Chapter 28: Climbing the Mountain

The next day, Su Mi habitually checked the dark value.

The black and red number remained unchanged, still at 80%.

Su Mi stared at it for a while, feeling like the first digit, 8, wavered a bit.

She blinked, and the number 80 did not change at all.

Su Mi: Was it an illusion?

Could it be that the system’s dark value display is quite smart, like the effect of old cell phones when you try to delete software and they tremble.

Only then did she remember to check her optical brain messages.

…Fine?

Fine!

Su Mi jumped on the spot.

So it wasn’t that Shen Han didn’t want to reply, but that she was busy with work until late.

Su Mi felt very touched and replied with a teary-eyed “okay.”

After two days of rest, it was time for the graduation trip.

Loran Academy provided graduates with a generous amount of time for the activity, booking the Anhe Mountain area for two days.

Su Mi had prepared in advance.

Anhe Mountain wasn’t tall, with climbing paths on all sides. The main route was a wide, gentle mountain road, while a steeper scenic path followed the stream and waterfalls up.

The top of the mountain offered many activities, almost like a large entertainment club. Reading reviews from previous graduates, most chose the relatively gentle mountain road, which took only two or three hours to climb even at a slow pace.

Xu Nanqiao had a tutoring job in the morning, so they decided not to adjust Xu Nanqiao’s schedule. After Xu Nanqiao finished tutoring, Su Mi would pick her up and they would climb Anhe Mountain in the afternoon.

After their conversation, Xu Nanqiao suddenly asked, “Didn’t that Ren Yue student say she would join us too?”

Su Mi: …

What to do, she had forgotten.

And she didn’t seem to have her contact information?

Thinking about Shen Han joining them on the mountain, Su Mi’s mind went blank for a moment.

She tried to recall Shen Han’s reaction to Zhang Furen and Ren Yue at the parent-teacher conference months ago.

Actually, Shen Han seemed okay with Ren Yue.

Seeing them with Ren Yue yesterday, Shen Han didn’t say anything and acted normal.

Ren Yue also mentioned she used to be close to Shen Han, calling her “Little Crane Sister,” so their relationship should still be good.

Su Mi thought of Ren Yue’s mother’s shrewd and strong attitude and guessed Shen Han probably disliked Zhang Furen’s attitude.

Climbing a mountain… She should ask first.

Fortunately, she could find the deleted traces. She did some mental preparation, took a few deep breaths, and bravely pressed the add friend button.

It was quickly accepted.

Su Mi: hi~ Sorry TAT, I accidentally deleted you earlier…

Ren Yue: [Cute hi]

Ren Yue sent a voice message.

In the message, the girl’s voice was soft and slightly raspy, “It’s fine as long as you add me back. I don’t have many friends on Guangxun, and I wondered if I accidentally deleted you.”

Ren Yue’s tone was unique, her ending sounds always trembling, like she didn’t have enough breath, matching her timid demeanor.

Hearing the voice, Su Mi felt even more guilty.

She proactively sent their schedule and asked: Ren Yue, want to join us?

Ren Yue replied after a while with another voice message.

“Sure, I’ll wait for you at the foot of the mountain. Is that okay?”

So, so soft.

Su Mi became more proactive: Where do you live? I’ll pick you up.

Ren Yue sent a crying emoji.

This time, her voice was tiny, “I live far away. It’s fine, I’ll just take the school bus to Anhe Mountain.”

Su Mi frowned. She remembered the school bus’s schedule was in the morning?

She asked about it.

Ren Yue sent an ellipsis, admitting with a text message: I’ll arrive in the morning and wait for you at the foot of the mountain. Resting there before climbing together is fine too :>

Su Mi understood the message and felt incredulous.

Did Ren Yue mean she would take the school bus to Anhe Mountain in the morning and wait at the foot of the mountain all afternoon for them?

No, can’t be?

Su Mi, confused, sat with her hands on the keyboard for a while before nervously typing: Wait that long?

Ren Yue: I promised you guys. Hehe, I really want to play with you.

Su Mi felt as if her heart was pierced.

Ren Yue was so sincere, yet she had deleted her contact and almost forgot to take her climbing.

It was simply, simply treacherous!

Su Mi deeply repented her actions.

But no matter what, she couldn’t let such a good girl really wait all morning at the foot of the mountain.

She tried to coordinate, but Ren Yue seemed insistent, saying her family rules required her to take the school bus.

Xu Nanqiao’s tutoring couldn’t be rescheduled either.

In the end, Ren Yue suggested a compromise: she would climb up first, find a good camping spot, and wait for them on the mountain.

Feeling deeply guilty, Su Mi agreed.

She started thinking about how to make it up to Ren Yue.

Even though Shen Han would be there, Su Mi believed Shen Han agreed to join the graduation trip mainly for Xu Nanqiao.

Once on the mountain, she planned to give Shen Han and Xu Nanqiao some alone time by taking Ren Yue elsewhere, maybe gather some information.

Su Mi’s mind was buzzing with plans.

On the day of the trip, she was well-rested, wearing a comfortable hoodie and skirt, carrying a small bag with emergency supplies like inhibitors and energy snacks.

Like a spring outing.

Picking up Xu Nanqiao to head to Anhe Mountain, she casually mentioned, “I wonder if Sister has left yet.”

Unexpectedly, Xu Nanqiao said, “She has, she should arrive a bit earlier than us.”

Su Mi: Oh?!

These two! Contacted each other?!

She was pleasantly surprised and wanted to ask how the topic came up.

Did Shen Han initiate it? Or Xu Nanqiao?

She glanced at Xu Nanqiao, trying to suppress a smile.

Her task progress seemed great!

Su Mi was very pleased.

Parking at the foot of the mountain, they walked towards the park entrance.

While registering their student information, Su Mi casually asked, “Did Sister go in?”

Xu Nanqiao checked her optical brain, “Yes, she went in ten minutes ago.”

Su Mi: Great!

Always reporting her location, when did the villain become so proactive?

Suppressing her smile, Su Mi said, “Let’s go in, don’t keep her waiting.”

The foot of the mountain had a park-like rest area. Xu Nanqiao even knew where Shen Han was waiting and led Su Mi there.

In the garden’s center, surrounded by trees, turning a corner, they saw two figures standing and leaning under a large tree.

…Wait, two?

Su Mi blinked in disbelief and felt stiff.

Why did Shen Han bring Li Zhao?

Under the shade, both tall figures were dressed casually.

Li Zhao, leaning against the tree in her usual wide-shouldered tank top and cargo pants, her short hair tied in a small ponytail, arms crossed and smiling, talking to Shen Han.

Hearing footsteps, Shen Han turned to look at them.

Usually in formal suits or outfits, Shen Han was now in a rare casual look, with a tight tank top under a loose shirt tied at the waist, long pants covering her sneakers, making her legs look extra long.

Su Mi couldn’t help but glance twice.

The villain usually kept a low profile… didn’t expect such a good figure…

Wait, what was she thinking?

Her original plan was to meet them, then give Shen Han and Xu Nanqiao some space.

But with Li Zhao here…

Remembering Li Zhao’s previous teasing, Su Mi felt apprehensive. Approaching them, she instinctively leaned towards Shen Han for comfort.

Greeting Xu Nanqiao together, she said, “Doctor Li, hello.”

Forcing herself, she moved back a bit.

Li Zhao glanced at her, then Shen Han, surprisingly saying nothing more, and patted her bag, “Let’s go, before the sun gets too hot.”

They took the wide mountain road up.

At noon, the path was shady, not too sunny. There weren’t many people, as most graduates had already reached the top.

Walking along, their formation became: Su Mi – Shen Han – Xu Nanqiao – Li Zhao.

Initially, Xu Nanqiao was between Su Mi and Shen Han.

Shen Han was closer to Li Zhao, chatting about the weather.

Soon, Li Zhao moved forward a bit, looking at them, laughing, “Nanqiao, how’s your mom? Still headaches?”

Xu Nanqiao moved closer, talking about Xu Rou’s condition.

Su Mi strained to listen, but Li Zhao didn’t mention any specific illness, just daily care tips.

She caught a few keywords, like Li Zhao sending Xu Rou messages with dietary tips.

Xu Nanqiao said her mom was following Li Zhao’s diet plan.

Both had good stamina, Xu Nanqiao often worked part-time, and Li Zhao looked athletic. Chatting, their pace quickened.

Shen Han remained beside Su Mi.

Su Mi glanced at the two ahead, then at Shen Han.

Her own body wasn’t strong, the steady uphill walk already requiring regulated breathing.

Observing Shen Han, clearly not struggling at all.

But still keeping pace with Su Mi, hands in pockets, casually observing the scenery.

When Shen Han noticed her gaze, she asked, “Can you keep up?”

Su Mi: Of course.

Just half an hour in, though she was weak, she wasn’t that weak.

Just slightly out of breath, that’s all, just a bit!

Pointing to the two ahead, she suggested, “I can keep up. Sister, why don’t you walk faster with them?”

After all, Li Zhao’s personality…

Initially, they might have been discussing Xu Rou, but who knew where the conversation would lead.

Su Mi was more anxious for Shen Han than worrying about her own stamina.

Though Shen Han seemed to be calm and unaffected, Su Mi knew that people like Li Zhao could easily steal the spotlight from someone with a personality like Shen Han’s.

Shen Han, however, misunderstood her. After a moment’s pause, she asked, “Shall I ask them to slow down?”

Su Mi: “No, no, really, I can keep up!”

She immediately picked up her pace.

After two more turns on the mountain road, Xu Nanqiao and Li Zhao were taking a break at a resting pavilion.

A little while later, Su Mi and Shen Han caught up.

Leaning on her legs, Su Mi took a moment to catch her breath and decided she needed to work on her fitness over the summer before university.

A water bottle appeared before her.

Looking up, Shen Han’s cold eyes looked down at her, the sleeves of her shirt neatly buttoned. “Take a sip before continuing.”

After drinking some water and catching her breath, Xu Nanqiao joined them.

“We’ve climbed a third of the way. This mountain isn’t high. Su Su, can you continue?”

Su Mi: “Of course.”

She smiled at Xu Nanqiao and asked, “What were you and Dr. Li talking about?”

Xu Nanqiao replied, “She was talking about interesting stories from past graduation trips. Let’s slow down and you can listen too.”

Su Mi immediately felt regret.

Having a senior share past experiences would be perfect for Shen Han.

Turning to look at Shen Han, she stood quietly by, watching the mountain scenery.

Her side profile against the layered mountain peaks was like a beautiful ink painting.

Su Mi, holding her water bottle, suddenly understood why Ren Yue called her “Little Crane Sister.” ¹

From her appearance alone, she did resemble a cold and aloof ink crane.

However, Shen Han had been unusually silent.

Could it be…

Su Mi glanced at Li Zhao, standing leisurely beside Xu Nanqiao.

Receiving her gaze, Li Zhao gave a playful wink.

Su Mi: …Nonsense.

She averted her eyes, thinking calmly.

Could Shen Han be jealous?

After all, Shen Han hadn’t participated in graduation trips, wasn’t familiar with Xu Rou’s illness, couldn’t join their conversation, and needed to look after her slow-climbing little sister.

She had made an effort to join this group of young graduates, hoping to create some memories with Xu Nanqiao.

But a random friend she brought along stole Xu Nanqiao’s attention?

The more Su Mi thought about it, the more it made sense.

That’s… a good thing!

Jealousy could help Shen Han realize the depth of her feelings.

The only downside was Shen Han’s high dark value, her fragile heart might increase the dark value if the jealousy became too intense.

Given Shen Han’s current silence, she might be reaching her jealousy limit.

The next step should be to find an opportunity for Shen Han and Xu Nanqiao to be alone.

This thought made Su Mi nervous.

There were only four of them.

For Shen Han and Xu Nanqiao to be alone, the only way was… for her to approach Li Zhao.

And here came the problem.

Last time, Shen Han had told her to stay away from Li Zhao.

If she approached Li Zhao in front of Shen Han, would Shen Han understand her intention to give her and Xu Nanqiao some alone time?

Would she kill her?

Su Mi decided to take a gamble.

Everyone had rested enough. Shen Han stood at the pavilion’s edge and asked, “Shall we continue?”

Su Mi nodded.

Then, bravely, she walked alongside Li Zhao.

She summoned her courage and just as she was about to speak, “Li…” she felt a cold presence behind her.

Her hood was gently but firmly tugged, pulling her to the side.

Shen Han stood in front of her, expression cold.

Her voice was low but clear.

“What did I say?”

Su Mi: …

Great memory, sister.

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T/N:
¹ Little Crane Sister – Ren Yue calls Shen Han “小鹤姐姐” [Xiao He jiejie] lit. “Little Crane Sister.” As referenced in this chapter, the nickname likely originated due to the poetic and/or elegant image Shen Han presents. (I def should’ve mentioned this chapters ago I just wasn’t thinking about it.)