She hadn’t cried like this in years.

 

Tears streamed down her face, one after another, dripping onto his chest.
Su Hao pressed her lips together, a little embarrassed, and shifted slightly away.

 

The hand cupping the back of her head tightened, and Su Hao was pulled back into his arms.

 

Her face flushed faintly as she spoke hoarsely.

 

“I’m fine now.”

 

“Why not cry a little longer?” Zhou Yang turned slightly and held her close, shielding her from the others’ view.
People were still coming up behind them. Some were already lining up to cross the rope bridge.

 

Several groups had gone down already.

 

Who on earth tells someone to keep crying?
Shouldn’t it be “Don’t cry”?

 

Su Hao shook her head and stretched out her slender hand, waving weakly in the air toward Qiqi.

 

“Tissues…”

 

Zhou Yang glanced at her delicate hand, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.
He looked over at Qiqi. It took her a moment to react before she hurried over with some tissues.

 

Su Hao took them and pressed them against Zhou Yang’s chest as she wiped her tears, nose, and lips.
Zhou Yang took another bottle of water, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to her.

 

She accepted it and tilted her head back to take a few small sips.

 

When she raised her face again, her eyes were red, her nose was red, and even her lips looked flushed.
She lifted her head, drank quickly, then lowered it again.

 

Their eyes met for several brief moments.

 

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow, catching her gaze every time.

 

The last time, there was a trace of teasing in his eyes.

 

After stepping back, Su Hao glanced at the large wet patch on his shirt and looked at him.

 

“Will it dry later?”

 

Zhou Yang lowered his head and looked at it while drinking.

 

“It will.”

 

He calmly screwed the cap back on, then took hold of her wrist.

 

“Let’s go down the mountain.”

 

The space here was narrow, crowded with people, and the sun was strong.
After the emotional tension, everyone seemed restless.
They had also stayed on the mountain for quite a while.

 

Su Hao struggled slightly, though not as fiercely as she used to.
She looked toward Qiqi and the others. They were all sitting nearby, waiting.

 

Yan Chong stood up suddenly.

 

“This guy looks familiar… Anyway, let’s head down.”

 

He put an arm around Qiqi’s shoulders and turned to leave.

 

The others followed.
Su Hao and Zhou Yang walked at the back.

 

She had already pulled her wrist free.
She kept her head lowered, watching the path, absently brushing the wildflowers and grass by the roadside.

 

Zhou Yang carried the bottle of water in one hand and kept the other in his pocket, walking beside her.
Their arms brushed occasionally.

 

Su Hao tried to pull away several times, but it didn’t help much.

 

“Want some water?” His deep voice sounded beside her.

 

She shook her head.

 

She glanced at the bottle.

 

They had just shared the same one.

 

Su Hao: “……”

 

Zhou Yang said casually,
“We’ll drink again when we get down. This water isn’t very good. I came in a hurry and didn’t bring anything.”

 

He was tall and had to dodge branches from time to time.

 

Su Hao asked softly,
“Why did you come up here? And how did you even get to this resort?”

 

He chuckled.

 

“What do you think?”

 

Su Hao: “……”

 

“If it weren’t for you, why would I come here?” he added. “Hm?”

 

She turned her head away and pretended to look at the scenery.

 

Ahead, Qiqi and Yan Chong walked slowly, stopping from time to time.
Qiqi turned back several times and winked exaggeratedly at Su Hao.

 

Su Hao pretended not to notice.

 

Going up the mountain was easy.
Going down felt strangely long.

 

The path was only wide enough for two people.

 

They bumped into each other several times.
Zhou Yang occasionally steadied her or pulled her lightly.

 

The atmosphere grew ambiguous and a little awkward.

 

“This place is really cool,” Su Hao said.

 

“Mm.” Zhou Yang responded. “Do you like it here?”

 

“It’s okay. What about you?”

 

“Next time, I’ll take you somewhere else.”

 

Su Hao didn’t reply and didn’t look at him, still focused on the scenery.
Her slender neck glistened with sweat at the temples.

 

Zhou Yang rubbed the bridge of his nose.

 

It felt strangely new.

 

Ambiguity lingered in the air.

 

He wanted to speak, but didn’t know what to say.

 

She was even initiating conversation.

 

It made him absurdly happy.

 

After that rush of joy, he found himself at a loss for words.
A soft, gentle tension coiled in his chest.

 

Why did it feel like two awkward middle-schoolers dating for the first time?

 

Su Hao noticed it too.
She kept wiping her eyes with the tissue, trying to look busy.

 

Before long, they reached the foot of the mountain.

 

It was still quite sunny, though the wind was strong.
Screams from the rope bridge above echoed loudly.
The stronger the wind, the more unstable it looked.

 

Many more cars were parked around the resort.

 

Two luxury cars were parked side by side.

 

They entered the resort.

 

The first floor housed a leisure area and a swimming pool, and it was crowded at this hour.

 

At a table near the bar sat three men, all handsome and striking.
Many people were glancing their way.

 

The moment Su Hao stepped up the stairs, she recognized Li Yi and the others.

 

She nodded to them politely.

 

Then she turned to Zhou Yang.

 

He tossed the empty bottle into a trash bin and looked back at her.

 

“Do you want to join us?”

 

“I’ll sit with Qiqi and the others.”

 

He glanced toward her colleagues and nodded.

 

“Dinner together later?”

 

“I… I’ll ask them,” she said seriously.

 

It wasn’t like before, when she would simply brush him off.

 

Zhou Yang felt secretly delighted.

 

He cleared his throat.

 

“Alright. Are you going swimming tonight?”

 

“I can’t swim.”

 

“I’ll teach you?”

 

He leaned slightly closer, hands in his pockets.

 

Although his eyes always seemed naturally flirtatious, the way he looked at her now was focused and sincere.

 

Su Hao pressed her lips together.

 

“We’ll see tonight. I should have time.”

 

She didn’t make a definite promise.

 

Zhou Yang smiled.

 

“Okay. I’ll wait for your message.”

 

She nodded and walked toward Qiqi’s table.

 

Qiqi immediately stood up and pulled out a chair for her, casting a glance toward the group of men by the bar.

 

All handsome.

 

Extremely pleasing to the eye.

 

The man who was chasing Su Hao sat down smiling, clearly being teased by his friends.

 

Su Hao took her seat.
Xiao Qi pushed a glass of fruit juice toward her.

 

Su Hao thanked her and took a sip.

 

Qiqi grabbed her hand and whispered excitedly,

 

“Did he chase you all the way up here? He doesn’t look like someone who would come to a place like this.”

 

“Probably,” Su Hao replied.

 

“Don’t be modest. He totally did,” Qiqi said. “And his friends are all so handsome.”

 

Yan Chong suddenly leaned over.

 

“Su Hao, why do I feel like they look so familiar?”

 

Su Hao stiffened slightly and stirred her drink.

 

“Maybe you’ve seen them before?”

 

“I think I have. The one with glasses looks like that famous actress’s husband…”

 

He frowned, then shook his head.

 

Qiqi immediately jumped up.

 

“Really? Really? Su Hao!”

 

Su Hao supported her forehead and said after a long pause,

 

“I’m not close with them either.”

 

She barely spoke to Xu Dian.

 

Those people were simply too dazzling.

 

At gatherings, Su Hao was always the quiet one.

 

Qiqi patted her shoulder.

 

“I get it. You’re clearly not from the same world as them. It’s normal not to know them.”

 

Su Hao smiled and gently pinched Qiqi’s nose.

 

She was always so considerate.

 

After a while, they finished their drinks and decided to go back to their rooms to rest before swimming later.

 

Su Hao and Qiqi walked arm in arm toward the stairs.

 

The men by the bar were still there, smoking and chatting.

 

Su Hao glanced over.

 

Zhou Yang happened to look up.

 

Their eyes met.

 

He lowered the cigarette in his hand and raised an eyebrow with a smile.

 

Su Hao noticed the water stain on his shirt was already dry.
His collar was open again, that careless, roguish look back on his face.

 

She pressed her lips together.

 

A faint smile appeared.

 

Then she turned and went upstairs.

 

The smile was fleeting, but Zhou Yang clearly caught the hint of a dimple.

 

His fingers flicked the cigarette unconsciously.

 

His heart pounded.

 

A few seconds later, he tilted his head, resting his temple on his hand, and laughed softly.

 

Li Yi kicked him.

 

“Enough already.”

 

Xu Dian clicked his tongue.

 

“Your atmosphere completely changed after coming down from the mountain.”

 

“It was worth coming all the way here with you,” Jiang Yu said while scrolling on his phone.
“If we’d had more time, I would’ve brought my wife too.”

 

Zhou Yang crossed his long legs lazily, the cigarette between his lips, his gaze still fixed on where Su Hao had just stood.

 

“It wouldn’t be too late to let them come now.”

 

“No,” Jiang Yu replied. “We’re playing cards tonight. You go swim with her.”

 

Li Yi and Xu Dian both had work in Dong City this time.
Only Jiang Yu had come purely for fun.
Zhou Yang had come for one reason.

 

To chase someone.

 

When he heard Su Hao had gone up the mountain—and was even crossing the rope bridge—he had torn off his tie the moment he got out of the car.

 

He hadn’t even brought his phone.

 

He took the cable car straight up.

 

When he arrived, she was already on the rope bridge.

 

His vision went dark.

 

He switched places with someone in line and followed her up.

 

He had done far more dangerous things than this.

 

But seeing her body sway in midair nearly killed him.

 

At that moment, he realized once again—

 

He was completely done for.

 

Originally, he had planned to scold her for recklessly going on the rope bridge.

 

But the moment he saw her tears, he gave up.

 

All that came out of his mouth was comfort.

 

Back in her room, Su Hao was drenched in sweat.

 

She took her pajamas and went to shower.

 

Under the hot water, she closed her eyes.

 

The scene on the mountain flashed through her mind.

 

Crying like that really did feel good.

 

It was as if a heavy stone in her chest had finally been lifted.

 

Zhou Yang’s “You can do it” had become the courage that carried her across the rope bridge.

 

To be honest, the faint scent of fir on him was comforting.

 

It made her feel safe.

 

Just like that night with the falling object.

 

After showering, Su Hao wrapped herself in a towel and stood at the sink washing her face.

 

The redness on her nose had faded.
Her eyes were still slightly swollen.

 

She patted her cheeks, dried off, blew her hair casually, and lay down.

 

The floor-to-ceiling window was open.

 

The breeze was cool.

 

She fell asleep quickly.

 

She woke up to her phone ringing.

 

“Hello…” Her voice was still soft with sleep.

 

The man on the other end was silent for a few seconds, then unconsciously lowered his voice.

 

“Are you awake?”

 

“Almost.”

 

He laughed softly.

 

“Then… should I wait?”

 

“Okay. I’ll open my eyes.”

 

He chuckled again.

 

“I won’t hang up. I’ll wait.”

 

Only then did Su Hao fully wake up.

 

She glanced at the number.

 

It was unfamiliar.

 

Then she realized it was Zhou Yang.

 

She sat up and leaned against the headboard.

 

“I forgot to ask Qiqi and the others about dinner.”

 

He laughed again.

 

“It’s fine. Do you want to ask them now? Or shall we meet at the pool after dinner?”

 

Thinking of Yan Chong’s suspicions, Su Hao said,

 

“Let’s meet at the pool.”

 

“Oh? Okay.”

 

She said softly, “I’m hanging up.”

 

“Mm. I’ll wait for you to hang up.”

 

He always waited for her.

 

Su Hao felt a little embarrassed and ended the call.

 

Outside, it was already dark.

 

It was seven o’clock.

 

Messages were flooding into the company group chat.

 

They chatted casually, joking and teasing.

 

Su Hao replied and got dressed.

 

All their rooms were on the same floor.

 

As soon as she opened the door, everyone else was coming out too.

 

“Su Hao, there’s seafood for dinner!” Qiqi said excitedly.

 

“That sounds great.”

 

“Did you bring a swimsuit?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Perfect. Let’s go!”

 

They went downstairs together.

 

It was late, and many people had already finished eating.

 

They found a large table.

 

Dish after dish was served.

 

Qiqi froze.

 

“We didn’t order this much, did we?”

 

The waiter smiled.

 

“These were added by Mr. Zhou for Miss Su.”

 

Everyone turned to look at Su Hao.

 

Her ears turned red.

 

“Let’s eat.”

 

They laughed and dug in.

 

After dinner, it was almost eight.

 

The entire resort was lit up.

 

The swimming pool area glowed under two large floodlights.

 

Su Hao went back to her room to change.

 

Her swimsuit was black, with a shawl over it.

 

She didn’t look in the mirror.

 

She simply threw the shawl over her shoulders and went downstairs.

 

The ground was wet and slippery.

 

She walked carefully.

 

She heard Qiqi’s laughter from far away and looked up.

 

On a lounge chair not far away, Li Yi nudged Zhou Yang.

 

“She’s here.”

 

Zhou Yang turned around.

 

For a moment, he forgot how to breathe.

 

Under the lights, the woman’s skin was pale like jade.

 

She stood there, her legs long and straight, her fingers gripping the shawl.

 

The fabric underneath clung to her body, revealing a faint curve of her waist and a glimpse of her navel.

 

She was looking around for someone.

 

Her eyes shimmered in the light.

 

Zhou Yang stood up instantly and walked toward her.

 

The light above her was blocked.

 

She looked up and saw him.

 

He lowered his head, narrowing his eyes.

 

“Who bought you that swimsuit?”

 

His voice was low and hoarse.

 

“I bought it myself.”

 

His gaze fixed firmly on her legs.

 

He forced himself to look away and said quietly,

 

“Good thing it’s nighttime.”

 

She didn’t hear clearly.

 

“What did you say?”

 

He swallowed, placed a cup of fruit juice into her hand, and said,

 

“Nothing.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

“Come on. I’ll teach you.”

 

He took off his sunglasses, tossed them to Li Yi, and jumped into the pool.

 

Su Hao stood at the edge, watching him move effortlessly through the water.

 

Only then did she realize how well-built he was.

 

His abs were firm.
His neck was long and elegant.
His brows looked sharp under the night sky.

 

A few seconds later, he surfaced.

 

“Finished your drink?”

 

She quickly took a few more sips.

 

Then she squatted down.

 

“How do I get in?”

 

“Sit. I’ll carry you.”

 

Qiqi and the others waved at her from the water.

 

Encouraged, Su Hao sat down.

 

Her pale legs slipped into the warm water.

 

Zhou Yang came closer, his large hand gripping her arm.

 

Water and heat rose together.

 

He looked up at her.

 

“Ready?”

 

She nodded.

 

He lifted her gently.

 

She fell into the water and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

 

“It’s okay,” he murmured.

 

“I can’t stand steadily. How can you?”

 

She stumbled, stepping on his foot.

 

His arm slid around her waist and guided her down.

 

“Look. You can stand too.”

 

She lowered her head.

 

Their feet overlapped beneath the water.

 

Her face burned.

 

He turned her gently to face her friends.

 

Qiqi and the others watched with knowing smiles.

 

She tried to pull away.

 

He didn’t let her.

 

“You need to learn breathing first.”

 

“How?”

 

She looked up at him, completely lost.

 

He smiled.

 

“Watch.”

 

He took a breath and dove.

 

A moment later, water splashed behind her.

 

His arms came around her waist again.

 

“Did you get it?”

 

She pinched his arm twice.

 

He laughed quietly.

 

“Inhale, squat down, hold it, then come up to breathe.”

 

He pressed lightly on her shoulder.

 

She went under, eyes shut tight.

 

Her lungs burned.

 

Just as she was about to panic, his hand lifted her gently.

 

She broke the surface, gasping for air.

 

“How was it?” he asked.

 

She nodded.

 

“Not bad.”

 

“Good. Let’s keep going. Don’t push yourself.”

 

He stayed by her side the entire time.

 

Each time she reached her limit, he brought her up.

 

She never once choked on water.

 

He leaned against the pool edge, occasionally taking a sip of the drink Li Yi handed him.

 

He never left her.

 

He watched over her.

 

No other women dared approach.

 

The night was cool.

 

Later, the wind picked up.

 

The water grew chilly.

 

She shivered.

 

He draped her shawl over her shoulders and guided her out.

 

Li Yi tossed over a jacket.

 

Zhou Yang wrapped it around her.

 

“Go shower. Don’t catch a cold.”

 

She nodded and ran upstairs with Qiqi.

 

Yan Chong lingered behind and stared at Zhou Yang.

 

“Mr. Zhou… I really think you look familiar. Have we met?”

 

Zhou Yang lazily buttoned his jacket, cigarette between his lips.

 

“Maybe. Think harder.”

 

A flash went through Yan Chong’s mind.

 

He froze.

 

Zhou Yang.

 

The young master of the Zhou family in Li City.

 

The current CEO of Feijie.

 

That ruthless capitalist.

 

“Goodbye!”

 

Yan Chong bolted upstairs.

 

The others followed like they’d seen a ghost.

 

Zhou Yang clicked his tongue.

 

Su Hao returned to her room and showered again.

 

When she came out, her phone was exploding with messages.

 

Yan Chong: Damn it. Su Hao, your man is that capitalist?!

 

Qiqi: What happened?

 

Xiao Qi: He’s the CEO of Feijie. He’s been trying to acquire our company.

 

Su Hao typed calmly:

 

“He’s not my husband.”

 

Qiqi: He will be sooner or later!

 

Su Hao: ……

 

Her friends continued teasing.

 

She couldn’t get a word in.

 

She stood by the window, drying her hair, staring at the mountain view.

 

Sometimes, people end up walking paths they never wanted to take.

 

Out of necessity.

 

Out of helplessness.

 

Out of desire.

 

When she finished drying her hair and sat on the sofa, her phone rang again.

 

It was the same unfamiliar number.

 

She answered.

 

“Hello.”

 

Zhou Yang’s voice came through softly.

 

“Su Hao… when are you going to take me out of your WeChat blacklist?”

 

She opened her mouth, then suddenly smiled.

 

Her eyes curved like a crescent moon.

 

“You guess.”

 

Zhou Yang: “……”