Zihao said excitedly, "The sunrise was especially beautiful, and we also gained something very important." He glanced at Chu Xiaoche beside him, his smile particularly sweet.
Everyone sat in the courtyard eating breakfast, the atmosphere exceptionally warm and cozy. Qi Zihao took out his camera and looked through the photos taken that morning with Chu Xiaoche, occasionally bursting into laughter. Jiang Ziyu handed the completed sunrise drawing to Mu Nanjin: "Here you go, this is a drawing I made especially for you." Mu Nanjin took the drawing, her eyes gentle: "I will treasure it."
Looking at everything before him, Song Mingye felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He knew that this homestay trip had not only relaxed them but also tightly bound the hearts of the four couples together. The road ahead was long, but as long as they stood hand in hand, they would surely overcome all difficulties and usher in their own happiness.
A gentle evening breeze wafted past the window, carrying the fragrance of flowers and the sweet scent of lovers. Their story continues, warmed by the morning light and the warmth of everyday life, flowing gently and enduringly through the long river of time.
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