Chapter 35: She Was Like a Kitten

At first, the atmosphere between the two as they took pictures was pleasant, until Ji Yanxi barged in.

Ji Yanxi was the epitome of a spoiled scion, utterly addicted to pleasure and indulgence. He was young enough that his figure could still pass muster, but in truth, his physical condition was poor. Climbing the mountain nearly cost him half his life.

He arrived just as the two were taking photos, and without hesitation, rushed over to Yu Wanqing’s side. “Taking pictures, huh? Great, let’s do it together!”

“You weren’t invited,” Ye Yaoyao replied, her expression darkening. This was just too irritating.

“Well, you can invite me now. We’re all out here together, no need for cliques.” As he spoke, he reached out to drape his arm around Yu Wanqing. “Why keep your distance even in photos?”

Yu Wanqing’s gaze was icy, ready to act, when a large hand rudely yanked Ji Yanxi away.

“Hey, Yan, what are you doing? I want to take pictures with them…”

“Come here,” Yan said.

Ye Yaoyao and Yu Wanqing continued taking their photos. Yu Qingqing watched with venomous eyes, her nails digging into her flesh without her noticing. On the way up, she had deliberately lagged behind to keep Ji Yanxi company, hoping to strengthen their bond. But Ji Yanxi hadn’t spared her a glance—his eyes kept searching for Yu Wanqing.

How Yu Qingqing wished Yu Wanqing would just die right now. Then everything in the Yu family, along with Ji Yanxi’s attention, would be hers.

After taking photos halfway up the mountain, the group pressed on toward the summit. They reached the peak as the sun was setting.

Yu Wanqing took another round of photos. “Yaoyao, the sunset is truly beautiful.”

“Yes, it’s stunning.” Since her separation from Yan, Ye Yaoyao felt as though she had come alive again. There was so much beauty in life; she shouldn’t focus all her attention on one person.

But as they sighed in admiration, the weather suddenly shifted. Raindrops, big as beans, began to pour down.

“What’s going on? Why is it suddenly raining?”

Ye Yaoyao grabbed Yu Wanqing’s arm. “Forget it, let’s get down the mountain first.”

They hurried to descend before the rain worsened, lest they be trapped. Yet the rain only grew heavier, and soon the group was stranded halfway up the mountain.

“What do we do?”

“We need to find shelter.”

“How? Are we supposed to hide in a cave?” Ji Yanxi said tiredly.

Ye Yaoyao and Yu Wanqing ignored him, already searching for a place to stay. They successfully found a cave—not large, but just enough for the five of them to squeeze inside, pressed close together.

Ye Yaoyao was wedged between Yu Wanqing and Yan. She really didn’t want to be this close to Yan.

“You all stay here, I’ll look around,” she said, hunching as she left.

Yu Wanqing tried to follow, but Ji Yanxi grabbed her. “What’s the rush? Yan will go.”

As expected, Yan followed Ye Yaoyao as soon as she stepped out.

Yu Wanqing slapped Ji Yanxi hard on the back of his hand.

Ji Yanxi yelped, “Ouch!”

“Keep your hands to yourself.” Yu Wanqing moved toward Bai Mohan, putting distance between herself and Ji Yanxi.

Meanwhile, Ye Yaoyao found another cave farther away. She breathed a sigh of relief as she slipped inside, only to tense up again upon seeing Yan.

“Why are you here?”

“It’s too crowded over there.”

“There are probably other caves nearby—you should look for another.” Ye Yaoyao dismissed him, having come here precisely to avoid Yan.

“Alright,” he said, though he had no intention of leaving.

Apparently, others had been trapped here before; Yan found some dry firewood inside, took out a lighter, and lit it. Their clothes were wet and clung to their bodies, and with the night wind blowing in, it was cold. Once the firewood was burning, a wave of warmth spread through, and Ye Yaoyao felt much better.

The rain only intensified, showing no sign of stopping. It seemed they wouldn’t be able to descend tonight.

There was only so much dry firewood in the cave—it wouldn’t last long. If she slept here, she’d likely catch cold, but Ye Yaoyao had no choice. She regretted acting on impulse and coming here; at least squeezed in with Yu Wanqing, she could have stayed warm.

The firewood was gone.

Ye Yaoyao hugged herself for warmth.

Seeing this, Yan reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Ye Yaoyao reacted instinctively, trying to push him away, but he caught her hand and held it firmly.

“Yan, what are you doing?”

“Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m not cold!” Ye Yaoyao insisted, though her body trembled uncontrollably.

Yan smiled. “No need to put on a brave face in front of me.”

He pressed her hands down and cradled her as if she were a child.

Ye Yaoyao struggled, but Yan held her fast in his embrace. When it came down to it, she truly wasn’t strong enough to break free.

Ye Yaoyao shot him a glare, then shut her eyes tightly—out of sight, out of mind.

After all the commotion, the heat from Yan’s body combined with her restlessness made Ye Yaoyao feel unexpectedly warm.

Just then, laughter sounded above her head. She nearly opened her eyes on instinct, but forced herself to resist.

Yan gazed at her face so close—close enough to see the rosy flush on her cheeks.

Why was her skin so flawless?

And when she shut her eyes and frowned, she looked rather adorable.

Yan pulled her closer, their bodies pressed tightly together.

Ye Yaoyao couldn’t escape; she turned over, laying with her back to Yan in his arms.

After the exhausting day, her eyelids grew heavy, and despite the harsh circumstances, she fell asleep.

She woke in the middle of the night, chilled, and found Yan staring at her.

Startled, Ye Yaoyao nearly rolled off him, but Yan’s large hand caught her and pulled her back.

She shifted, sensing his discomfort, and obediently stayed still.

After being used as a pillow for so long, Yan’s legs were surely numb.

“You didn’t sleep?”

Yan laughed softly. “You slept so soundly, and yet you’re worried about me?”

Whatever guilt Ye Yaoyao had evaporated at once. She replied earnestly, “You’re the one who pressed me onto your legs—don’t act like I oppressed you.”

“Yes, I misspoke,” Yan said, tapping her nose. He felt a ticklish affection; she was so much like a kitten in his arms, he couldn’t help but tease her.

His gesture made the atmosphere suddenly awkward.

Ye Yaoyao’s eyes darted, and she turned away in embarrassment. As she moved, the numbness in Yan’s leg felt like thousands of ants biting and stinging, and he wished he could push her off.

Sensing Yan’s discomfort, Ye Yaoyao felt much better herself.

She closed her eyes, but couldn’t sleep for a long while, until she realized the rain had stopped.

“The rain’s gone, we can descend the mountain,” Ye Yaoyao said, bending as she walked out.

She stood at the cave entrance, looking down—pitch black.

Dark as an abyss, descending from here was like walking the edge of the underworld.

But she truly didn’t want to return to the cave—Yan was in Ji’nan.

Ye Yaoyao hugged herself, feeling Yan come out behind her, then headed off in another direction.

She scanned the area briefly, then turned back inside.

The cave was still warmer than outside.