“Zhou Ye, have you been waiting long?” she asked, slightly breathless.

Zhou Ye looked down at her face, smooth and fair, her lips moist and red, reflecting the sunlight in a way that made him want to kiss her. Every time he looked at her, a wave of affection washed over him. Not only was she sweet and kind, but her beauty was breathtaking, constantly tempting him to steal a kiss. But the subway entrance was far too crowded for such a display.

“Not long, I just got here. Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

They boarded the subway together. The holiday crowds packed the car. Zhou Ye stood in front of Xia Yao. From afar, he stood out, his presence and good looks undeniable.

“Look behind you,” a pretty girl near them whispered to her friend.

“What?” her friend asked, puzzled.

“There’s a really handsome guy.”

The girl shuffled around until she had a clear view of Zhou Ye. Her expression shifted subtly.

“Go ask for his WeChat!”

Xia Yao overheard their whispers, a knot forming in her stomach. She glanced back at the girls every so often, unsure of what to do. Suddenly, she was pulled into a warm embrace. Her cheek pressed against a firm chest through the fabric of his shirt. She turned her head up to find Zhou Ye looking down at her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, seemingly oblivious.

Xia Yao let go of the subway handrail and wrapped her arms around his waist. His waist was slim, but toned, and his broad shoulders made her feel inexplicably safe. Her fingers traced the muscles of his back as she buried her face against him.

Zhou Ye glanced ahead and mouthed “sorry” to the girl who had been about to approach him. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she turned away, avoiding their gaze for the rest of the ride.

After exiting the subway, they had lunch and then took a bus out of the city, heading for the countryside. Arriving at their destination, Xia Yao gasped at the natural beauty. The mountains were covered in trees, a sea of lush, dark green stretching in every direction. 

A mid-sized reservoir nestled between the peaks, where people fished from the banks, enjoying the fine weather. Families picnicked nearby, a scene of perfect harmony between humans and nature.

Seeing her excitement, Zhou Ye glanced at her delicate fingers resting on the hem of her skirt. He took a deep breath and reached out, taking her hand in his.

“There’s a path that leads to the top of the mountain, with places to eat and rest along the way. Further in, there’s an old village. Do you want to go to the reservoir first, or hike up the mountain?”

“I want to see the reservoir,” Xia Yao said, turning to him, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

No one had ever taken her to a place like this. Growing up, she had lived with her grandmother in a small apartment complex. Her grandmother had difficulty walking, and the furthest Xia Yao had ever traveled was to visit relatives.

“Okay, let’s go there first,” Zhou Ye replied patiently.

They strolled around the reservoir, watching people fish. Looking at their rods, Xia Yao suddenly asked, “Zhou Ye, do you know how to fish?”

The question caught him off guard. His experience with water usually involved swimming or surfing. Fishing had never really been on his radar, although he was quite skilled at grilling fish. After a moment of silence, he said, “I didn’t bring any equipment this time, but I’ll take you fishing next time.” 

He figured learning to fish wouldn’t be too difficult. He could start practicing when he got home.

“Okay.” The thought of another outing like this filled Xia Yao with happiness. After a short walk around the reservoir, they started their ascent up the mountain.

The wider sections of the path were paved with cement, while the narrower parts were covered in stone slabs. Even within the dense forest, the trail was clearly marked with signs and the stone path was easy to follow. 

Though the trees were sparse, their height provided ample shade. Zhou Ye matched Xia Yao's pace, walking slowly and offering a helping hand when needed.

Xia Yao started strong, but her energy began to wane. She pushed onward, but her legs felt weak. Other hikers passed them with ease, and Xia Yao felt a pang of anxiety. At this rate, they might not even have time to return after reaching the summit.

But Zhou Ye seemed unhurried, often lagging behind to let her take the lead. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on the back of Xia Yao’s neck, slightly reddened from the friction of her clothes. Zhou Ye stole glances at her neck, a different kind of feeling stirring within him. It wasn’t the intense, focused pleasure of making love, but a more secret, stolen satisfaction. If he gently touched her there, she would probably giggle and turn to him with a playfully annoyed look.

Zhou Ye suppressed the urge to touch her legs, taking a deep breath and calmly following behind. Though his hands and feet behaved, his desire simmered beneath the surface.

People came to Wangyue Mountain to escape the fast-paced city life and experience a slower rhythm. The main attraction was the ancient village at the top, offering both sightseeing and charming guesthouses.

As the sun began to set, the clear sounds of birdsong and mountain songs drifted through the air. Xia Yao had rested many times during the climb. She simply didn’t have the stamina to reach the summit in one go. Zhou Ye ended up carrying her for the latter part of the hike.

They reached the top at six in the evening, having passed the Liusong Ancient Village along the way. The mountain was surprisingly crowded with people enjoying the sights, taking photos, and waiting for the sunset.

Standing behind a stone railing, Xia Yao gazed at the village below and the distant scenery. Turning to Zhou Ye, she said, "It's getting late, we should head back down."

Zhou Ye leaned against the railing beside her, the breeze ruffling his hair. His t-shirt sleeves were pushed up to his shoulders, revealing toned arms. He looked relaxed and carefree, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, his silhouette outlined in a soft light.

"No rush," he said, "Look over there."

Xia Yao followed his gaze. In the fading light, the reservoir they had seen earlier shimmered, reflecting the sunset and forming a crescent shape.

"So this is Wangyue Mountain…" she murmured, captivated. The shimmering, golden crescent, framed by the setting sun and gentle breeze, was breathtaking.

Zhou Ye didn't respond immediately. He watched the people strolling through the village below, then finally spoke the words he’d been rehearsing all afternoon.

"Yes…and it’s too late to go down now…" He glanced at her porcelain neck, unable to meet her eyes directly. "Let's stay in a guesthouse tonight."

Xia Yao hesitated, lowering her head. "Is it because I was too slow? I’m sorry…" Her expression clouded with sadness, and Zhou Ye suddenly felt like a brute.

Wangyue Mountain wasn't meant to be climbed and descended in a single afternoon. Those who intended to do the round trip usually started at dawn. He had deliberately brought her to the mountain in the afternoon, knowing it would be nearly impossible to descend before dark. The people in the village were staying for the sunset and the sunrise the next morning.

"I'm sorry," Zhou Ye said, afraid she was overthinking things. He gathered his thoughts and, his face burning, confessed in a low voice, "If we had come this morning, we could have gone back down before dark. I wanted to spend the night with you on the mountaintop, that's why I brought you here this afternoon."

His face, flushed in the sunset, matched the deep red of the sky. The mountain breeze swirled around them as he pulled her into his arms, his face nuzzling her neck.

"Let's watch the sunrise together tomorrow, okay?"

Held close against him, Xia Yao could hear the rapid beating of his heart. After a moment of silence, she reached up and grasped the fabric of his shirt, nodding slightly. A soft "Mmm-hmm" escaped her lips.

"Okay."