Chapter 346: The Mountain Path

Lin Xiao sighed. He glanced at Ning Xi, who was still pouting in defiance, her delicate foot extended toward him, showing off the reddened heel.

“Sister Ning Xi, do you really think that’s going to work on me?” Lin Xiao asked, his tone indifferent.

Ning Xi blinked, then quickly retracted her foot, slipping it back into her high heel as if nothing had happened. “Hmph, who’s trying to make anything work on you? I’m just stating the facts. My feet are sore, and I can’t walk anymore.”

Lin Xiao shook his head. “It’s just ten kilometers. Even a child could—”

Before he could finish, Ning Xi suddenly lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“If you won’t carry me on your back, then I’ll just have to hug you like this while we walk.” She smirked, her soft, fragrant body pressing against him.

Lin Xiao’s lips twitched. He could feel the weight of her leaning on him. “Do you have to be this dramatic?”

“Yes,” Ning Xi answered without hesitation. “It’s either this or you carry me. Choose.”

Lin Xiao exhaled, knowing he wouldn’t win this argument. “Fine.”

Before Ning Xi could celebrate, Lin Xiao bent slightly, wrapped an arm around her waist, and effortlessly lifted her into his arms.

“Wha—!?” Ning Xi’s eyes widened in shock. “I meant a piggyback ride! Not this.”

“Too bad,” Lin Xiao said calmly. “You didn’t specify.”

Ning Xi felt her cheeks warm as she instinctively curled into his embrace. His arms were strong, his heartbeat steady.

After a few moments, she muttered, “Hmph, whatever. Just don’t drop me.”

Lin Xiao strode forward. The mountain path was rugged, but he walked as if it were flat ground, his pace swift and steady. Ning Xi, nestled in his arms, gradually relaxed, resting her head against his shoulder.

Time passed, and the quiet rhythm of Lin Xiao’s footsteps lulled her.

She stirred after a while, blinking sleepily. Lin Xiao’s expression hadn’t changed. His breathing remained calm and even, as if carrying her for miles was effortless.

“You’re not even a little tired?” she murmured.

“No.”

Ning Xi sighed dramatically. “Of course not. I should’ve known better than to ask.”

She shifted slightly, adjusting her weight in his arms. Lin Xiao didn’t react.

“How much longer?”

“Five kilometers.”

Ning Xi groaned. “You actually measured?”

Lin Xiao didn’t answer. There was no need.

A moment of silence passed before Ning Xi suddenly leaned in, her breath warm against his neck.

“Lin Xiao…” Her voice softened, carrying a teasing lilt.

Lin Xiao’s steps didn’t falter, but his eyes flickered down at her warily. “What?”

Ning Xi let out a soft hum, tilting her head slightly. “You’re not tired, but… does carrying me feel like nothing at all?”

She shifted subtly, her curves pressing against him in an intentional way. Her fingers, resting lightly against his shoulder, traced an absent-minded pattern.

Lin Xiao’s grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly. His expression remained unreadable, but there was an unmistakable hint of tension in the air.

Ning Xi smirked. “See? Even you react sometimes.”

Lin Xiao ignored her. He didn’t loosen his grip, nor did he adjust his hold—he simply continued forward, as if nothing had happened.

Ning Xi pouted. “Hmph. You’re no fun.”

She sighed theatrically, then pressed herself closer against his chest, tilting her head up.

“By the way, if this lodge turns out to be a dump, I expect full compensation.”

Lin Xiao didn’t even glance at her. “Compensation?”

“Mm-hmm.” Ning Xi lazily traced a finger along his collarbone, dragging it lightly against his skin as if deep in thought. “If the bed is too hard, you’ll be my personal mattress. If it’s cold, you’ll be my human heater. And if it’s just a barn with nothing but hay on the floor… well, guess who’s going to be my pillow?”

Lin Xiao’s steps remained steady, unfazed. “You can sleep outside.”

Ning Xi gasped, pressing a hand against her chest in mock offense. “Lin Xiao! You’re so cruel. Would you really abandon a delicate lady like me to the harsh wilderness?”

Still no response.

Her smile widened. She wiggled slightly in his arms, shifting her body closer to his chest, close enough to feel the faint warmth radiating from him.

“Oh, wait, I forgot one more scenario,” she murmured, her voice dropping just a little lower. “What if I simply can’t sleep? Wouldn’t it be your duty to… comfort me?”

Lin Xiao’s expression remained unreadable. But the slight tightening of his jaw, the subtle flicker in his gaze.

“Tsk, look at you pretending not to hear me.” Ning Xi chuckled, propping her chin against his shoulder. “Are you scared, Lin Xiao?”

Lin Xiao exhaled slowly and, without a single word, shifted his grip slightly, adjusting her just enough so that she was no longer pressed so closely against him.

“Coward.” Ning Xi giggled, resting her head against his shoulder once more, thoroughly pleased with herself.

The slight breeze drifted through the trees, rustling the underbrush.

Then, another sound reached his ears—light, hurried footsteps. Uneven and uncertain.

Lin Xiao stopped.

“What is it?” Ning Xi asked.

He turned slightly, sharp gaze locking onto a small figure partially hidden among the trees.

He saw a girl.

She was young, no older than ten, her tiny frame barely visible in the dim light. She wore simple, slightly worn clothes, and in her arms, she carried a bundle of dry branches stacked haphazardly. Her breathing was quick and uneven, as if she had been moving with urgency.

Her wide eyes darted between him and Ning Xi.

Ning Xi gently tapped Lin Xiao’s shoulder. “Put me down.”

Lin Xiao complied without a word, lowering her to the ground. Ning Xi adjusted her dress before stepping forward, offering the girl a small smile.

“Hey there, little one. What are you doing out here alone?”

The girl hesitated. Her arms tightened around the bundle of wood. “I… I came to gather firewood.”

Lin Xiao remained silent, observing. Her hands were rough, the skin chafed from carrying wood daily. Though her clothes were clean, they were visibly worn from repeated mending.

Ning Xi squatted to meet her eye level. “What’s your name?”

“Wang Xue.”

“Wang Xue, huh? That’s a pretty name.” Ning Xi smiled. “Are you out here all alone?”

The girl hesitated, then nodded. “My parents are home. We… we need firewood for cooking. I didn’t gather enough earlier, so I came back out.”

Lin Xiao’s gaze swept the darkened forest. “Dangerous.”

Wang Xue bit her lip. She looked down, shifting on her feet. “I… I know. But my parents are busy, and I didn’t want them to worry.”

“Then you should’ve asked someone to come with you,” Lin Xiao stated plainly.

Wang Xue didn’t answer.

Ning Xi sighed, shaking her head. “You’re a brave little girl. But next time, don’t come alone, okay?”

Wang Xue glanced up, her expression conflicted. “You… you two aren’t from the village.”

“We’re not,” Ning Xi confirmed. “We’re on our way to the lodge. Do you live there?”

Wang Xue’s eyes brightened slightly. “Yes! My family works at the lodge. Are you staying with us?”

“We are,” Ning Xi replied, grinning. “That means we’ll be neighbors for the night.”

Wang Xue’s posture relaxed. She hesitated for a moment before glancing at Lin Xiao. “You’re really strong.”

Lin Xiao met her gaze but said nothing.

“I saw you carrying Big Sister just now,” Wang Xue continued. “You weren’t even out of breath.”

“Of course he’s strong,” Ning Xi said, flicking Lin Xiao’s arm playfully. “He’s like a human machine.”