The hiking trail began where the paved road ended.
From that point onward, it was nothing but uneven stone steps, slick with moisture, patches of shallow water flowing between rocks as if the mountain itself was breathing. Moss clung to the sides of the path, green and dark, and every step required attention. A misstep here didn't just mean dirt—it meant pain.
The air was cool, faintly damp, carrying the scent of pine and wet earth.
Tang Yuze walked slightly ahead, cap pulled low, sunglasses hiding his eyes, his pace steady and unhurried—but always aware of where Meilin was behind him. Commander Yan and the SUV were long gone. From here on, it was a personal path.
Zihan and Xu Feng followed, while Shen Rui and Jiang Ran walked a little to the side, their voices low, eyes never still.
Meilin walked calmly, Zimei trotting beside her, leash loose in her hand.
After a while, the path narrowed, then opened into a small flat stretch where a large rock jutted out like a natural bench. Tang Yuze stopped.
"Let's rest here," he said.
Everyone welcomed it.
They sat or leaned against rocks, catching their breath. The mountain breeze brushed past them, cool against skin warmed by exertion.
Tang Yuze had barely sat when Meilin unscrewed her water bottle and handed it to him.
"Drink," she said simply.
He didn't refuse. Took a few deep gulps, then handed it back.
"Still the same," he said lightly. "Always thinking about others first."
Meilin smiled faintly but didn't reply.
Then she turned, walking toward Zihan.
Xu Feng noticed and quietly shifted away, pretending to check his phone signal.
Meilin stopped in front of Zihan and pulled out a small container from her bag—freshly cut fruit, neatly arranged.
"You skipped breakfast," she said. "Eat."
Zihan froze for half a second before accepting it.
"…Thank you."
He ate slowly, aware of her gaze—not pressing, not questioning. Just there.
Then she noticed his hand.
Her eyes dropped to his palm, the faint bandage hidden beneath the wrap of his sleeve.
"Does it still hurt?" she asked softly.
Zihan shook his head. "No."
She didn't argue. Just took out a small blister pack and pressed it into his hand.
"Still. Take it."
He hesitated, then did as told.
From a short distance away, Shen Rui watched every movement.
Jiang Ran leaned closer, her voice barely audible.
"She's a problem," Jiang Ran said coldly. "A big one."
Shen Rui's fingers clenched.
"She's getting too close to him," Jiang Ran continued. "If you don't deal with her, you won't even get a chance."
Shen Rui didn't reply—but something hardened in her eyes.
The rest passed quietly.
Soon, they resumed the hike.
The final stretch was steeper, the stones sharper, the air thinner. When they finally reached the summit, the view opened suddenly—rolling mountains layered like waves, clouds drifting below their feet, sunlight breaking through in pale gold.
It was breathtaking.
Everyone pulled out their phones.
Xu Feng dragged Tang Yuze over. "Brother Tang, photo. Come on."
Zihan lifted his phone, framing Tang Yuze and Xu Feng against the sky.
Meilin stood a little apart, taking photos of the scenery—the endless green, the way the clouds curled around distant peaks.
She didn't notice Shen Rui approaching from behind.
Didn't notice the slight shift of a foot.
Didn't notice the push.
Her footing slipped.
A sharp jolt shot up her ankle as she stumbled.
"Ah—"
Shen Rui gasped loudly. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you—I was just taking a picture!"
The apology came fast. Too fast.
Tang Yuze was already there.
He crossed the distance in seconds, crouching in front of Meilin, his sunglasses pushed up.
"Where does it hurt?" he asked, voice tight.
Meilin's ankle was already reddening.
"I'm fine," she said instinctively. "It's nothing."
Zihan had moved closer too, his eyes dark as he looked at her leg.
Tang Yuze's jaw tightened.
"You call this nothing?" he said quietly.
He helped her sit, checked the swelling with practiced care.
Shen Rui stood aside, biting her lip, eyes filled with fake worry.
"I really didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Meilin interrupted calmly, already regaining her composure. "Let's not make it a big deal."
The mood shifted.
Photos resumed. Laughter returned—but thinner, forced.
When it was time to head down, Meilin stood—and immediately winced.
She couldn't put weight on it.
Tang Yuze didn't hesitate.
"I'll carry you."
Before she could refuse, he crouched and lifted her onto his back, steady and strong.
"Hold on."
He carried her for a long stretch, his breathing growing heavier with each step, though he never complained.