After driving for a while along the highway wrapped in greenery, the road ahead grew even broader. In the distance, atop a naturally sculpted boulder, the words “Qingling Mountain” were carved, their base coated in red paint.
After parking the car, Lin Yiren got out and opened the door, lifting Xing Yao down.
Next, a pair of feet in white sneakers appeared. After arriving at the hotel, the young lady had changed into sporty shorts better suited for mountain roads, adding a sun-protective jacket that covered her fair waist. By contrast, Lin Yiren still wore a simple set of black clothes.
Chen Zhaoyue gazed around, surrounded by a sea of green. The path up the mountain, shrouded beneath trees and hills, seemed to breathe out a refreshing coolness. It couldn’t compare to the grand scenery she had visited before, but it had a charm all its own.
And this time, she was traveling with someone special.
She held Xing Yao’s small hand, leaving a certain someone still fussing with the camera behind.
“Wait for me!” Lin Yiren quickly stashed the camera in her bag and hurried after them.
“Mom, hurry up!” “Come on!”
The voices of the three floated among the verdant hills and clear waters, their figures merging into the steady stream of tourists.
The route prepared for visitors on Qingling Mountain first led to the mountainside, then down to the gorge, before taking a boat through the soaring cliffs to exit the valley.
At the foot of the mountain, a long stairway of layered stone steps stretched out, disappearing from sight.
Lin Yiren was giving Xing Yao some water from a small bottle when a couple passed by.
The girl leaned weakly against her boyfriend and said, “This looks so high. What if I can’t make it up?”
The boy eagerly showed off his biceps. “Don’t worry, I’ve climbed mountains much higher than this. I’ll carry you up later.”
The girl giggled and buried her face in his chest, and the two moved on, inseparable.
The climb here wasn’t as long as those at other famous mountains. Back when Lin Yiren was still “Lin Yi”, she could have dashed up with ease.
But carrying someone up was a bit much, she thought, pursing her lips, silently reminiscing about her former biceps.
At that moment, a hand poked her gently at her slender waist, and Lin Yiren was caught off guard, her body instantly softening.
“What are you doing.” She turned around in shy annoyance to glare at the culprit.
Chen Zhaoyue smiled, “Can you really make it up there? It looks pretty high.”
To be doubted by the radiant young lady in a “Are you up to it?” tone made Lin Yiren tremble, a surge of determination welling up.
“I’ll carry Xing Yao myself. If you get tired, just let me know!”
She hoisted her daughter up and strode forward decisively.
Chen Zhaoyue watched the girl marching ahead and couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh, a sly glint in her eyes.
***
The cicadas chirred ceaselessly along the mountain path, with tourists climbing in twos and threes.
Families with young children usually walked slower. A father in a short-sleeved shirt, arms thick with muscle, easily carried his child upward, encouraging his wife by his side.
Lin Yiren followed behind this family, seeing the father as her role model.
Chen Zhaoyue thought, She never looked like the athletic type. If she had to carry Xing Yao, she probably wouldn’t make it far. Even if I’ve become a girl, I can’t let the young lady get tired.
Step by step, Lin Yiren climbed the stairs, holding the curious little bundle that was Xing Yao, her heart full of energy.
The extra training she’d done recently gave her a boost.
She even managed to read a trace of “exhaustion” on the usually calm young lady’s face.
The first half of the climb made Lin Yiren feel as though she’d returned to her old self, brisk and lively.
But the path kept going, and soon the brilliant sunlight shone through the tree canopy onto the mountain road.
Climbers began to feel the heat, and beads of sweat formed on the foreheads of the two girls.
Chen Zhaoyue took a wet wipe from her bag and dabbed away the sweat, then carefully wiped Xing Yao’s face, her gaze drifting to the girl with a flushed face and fragrant breath.
Halfway up, Lin Yiren was struck by an unfamiliar fatigue and grew more acutely aware of the changes in her body.
More fat on her thighs, a slimmer waist, hips broader than before, the weight at her chest—all clinging together with her sweat-soaked clothes, each sensation more vivid than ever.
I knew my stamina would get worse, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. Did nothing of my old body remain at all?
Lin Yiren realized that the family she’d been following had long disappeared from sight, and a wave of frustration washed over her.
She watched the young lady gently wiping Xing Yao’s face. Lin Yiren opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Chen Zhaoyue smiled slightly and said, “You’ve been carrying her for so long. Don’t you think it’s my turn to hold our daughter?”
Lin Yiren made a barely audible “Mm” and felt a warmth in her chest. She’d thought she’d be mocked.
But Lin Xingyao wouldn’t have it, clinging tightly to Lin Yiren’s collar.
The little one pressed close to Lin Yiren’s chest and said, “Mommy’s here is softer.”
Miss Chen’s face turned dark.
A blush spread across Lin Yiren’s face. She didn’t want this, either! Why was the young lady looking at her so aggrievedly?
In the end, Lin Xingyao was transferred into Chen Zhaoyue’s arms.
Chen Zhaoyue carried her daughter steadily forward, and from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the girl following meekly behind, smiling where she couldn’t be seen.
Now Lin Yiren really did resemble the wife from that earlier family, walking by her side and asking, “Why is your stamina so good?”
“I was in the…the Dance Club back in school,” Chen Zhaoyue replied, her eyes hinting at a secret plot.
The Dance Club, huh. Lin Yiren sneaked a glance at her long, strong legs.
“Dancing is a great way for girls to quickly improve their fitness,” Chen Zhaoyue gently encouraged.
Following her words, Lin Yiren thought: With her body now, doing her old boy’s sports probably wouldn’t suit her, but dancing could work… Wait, no! I’m not a girl, so why would I learn dance?
Startled by her own thoughts, Lin Yiren glanced at Chen Zhaoyue and, seeing her expression unchanged, kept her head down and said nothing.
For the rest of the journey, the three of them walked, rested, and admired the scenery. Lin Xingyao was also set down to walk a few steps on her own.
The two girls took turns holding her hand, one mature and poised, the other pure and graceful, attracting more than a few glances.
***
When the sun was high overhead, they reached the valley floor.
A clear river flowed by, dotted with several boats. Along the bank, tables were set up for visitors to eat.
Quite a few people had already arrived, laying out their food for lunch.
Chen Zhaoyue had bought boxed lunches earlier and now took them out, sharing a table with a family of four.
Lin Yiren prepared Xing Yao’s meal but suddenly sensed someone staring at her.
She looked up to see two kids from the other family looking their way—or more precisely, at them.
Across from them sat a brother and sister, the older in high school, the younger in middle school.
As Lin Yiren looked up, the brother blushed and lowered his head to eat, but the sister’s gaze remained steady. She asked, “Sister, is that your daughter?”
Lin Yiren was about to nod when Lin Xingyao chimed in, “That’s my mommy.”
She then pointed to Chen Zhaoyue and said, “That’s my mom.”
Lin Yiren saw surprise flash in the eyes of those in front of her. She smiled and patted Xing Yao’s head, only to feel a hostile gaze mixed in.
It was from the father of that family. He let out a mocking snort: “Heh, what’s this? Two women messing around, how could that child be your own?”
His words exploded like thunder, plunging the table into a dead silence.
Lin Yiren’s face turned pale, her body trembling with rage.
She had met too many kind people lately, and had almost forgotten how society could treat people like them.
What a gossipy old man! None of his business!
All other thoughts left her. She would not allow anyone to insult Lin Xingyao and Chen Zhaoyue.
Lin Yiren stood up and glared at the man, rebuking him angrily: “And what are you supposed to be, huh? Lived all these years and your mind is still stuck in the Stone Age! What’s wrong with women? You’re a real piece of work!”
As she cursed, she covered Xing Yao’s ears, not wanting her to hear any of it.
The angry girl’s face turned red, her words fierce and sharp, drawing the attention of everyone around.
The man couldn’t take the humiliation, pointing at her: “Say that again and I’ll—hey, what are you doing!”
Halfway through his threat, a strong hand grabbed him.
Chen Zhaoyue stared at him, her voice calm but simmering with fury. “Care to take a swim in the river?”
The man wanted to say more, but his wife and son hurriedly dragged him away.
Lin Yiren still felt her emotions churning, but soon saw that same girl return.
She was annoyed and snapped, “What do you want?”
The girl’s face was full of apology. She quickly waved her hands. “I’m really sorry, sisters, and little sister too. My dad’s behavior was awful—my mom’s already told him off.”
She paused, then said sincerely, “I absolutely don’t agree with my dad. When I first saw you, I thought you were really loving—and beautiful. I hope you always stay this way.”
After apologizing repeatedly, the girl waved and left.
Lin Yiren could tell she meant no harm, and after calming herself, she waved back.
Well, maybe she got the “loving” part wrong. Chen Zhaoyue probably saw their relationship as just two friends raising a child together.
Lin Yiren secretly observed Chen Zhaoyue’s expression, only to find she had already let go of her anger and was gently comforting Xing Yao.
Sensing the gaze, Chen Zhaoyue looked up. Their eyes met, and Lin Yiren quickly looked down.
How could she handle the young lady switching from cold and sharp to gentle and mature so easily?
“You were really brave just now.” A gentle voice made Lin Yiren look up in a daze.
Chen Zhaoyue smiled, “Let’s not think about those unpleasant things. The scenery is beautiful—let’s take some photos.”
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