Chapter 7
At 3 p.m., the team arrived at the mountaintop camp as planned.
"Students!" said Philip, the teacher in charge, in a formal yet enthusiastic tone, "We have successfully arrived at our base!"
After climbing the mountain for half a day with their heavy loads, everyone's legs were weak. Except for athletes like Mike, most of them just wanted to lie down on the spot and had no interest in listening to the lecture.
But that didn't stop Philip from seizing the opportunity to give a short explanation: "Look! The legendary castle—it's over there!"
Everyone looked in that direction.
Through the misty clouds, only a corner of the ancient castle is visible atop the steep peak opposite. The ancient and mottled stone walls are hidden among the boulders and lush greenery, mysterious and serene.
Su Yue's heart skipped a beat.
The anxiety and restlessness that had been building up for most of the day vanished the moment I saw that desolate corner. Only peace remained, along with a strange…nostalgia.
The castle not only captivated Su Yue, but also impressed the other students, instantly dispelling their fatigue.
Someone shouted, "Teacher, it's too far! We want to go inside the castle!"
Philip chuckled. "Then you must be a professional rock climber, or have a private helicopter at home." He continued enthusiastically, "Do you know why? There's no path on that peak at all; the summit walls are as steep as if they were cut by a knife."
"The castle was built at an unknown time and by an unknown person, and remained silent for hundreds of years until it was discovered by a group of explorers fifty years ago. They stood right here—just like we are now—and took a picture."
"Later, the castle became famous, and more and more tourists came, but most of them stopped there and just looked at it from the other side of the river. Some rock climbing experts did conquer the steep peaks, and archaeologists also landed by helicopter ladder... Unfortunately, when they went in, they found that it was empty, there was nothing there."
The students listened intently. Su Yue, however, felt a sudden jolt: Something's not right… it shouldn't be empty. There should be something there…
What should be there? He didn't know, but he strongly felt that it shouldn't be empty.
He pressed his slightly aching temples and stopped thinking about it.
Philip continued, “...The entire castle is made of stone, making carbon dating impossible. Scholars can only speculate based on its architectural style that it was built around 2000 BC, roughly the same time as the Great Pyramid of Giza. Of course, this is just speculation, without any evidence. The origin of the castle remains a mystery. Some even say it was built by aliens as a landmark so that UFOs could easily find their way.”
"I see!" The students' eyes lit up as they listened, marveling at the discovery.
Philip felt quite accomplished: he had never seen them so focused when teaching math.
Chatting aside, let's get down to business. "Classmates, you've had your stories and rested enough! Now let's assign campsites, set up tents, and prepare for tonight's bonfire party!"
"yeah--!!"
As a well-established tourist attraction, Castle Hill boasts a well-equipped camping area. More than twenty campsites are marked out on the gentle slope of the summit, each equipped with a small, five-square-meter cabin. Tents can be pitched in the adjacent open space. A service center is also located in the southeast corner, providing firewood, simple meals, and emergency medical care.
The students were thrilled to have a rare chance to get some fresh air, and they went in groups of two or three to choose a spot to set up their tents.
Su Yue naturally teamed up with Martin and John.
It was the first time any of the three guys had ever done this, so they took turns studying the instruction manual, working in a flurry of activity. They argued several times, almost capsizing their friendship.
For example, "Blue Sky Peak" thought the black poles should be horizontal, while "Dragon Destroys the World" insisted on vertical insertion. These poles are the main frame of the tent; if installed incorrectly, the whole thing will collapse. Just as they were arguing heatedly, "War God Under Heaven" carefully read the instructions and said quietly, "You two have the wrong poles... the gray ones should be used."
After finally setting up the tent, all three of them were covered in sweat and exhausted.
To make matters worse, Mike came again.
He made no attempt to hide his disdain for the tent—due to assembly errors, the space, which should have accommodated four people, was severely reduced, barely enough to fit two at most. Although the three nerdy guys were trying to salvage the situation, the current predicament was indeed dire: Martin, a fat man, plus his enormous backpack stuffed with snacks, could take up most of the small tent.
Mike generously invited, "Su Yue, come to my tent."
Su Yue caught a glimpse of the malicious glint in his eyes and thought to herself, "Am I walking into a trap?" She immediately refused, "I'm not going."
Mike wasn't annoyed and persisted, "Really not coming? How can three people fit in your tent?" He walked over to Martin and John, putting his strong arms around their necks, one on each side. "You two think it's too cramped, right?"
To be honest, Martin and John didn't think it would be cramped for three people to sleep in a four-person tent. Mike, on the other hand, had incredible strength, squeezing their necks and shoulders until they ached...
A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle. The two immediately changed their tune: "Yes, it's too small." "Su Yue, why don't you try a different tent?"
Su Yue glared at the two traitors, too angry to speak.
Martin John avoided eye contact. Mike chuckled and released his grip, his tall frame still looming like a mountain beside them, exerting silent pressure. The two men struggled internally: survival? Or survival?
Su Yue's face turned pale with anger.
As evening fell, the ancient castle mountain came alive. Campfires blazed around the campsite, and students gathered in small groups. Some sneaked bites of roasted meat, some chased each other with laughter, and some danced wildly to the music... Popular songs mingled with laughter and shouts, shattering in the mountain breeze.
On the other side of the mountaintop is a viewing platform with a wide view and the best angle for looking at the castle. It is separated from the campsite by a hundred meters of trees and rocks, filtering out the noise of the area and making it a faint background sound, which makes this place particularly tranquil.
Su Yue stood alone in front of the viewing platform, easel set up, paintbrush in hand, painting in the midst of the hustle and bustle.
Several completed works were already on the ground, all themed around ancient castles—the angles were slightly different, but the content was inevitably repetitive.
There was no other way; to avoid Mike, he could only stay here and keep drawing.
Never mind, I'll just treat this as practice.
The setting sun cast its last rays upon the distant mountains, golden clouds drifted by, and the scenery was so magnificent it seemed otherworldly. As he gazed at it, he had a strange feeling: as if he had once lived here.
Mike had come to see him several times, practically becoming his personal deliveryman—once delivering sausages, once coffee, once dessert… Su Yue wanted to refuse, but his stomach, which had been empty for most of the day, started growling uncontrollably.
He felt obligated to help someone who had paid for his meal, so he could only mutter weakly, "One delivery is enough... It's too much trouble to run around like this."
What he really wanted to say was: Stop clinging to me, it's annoying.
Mike smiled and said, "No trouble at all. I'm happy to see you every time."
Su Yue felt a wave of nausea and didn't reply.
Seeing him holding a pen in one hand even while eating, as if clutching a talisman, Mike couldn't bear to disturb him, but then a thought flashed through his mind: "Aren't you tired of drawing landscapes all the time? Why don't you try drawing something else... like the human body?" He paused, "Not to brag, but I'm in a pretty good figure, I can be your model."
"Cough—!" Su Yue choked.
Mike patted his back and said, "Don't get agitated."
Su Yue coughed until his face turned red: Who got excited! I was scared!
Unfortunately, Mike couldn't hear his inner thoughts and added insult to injury: "Actually, I'm shy too, and I've never been a model before. But for you... I'm going all out."
Su Yue coughed even more violently: Please don't go all out!
Mike looked around: "There are fewer people here, so you can draw here if you want. But I think it's better back in the tent, with the chain on, it'll be more private..."
Su Yue finally caught her breath, immediately straightened up, pushed him away, and sternly refused: "No need!"
He can draw figure sketches, but if the model is Mike, especially one-on-one... he'd rather quit drawing.
Mike raised an eyebrow: "Really not going to draw? Don't come begging me for a photoshoot later."
Su Yue's face flushed red and then paled, and she gritted her teeth: "I'm sure!"
Don't think he doesn't know what Mike is thinking—all those excuses like "my tent is spacious" and "I'll be your model" are just that—excuses!
Mike wanted to launch a night raid.
With his bear-like physique, how could he possibly fight back?
Once you step into that tent, your innocence is likely to be compromised.
He absolutely does not want to be eaten by a "bear".
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