Zhai Mo endured the agonizing car ride, finally making it through three hours to reach their destination.
As if granted a pardon, he pushed Yao Zuizui away and practically fled from the vehicle.
Once he got out, Yao Zuizui, who had been seemingly asleep, suddenly opened her eyes—clear and alert.
*Brother, can’t handle it already?*
*Hehe, just wait~ I’m going to flirt with you even more~*
The company-hired tour guide enthusiastically and proudly began his introduction: “Ladies and gentlemen~ Welcome to Mount Hua! Known in ancient times as the ‘Western Peak,’ it’s one of China’s famous Five Great Mountains. To the south, it connects with the Qinling Mountains, and to the north, it overlooks the Yellow and Wei Rivers, guarding the gateway between the northwest and the Central Plains.”
“First, let me introduce the main attractions…” The guide’s voice was gentle, his speech crisp and engaging, making even the most mundane details sound interesting.
The colleagues responded with excitement, buzzing with anticipation.
Yao Zuizui listened eagerly, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Zhai Mo glanced at her expression and scoffed before turning his attention back to the guide, calculating the best moment to act.
“This time, our itinerary is as follows: First, you’ll explore the Jade Spring Temple on your own. After dinner, we’ll regroup here and hike up the western route—’the only path up Mount Hua since ancient times’—to reach the East Peak for sunrise.”
The guide spoke with warmth, and Yao Zuizui, brimming with excitement, led her colleagues in applause, drawing curious glances from passersby.
*So embarrassing…* Zhai Mo turned away, pretending not to be with them.
The guide, rarely encountering such enthusiastic tourists, chuckled awkwardly before continuing: “After sunrise, we’ll visit the East Peak, South Peak, West Peak, Middle Peak, and North Peak, then descend via the ‘Wisdom Path.'”
“Got it!” Yao Zuizui and her colleagues cheered again.
“Alright, you’re free to explore now. I’ll meet you back here at seven tonight.” The guide waved, and the group scattered.
A few female colleagues lingered, stealing shy glances at Yao Zuizui.
But they knew CEO Zhai disliked clingy women, so they gritted their teeth and left.
Only Yao Zuizui and Zhai Mo remained.
Truthfully, Yao Zuizui had little interest in the scenery.
In the celestial realm, every view was a paradise beyond mortal imagination.
Besides, if she wanted to see any landscape, she could ride a cloud and arrive in an instant—anything she desired was within reach.
She just wanted to spend more time with Zhai Mo.
But Zhai Mo ignored her. After a moment of contemplation, he headed toward the Jade Spring Temple.
Yao Zuizui pouted and followed closely behind.
Inside the temple, ancient trees towered, exuding an air of timeless elegance.
Zhai Mo wandered aimlessly, bored, only to find that the “useless idiot” was still tailing him.
He stopped abruptly—sure enough, so did she.
With a dark expression, Zhai Mo demanded, “Why are you following me?”
“I’m not following you,” Yao Zuizui replied with feigned innocence. “I’m just touring the Jade Spring Temple. Our paths happen to overlap.”
*Fine.*
Zhai Mo didn’t want to argue. He turned and walked away—*Go tour by yourself then.*
But to his disbelief, the shameless idiot continued trailing him all the way out.
Zhai Mo glared at her in silence.
Yao Zuizui shrugged. “I’m done touring.”
“…” Zhai Mo finally understood—this whole trip was orchestrated to torment him.
From her actions in the car to now, everything clicked.
*She’s deliberately trying to provoke me.*
To deny her the satisfaction, Zhai Mo resolved to remain indifferent, no matter what she did.
After dinner, the group began their hike up the mountain.
Yao Zuizui had intended to stick close to Zhai Mo.
But to her surprise, he deliberately positioned himself behind her.
A faint smirk curled her lips as she chatted and laughed with the others, her mind razor-sharp.
*So this is why he wanted to climb the mountain.*
*He plans to push me off when no one’s looking and claim I slipped.*
*Brother, I’ll make sure to give you the perfect opportunity~*
The ascent was treacherous, especially at Thousand-Foot Precipice and Hundred-Foot Crevice.
Thousand-Foot Precipice was a narrow path winding along sheer cliffs, carved into the rock like a fissure, with steps barely wide enough for a sideways foot.
The group formed a single file, inching forward with difficulty.
Zhai Mo’s gaze fixated on Yao Zuizui’s safety harness, willing it to fail.
Yao Zuizui exaggerated her fear, pretending to stumble a few times.
Yet she made it through unscathed—outwardly shaken, inwardly unruffled.
Meanwhile, Zhai Mo’s emotions rollercoastered behind her.
Gripping the iron chains, they climbed to Hundred-Foot Crevice—a steep slope with loose, dangling rocks.
Zhai Mo eyed those rocks, willing them to crush Yao Zuizui as she passed.
But once again, his wish went unfulfilled.
Yao Zuizui safely reached the North Peak with the group.
It was the off-season, so only a handful of tourists lingered.
Dim streetlights dotted the peak, and everyone excitedly snapped photos with their phones.
Once they finished, Yao Zuizui brushed sweat-dampened strands from her forehead.
“You guys go ahead to the East Peak. I’ll rest here for a bit.”
She deliberately panted heavily for effect.
Colleagues volunteered to stay with her, but Zhai Mo silently retreated into the shadows—unseen, unnoticed.
At Yao Zuizui’s insistence, the group reluctantly left, casting worried glances. No one realized Zhai Mo hadn’t followed.
Yao Zuizui pretended not to notice, humming a tune as she sat on the ground.
Zhai Mo lurked in the darkness, watching her with disdain.
*Hum all you want. Your time’s almost up.*
After resting, Yao Zuizui stood, stretching.
The remaining tourists had moved on, leaving only a few vendors selling snacks and drinks.
To give Zhai Mo his chance, she wandered toward an unlit, unguarded edge.
“Hey, be careful over there! No railings!” a vendor called out.
“Thanks! Just taking some photos!” Yao Zuizui replied, stepping to the cliff’s edge.
One more step, and she’d plummet to her death.
Zhai Mo crept forward, hidden in the night.
The peak was dark, the vendors oblivious.
He thought himself undetected—but Yao Zuizui could sense his soul.
Staring into the abyss, she counted silently.
*One step.*
*Two steps.*
*Almost there.*
A rush of wind—Zhai Mo struck without hesitation.
Yao Zuizui sighed inwardly. *No affection at all. So quick to kill.*
But her reflexes didn’t falter. A second slower, and she’d be dead.
Though she couldn’t use celestial magic, her ingrained agility saved her.
To Zhai Mo’s shock, his push met empty air—then Yao Zuizui crashed into his arms.
She buried her face against his chest. “So scary! So high! I should’ve never come!”
“…” Zhai Mo stiffened, trying to pry her off.
*Since when is he this strong?*
“Let me hug you! What’s the big deal?” Yao Zuizui tightened her grip, nuzzling closer.
Her breath warmed his skin as she “realized” who he was.
“Brother? Is that you?”
“…” Zhai Mo kept struggling.
“Haha, it is you! Then I’ll hug as long as I want! Brother, I’m terrified—just let me! We’re family, it’s fine!”
She clung like a leech, her hands roaming.
“Brother, why’s this mountain so scary?”
She pressed flush against him, leaving no space, her face inches from his.
“Brother, are you scared too? You can hug me back.”
“Brother, it’s cold up here. Hugging helps.”
“Brother, why so quiet?”
“Brother, you’re pretty fit. Those abs, that chest—wow. Let’s hit the gym together later!”
Her husky whispers and warm breath teased his lips, his ears.
If not for knowing “he” was a man who liked women, Zhai Mo might’ve felt like a harassed maiden.
—
**Author’s Note:**
Happy Qixi Festival!
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